City plans roadwork at Canyon Vista development

Williams City Council members say approval of work is not an endorsement of proposed housing project east of town

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Street improvements on Route 66 and Railroad Avenue will likely begin next spring for the proposed Canyon Vista subdivision on the east end of town.

Williams City Council members unanimously approved the plans at their Dec. 12 meeting.

The plan calls for a crossover over the current median at the eastern entrance to the development at Boulderview Way. Near that point, the inside lane on westbound Railroad Avenue will become a left turn lane into the development. This change will also allow for an acceleration lane for people turning onto westbound Railroad Avenue from the development.

Eastbound Route 66 will remain two lanes in that area but will receive a right turn lane into the subdivision under the plan.

In addition to the improvements near the Boulderview Way entrance, City Manager Brandon Buchanan said the city also asked the developer to install another crossover just east of Plum Street.

"It's just another opportunity for traffic to make the turnaround back into town safely," Buchanan said.

Police Chief Herman Nixon said the plans will be beneficial for slowing down traffic in that area.

Canyon Vista developer Forrest Purdy will be responsible for paying for the improvements. The city will be responsible for future maintenance of the new crossover asphalt, which Buchanan called minimal.

In late 2010, Purdy purchased 70 acres next to the 80 acres he already owned for the planned development of the Canyon Vista subdivision.

Before voting, council members emphasized that the vote supported the street improvements only.

"It's also clear that this crossover thing has really nothing to do with any of the property, the subdivision or anything like that, because it's just another entrance to it but it isn't an endorsement of anything else that the developer is doing," said Councilman Frank McNelly.

Vice Mayor Don Dent made a similar comment prior to the vote.

"Did we also as part of the motion put in the minutes that this is not approving anything for the subdivision portion, this is just approving this part?" Dent asked.

City Clerk Susan Kerley said she would include both comments in the meeting minutes.

With the approval of the plans, the roadwork will likely start in the spring, depending on the weather.

"The actual development plans are up to the developer and we haven't had those

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Street improvements on Route 66 and Railroad Avenue will likely begin next spring for the proposed Canyon Vista subdivision on the east end of town.

Williams City Council members unanimously approved the plans at their Dec. 12 meeting.

The plan calls for a crossover over the current median at the eastern entrance to the development at Boulderview Way. Near that point, the inside lane on westbound Railroad Avenue will become a left turn lane into the development. This change will also allow for an acceleration lane for people turning onto westbound Railroad Avenue from the development.

Eastbound Route 66 will remain two lanes in that area but will receive a right turn lane into the subdivision under the plan.

In addition to the improvements near the Boulderview Way entrance, City Manager Brandon Buchanan said the city also asked the developer to install another crossover just east of Plum Street.

"It's just another opportunity for traffic to make the turnaround back into town safely," Buchanan said.

Police Chief Herman Nixon said the plans will be beneficial for slowing down traffic in that area.

Canyon Vista developer Forrest Purdy will be responsible for paying for the improvements. The city will be responsible for future maintenance of the new crossover asphalt, which Buchanan called minimal.

In late 2010, Purdy purchased 70 acres next to the 80 acres he already owned for the planned development of the Canyon Vista subdivision.

Before voting, council members emphasized that the vote supported the street improvements only.

"It's also clear that this crossover thing has really nothing to do with any of the property, the subdivision or anything like that, because it's just another entrance to it but it isn't an endorsement of anything else that the developer is doing," said Councilman Frank McNelly.

Vice Mayor Don Dent made a similar comment prior to the vote.

"Did we also as part of the motion put in the minutes that this is not approving anything for the subdivision portion, this is just approving this part?" Dent asked.

City Clerk Susan Kerley said she would include both comments in the meeting minutes.

With the approval of the plans, the roadwork will likely start in the spring, depending on the weather.

"The actual development plans are up to the developer and we haven't had those discussions," Buchanan said.

In other council news, council members unanimously approved adopting the City of Williams 2013 General Plan. The council also unanimously approved a request for a donation of the city's ice rink and Zamboni to the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside. The donation hinges on a courtesy call to Tempe, which donated the ice rink to Williams.