Planned community moves to next phaseBack to News

Named Laurel, the community within the city has been designed to be a master-planned, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development to include a variety of housing options from apartments to suburban, commercial, recreation and agricultural.

It is planned for 220 acres on the northeast side of Yuma off Araby Road between 24th Street and the Terraces subdivision.

The new development first came to the community’s attention with an application last year to amend the land use plan to allow for its mixed uses on traditional farmland. The property has since been annexed into the city.

As the design phase moves forward, developers are looking for public input, said Keith McCoy, a principal with Urban Community Partners, the master developer for property owner Tanimura & Antle.

“We’re reaching out,” he said. “We want to raise awareness of the project. We want feedback on it … the architectural styles, the types of uses on its main street that people are interested in. We’re going to have a couple of soccer fields for use by the whole city. Do people want them lighted?”

Another goal is start compiling a list of potential homebuyers and interested businesses, he said.

The next step in the development, said McCoy, is some utility extensions to the site.

When actual construction starts will depend on the economy, he said. “We hope to start in 2011.”

McCoy said the intent is to use local builders. “We want a variety of builders.”

Consistent with the agricultural background of the land and the property owner, an organic farm is envisioned as part of the community, McCoy said. Laurel Farm will offer a farmers market to residents not only of Laurel but also the wider community – along with an understanding of how their food is grown.

“We hope to have the local farm stand off 24th Street to kick-start the project,” McCoy said.

In addition to the local farm, he said a tree farm is planned to grow the trees that will become part of the landscape throughout Laurel.

For more information about Laurel, visit www.laurelyuma.com.