What Gilbert Wants: Residents on the warpath as number of homes set to increase

Gilbert, Arizona: Residents in Gilbert, Arizona, are a fed-up lot. The outrage against the growing number of residential developments sprouting up in the town, particularly in the southern areas near the Loop 202 freeway, has reached a crescendo.

While new homes and neighborhoods continue to emerge, some locals argue that there is a significant lack of commercial infrastructure to support the growing population. They point out that more grocery stores, restaurants, and retail spaces are needed closer to where they live.

Many residents say they currently have to travel 15 to 20 minutes to shop or dine, and they would prefer to have more amenities within a shorter distance. One resident told Arizona's Family that although there are plenty of new homes being built, essential services like shopping centers are lagging behind. "We need more shops, more retail," he said.

One major concern for some residents is a current proposal by KB Homes to purchase 11 acres of land to build 88 new homes. The land was initially intended for commercial development, and residents fear that rezoning the area for residential use will further limit the availability of commercial spaces in the future. There is already an online petition opposing the rezoning, which has gathered over 1,400 signatures.

Residents argue that having more commercial services and amenities would not only improve their quality of life but also enhance the desirability of the area for families.

According to Arizona's Family, while KB Homes has not yet formally submitted a request to rezone the land from commercial to residential, they have held meetings with residents to answer questions and address concerns.