The Gilbert Town Council hit pause on a proposed expansion to the Bella Storia development near Williams Field and Power roads, following a heated May 6th meeting. Here’s what investors and property owners should know:
🔑 Project Snapshot
- Original Approval (2023):
- 76-acre Bella Storia PAD
- 628 multifamily units
- 226 single-family homes
- 16 acres commercial use
- Proposed Change:
- Developer Vista Residential seeks to expand one multifamily site from 304 to 367 units
- New plan includes a two-story parking garage, a mix of 2–4 story buildings, and more open space and amenities
🛑 Council’s Concerns
- Lack of communication from the new developer before the meeting
- Traffic and parking impact from a 20% unit increase
- Council members felt “blindsided” and questioned if the changes met original design standards
🧱 Developer’s Argument
- Vista claims their revised plan is “superior” to the original:
- More green space
- Improved parking visibility
- Enhanced resident amenities
đź‘Ą Public & Legal Input
- One citizen urged more Section 8 housing in Gilbert
- Town planner confirmed that traffic studies have been reviewed
- Developer’s attorney says the new design better reflects what end-users want
🏛️ What’s Next
- Decision delayed to June 10
- Council seeks more clarity on:
- Traffic impacts
- Developer credibility
- Rent pricing (expected under $2,000/unit)
đź’ˇ Investor Insight
With Gilbert’s council showing resistance to speculative redesigns, this is a reminder that transparency and early engagement with municipalities are key to project approvals. Investors should track this vote—it could shape density allowances and multifamily approvals in high-demand East Valley locations.