Anthem, Arizona is actively monitoring the Riverview development, are you?
The impact of the Riverview development on Anthem has the potential to be significant for our magnificent community. If you’re not watching it, you should be. If you are watching you are undoubtedly concerned. In this post I will give you important information on what stage the Riverview development is at and why you NEED need to be paying attention! Stay tuned!
Hey everyone, welcome back! I’m Carolynn, with the Wise Move AZ Team at Realty ONE Group. If you want to stay up to date on all things Anthem and Real Estate then you need to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Pro Tip: You’re also going to want to hit that little bell icon while you’re there, so that you’re the first to know when our new videos are posted every single Thursday!
So, what is the Riverview Development?
As you can see from this map, it is the proposed development 170 residences in the area immediately west of Circle Mountain Ranch and east of Arroyo Grande. Both Circle Mountain Ranch and Arroyo Grande are Anthem Communities.
Why do or why should we care?
The short answer is because whether we are directly affected by the development or not, we are the community of Anthem and we all look out for each other and our community.
Our Concerns
There are five major issues that, in our opinion, that are urgent and imperative. You may have more and if so, send them to us, via comments to this post, email, text message or telephone call. We want to hear from you!
In no particular order, here are our concerns:
#1 Potential Flood Hazards
The Riverview proposal includes alterations to the New River Wash channel that runs between the existing Anthem Communities of Arroyo Grande and Circle Mountain.
The purpose of the alterations are to increase home density. The impact of the alterations is unknown unless and until research is conducted by specialized engineers to analyze the effect of the alterations on neighboring and downstream developed and undeveloped areas adjacent to the wash.
#2 Sewage Lift Station
The Riverview proposal includes a sewage lift station at the southern border of the proposed community. I don’t have to tell you that lift stations make a lot of noise and emit less than pleasant odors. I am sure we can all acknowledge that a lift station is necessary (the alternative is unthinkable) but insisting on proper insulation for noise and odor is reasonable.
#3 Traffic Flow
Residents of the proposed Riverview development will use 43rd Avenue as their access route. If you live in Anthem Parkside West or Circle Mountain Ranch or have travelled to the post office or the businesses along 43rd at the “wrong” time of day, you know that traffic can become extremely congested. Vehicles travelling south during the busy times can sometimes wait several lights to make a left turn onto Anthem Way with the line-up backing up to the entrance to the Outlet Mall at times.
Consider the peril if emergency services need access to and from the developments along 43rd Avenue during rush hour. Consider an emergency in which Anthem Parkside West or Circle Mountain Ranch need to be evacuated. After several fires in and around Anthem, particularly Anthem West, we all know that wildfires are real and threatening. There are three things that we feel must be in place before the Riverview development proceeds:
- A left turn signal for southbound traffic onto anthem Way
- Widening of 43rd Avenue to two lanes in both directions; and
- Pedestrian sidewalks of the East side of 43rd Avenue
#4 Provision of Emergency Services
Anthem West is serviced by Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical Department and the Black Mountain Precinct of the City of Phoenix Police Department. Together those institutions provide the heroes who watch over us 24/7. Remember them? They are the people who save lives, they run into dangerous situations when we are running away. They will also be the first responders who are assigned to the new Riverview development AND who are currently working with stretched resources. Don’t we all want to know, before we add another 170 homes to the area, that there are clear plans in place to ensure that current and new residents and businesses will be properly protected and monitored?
#5 Infrastructure
The current plans for Parkview include only two small pocket parks. It is anticipated, with good reason, that residents of the new development will make use of the amazing and privately owned and funded park system and recreational amenities of Anthem. This additional usage will increase the burden on our repair and maintenance resources and raises two issues:
- Does Anthem annex Parkview and charge residents the same fees that all other Anthem residents pay thereby holding them responsible for their fair share of the cost of their use of our parks and amenities?
- Can Anthem’s restricted areas (like the Community Center and fitness facilities) handle the increased burden of the number of additional members that 170 homes represent? Remember that the restricted access areas of Anthem are of a fixed size with little or no room to expand.
The stage that the Parkview development is at now is that it has approval of the Phoenix Planning Commission to proceed with the development in accordance with the Phoenix General Plan. None of the above issues have been satisfactorily addressed, although the developer has agreed to work with the City of Phoenix to fund a dual left turn lane and light signal at Anthem Way for southbound traffic on 43rd Avenue.
Next Steps
The next step is for the developer to obtain a flood plain use permit from the Floodplain Review Board.
Final Thoughts
I want to be clear that Lindsay and I do not oppose the Riverview development, but we are very concerned about the development of any land that may adversely impact our beautiful Anthem community. We welcome new neighbors and new development but need comfort that the important issues like flood control, public safety and the full enjoyment of our community are all properly considered and resolved before construction begins. We also expect a commitment from the developer to work with us to equitably and in good faith to resolve any issues that come to light after construction begins.
I truly hope you enjoyed this post.
We’ll see YOU, next Thursday!
