Gilbert area marked for business park

Robert Petterson lives directly in the path of Gilbert’s largest future business and employment base.

Graphic: See the locations of the planned business parks

Petterson is among homeowners whose houses are built on valuable land earmarked by the town to become a massive business park development, which some theorize could include midrise buildings.

And it’s land the town is banking on using for its needed job base — in fact there is little other land designated for “business park” use in the town’s general plan.

“I don’t think Gilbert really cares, to be honest with you,” Petterson said. “They just see these county areas as a problem child and this is a good way to get rid of the problem child.”

Many of the homes remain in unincorporated Gilbert. But the homes that have been annexed into the town on the land planned for business park use must be zoned for that purpose, according to zoning law.

This month, the Town Council amended zoning law to allow those homeowners to be able to upgrade their houses, something that would normally be illegal in a region zoned for businesses. Town spokesman Greg Svelund said that allows people to continue living in their homes, even if a business park is built around them.

But some homeowners said they feel like they’re being forced out of the area, as developers seek to purchase rural homes and land. If the homeowners stay they could end up surrounded by a major employment base for the town, and not other homes.

Some residents said they have mixed feelings.

“It makes sense, because it is right next to the freeway, and Gilbert definitely does need business,” said homeowner Lani Hill, regarding the plans to target the partly established residential area for businesses. “However, I can see how people who lived here 10-20 years might feel concerned.”

Since county island residents lost their subscription-based fire service last year, 530 acres of land targeted for business park use have been annexed, including where established homes — and even new ones still under construction — are located.

No plans have been released on the makeup of the business park. However, this month developer Marty DeRito sold 68 acres of land on the northeast corner of Gilbert Road and the Loop 202 Santan Freeway. Plans there, DeRito said, include offices and retail, and a proposal for a branch of the Heard Museum.

“The vision is staying,” DeRito said, of his touted Gilbert Esplanade, which he will now act as the leasing agent to establish. “It’s just a much bigger vision than before.”

Councilman Les Presmyk said the area near Loop 202 is vitally important. And town officials want to create eight- to 10-story buildings on business park land along the freeway. Presmyk said it would attract major companies with high-paying jobs.

Resident Mark Desantais said he is moving — just a year after having moving into the neighborhood. While he wishes the town could save some of the rare multi-acre lot properties, he understands the growth coming along the freeway, and is happy to go elsewhere.

“They’re trying to catch up with commercial,” he said. “But this area here is one of the few remaining places in town” with large properties.

“They’re going to chop up into another mini mall.”