Villa de Paz Resident Speaks Out about Development

Writer, Karen Kopchick

Community Interest

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I'm writing to you to voice my opinion regarding the need for the Villa de Paz Golf Course stipulation to remain intact.  We have been residing in Villa de Paz since my special needs/cognitively disabled daughter was in kindergarten (Villa de Paz Elementary was crowded back then) for whom just graduated high school on mine and my husband's 27th anniversary 5/22/13.

Have our homes not suffered enough of a loss of property value due to the economic collapse of housing?

My daughter gets around in this neighborhood pretty good.  She is unable to ride a normal bike and therefore has a 3 wheeled version.  I'm afraid that if it is made to handle more people/houses that she will possibly get lost in her own neighborhood and have more traffic to deal with.  Special people are known for not acclimating to change very well so please help maintain our neighborhood for her as well as the other residents of this awesome neighborhood.

 

pic of me and my daughter

I'm from Memphis, Tennesse and bought specifically here due to the green space.  I also bought specifically here to avoid HOA's for which we had bad experiences with while residing in Kissimmee, Florida for four long awful, terrible years, and the cost of living is that of New York City.

As well, there was some concern expressed at the meeting at The Hope Center regarding construction causing dust/dirt debris and therefore exposing us to Valley Fever.  The neighbor across the street, who is no longer with us, had this fungal infection and battled it for years and it was a contributing factor to his death.  They also have a special needs son residing there.  I also have 2 beautiful dogs and it would devastate me for my 2 family members to be stricken with Valley Fever.  

I have no pet insurance and their medical bills are usually MORE expensive than ours. Their treatment would be so expensive that I would probably have to euthanize them due to being unable to afford treatment.  I can't even afford my copay right now due to the deplorable conditions of our insurance in this country.

When the City of Phoenix annexed this neighborhood 20 years ago, a stipulation was set in place that the golf course land can ONLY be used as an 18 hole golf course.  

Please help the City of Phoenix keep their word and do not allow the greedy developers to change the rules for their benefit.

Thanks for your consideration in this matter.

Residents Set to Rally at Planning Hearing

Staff Writer, DL Mullan

Community Interest

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Villa de Paz Residents are rallying at the Planning Hearing Officer Decision on Wednesday, November 20th at 10am. The meeting was moved to the City Council Chambers, 200 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 85003 because of the massive turn out of nearly 300 residents at the prior Maryvale Village Planning Meeting, which they won 12 to 1.

Every effort is being made. Fliers, emails, phone calls, and home visits, Villa de Paz residents are organized and on the move. Nothing is being left to chance.

Since the Villa de Paz neighborhood agreed to be annexed by the City of Phoenix 20 years ago, resident's expectations to live in a golf course community is well established. Now mandated stipulations require this area to remain an 18-hole golf course.

Maple Leaf International Properties wants the City of Phoenix to remove these mandated stipulations, so they can build houses on the golf course. 

Over the last month, Villa de Paz residents have seen themselves as David trying to slay a corporate Goliath by trying to stop an unneeded, unnecessary, and downright unfathomable housing development from being built in the middle of the 40 year old community. 

The question remains: will the City of Phoenix hold up its end of the bargain and dismiss the developer's request for approval of his money making-scheme?

Or will residents have to remind the City of Phoenix of its obligations by fighting all the way to the City Council?

From the sheer will and perseverance with fact and expectation, how could anyone in good conscious vote against the residents of Villa de Paz?

Source: Community Flier

12-1 Villa de Paz Residents WIN First Round

Writer, Jeff O'Toole
Community Interest

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When the Villa de Paz neighborhood agreed to be annexed by the City of Phoenix 20 years ago, they mandated stipulations requiring the 18-hole golf course land could only be used as a golf course. Now Welker Development Resources is trying to get the City of Phoenix to remove these stipulations, so they can build housing on the golf course instead.

Villa de Paz residents have been engaged in a battle with the developer over the last month trying to stop a housing development from being built in the middle of their 40yr old community. Last night at the Hope Center in Villa de Paz at 6:00pm, the Maryvale Village Planning Commission voted on the proposal to remove the golf course stipulation. Over 200 residents attended this meeting. Of the 151 people that filled out cards marking if they approved or opposed, 150-1 marked opposed. You will find attached two pictures of each side of the gym that was filled during the meeting.

The Commission heard presentations from the developer and the opposing neighborhood residents and voted 12-1 OPPOSED to removing the golf course stipulation. This is a key win for the neighborhood. From here the fight goes to the Planning Hearing Officer next Wednesday at 10:00am and ultimately to City Council on February 5th.

Here is a video of the actual vote. (At this point, the meeting has lasted 3.5 hrs and several residents have had to leave).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGn9t4Q8AQE

Please contact me directly for specific details on this story at 843-261-4757.

Thank you for your interest.