Gilbert Town Council Meeting – August 27, 2025

The Gilbert Town Council met on August 27, 2025, at the Gilbert Civic Center. The meeting included proclamations for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and the Phoenix Wushu Academy, a presentation by the Gilbert Youth Ambassadors, a Valley Benchmark Communities trend report, and a public hearing on the Willowbrook development (GP2501/Z2502). After extensive discussion on traffic safety, the council voted 7-0 to table the Willowbrook rezoning to the October 14, 2025 meeting to explore alternative traffic mitigation measures. The consent calendar and several pulled items were approved.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, and 20 unanimously. These included an annexation, cooperative purchasing contracts for traffic signal materials, storm channel maintenance, water treatment chemicals, office furniture, a manhole rehabilitation CIP project, and intersection improvements at Higley and Queen Creek.
• Item 21 (fourth quarter budget and contingency report) also approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rod Van Bieber, a Gilbert resident and transportation executive, spoke in opposition to the Willowbrook development. He argued that Riggs Road functions as a highway with high speeds and heavy traffic, and that the traffic study's growth factor of 2.5% per year underestimates the explosive growth from Queen Creek and Santan Valley. He questioned why a signal is not warranted despite the dangerous conditions observed.
• Cameron Larson, founder of Fluorescent Life Technologies, asked during Communications from Citizens whether Gilbert has partnered with early-stage companies on experimental infrastructure projects through the Arizona Water Conservation Grant Fund C7, and if the town has applied to that fund. He was referred to staff for follow-up.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Recognition of Representative Lauren Hendricks: Mayor Anderson presented a certificate to Representative Hendricks for securing a $5 million state appropriation for Gilbert's well projects. Hendricks praised the mayor and town staff for their responsiveness.
• Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: Vice Mayor Buckley read a proclamation declaring September 2025 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in Gilbert. Survivors Rachel and Andrea Falsetto shared personal stories and statistics: 20,890 women diagnosed annually in the U.S., 64% mortality rate, 85% recurrence rate for the rare form LGSOC. A walk is scheduled for November 15, 2025 at Gilbert Regional Park.
• Phoenix Wushu Academy: Councilmember Koprowski presented a proclamation recognizing five elite athletes who will represent Team USA at the 10th World Kung Fu Championships in La Shan, China, October 14–21, 2025. The academy is located in Gilbert.
• Gilbert Youth Ambassadors: Three 2025 Youth Ambassadors presented on their summer exchanges with Sister Cities La Shan, China and Antrim Newton Abbey, Northern Ireland. They described cultural immersion, hosting a return visit from Northern Ireland ambassadors, and encouraged applications for the next cohort (informational nights September 9 and 16).
• Valley Benchmark Communities Trend Report FY2023-2024: Janice Hart presented key metrics comparing Gilbert to 11 other valley cities. Highlights: Gilbert's median household income $121,351; property crime rate near minimum; 0.24 miles of trail per 1,000 residents; single-family permit turnaround average of 3 business days; combined water/sewer/trash bill $82 (near median).

Discussion Items

• Willowbrook Development (GP2501/Z2502): A proposed 91-lot single-family subdivision on 26.38 acres at Riggs Road and 156th Street, with a density of 3.45 dwelling units per acre (below the 3.5 cap). The developer, Lenar Homes, requested several deviations. Staff recommended approval.
  • Traffic Safety Concerns: Multiple councilmembers (Bongiovanni, Lyles, Torgeson, Buckley) visited the intersection and reported unsafe left-turn conditions, with speeds often exceeding the 45 mph limit. A resident reported waiting 2–3 minutes to turn left. Staff presented a signal warrant analysis showing that even with the development, no federal warrant is met, and that installing a non-warranted signal could double crash rates. The developer offered to install a right-turn lane and underground conduit for future signalization, but the council was not satisfied.
  • Councilmember Kaprowski suggested exploring alternative options such as signal timing adjustments, indirect left turns, or additional access points, rather than forcing a signal that could create liability.
  • Councilmember Bucklin moved to table the item to allow staff and the developer to work with the community on traffic mitigation measures. The motion passed 7-0, with the item rescheduled for the October 14, 2025 council meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Willowbrook Development: Tabled to October 14, 2025, for further study of traffic safety improvements (including signal timing, speed enforcement, and other engineering measures).
• Items 10 and 11 (IGAs with Central Arizona College and City of Buckeye): Approved 7-0, allowing training at the Public Safety Training Facility.
• Items 16 and 17 (GPEC membership and sodium hypochlorite contract): Approved 7-0. GPEC has generated a $37 return per dollar invested for Gilbert over five years, with 391 announced jobs and $156 million in capital investment. The sodium hypochlorite contract is for disinfectant at the water treatment plant.
• All consent calendar items: Approved unanimously.
• Future meetings: A study session on electric vehicle purchases and another on clay/ductile iron pipe infrastructure were noted.