Homesellers in control
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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
VOTING BEGINS MAR 28 BESTOF
2023
GILBERTSUNNEWS.COM
Inside This Week
NEWS............................ 4 State House of Representatives expels Gilbert Rep. Liz Harris.
SPORTS....................... 31 Perry freshman tennis player Bella Taylor turning heads. COMMUNITY.............................24 BUSINESS...................................26 REAL ESTATE.............................28 SPORTS....................................... 32 PUZZLES.....................................36 CLASSIFIEDS............................. 37
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Sunday, April 16, 2023
Residents rip 130-home rental project in Gilbert BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
A
proposal to build 130 rentals at the northeast corner of Val Vista Drive and Knox Road saw a big pushback last week from neighbors who complained about potential traffic, crime and property value impacts. Over a dozen property owners attended a
virtual neighborhood meeting hosted by the developer April 10 on the project pitched for 10.54 acres, west of Crossroads District Park. “I probably speak for the whole neighborhood,” said Liane Reid, who lives south of the site across Knox Road near 154th Street. “We are all against this and you’ll probably have a fight on your hands.” However, Reid added that the residents
would be more open to a proposal to build each home on a 1-acre lot. Developer T.K. Stratton is seeking a minor General Plan amendment and rezone of the land, consisting of four parcels belonging to the Reber Family. Plans call for twin-home-style development
see RENTAL page 16
Higley discusses A bed of roses social-emotional learning success BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
H
igley Unified is “leaps and bounds ahead” of its peers when it comes to fostering the social-emotional growth of its students, district officials say. The Governing Board recently heard the district’s progress in maximizing students’ academic and social-emotional skills, one of the goals outlined in HUSD’s 2022-23 Strategic Plan. “We’re talking about defining very clearly what are the steps and the systems that we are building and making progress on,” Superintendent Dr. Dawn Foley said April 5. “We are doing an exceptional job …. We were behind and we are now leaps and
see HIGLEY page 8
LeRoy Brady has a lot to smile about this year. He’s the proud architect of the award-inning rose garden at Mesa Community College and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The internationally renowned garden has grown under his supervision and with the help of volunteers from the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society. For the story, see page 19. (David Minton/GSN Staff Photographer)
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