Council approves compromise for Avenue B project

The Yuma City Council unanimously approved a request to change the land use designation of nearly 6 acres located at 1421 S. Avenue B from medium density residential to high density residential with the exception of the north 100 feet, which will remain medium density residential.

The compromise came from Barry Olsen, representative for South Avenue B LLC, who suggested preserving a buffer as a transition.

Neighbors have opposed high density, citing the same concerns for this and an adjacent property, including traffic impact and the density that a potential apartment complex would bring.

Following the strong opposition and a letter from the city administrator, the Planning and Zoning Commission in March recommended the council deny the request to change the city’s General Plan.

In a letter to the commission, City Administrator Greg Wilkinson outlined concerns with having side-by-side high-density projects in that area. The council voted in February to rezone 4.8 acres located at 1451 S. Avenue B from agriculture to high density residential.

“Traffic issues and city infra-

structure that would need to be replaced have caused City Administration to reconsider the timing of two separate high density residential projects in the same area and the burden it would place on existing infrastructure and/or taxpayers,” Wilkinson wrote.

Jennifer Albers, a principal planner for the city, has said the owner intends to market the property to an apartment complex developer. The property is located next to the vacant El Pappagallo Mexican Restaurant. A tire shop is currently on the site.

Olsen, also the representative for the adjacent property owner, Ghiotto Family Properties, has said they do not currently have plans to develop the property but believe that the new zoning might attract an apartment complex developer. However, Olsen said the two property owners have discussed a joint deal but have not come to an agreement.

In response to the Ghiotto approval, some Yuma residents, calling themselves Avenue B Citizens Advisory Group, submitted a referendum petition asking that the decision be put to a citizen vote, but it came to a standstill when it did not have the required signatures.

Olsen noted that no private market apartments have been built in Yuma in over 25 years and they believe there is demand for such housing. Private market apartments refer to projects not subsidized by the government, he explained.

Amy Gill, representing the Avenue B Citizens Advisory Group, said members were afraid the buffer property could be sold to the developer and the buffer would disappear. She urged the council to follow the commission’s recommendation and deny the request.

Mayor Doug Nicholls asked what Gill thought of the suggested compromise. She said she was not familiar enough with it to give an opinion.

Albers said the land use change would result in a small increase of 30 units and 48 people. However, she expressed concerns with having two opposing uses next to each other. She

said those concerns have been addressed in the past with buffers, walls and increased setbacks.

Nicholls said he felt a 100-foot buffer was “a good compromise” and it fit with the council’s commitment to infilling vacant properties.

Asked what the buffer would be, Olsen said they envision a green space or sidewalk.