Somerton may get privately financed subdivision
SOMERTON — Work on this city’s first large-scale privately financed residential subdivision in a decade could begin later this year or in early 2018, now that the city has given initial approval to the project.
The council recently voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance to rezone near 15 acres from suburban ranch to individual family housing to allow for construction of up to 65 homes in the third phase of the Valle del Sol subdivision, on Somerton’s southwest side.
The site is located between Bingham Avenue and the East Main Canal and between County 12th Street and 13th Place, and it belongs to Linton Management Inc. and Kumlin Revocable Trust, both based in California.
The first two phases of Valle del Sol were completed about a decade ago, but the third phase stalled amid the recession. Housing construction has not stopped altogether in the city, however.
Housing American Corp., a non-profit housing organization, oversees a self-help housing program in which enabled low- and moderate-income families seek low-interest loans and subsidies through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program to build their homes in Somerton.
The last rezoning approved in Somerton for privately financed housing was in 2010, but only seven lots were rezoned, said Carmen Juarez, the city’s community development director.
“Right now there aren’t may lots for building in the city,” Juarez said. “We’re happy because it appears subdivisions are starting move ahead after various years of no new development.”
Angela Gallardo, owner of AV Realty and the local representative for the subdivision said that barring any holdups, construction in the third phase of Valle del Sol could begin at the end of this year or in early 2018.
“This would be very good not only for the developers but also for the city, because it would mean revenues from permits and licenses,” Gallardo said. “The city has needed someone to invest in new development for years. Right now there aren’t many lots.”
She said apart from individual parcels scattered around the city, the only inventory of vacant lots is in the Venezia subdivision on the city’s northwest side, where there are about 20.
The rezoning for the third phase of Valle del Sol is still subject to the council’s approval of a second reading of the ordinance, which is expected to take place at the council’s next meeting this month.
The subdivision plat and development plan for the third phase then must be approved by the city planning commission and the council.