On behalf of the Gilbert business community, thank you for the opportunity to provide input regarding the proposed Harvest Grove Master Planned Community. The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce evaluates major development proposals through the lens of long-term economic vitality, fiscal sustainability, workforce alignment, and overall quality of life.
Gilbert’s success has been built on disciplined planning and strong public-private collaboration. As the Town continues to grow, strategic land-use decisions will play a defining role in Gilbert’s ability to maintain excellent public services and remain competitive with employers, talent, and private investment.
For the reasons listed below, we respectfully support the Harvest Grove Master Planned Community and the associated land-use actions, and we encourage the Council to consider the project’s long-term economic and fiscal benefits.
- The Gilbert Chamber supports the rezone to Regional Commercial at the SEC of Germann and Val Vista and Neighborhood Commercial at the NEC of Queen Creek and Val Vista. These are appropriate locations for commercial activity given the arterial access, surrounding growth patterns, and proximity to key employment areas.
Importantly, this shift aligns with fiscal realities. Gilbert does not levy a primary property tax and therefore relies heavily on local sales taxes and state-shared revenues to fund core services, including public safety, transportation investments, parks, and municipal operations. Thoughtful commercial placement, particularly at major intersections, helps ensure the Town has sustainable revenue sources that keep pace with growth.
This component of Harvest Grove is consistent with best practices in municipal fiscal sustainability: pairing residential growth with strategically located commercial uses that support the Town’s long-term service model. - The Gilbert Chamber supports Harvest Grove’s plan for a diverse range of housing types. This is a sound economic development strategy—particularly given Gilbert’s growth along the Loop 202 / SanTan Freeway corridor and surrounding employment areas.
Known as Gilbert’s Central Employment Area, this district's defining characteristics attract some of the most notable employers, including Deloitte, Footprint, Southeast VA Health Care Clinic, Dignity Health, Phoenix Children's Hospital (coming soon), and many more. The workforce supporting this employment area requires a diverse housing mix. - The Gilbert Chamber recognizes the careful, iterative planning process that has occurred over the past year. Master planned communities of this scale require active coordination, technical refinement, and responsiveness to community expectations.
We commend Lennar for working with the Town Council and staff to revise and improve the plan over multiple iterations. This collaboration—focused on land use placement, compatibility, circulation, and overall project quality—reflects the type of public-private partnership that has historically helped Gilbert grow with intention.
From a business community perspective, we value developers who treat the process as a true planning partnership, making adjustments when warranted and aiming to deliver the best long-term product for residents, neighboring businesses, and the Town overall.
Gilbert’s long-term success depends on disciplined growth that expands the sales tax base, supports job creation, and provides housing options aligned with workforce needs—without compromising community character or service quality.
Thank you for your leadership and careful consideration. The Gilbert Chamber stands ready to continue working alongside the Town, our development partners, and the broader community to ensure growth in Gilbert remains strategic, sustainable, and supportive of both local businesses and residents.
02/26/2026