By Cecilia Chan | Gilbert Sun News
A couple of Planning Commission members last week said they “struggled” with a proposed 311-acre light-industrial project that would bring jobs to Gilbert but at the expense of nearby homeowners who don’t want it.
Developer IndiCap is proposing The Ranch project at the northwest corner of Power and Warner Roads adjacent to Morrison Ranch’s Elliot Groves neighborhood.
“When I look at this it’s really a substantial proposal, probably the largest that I’ve seen in recent memory,” Commission Anthony Bianchi said at the Oct. 5 meeting.
“It’s at the town’s eastern gateway, along two major arterials,” he said. “So when we do these major General Plan amendments they deserve scrutiny and they get scrutiny and for me it’s really looking at the short term gains versus the long term goals when we get into this.
“So I think with all that, this proposal would fundamentally change the look and feel especially in that eastern portion of the Morrison Ranch planned development. So I think as far as where I’m at currently that’s kind of why I am currently struggling with this proposal.”
The Ranch proposal includes 17 light-industrial buildings with 950 truck docks and two retail centers at the corners.
IndiCap is seeking a major General Plan Amendment and rezone on the land, which would increase light-industrial uses to 92% from the current 16.2%.
