Terra West Communities has cleared the next hurdle in its effort to develop the former Vista Verde parcel at 174nd Street and Rio Verde Drive.

On Feb. 12, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved two applications for the property.

The board approved an amended development master plan, which primarily eliminates additional golf holes that had been proposed for the site.

A second request from Terra West added zoning to the property in the parcel where none had been designated.

The developer was asking for 1,460 home lots for the development, or about 1.7 units per acre.

That is an increase from the 863 proposed for the original Vista Verde development.

The supervisors, however, approved a plan that includes 1,285 housing units, a compromise between the 1,460 and 863. The 1,285 is equal to a density of 1.5 units per acre.

There were a number of people from the Rio Verde Horsemen’s Association attending the supervisors’ meeting to express concerns.

They raised the issue of protecting the rural environment of the area, and also had concerns about water.

The development in the Rio Verde Foothills between Vista Verde and the Scottsdale city line is primarily served by private water wells.

However, the Tegavah subdivision (Vista Verde) will receive its water from Rio Verde Utilities, which is owned by Rio Verde Services, the developer of Rio Verde and Tonto Verde.

Two temporary buildings have been installed to act as the golf shop with a snack bar for golf play on the existing course. The second building will served as a marketing site to provide sales information for the new development.

Those buildings should open within the next week or so. Last week they were awaiting a final inspection and certificate of occupancy.

The golf course at the development is to remain a public course.

Architect Mark Tate with Tate Studio Architects in Scottsdale is working on a lifestyle center for the new development, which is to include golf shop and community amenities for residents.

Although for the time being the community continues to be known as Vista Verde, the name Tegavah has been selected as the new name to be phased in.

Tegavah is a name inspired by the Yavapai word for “gathering place.”