Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission split its vote to recommend an amendment for a proposed development in the downtown community.

The commission met Thursday, May 26, to consider the amendment.

According to Town Councilman Alan Magazine, who contacted The Times after the meeting, a tie vote is tantamount to a defeat.

Town Attorney Andrew McGuire explained that a recommendation to the Town Council must receive a majority of a quorum to receive an approval.

Commission Chair Mike Archambault was out on an excused absence, resulting in the tie vote.

After a public hearing regarding changes proposed on “Park Place,” a 3-3 split vote will go to Fountain Hills Town Council for a final decision on those changes.

The public hearing gave residents the opportunity to comment on the changes to the proposed “Park Place” mixed-use development proposal. A total of nine residents, including three who chose not to speak, opposed the amendment, citing concerns about a change in density, a change in the height of the project, as well as the effect to Fountain Hills’ dark sky status.

Walt Wilson, who lives in the Village at Town Square on El Lago, said he is concerned that the new development would greatly affect Fountain Hills’ dark sky status.

“We are in the process of trying to achieve official dark sky status,” Wilson said. “We would be the ninth town in the world to achieve that.”

He added that he is not opposed to developing the property on the south side of the Avenue of the Fountains.

“I am a hundred percent in favor of making the town viable with development,” he said. “But I am opposed to this change in the proposal.”

Another resident, David Bickler, said the change of plans to four stories is unacceptable.

“The Fountain and mountains are extremely attractive,” Bickler said. “They are the most beautiful things in the city. Four stories would definitely block the views.”

Another Village at Town Centre resident, Lee Miller, said Fountain Hills is “our town,” not (developer Bart) Shea’s.

“We should have a say in how this is going to be,” Miller said. “Please stick to the present height restrictions.”

Other residents expressed similar opinions. A question was raised whether the town has ample fire staff and equipment to cover a large development such as Park Place.

Additional concerns were relative to the style of the proposed development.

“People come out to see the southwest,” said business owner Jerry Kirkendoll, who moved to Fountain Hills in 1980. “The style is really not southwestern. A more Santa Fe-style would work much better.”

Commissioner Susan Dempster said she thought the original intent of Downtown Vision Plan approved in 2009 was to have a two story buildings.

“If I am reading this right, the mixed use development would include residential and second story offices,” Dempster said, referencing a handout from developer Bart Shea to the commission prior to the start of the meeting.

Former Mayor Jay Schlum spoke in favor of the amendment.

“In the downtown, we need some density,” Schlum said. “Bart’s plan fits in with the downtown vision plan. We need the added residential to sustain the retail.

“It is time to empower the builder to build our darn downtown.”

The resolution 2016-12 reads, “A Minor General Plan Amendment related to the proposed “Park Place” mixed-use development proposal to be located at 16725 and 16845 E. Avenue of the Fountains. If approved, the amendment would increase the maximum residential density in a mixed-use project in the downtown area from 28 dwelling units per acre to 50 dwelling units per acre.”

The commission’s report will go to the Town Council and be heard at its Thursday, June 16, meeting.

The Times left messages with Shea but did not hear back from him by press time.