The Gilbert Town Council has two controversial zoning issues for its 7 p.m. Tuesday meeting:
• The Pecos-Mercy general plan amendment, involving 98 acres near Pecos and Greenfield roads, just east of Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. The property owners are seeking a change to office and commercial classifications which would allow research centers and medical offices to be built. Some nearby residents have objected to building heights and overall densities proposed on the site, though the developers have made some concessions which appeased some of their concerns.
Others are objecting to the idea of an 8-acre shopping center on the corner of Pecos and Greenfield roads, arguing the town already has too much commercial space and that it isn’t compatible with other planned buildings at the intersection, which include a Mormon temple.
• A minor general plan amendment for the Bridges planned development at Higley and Ocotillo roads. The developer is seeking permission to increase the density for two areas set aside for apartments or condominiums. One reason the developer wants to proceed is that there are no immediate neighbors around to object to the idea, but Town Council members and other residents concerned about the number of apartments already built and approved in Gilbert have raised objection. The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the change on one of the parcels involved and denial on the second.
Also, the council will accept the resignation of Gilbert Planning Commission member and Highland Justice of the Peace-elect Dan Dodge, who is stepping down after 17 years, in accordance with state laws which prohibit justices of the peace from holding positions on other boards.
The Town Council is scheduled to accept his letter of resignation at its Tuesday meeting. He officially steps down Jan. 1 and his current term ends June 1. The council will fill the vacancy next year as it interviews and selects applicants for numerous board openings.
Any Gilbert resident interested in serving on a town board can fill out an interest form on the town Web site.
Other topics on the agenda include a report on the possibility of a four-day workweek for some town employees, a conditional use permit for a Catholic church that wants to build in a neighborhood already unhappy with traffic levels from another church, a hearing on an ordinance which would allow for alcohol consumption in the Polar Ice rink located in Crossroads Park, an intergovernmental agreement with Mesa for fire dispatch services and the reallocation of $95,000 from a little-used rehabilitation program for landowners in the Sonora Town neighborhood.
