Glendale race on VAI Resort parking garage, office space too close to call
An effort to stop the VAI Resort in Glendale from developing a parking garage and office space on 10 acres of land was up in the air after the first batches of ballot returns on May 20, with yes and no votes neck and neck.
Glendale voters were nearly tied on propositions 401 and 402 in early results, with Prop. 401 slightly losing and Prop. 402 slightly winning.
If approved, the Glendale propositions would affirm a City Council decision to amend the city's general plan and the planned area development and zoning map to allow construction of a parking garage and office buildings on 10 acres of the 60-acre site. The propositions do not apply to the entirety of the site, which has been under construction for years.
If the propositions do not pass, the changes would be reversed and the site would go back to its previous designation of open space, meaning the plan for the resort would have to be revised or redesigned.
In late November, City leaders approved VAI's request to rezone a 10-acre portion of its property from Parks and Open Space to Corporate Commerce Center.
VAI also asked to update the guidelines on the project's planning area. Referred to as the Centerpoint Planned Area Development, the specially zoned area was approved by the City Council in 2020 to ensure the mix of projects fit harmoniously together.
Those changes sparked a referendum effort from Worker Power, the political arm of the Unite Here Local 11 union. The group gathered signatures and forced an election over the issue.
The developers of VAI have argued that its plan to construct an office building and parking lot on the land is vital to the overall project. Without it, the developer claims, the resort's construction can't proceed or would be severely delayed.
Reach the reporter at cvanek@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter @CorinaVanek.
Cited: Worker who died at Glendale's VAI Resort fell off ladder; firm fined by ADOSH
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Glendale voters decide on VAI Resort parking garage, office space
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