San Tan Valley, San Tan Foothills and Queen Creek residents could decide the fate of a pristine, undeveloped desert area known as Box Canyon, says Friends of San Tan Mountain Regional Park.
Box Canyon is located to the West of San Tan Mountain Regional Park and was annexed by the Town of Queen Creek in 1998 in to “preserve its natural and cultural attributes,” according to the group’s news release.
The Queen Creek Town Council will vote on the proposed General Plan Amendments tomorrow night which concern the area in question. If the vote passes, the Box Canyon area could be opened up to increased development, which might include a master planned community with approximately 3,783 homes and a hotel or resort site.
Current plans call for a low-density cap at 0 to 1.0 dwellings per acre, but if the amendment passes, the density cap will be raised to 1.8 dwellings per acre, which can also be increased in additional future votes by the Town Council if so desired.
Friends of San Tan Mountain Regional is opposed to development of Box Canyon because the area in question is untouched desert, and development impacts might alter the ecosystem, as well as the cultural and historical resources in the area, the group says.
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation also opposes the project.
Information from East Valley Tribune
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/queen_creek/article_94a430c0-489f-11e2-bab9-001a4bcf887a.html
