On his third trip before the Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission this year, Dr. Wilson Ejim of Ejim Design Group in Phoenix had to walk away again without a recommendation to approve his application for a special use permit. The commissioners voted a unanimous 6-0 to recommend the town council deny the request. Commissioner Nick Procter was absent.
In January Ejim brought his proposal to build 11 residential condos and townhouses spread across three different parcels in the commercially zoned plat northeast of Fountain Hills and El Pueblo boulevards. The parcel was originally platted in the mid-1970s. A few structures were built early on and have over the years served as a convenience/liquor store, a private school and some offices. More recently there has been some mixed development with residential over commercial within the parcel including a retail pharmacy. The original plan was found to be unacceptable with several issues of concern to the commission members including spacing and accessibility.
In August, commissioners told Ejim they were pleased with the changes he made to his plans, and once again at a meeting Nov. 10 there was praise for Ejim’s efforts to create a broader vision for the overall site. However, commissioners have concerns about property the developer is still negotiating to acquire, as well as some alley access.
