During its regular meeting on April 3, the Cottonwood City Council unanimously approved a plan to rezone 9.01 acres of land on State Route 89A, near Candy Lane, from Commercial and Industrial to Planned Area Development, allowing for the construction of a new housing development called Inspiration at Cottonwood.
During a meeting on March 20, the council had already approved a change to the city’s general plan to allow for the zoning change.
During the March 20 meeting, city planner Scott Ellis and Luke Sefton of Sefton Engineering Consultants advocated for the development on behalf of the developers.
The matter passed with little discussion during Tuesday’s meeting, with the council expressing hope that the new development will ameliorate Cottonwood’s housing shortage.
“If they’re following through with what they’re proposing, I think it will be good, because you hear a lot right now about the lack of housing and the availability of apartments,” Ellis said. “From what I hear through the grapevine, there’s waiting lists at just about every apartment complex in town, not just in Cottonwood, but everywhere in the Verde Valley, and this is definitely a much-needed development.” The plans submitted to the city propose the building of 192 new apartment units on the lot, ranging from one to three bedrooms, each with its own balcony. The plans also include sufficient parking for the apartment units, trees and plants throughout the complex, a dog park, several picnic areas and a play structure for children. Additionally, the complex will feature a clubhouse, spa and swimming pool.
Due to its close proximity to Verde Valley Medical Center, which is one of the largest employers in the city, Mayor Tim Elinski noted that the apartment complex will likely include many tenants who work at the hospital, which may be a strong positive.
“I think this development is going to be attractive both to boomers and to millennials,” said Elinski.
Elinski also noted that it is important for Cottonwood to attract young people to balance out its aging population.
“It’s a housing project that is very innovative, open and community-oriented — they have these very nice courtyards between the complexes,” he said. “It’s multigenerational, which I think is fantastic, and it’s even walking distance from the hospital, so I’m hoping the development provides workforce housing, which is something we desperately need.”
Real estate developer Bob Porter and Bill Jump, another real estate developer and principle owner of the Out of Africa Wildlife Park, are the developers of the project.
“The leaders of these major resorts, hospitals and retail facilities have approached us looking for nice, upscale and affordable housing for their employees, and we are delighted to accommodate,” said Porter in a press release.
Additonally, the development was designed by Ruben Chavez, an architect at Whitneybell Perry Inc. in Phoenix.
Having grown up in Cottonwood, Chavez said he relishes the opportunity to give back to the town.
“Being able to make my contribution to the community means so much to me,” he said. “Growing up there, it means a lot.”
Before being built, the plans for the development will have to be approved by the planning and zoning commission. Its next meeting will be on Monday, April 16. If all proceeds according to plan, the construction should begin sometime this summer. Some of the apartments are projected to be available to rent by spring 2019, and the project complete in the fall.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 282-7795 or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
