Early Ballots Due for Gilbert Elections: Voters to Decide Development Plans, Education Overrides

By Beth Lucas, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

Oct. 6–On Monday, Gilbert will begin accepting early voting ballots on two referendum issues both dealing with planned developments — but they are starkly different.

Proposition 400 asks voters to approve a development agreement between Gilbert and Vestar Development. The agreement calls for the town to use sales taxes to refund Vestar for expanding Higley and Riggs roads near the developer’s planned Greer Towne Center.

The question was placed on the ballot after two advocates with the Valley Business Owners (And Concerned Citizens) group questioned whether the Town Council approved the agreement with a proper public hearing. While they oppose the council decision, they have said the agreement sounds financially smart.

Proposition 401 was referred to the ballot by residents living near Greenfield and Germann roads who oppose the rezoning of 45 acres in the area from homes to commercial. They argue there is already too much commercial use for the rural area of Gilbert and refer to a study commissioned by the town that there’s enough commercial retail planned.

“It says don’t put strip malls on every corner,” neighbor Gordon Ray said.

While neighbors appreciate growth and support most area development, the additional small shopping center will only harm other retailers, he said.

But town officials argue that the landowner has a right to develop property and that the study only reviews large shopping centers.

Gilbert voters also will be asked to approve $174 million in bonds to complete major road projects. And those living in the Gilbert Unified School District are being asked to pass a $17.6 million maintenance and operations override renewal and an $8.2 million capital outlay override.

Gilbert residents can mail early ballots or, beginning Monday, drop them off at Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive.

Other issues on the Nov. 6 ballot in the East Valley include:

–The Queen Creek Unified District seeks renewal of a 10 percent maintenance and operations override, estimated at $2.1 million.

–The J.O. Combs Unified School District wants a 5 percent K-3 maintenance and operations override that would generate $681,597.

–The Tempe Elementary School District seeks renewal of the K-3 5 percent budget override. In 2006-07, the district received $2.8 million in funding.

–The Tempe Union High School District seeks a renewal of a $6 million capital outlay override and a renewal of a 10 percent maintenance and operations override estimated at $2.1 million.

Tribune writers Tammy

Krikorian and Hayley Ringle

contributed to this report.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

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