When the Town of Fountain Hills opened up the gate at Technology Drive and Saguaro Boulevard to accommodate a construction detour recently, an old controversy was unlocked at the same time.

Before the Target shopping center was developed, Technology extended only from Saguaro Boulevard to Laser Drive in the FireRock Industrial Park.

With the construction of the new shopping center, Technology was extended through to Shea Boulevard and a stretch of Laser between Technology and Saguaro was abandoned along the rear of the plaza.

The reconfiguration of the streets caused many residents living in neighborhoods south of Shea to be concerned about the potential for increased traffic and heavier vehicles around the shopping center that might seep back into the residential areas.

Although there was some opposition, a group of residents convinced town officials to create limited access to Saguaro Blvd. off Technology by installing a gate. The gate is equipped with a “Knox” box to allow for emergency access.

Meanwhile, truck traffic typically goes around on Shea Blvd. and enters the back of the Target center for deliveries via Technology Drive.

Since the plaza was opened in 2002 the gate has rarely been opened -- and then mostly for short periods.

In recent weeks, however, a utility construction crew has been working along Saguaro and in alleys adjoining the industrial park, which has made necessary the open gate to allow for detours.

Some are seeing this as an opportunity to revisit the need for the gate.

Phyliss Kern, who was a strong opponent of the gate in the first place, is urging that the gate be removed or left open. Among other objections, Kern is stating the gate inhibits business and when open there is a smoother, safer traffic flow.

Kern said all she is asking for is that the Town Council consider a trial period of three to six months to monitor traffic patterns.

One of Kern’s main concerns is that many motorists use the rear truck and loading access behind the Target shopping center for normal traffic use.

“That is a safety and liability concern for the shopping center,” Kern said.

She also notes that the U-Haul Storage is right on the corner at Saguaro and Technology, but potential customers cannot access the business from Saguaro and must drive around to Technology off of Shea.

“It’s not fair to Target and not fair to U-Haul,” Kern said. “People should be using the regular streets instead of behind Target or alleys.

“This goes against my business philosophy. It makes no sense.”

Sherman Abrahamson lives directly across Saguaro from the Technology intersection, and the closure does make sense to him.

“I’ve lived here for seven years and I’ve seen what goes on when that gate is open,” Abrahamson said.

“Trucks go through there for (short term) parking on Technology, and there is a lot of traffic around the U-Haul.

“It is a lot safer and a lot quieter without that type of traffic.”

Abrahamson said his HOA, Mirage Cove, wrote a letter to the Town Council last year, going on record as opposed to the gate’s removal or opening.

Council action

The provision for the gate is embedded in stipulations for the platting of the Target center and would require Town Council action to reconsider its existence.

In other words, the shopping center would need to be re-platted to remove the gate, according to Development Services Director Paul Mood.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh said she has no indication that the council wants to look at that.

“I have not been contacted by any council person requesting to review the situation,” Kavanagh said in an email to The Times. “I was contacted by one council person for information only.

“As to the residents who live near the gate, I appreciate their patience with the truck traffic while construction continues. One resident did meet with me with concerns that opening the gate temporarily would lead to permanent access.

“I assured him that I had heard of no interest on the part of the council to do that.”

Councilman Henry Leger lives in the area, further back into the residential neighborhood.

“As a resident in the area I do not have an issue with the gate being closed,” Leger said.

“Other than hearing from one person who has been campaigning to have the gate permanently opened, the majority of input I receive comes from the Mirage Cove HOA board, representing the 26 homeowners…who are most affected when the gate is open.

“Bottom line, Mirage Cove HOA (is) unanimous in their wishes that the gate remain closed.”