Gilbert has approved two debated projects, the 357-unit Aura San Tan mixed-use plan and Lennar’s 91-home Willowbrook community, after months of revisions and traffic concerns, per Gilbert Sun News.
The Town of Gilbert has approved two closely watched development proposals, the Aura San Tan mixed-use project and the Willowbrook single-family community, following months of public debate, revisions, and a second round of public hearings. The decisions, reported originally by the Gilbert Sun News, reflect ongoing tensions between long-term growth pressures and concerns about traffic, land use, and preservation of commercial zoning.
Aura San Tan, a 14.24-acre mixed-use proposal from Gilbert Growth Properties, received approval in a 5–2 vote. Located at the southeast corner of Val Vista Drive and Pecos Road, the project includes 357 apartments and expanded office space across three buildings. The council initially delayed the application in August, requesting more commercial square footage to better align with Gilbert’s long-term planning goals. In response, developers increased office space by nearly 19,000 square feet by removing ground-floor residential garages. The revised plan now provides more than 35,000 combined square feet of office uses.
Despite the additions, planning staff noted that commercial elements make up only around 7.5% of the project, well below the town’s 20% benchmark for mixed-use developments. Staff therefore continued to recommend denial, citing the importance of preserving commercial land as the town approaches build-out. The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, which previously opposed the project, switched to supporting it after the developer’s revisions. Supportive council members acknowledged challenges in attracting commercial tenants to the Market Street corridor, noting existing vacancies and limited traffic.
The council also approved Willowbrook, a 91-home single-family subdivision proposed by Lennar Homes on 26 acres near Riggs Road and 156th Street. Like Aura San Tan, Willowbrook was delayed earlier this year after residents raised concerns, in this case, about traffic safety and increased density. Lennar sought rezoning to allow up to 3.5 homes per acre and smaller lot sizes than currently permitted.
A new traffic study indicated that the Riggs/156th intersection still does not meet federal requirements for a traffic signal, though town engineers recommended several mitigation measures. These include improving sight lines by clearing vegetation, adjusting signal timing on Riggs Road, restricting U-turns, adding a left-turn bay, and installing solar-powered speed feedback signs. Some residents questioned the study’s accuracy, describing heavy traffic even during early morning hours.
Despite continuing concerns from residents and two dissenting council members, the majority agreed the developers met town requirements and accepted the recommended mitigation plan. Both projects will now move forward to the next stages of development.