Dear Neighbors,

A developer has purchased the empty lot at 9425 N 26th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85028 (26th Street and Northern) and is now requesting to change the current zoning that is in place and create a new zoning that will allow for 9, two stories homes to be built on the property.

There is currently a zoning hearing happening with the City of Phoenix on Jan 21st, 2021 at 9AM. Signing this petition acknowledges that you live within the surrounding neighborhood and object to the new zoning changes that are being requested by the developers, Hammer Homes Inc and D&M Engineering.

There are several key reasons that we think the neighborhood should be opposed to the new zoning changes:

Number 1) The safety for the general public has not been taken into consideration by this builder. This plot of land sits directly adjacent to 26th Street and Northern. And because these streets provide easy access to the 51, it is commonly and heavily used during all hours of the day, especially rush hour. The part of 26th Street going directly by this lot is downhill and is a blind curve, there is not a clear line of site. This zoning proposal calls for 9 houses on the lot, 5 of which are on the west side of the lot butted right up against 26th street. Not only do these houses make this blind curve even worse, the builders proposal has the garage access for those houses directly on 26th Street. Not only will existing traffic have worse visibility, there will now be vehicles coming and going out of those garages directly into the road. Additionally, because of these short driveways guests and daily delivery trucks will end up parallel parking directly on 26th street, further intensifying the danger.

Number 2) The builders plans show no intentions of the 9 new houses matching the surrounding neighborhood. Each will only have one quarter to one half of the lot size of surrounding homes in the neighborhood, they will have to be packed together. These homes will be 2 stories, in a community of hundreds of homes that are single story. It's also a concern that in order for this developer to be profitable they will have to construct the homes of inferior quality to the surrounding neighborhood which could bring down surrounding property and home values. In a decades old community with beautiful natural views of the surrounding mountains, like Piestwa Peak, this new development will stick out and likely block parts of the scenic views and alter the neighborhood charm.

Number 3) Because of the COVID pandemic there is currently reduced vehicle traffic, in spite of that 26th street remains heavily used. As life eventually returns to normal and traffic upticks this issue becomes more critical. Also, because of COVID and this meeting needing to be virtual there are many older, retired individuals in our community that are not able to be at the zoning meeting to voice their concerns simply because they may not have the technical proficiency or equipment to attend. So, if there was ever a time for a builder to ram through a zoning proposal, it would be right now, which is very concerning.

Many of the neighbors will be there on Jan 21st to object to the re-zoning. If you would like to help us keep our neighborhood the way it is please consider signing this petition before Jan 18th so we can submit this petition as one of our articles of objection.

Thank you for your time and for your consideration in signing!