Johnson Utilities: ALJ recommends that ACC appoint Interim Manager; ‘something had to be done’ says Court Rich, Rose Law Group senior partner and director of Renewable Energy Department. Administrative Law Judge Sarah Harpring has issued an opinion and order recommending that the Arizona Corporation Commission appoint an Interim Manager to operate Johnson Utilities. Court Rich tells RLGR: “Ultimately, something had to be done to right the Johnson Utilities’ ship, but this is going to have major short and mid-term impacts on developers and homebuilders with interests in Johnson’s service territory. Understanding the potential impact to timelines for development and cost changes is going to be essential.” (ALSO see item below in Newsmaker.) http://bit.ly/2zyAtcs
Gilbert will auction off land it was blasted for overpaying for nearly a decade ago. “In 2010, the land sale became a full-blown debacle for Gilbert officials when critics discovered the town never got a certified appraisal. The sale price, at nearly $300,000 an acre [$50.2M], was almost 10 times the price paid in similar private sales in the area.” A look back at the deal for the land once owned dairy farmer Bernard Zinke, along with a bit of info on the upcoming auction — in AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2zxVcgi
Arizona Eco asked to resubmit annexation application for Granite Dells development proposal. Having rejected the initial application for annexation of land into city limits, the City of Prescott has asked Arizona Eco Development for “additional information.” The Daily Courier reports that “initial paperwork omitted the state requirement to include properties in the area — a list that likely will number in the hundreds.” http://bit.ly/2KXjB4t
Park Place Condominiums in Sedona to add condos. The Great Recession brought the expansion of Park Place Condominiums in West Sedona “to a halt.” Now, that project has been revived, with the owners “seeking approval to add an additional 59 townhouses to the property, which already has 12 condominium units developed.” Red Rock News. http://bit.ly/2uxF4FZ
Building activity speeds up in Coconino County, following recession slowdown. “That includes high-end homes on 10-acre lots near Forest Highlands, smaller lots and likely more affordable homes planned for Kachina Village and manufactured home spaces planned for Bellemont.” Here’s “a roundup of projects,” courtesy Arizona Daily Sun: http://bit.ly/2NcHMIw
Some think millennials are home buying laggards, others do something about it. According to Builder’s John McManus, one such company capable of doing “something about it” is Kattera. With plans for a new “mega plant” in Northern California — “bigger” and more “advanced” than its Phoenix factory — Katerra is “bent” on “turning the affordability issue on its nose.” In McManus’ words: “If they build it, and they build it attainably, millennials will come.” http://bit.ly/2mhOeTi
Most expensive home sales in Phoenix. Arizona Foothills Magazine top home sales 7.2.18- 7.8.18 totaled “over $20 million,” PLUMMETING some $12 million from the previous week! Still, it appears one seller made out like a bandit, apparently unloading mere schematics — just FRONT and REAR ELEVATIONS of a home — for a whopping $2,155,000! And the buyer probably could’ve got ’em for a million bucks less! Check it out to see what we mean. ALSO: What’s with the inclusion of a Flagstaff home in this week’s installment?
http://bit.ly/2LgfjRB
Foreclosures up in Phoenix area, but it’s no reason to worry, expert says.ATTOM senior veep Daren Blomquist tells KTAR News 92. 3 FM “We’re still well below the crisis levels… [compared] to the peak back in 2009.” How far below? Tap on for data. http://bit.ly/2uxHHYn
Owners, appraisers closest to agreement since 2015. That’s the finding from the latest Quicken Loans Home Price Perception Index which “shows that the average home appraisal in June was only 0.25 percent lower than what owners had estimated.” More on America’s home-value perception scene, including just how spaced-out the HPPI is in Phoenix, at REALTORMag. http://bit.ly/2JmWk63
Casino Del Sol’s newest hotel will feature a water slide, pool bar and an arcade. • 151-rooms • 93,200 sq. ft. • On 2.2 acres • “Part of an extensive hospitality project” • “Positively impacting the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Southern Arizona” • Details and renderings in Arizona Daily Star. http://bit.ly/2ukuqmN
Casa Grande panel says 2 homeowners must remove 2nd driveways. “Two homeowners in the [Mission Valley] neighborhood built secondary driveways last fall.” On Wednesday, P&Z voted 4-1 for removal of the driveways. The reason, plus why commissioner Dennis Dugan, the sole nay vote, considered the punishment “unfair” — in Maricopa Monitor. http://bit.ly/2um9FXH
New Maricopa city manager discusses downtown improvements, apartments. “Rick Horst is just three weeks into his new job as Maricopa city manager, but he’s already excited to implement some of his plans.” Yesterday, he talked with Chamber of Commerce members about those plans, for the “blank canvas” that is Maricopa. Coverage in Maricopa Monitor. http://bit.ly/2JqtHVS
3 Arizona finalists named for interim Paradise Valley town manager. “The plan is to employ someone while a national search for a permanent town manager is conducted.” Finalists for town manager seat-filler are: Ken Buchanan, Cynthia Seelhammer and Brian Dalke. For a bit of background info on these “three municipal professionals,” tap to PV Independent. http://bit.ly/2LfdsfP
Manfredi has eyes set on continuing success, making Maricopa safer.“Vincent Manfredi considers his first four years on the Maricopa City Council to be a success, and because of that, he has decided to run again.“ The way he puts it: “I have so much work to do.” Councilman Manfredi talks about some of that work in Maricopa Monitor. http://bit.ly/2mgYNpN
Sole challenger disqualified as candidate for Coolidge mayor. “Mayor Jon Thompson is running unopposed in the 2018 election after challenger Scott Koch has been disqualified.” The reason for the disqualification: Signature issues on the petition for election. QUESTION: Was the photo in Coolidge Examiner taken right after Koch got the news? Because dude looks kinda bummed. http://bit.ly/2JhVzLv
Fountain Hills Candidate Q&A: 2020 General Plan amendment. “A new General Plan amendment is due to go to voters in 2020. How do you use this tool to sustain current residential quality of life? Attract necessary and sustainable commercial ventures? Maintain environmental stewardship? Enhance transportation opportunities?” Two mayoral candidates and six Town Council hopefuls give their answers in Fountain Hills Times. http://bit.ly/2zAX2gm
Tempe Mayor Mitchell appointed as leader among U.S. Mayors. “Mayor Mark Mitchell has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and has convened his first meeting as Chair of the USCM Mayors and Metro Universities Task Force.” Wrangler News. http://bit.ly/2miEhEV
Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2ut94mr
Don’t miss anything… follow multiple winner of the Arizona Republic’s tweet of the week contest, and Senior Partner at Rose Law Group and Director of RLG Renewable Energy Department, Court Rich. http://bit.ly/Court_RichTwitter
