By Brian Anderson
Arizona Republic

Feb. 03, 1999

FOUNTAIN HILLS — When Bill Caraway moved to Fountain Hills several years ago, megastores and shopping centers were not part of the golden peaks and valleys of the quaint town.

Buying household supplies and other such necessities required a trip into Scottsdale.

Plans for a new Target store, grocery store and restaurants near Shea and Saguaro boulevards would bring convenience to the swelling town, Caraway said Tuesday night during a special council meeting on the proposal.

“But we didn’t move here to buy sheets,” he said. “Our town is growing, yes. How it grows should be our main concern.”

Target would be the centerpiece of a 10-acre retail center on a 30-acre site now reserved for effluent.

Town officials are eyeing the Four peaks School Neighborhood Park and Desert Vista Park as possible replacement sites to get rid of waste water, said Fountain Hills Manager Paul Nordin.

The project could garner an extra $450,000 in sales taxes, create jobs and add a dominant business to the community, Nordin told the 100 or so project supporters, foes and town officials at the meeting in the Four peaks Elementary School gym.

It would eliminate current zoning that allows warehouses, distribution centers and chemical manufacturing to operate around the clock, he added.

But it would bring traffic, noise and ruin desert views, locals shot back.

“We’re not talking about a nice little store where we can run to for convenience,” said Karen Huske, who lives on Greenbrier Drive overlooking the site. “The beauty of the desert will forever be destroyed.”

Others frustrated by having to drive through heavy traffic in other cities to pick up things that Target would bring closer welcomed the project.

“I would love to have a Target,” said Virginia Henry who lives in the FireRock Estates next to the area. “I would like a place where I could shop for my grandkids without having to go into Scottsdale.”

Council members, for the most part, were quiet.

Some in the audience accused them of asking “canned questions” and questioned themselves for speaking out because it seemed clear many council members were behind the proposal.

“I really hope you take what we say to heart and not bulldoze this thing through,” said resident James Ray.

At the request of Councilman Sid Apps and to the cheers of some residents, Nordin agreed to look into the effect the discount department store would have on smaller local businesses.

The meeting was the first of many on the project that is scheduled to get underway by the end of the year and be completed by Thanksgiving of 2000, said Nordin.

“I hope this meeting serves as the kickoff for public dialog that we will have,” he said. “This is just the beginning off a long process.”