Council Action and Builder Gift Accomplishes Preservation Goal, Savings to Taxpayers

The 10-acre parcel of privately owned land in the “Dreamy Draw” master development, recently approved for residential development with open space, will now be gifted to the city of Phoenix by the homebuilder. This acreage, located at Morten and Dreamy Draw avenues, will be donated to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“This is wonderful news,” said neighborhood leader Dave Tierney. “To know this will now be open space is exactly what we’ve been wanting and working toward.” Tierney credited Councilman Claude Mattox for working with the property owner to arrive at this resolution.

Property owner James Sasser will be donating the total acreage to the city. “This is an example of fine leadership and a demonstration of community mindedness by the property owner,” said Councilwoman Peggy Neely, “This will save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

"While we were very proud of the high-end homes planned for this site, which was purchased from the homeowners association, Council Members Mattox, Siebert and Neely have asked that we support a donation of the property which will unite the community. While there have been discussions about reducing the number of units on the site, it is clear that the best way is to simply donate the property for open space to the city. We are proud to do this, assuming the entire council supports the measure and that the city places necessary restrictions on the property that will maintain it as open space in perpetuity," said Sasser.

Neighborhood leader Alex Tauber agreed. “We went to Vice Mayor Dave Siebert who, with only a few weeks left in his term on the council, enlisted the help of Councilman Claude Mattox. And they got the job done. To exercise leadership in the way they have not only accomplished the goal of preserving this land, but also are saving us, as taxpayers, the cost.”

Mattox, who earlier had cast a council vote in support of the development said, “I stand by my vote, I remain committed to property rights, although it’s amazing how these issues can be resolved when we get people talking to each other. It’s just a shame that didn’t happen earlier. Mr. Sasser’s donation puts this matter to rest.”

“This has been a difficult case,” added Vice Mayor Siebert. “I am pleased we were able to navigate through it all and end up with a result that saves taxpayers’ funds.”

The agreement is scheduled to go to the full City Council at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19.