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  • 👮‍♀️ Gilbert Police Chief Addresses Youth Violence 🤼 Gilbert Town Council Closes Chapter on Summer Ethics 🎄Holiday Music on the Green and more...

👮‍♀️ Gilbert Police Chief Addresses Youth Violence 🤼 Gilbert Town Council Closes Chapter on Summer Ethics 🎄Holiday Music on the Green and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #039

Author

Lloyd Heath
December 14, 2023

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In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

 📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

👮‍♀️ Gilbert Police Chief Addresses Youth Violence, Ensures Community Safety

🚘 Town panel pushes back against parking proposal

 🤼 Gilbert Town Council Closes Chapter on Summer Ethics Complaints Without Action

🏎️ Tragic High-Speed Crash in Mesa Leaves Two Dead, Intersection Temporarily Closed

 🚧 Heritage Trail near Elliot to Partially Close for Railroad Construction

 🎈 Gilbert Mom Launches Innovative Sleepover Experience with Slumber Happy

 📖 Read and Win: Gilbert Libraries' Winter Program Combines Books with Baseball

December Ongoing

December Upcoming Events

Gilbert Police Chief Addresses Youth Violence, Ensures Community Safety

At a pivotal town council meeting, Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg took a firm stance against youth violence, following the unsettling news of two unrelated homicides in the community. In his address, Soelberg lauded the swift actions of the Gilbert Police Department, which led to prompt investigations and arrests in both cases. He also reassured the community, citing statistics that underline Gilbert's status as one of the safest large cities in the United States. The meeting also featured a poignant appeal from Katey McPherson, a local resident, who called for a robust response to youth violence and the establishment of platforms for young voices to be heard, especially in the aftermath of the tragic loss of 16-year-old Preston Lord.

Town panel pushes back against parking proposal

In a recent development, Gilbert's Planning Commission has proposed significant revisions to the town's land development code. This move aims to allow more flexibility in parking requirements for local developers. Ashlee MacDonald, a planner, presented this recommendation based on insights from Walker Consultants during the December 6th meeting.

The essence of the proposal lies in broadening the scope of parking reductions. This new framework introduces three levels of parking relief, ranging from minor reductions of 1-10% to more substantial cuts of up to 50%, each tier requiring varying degrees of administrative approval. Notably, reductions over 25% would need a conditional use permit and are subject to Planning Commission review.

These changes are designed to expand upon the existing parking relief measures, such as shared parking and deferred parking options. The shared parking approach currently allows up to 50% reduction, whereas the deferred option simply delays the development of required parking spaces.

Despite the progressive nature of these proposals, some members of the Planning Commission have raised concerns. Vice Chairman Anthony Bianchi and Commissioner William Fay expressed apprehensions about the potential misuse of these new regulations, especially in multifamily developments. Fay, in particular, questioned the town's capacity to enforce changes in site use that could affect parking requirements.

To address these concerns, the Commission has put forward a modified motion, requiring residential projects seeking parking reductions to undergo a more stringent conditional use permit process. This motion garnered significant support, passing with a majority vote.

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Gilbert Town Council Closes Chapter on Summer Ethics Complaints Without Action

Gilbert Council member Jim Torgeson

At the recent Gilbert Town Council meeting, the last of the summer's ethics complaints against council members was allowed to lapse without resolution. This complaint, raised by Bill Spence against fellow council members, focused on Jim Torgeson's actions during a key development vote, with allegations of unethical behavior. However, the council, following the investigative report that found insufficient evidence, opted not to pursue any action. This inaction marks a shift to the town's new ethics code, which emphasizes mediation over direct investigation, though the efficacy of this new approach remains under scrutiny.

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Tragic High-Speed Crash in Mesa Leaves Two Dead, Intersection Temporarily Closed

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a devastating high-speed crash at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Main Street in Mesa resulted in two fatalities. The accident involved a Hyundai Elantra, reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound, and a Ford Edge moving southbound. The impact caused the Elantra, which was later identified as a stolen vehicle, to collide with a pole, leading to the immediate deaths of both the driver and passenger inside.

Meanwhile, the occupants of the Ford Edge, which was operating as a rideshare at the time, sustained minor injuries. Police suspect impairment played a role in the crash, and investigations are ongoing at the scene to uncover more details.

This tragic incident significantly affected the area, with the intersection closed for several hours to facilitate the investigation. Additionally, the local light rail service continued operation but did not stop at the Country Club and Main light rail station on Wednesday morning.

Heritage Trail near Elliot to Partially Close for Railroad Construction

In Gilbert, Arizona, the second phase of the Union Pacific Railroad construction project is set to occur along Heritage Trail on Saturday, December 16. This phase involves completing enhancements to a newly installed steel bridge near Elliot and Lindsay Roads. Due to these activities, there will be a partial closure of the trail and levee road in this area.

The closure, essential for the project's progress, is scheduled from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. During this time, Union Pacific crews will be focused on laying asphalt on the bridge approaches. Consequently, a segment of the bike path in the vicinity will also be temporarily closed until the work is finalized.

By Sunday, December 17, the trail, bike path, and levee road are expected to be fully reopened and accessible to the public.

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Gilbert Mom Launches Innovative Sleepover Experience with Slumber Happy

Slumber Happy

Ebony Simelton of Gilbert has innovatively transformed sleepovers into enchanting experiences with her business, Slumber Happy. Launched recently, this venture offers sleepover packages that include stylish tents or teepees, comfortable mattresses, elegant bedding, ambient lighting, and personalized name plates. A mother of three, Simelton's love for pajamas and talent for party planning inspired her to start this unique service, which she developed after the successful organization of her own elephant-themed baby shower.

Slumber Happy, an online-based service, allows customers to book custom luxury sleepover experiences. Simelton's commitment to personalization is reflected in her diverse themes like Rainbow Chic, Glow N the Dark Fun Time, Mystical Unicorns, and a Taylor Swift-inspired package. She plans to expand her theme range, including a Squishmallows-themed option.

Simelton personally oversees the setup and cleanup of each event, ensuring everything is sanitized and clean. Flexible pricing accommodates various party sizes and extras, including snack boxes. Although new, Slumber Happy has catered to a range of clients, including a memorable Rainbow Chic-themed party.

Targeting children over five years old, Simelton also anticipates launching "slumber-unders" for younger kids. While she continues her corporate job at Kroger, she is passionate about growing Slumber Happy and providing magical sleepover experiences.

Read and Win: Gilbert Libraries' Winter Program Combines Books with Baseball

The Gilbert Libraries' Winter Reading Program is back, exclusively for adults, with a unique opportunity to combine the joy of reading with the excitement of baseball. From December 11 through February 11, this program invites readers to log their time spent reading books, eBooks, and audiobooks, with each minute translating to a point. Engaging online challenges offer extra points, adding an interactive element to the experience. Participants engaging in at least an hour of reading weekly are eligible for weekly prize draws, with a diverse range of rewards. The grand prize, a ticket to a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, awaits diligent readers who reach the 500-point milestone. This program, highlighted by Jeremy Reeder of the Maricopa County Library District, is designed to encourage a leisurely reading habit during winter, later rewarded with the thrill of a baseball game.

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