The Town Council wants more information before it decides whether to remove a gate that currently closes Technology Drive at Saguaro Boulevard.

The gate has been there nearly 20 years since the construction of the Four Peaks Plaza (Target center). At that time a section of Laser Drive, between Saguaro and Technology, was closed to accommodate rear access and a drainage channel tied to the development of the shopping center.

To accommodate neighborhood objections to potential truck traffic into the plaza, the Town Council agreed to a stipulation that closed access to Technology from Saguaro and included that stipulation in the platting process.

The issue was brought up for council discussion again last week at the urging of Mayor Linda Kavanagh and Council Members Cecil Yates and Art Tolis. They were wondering whether the gate is still necessary, or if the access could be opened.

Two dozen people present at the council meeting March 2 expressed their opposition to reopening the access with about eight or nine speaking before the council.

Ultimately the council voted 4-3 to approve a motion by Yates that calls for a temporary 45-day test opening of the gate so staff can monitor traffic and potential other issues related to the intersection.

Yates said he is empathetic to the concerns of the nearby residents, but he wants an evaluation to understand the best course of action for the entire community.

“Connectivity is one of the most important aspects to economic development,” Yates said. “The reason this keeps coming up is that it is not resolved.”

Vice Mayor Nick DePorter seconded Yates’ motion, noting that he believes trust between the public and the council is paramount, but he supported the trial opening to gather data “to get the best information.”

Most of the residents attending the meeting who expressed opposition live in the neighborhood off Saguaro and south of Shea Boulevard. Many of those live in Mirage Cove, directly across Saguaro from the Technology intersection.

Dan Diggins, the current president of the Mirage Cove HOA, spoke on behalf of the community.

“When we purchased our homes we were told by Realtors the town was committed to keeping the closure permanently,” Diggins said. “I’m impressed by the town’s commitment to what the people want. I want this council to honor that commitment.”

Diggins presented the council with a petition from all Mirage Cove residents except for two he said he could not reach.

There are 26 units at Mirage Cove.

Frank Finkelman, also a Mirage Cove resident, said he had lived in the neighborhood for 20 years and had spoken in opposition previously.

“The town, the Target center and the residents all wanted [the gate] there,” Finkelman said. “It moved traffic to [Shea and Technology] the intersection built to be the entry into the [commercial] area.

“It is not safe for trucks to turn at Saguaro and Technology.”

Only one resident, Phyliss Kern, spoke in support of removing the gate.

“I used to live in this area and have seen potential tragedy at this intersection,” Kern said. “It is a safety issue with trucks trying to turn around.

“You also have people cutting through behind Target, which is dangerous, to get into the business park.

“There are only four [residences] in Mirage Cove that would really be impacted by opening this.”

“I cannot support the call to remove the gate,” Councilman Dennis Brown said. “The council in the past has upheld the integrity of having this gate on the plat.

“I don’t support moving forward with this.”

Councilman Alan Magazine also opposed removing the gate.

“The principle of keeping the faith with our citizens is important to me,” Magazine said. “I can’t support an action that would be a violation of the faith citizens have put in us.”

Councilman Henry Leger was the third vote to oppose removing the gate. He said he has lived in the neighborhood south of Shea along Saguaro for 22 years, before Laser Drive was abandoned.

“It was a great collaboration between the council, the citizens and developer to agree to resolve the concerns,” Leger said. “It is not the frequency of traffic, but the type of traffic that is a concern.

“There is no need to open that gate and it is paramount that we uphold the previously negotiated decision.”

Public Works Director Paul Mood said staff will need to discuss and determine the perimeters of the testing before the gate is open for the trial period.