A.J. plans to annex 32 acres of state trust land

Apache Junction is planning to annex 32 acres of state trust land as the growing city prepares for a future influx of traffic that will come from a 7,700-acre planned development.

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The annexation is at the northeast corner of where Meridian Road and Elliot Avenue could meet in the future, on land that is vacant.

Without the annexation, Elliot Avenue would be misaligned as Apache Junction builds out, and could not be a useful major arterial road, said Brad Steinke, director of development services.

Developer Jim Rhodes is planning a master-planned community on the adjacent state land, including the 1,000-acre Desert Communities, which is part of the 7,700-acres of state trust land now known as Lost Dutchman Heights. All of the land falls inside the 275,000 square miles known as Superstition Vistas.

“I think Elliot will be important,” Steinke said. “That’s a very likely important arterial to get into the southern part of the projects.”

City spokesman Pat Brenner said the annexation is being done to allow for a better entrance and exit for the future developments, as well as to prevent congestion within Apache Junction as the large communities are built out in years to come.

The City Council is expected to vote on the annexation at a future meeting, and the action should be complete by the end of this year, Steinke said.

The state and city both agree on the annexation, Steinke said.