By Jodie Newell | Casa Grande Dispatch
A long-delayed request for a major amendment to zoning at Tri-Valley Plaza on Florence Boulevard was approved despite staunch public opposition at Monday night’s City Council meeting.
The main complaint from residents who reside behind the property was focused on a rear wall that measures roughly 6 feet, with some sectors shorter. In previous meetings resident John Dremler, who resides behind the shopping center adjacent to Fry’s, had expressed frustration that nothing had been done at the site since the 1990s to alleviate traffic, noise or privacy concerns.
In response to residents’ concerns, planning staff recently had issued a code violation citation with regards to the wall height and landscaping. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended that as part of granting the applicant’s request, that a wall measuring 8 feet be built.
Applicant David Kempen of DJK-Casa Grande LLC of Davenport, Iowa, addressed the council and stated that he would find the condition of building an 8-foot wall “cost prohibitive” and sought to see his request granted with the wall requirement at 6 feet.
