<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3hoWzq_0vk7twlR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3hoWzq_0vk7twlR00" width="1000" height="476" ><figcaption>The proposed Sonoran Landings senior living apartments would comprise 272 units, 10 few than Dominium Apartments proposed last year. (Dominium Apartments)</figcaption></figure>Dominium Apartments is again tweaking its plan to bring an affordable senior living complex to South Chandler, hoping to find a compromise with residents in the neighborhood who have fiercely opposed it.A representative for the company said it refiled its application with Maricopa County on Sept. 16, making small changes to the major revisions Dominium had made about a year ago. The project would be located on county land, so the city has no authority over Dominium’s plans.The new plan would lower the number of units to 272, which is 10 fewer than last year. The other new concession is the entire complex would be no more than three stories.Last year’s plan had a mostly three-story buildings, but one building farthest from Ocotillo Road was planned to be four stories.It will still be a senior living complex called Sonoran Landings. All residents must be 55 or older, and the project would include two light industrial buildings behind the apartments.Residents opposing it didn’t seem willing to change their minds.“Even with the modifications, this is an attempt to fit a square peg in a round hole,” Stacy Braverman said. “This is still a major change from the intended use for the property that has a lot of resident opposition.”The 2023 revision was a major change from what was first proposed in 2022 and led to the formation of a Facebook page group dedicated to opposing it. That group, Voice of Chandler, has 650 members today.Dominium first proposed two separate apartment complexes for the 24 acres it now owns on Ocotillo Road, about a quarter of a mile east of Arizona Avenue.The 2022 plan was for an affordable family living complex, and separate buildings for seniors. The total number of units was to be 518. Dominium is an affordable housing builder. It uses tax credits from the government to get the financing for construction.In exchange, it agrees to charge no more than what the federal government allows, which is tied to the Area Median Income. The goal is for someone who is making 60% of the AMI to be able to afford to live in that space.The Area Median Income for South Chandler is $101,300, according to Fannie Mae. That means the units would be targeted for people who make $60,780 or less.While the final decision of its fate rests with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, the Chandler City Council issued a proclamation opposing the project after residents organized opposition.The residents offered multiple reasons for opposing the project. They said the roads are already too congested, school are overcrowded. They worried about water, and mostly they pointed out — correctly — it was not zoned for housing and was not in compliance with the General Plan.There were many public comments, however, where residents showed they didn’t understand the nature of the project. They spoke of Section 8 housing, drugs and crime, not wanting “those people” to be in their neighborhoods, and worries over the impact it would have to their property values.The Valley Interfaith Project, a faith-based nonprofit, is organizing support for the project, citing a massive need for affordable housing in the Valley.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3at0zf_0vk7twlR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3at0zf_0vk7twlR00" width="1000" height="539" ><figcaption>Light industrial buildings would be located behind the apartments if Maricopa County approves the project. (Dominium Apartments)</figcaption></figure>Dominium tried to address many of those concerns in its 2023 revision. By adding the two light industrial buildings, the company said it was compliant with the General Plan, which permits mixed-use properties.By limiting the housing to fewer than 300 units, and making them all senior living, it would address traffic concerns. Seniors don’t travel as often as younger families, since they usually don’t have jobs. They also tend to avoid rush hours, according to studies.Since the complex would be senior living only, it will not be adding more students to overcrowded schools. Chandler Unified School District said its schools are not overcrowded. In fact, it has entered a period of declining enrollment.Chandler has a guaranteed water supply of 100 years at 100% buildout. The city is currently at 94% buildout.Residents continue to argue that Dominium should just build it somewhere else. They point to the city suggesting 14 alternative locations.Dominium executives said they explored the city’s list, and even made some inquiries into some of the properties. However, none were suitable. Some were too small, others had no easy access for residents, and the ones that looked like they might work, the current owners were unwilling to sell at a reasonable price.It will be up to the County to decide if Dominium can move ahead with the project. The company appears to be building a case that it has tried to work with neighbors and find a solution they can live with. However, the neighbors remain steadfast in their opposition.No date has yet been set for the county’s Planning &amp; Zoning Commission to consider the project. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Dominium tweaks controversial project again

Dominium Apartments is again tweaking its plan to bring an affordable senior living complex to South Chandler, hoping to find a compromise with residents in the neighborhood who have fiercely opposed it. A representative for the company said it refiled its application with Maricopa County on Sept. 16, making small...