I have to respectfully disagree with Art Tolis regarding the Target Center apartment complex with the potential for around 300 apartments, when he said, “Every project has controversy. Either you are for development, or you are not."

It's not that black and white, Art. Development, smart development that meshes with the character of our mature, high-end residential neighborhood community, is always welcome. But throwing up four-story rental apartments with overwhelming density is not smart development.

For eight years, one by one, businesses have bailed out of the Target complex. And so now the answer to all those see-through vacant buildings is rental apartments hailed as luxury that supposedly are going to be great for the town? Who is going to live in these one- and two-bedroom primarily small rentals? Where are they going to work? More snowbirds? Not likely along Shea. What about traffic and water and sewer needs?

This is so reminiscent of the Daybreak project, also marketed as luxury, that was a thinly-veiled low-income apartment complex. You may recall Fountain Hills voters had to resort to a citizens’ initiative to keep that from being built.

Fountain Hills needs new leadership in and out of government to determine the highest and best use of our limited land. Planning and Zoning rightfully said no to the Target plan and on Jan. 17, the Town Council will address the matter. There is a better way to go.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.