May 22, 2019 • Vol. 17, No. 27
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Anthem | Black Canyon City | Carefree | Cave Creek | Desert Hills | New River| North Phoenix | Tramonto | Peoria
Riverview development denied recommendation by Phoenix planning committee, still advances on to commission hearing BY TARA ALATORRE
PHOENIX – The City of Phoenix Rio Vista Village Planning Committee (RVVPC) voted last week to deny a recommendation for El Dorado Holding’s request to triple the housing density by rezoning 55 acres near West Anthem so it can build 170 single-family homes. In a five to one vote the committee sited safety issues with flooding and traffic as to why they were voting against the request to rezone 55 of the 160-acre parcel near Circle Mountain Road and
43rd Avenue for the proposed Riverview subdivision. “The project itself is very nice,” said a RVVPC member at the meeting on May 14. “My only concern is the safety… flood, fire, police and traffic, all the engineering in the world still does not make me feel confident in the decision.” The Riverview development has been mostly opposed by residents of Anthem and New River, who are concerned about traffic, increased flood risks,
RIVERVIEW
continued on page 11
The Phoenix map shows the different type of zonings, and the Riverview parcel is outlined in lime green.
Map courtesy of the City of Phoenix
Brush fire burns eight acres
Letter to the Editor: EPCOR rates and what can be done? BY BOB GOLEMBE ANTHEM CITIZEN
Firefighters working to put out a brush fire on May 18, near Table Mesa Road and the I-17 that burned eight acres. (Photo courtesy of DMFM)
BRUSH FIRE
STORY INSIDE ON PAGE 8
ANTHEM – EPCOR Water held its Anthem district community meeting on May 9, at the Civic Center to discuss the “Interim Rates for Arizona Water Districts.” These rates are set by the Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC) based on what it costs to provide our service. Their presentation included traditional rate making capital
ANTHEM:
PEORIA:
NEW RIVER
DMFM, MCSO rescue crews
Win prizes during the
Shell gas station
meet couple they saved
summer literacy program
requesting larger sign
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Page 7
Page 11
and operating expense increases. Our water rates were last set 11 years ago on December 31, 2008. The interim rates were approved until EPCOR files the next rate case, scheduled for May 1, 2020. As a resident since 2002 and community activist for water issues for these many years, I prepared a public comment that
LETTER TO EDITOR continued on page 17
OTHER : • Bluhm Column
6
• Service Directory
15
• Classified Ads
18