SAFFORD — Finding a solution to the lack of housing available in the Gila Valley took a big step forward Monday, when the Safford City Council unanimously approved the development plan and the final plat for the Villas and Cottages on 14th.
The Villas and Cottages on 14th is a 165-unit housing development planned for the area of 14th Avenue and Relation Street.
Ninety-one of the units are planned to be 1,260 square feet, 14 are 3,150 square feet, and the remainder 2,940 square feet.
“The increasing competition for units in denser mixed-use neighborhoods, paired with the current economic recession, may increase the demand for these housing products,” said Jaime Embick, Safford’s Planning and Community Development director.
City Council concern settled primarily on traffic around the development at full build-out, primarily due to its proximity to Safford High School and Ruth Powell Elementary School. There were also questions about sufficient parking for the development.
“When I have to sit before 14th on Relation a good 15-20 minutes as that line backs up for the parents to turn right onto 14th; I want to know if you’ve redone the (traffic) study and what the plans are. Because I can’t sit there for 30 minutes, and having to go all the way down and around is a real pain,” said Councilwoman Dusti Brantner.
Public Works Director Lance Henrie explained that there are two different entrances to the subdivision, with a dedicated right-turn only lane. He also said it is anticipated there will be 1,100 traffic movements per day as a result of the subdivision, and the city could consider a study for a traffic control device such as a light or round-about.
As to parking, Henrie said the subdivision will have off-street parking, as the streets will be a minimum of 30-feet wide with no on-street parking.
