Chandler council rebuffs shopping center design

A developer of a proposed 34-acre shopping center in Chandler that has struggled with neighborhood opposition for four years was surprised last week when it still wasn't able to gain a city approval to build.

Chandler council to vote on Riggs Gateway center

The Chandler City Council on Thursday requested several design changes to the project, including better pedestrian access, more shade and more lush landscape.

But opponents of Riggs Gateway, which is planned for Riggs Road and Arizona Avenue, say they're still against the project and accuse Scottsdale developer Diversified Partners of trying to sneak a Wal-Mart Supercenter into the shopping center after it receives zoning approval.

Riggs Residents for Retail Diversity, a group that has been fighting the project since 2004, want more upscale shopping amenities, said Kirk Sibley, CEO of the nonprofit organization.

"What ... they're saying is 'At this time, we have no plans to put a Wal-Mart there,' " he said. "Well, the operable words continue to be 'at this time.' What happens when the zoning is passed?"

Liz Gaston, the project's manager, wouldn't rule out a Wal-Mart but said the space could be used by any anchor retailer. She was, however, surprised by the group's opposition. No one attended public hearings concerning the project before Thursday's City Council meeting, she said.

Representatives of Diversified Partners held neighborhood meetings to allay their worries.

"We had two neighborhood meetings ... prior to any of this," she said, adding it will take up to two weeks to retool the plans. "We thought we had satisfied their concerns."

Sibley said officials who attended those meetings didn't offer assurances that Wal-Mart would not occupy the 117,000-square-foot anchor spot.

Wal-Mart Supercenters tend to run about 200,000 square feet.

Wal-Mart representatives say the company has no plans to open a store at Riggs Gateway.

So far, no tenants have committed to the project, Gaston said. She said Diversified simply wants solidified plans so it can begin marketing the center to retailers.

"I just don't buy it," Sibley said, adding that he believes Wal-Mart is still in the plans.

Councilman Jeff Weninger said the group's concerns about Wal-Mart had nothing to do with his decision to turn the developer away.

"As a policymaker, I cannot and will not let that affect my decisions," he said, adding that the design was a problem.