Meeting is latest chance for input on 202 freeway

ADOT narrows West Valley routes, but eastern section still undecided 

Geri Koeppel
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 24, 2006 12:00 AM  

The proposed South Mountain Freeway promises to be one of the hot topics at the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee meeting tonight.

The forum comes on the heels of a resolution issued last week by three East Valley mayors - Keno Hawker of Mesa, Boyd Dunn of Chandler and Steve Berman of Gilbert - in support of the freeway.

The trio released a statement to local media Wednesday supporting the Pecos Road route if the Gila River Indian Community is not open to placing it on its land. 

The planning meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Ahwatukee Senior Center, 5051 E. Elliot Road.

In attendance will be Matt Burdick, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Transportation, who will answer questions from the public.

Burdick said he would do his best to explain there has been no decision on the freeway alignment south of Ahwatukee, and discuss future efforts in finding options, including continuing to work with the Gila River Indian Community.

"Just because we're narrowing options in the West Valley doesn't mean we've made any decisions in the East Valley," he said.

Burdick also will give a presentation on getting more public feedback on road projects and review results of a survey taken at a public meeting last November at the Grace Inn of Ahwatukee, where more than 2,100 people showed up to provide comments on the proposed Loop 202.

This is yet another opportunity for citizens to be heard, committee member Laurel Arndt said.

"I think it's an important meeting for residents to come out and tell ADOT what they think of the South Mountain Freeway alignment," she said.

Arndt said after hearing all the information, the committee may or may not make an official recommendation on the Pecos Road alignment.

Don Herp from the city also is scheduled to review traffic counts at the intersection of Pecos Road and 17th Avenue, Desert Foothills Parkway, and 24th, 32nd and 40th streets.

Other agenda items include the Ahwatukee Foothills Village trails map and a text amendment to the zoning ordinance regarding payday loan centers within the city. All village planning committees will review this potential change.

The city wants to increase the distance between each business, as well as between the business and residential areas.