Controversial Development a Big First Step Into Untouched Desert North of Phoenix

The developers of 1,400 homes in the desert north of Phoenix say they understand the responsibility of being the first to develop an area. Opponents would rather there was no development at all.

1 minute read

May 15, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Miles of mostly untapped earth sprawl between the two major mountain ridges that make up the Sonoran Preserve in north Phoenix — but it won't be undeveloped for long," reports Jessica Boehm.

Developer Taylor Morrison is looking to be the first to break ground in this corner of the Sonoran Desert, with a plan for a 1,400-home development called MacEwan 480.

"Frequent visitors of the Sonoran Preserve and those who live nearby have united to oppose the project, saying it is too dense, goes against city plans meant to protect the desert character of north Phoenix and will bring an influx of traffic to the area," according to Boehm.

The development could pave the way for more. MacEwan 480 is surrounded by state trust land "that could also someday be sold off and developed."

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 in Arizona Republic

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Complete Street

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge

Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

February 27, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Green electric Volkswagen van against a beach backdrop.

The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan

Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.

March 3, 2025 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

View of mountains with large shrubs in foreground in Altadena, California.

Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire

In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.

March 9 - Pasadena NOw

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9 - Axios

Close-up of row of electric cars plugged into chargers at outdoor station.

Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives

A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.

March 9 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation