EXCLUSIVE: Empire Group/Dodgers/White Sox gain zoning approval

EMC Camelback Ranch Rendering/The Empire Group

(Disclosure: RLG represents this case and The Empire Group.)

By Rose Law Group Reporter Staff

Last night, the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved a general plan amendment and rezoning for the Empire Group to allow for 18 acres of high density residential at Camelback Road and Ballpark Boulevard adjacent to Camelback Ranch the home of the White Sox and Dodgers.  In addition, the General plan amendment allows for the Baseball teams to  purchase the land surrounding Camelback Ranch and come back with a rezoning for a Mixed Use Development to compliment the spring training facility activity.

EMC Camelback Ranch Rendering/The Empire Group

The applicant was the Empire Group on behalf of the City of Phoenix and Glendale who will be selling the land adjacent to the ballpark to the Dodgers and White Sox. The Empire Group plans a single family for rent highly amenitized community.

EMC Camelback Ranch Rendering/The Empire Group

Attorney Jordan Rose and planner Jennifer Hall from Rose Law Group represented the various parties.  The Maryvale village committee voted unanimously against the project.  In an outstanding showing of leadership, Vice Mayor Betty Guardado, lead community outreach, bringing the parties together to find a solution that addresses the concerns.  Vice Mayor Guardado was able time get the city to agree that the approximately $1.3 million the ball teams will pay the City of Phoenix for the land purchase will go to “public open space within district 5.”

This agreement and the addition on trails in the project led to a unanimous planning commission approval.

Jordan Rose representing the applicant said, “thank you to Vice Mayor Guardado as her outstanding display of leadership brought us all together to allow for a vibrant project to move forward.”