Next phases of Quail Ridge get OK, but no park space yet

Thatcher Mayor Randy Bryce listens to input from staff on the Phase II subdivisions for Quail Ridge during Monday's meeting. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

THATCHER — The normally simple matter of approving the final plat for a housing development turned into a debate over parks and street lights.

The Thatcher Town Council voted 5-1, with Councilman Mark Vining in opposition, to approve an extension of the 18-lot Quail Ridge Phase II-B Subdivision final plat, and voted 6-0 to approve the final plat for the Quail Ridge Phase II-C Subdivision during Monday’s meeting.

In both approvals, the council added a stipulation of a street light at each subdivision’s intersection.

It was the prospect of a park space in Quail Ridge that got most of the discussion. Two residents spoke in opposition to any park space, while one resident spoke in favor, saying 50 children board the school bus each day and those are children who need a safe place to play.

Mayor Randy Bryce said he was not in favor of requiring the developer to give up a sellable piece of land for park space.

“I felt like we couldn’t, after there’s been significant amounts of expenditure and financial contributions to these endeavors, we couldn’t come back and harm them,” Bryce said.

Council member Jenny Howard pointed out that Daley Estates is made up of 510 homes on 155 acres and has a 1.5-acre park, Quail Ridge is 106 acres with 264 homes at full build-out.

“I think as a town we need to do our due diligence, with a subdivision this size, and partner with the builder to put in a park,” Howard said.

Town staff said there is a possibility of a small park space in Quail Ridge’s final subdivision, with an undevelopable piece of land near the water tank that the developer has indicated could be made available. Town manager Heath Brown said Safford has indicated a willingness to discuss moving a nearby fence to expand that potential park space.

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