A third large senior community in the downtown area was recently approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. If approved by the Town Council, Copper Ridge, along with Morningstar and Fountain View Village, would result in approximately 580 senior independent, assisted living and memory care units within approximately 1.5 square miles.

We have one chance to develop our downtown area. This decision will impact the center of our town for decades. It is imperative that the Downtown Area Specific Plan and current Fountain Hills Strategic Plan be the driving force in any decision.

Development that does not require a special use or variance clearly would be difficult to challenge; thankfully this one does. Special use and/or variance requests are opportunities to allow, or not, development that supports the vision for the community; not on what a developer wants to do for their own financial gain.

Most seniors (and we are 61) do not spend money at the same rate as when they were in their prime. It is those between the ages of 35 and 54 (DOL statistics) who are earning and spending the most on clothes, groceries, home improvements, restaurants, etc.

These individuals should be targeted for our downtown area – One of the main goals identified in Vision Fountain Hills – bringing young professionals and families to Fountain Hills.

Our downtown should be an interactive and vibrant destination, drawing individuals of all ages! We need to attract/sustain retail operations that will provide employment opportunities and generate revenue for the community. We need people who will spend money at these operations.

We rely on elected officials to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community. We urge residents concerned about the future vitality of our downtown to attend the Town Council meeting on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m.