October 23, 2022 | www.santansun.com
Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler
City, residents opposing county housing project BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor
Chandler officials have been trying to figure out ways to bring affordable housing to the city for months. Now, there is a proposal to do just that and they’re opposing it. They aren’t alone, either. Homeowners are organizing to stop The Landings on Ocotillo project, in which developer Dominium Management would bring 518 affordably priced apartments to an area near Hamilton High School. The developers, having faced similar opposition in other Valley cities, are marching forward.
They want to build the units on Ocotillo Road just east of the railroad tracks, not far from Arizona Avenue. They are proposing a 336-unit multifamily complex and a 182-unit senior living complex on about 25 acres. The price per month for a unit would likely be between 8%-to-12% lower than current market rates, they said. City officials have made it clear they do not want the project in that location, which is part of their airport jobs corridor. Residents upset about the project met Oct. 19 to learn more about the See
LANDINGS on page7
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Not what you think
No, this isn’t a scene from a blood-chilling horror story, but rather one from the satirical comedy-musical “Urinetown,” which the talented Basha Theatre Company will be presenting Oct. 27-29 at Basha High. To read the details, see page 50.
Records show CUSD school buses a safe way to ride
BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor
A Chandler Unified School District bus carrying 56 students was traveling south on Higley Road in Gilbert in August when a Chevrolet van at Palmdale
Lane began making a left hand turn to go north on Higley. According to the state Department of Public Safety report, the van did not have adequate space to complete the turn and it collided with the front of
the CUSD bus. Three students and two adults reported minor injuries. The Aug. 19 crash stands out because most of the incidents involving CUSD buses are very minor, and rarely include injuries, according to records obtained
by the San Tan Sun News through a public records request. National School Bus Safety Week was Oct. 17-21. See
BUSES on page10
Revving up Chandler doctor makes a mission of mercy to Ukraine BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor
One trip was all it took for a Chandler doctor. Dr. Andrew Villa said when you’re exposed to the harsh conditions in other nations, it’s almost impossible not to want to do all you can to help people. Villa recently returned from a September trip to the war-torn nation. It is the fourth time he has been there. He’s also gone to Africa and Central America, the Philippines and others. “Once you go, you understand,” Villa said after returning from Ukraine. “I mean, we have nothing to really complain about here. We have our own
issues, for sure. “But, once you go to other parts of the world and see how other people live and the things that they tolerate, or don’t have access to … once you do it, it changes your heart.” Villa said many of the doctors in Ukraine fled the country when Russia invaded in February. Most of those who didn’t are caring for the troops fighting to retake parts of their nation from Russia. That leaves a lot of Ukrainian citizens who are not getting basic health care. He and others, including his wife Renee, See
DOC on page12
Common Sense • Compassion • Communication
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Ryan Maifield of Chandler gets his RC car set up before the next qualifying round at the third annual Kinwald Klassic RC competition that Hobby Action RC Raceway in Chandler held Oct. 15 to benefit the Arizona Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. The event is named in memory of Brian Kinwald of Tempe, multiple world champion in radio-controlled racing who died in 2019 at age 45 from complications of Crohn’s disease. “He contributed to the sport of RC racing and inspired many with his skill and determination in spite of his illness,” a spokeswoman said, adding that hundreds of competitors are registered for races. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)
F E AT U R E D STO R I E S
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Despite reforms, county pound has problems . . .News . . . . . . . . . .Page 22
Business . . . . . . . 33
Chandler business gives TV game show buzz. . . . .Business. . . . ... Page 33 Local teacher's 100K run becomes class project . .Neighbors . . . . Page 42 Sun Lakes theater company offers sex farce . . . . .GETOUT . . . . . . . Page 50
Real Estate . . . . . 32 Clip-It . . . . . . . . . 34 Sports . . . . . . . . . 40 Neighbors . . . . . 42 Faith . . . . . . . . . . 49 GetOut. . . . . . . . 50 Directory . . . . . . 52