By Richard Smith | YourValley
The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled on Feb. 7 against an appeal filed on behalf of the Voice of Surprise Facebook group, clearing the way for an affordable housing complex in Surprise.
Voice of Surprise formed in 2021 to oppose the Truman Ranch Marketplace proposal by Scottsdale-based developer Dominium Inc. It filed a lawsuit against Surprise city officials, the entire city council and Dominium after the city rejected its petition drive to bring a referendum on the project to a vote.
The city rejected the petition because it did not comply with state law.
Appeals Court Presiding Judge Samuel A. Thumma filed his ruling Feb. 7 affirming the Nov. 15 decision of Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott A. Blaney that Surprise was correct to reject the petition drive because the applicant failed to attach a copy of the full title and text of the measure sought to be referred.
“Dominium is pleased with the court’s decision and we look forward to continuing to work with the city of Surprise and community to develop some much needed homes with affordable rents for the city’s workforce and seniors,” stated Dominium government relations associate Sarah Shambrook in a Feb. 8 email.
