Tempe City Council voted unanimously 6–0 (Vice Mayor Garland absent) to adopt the planned area development overlay for Dorsey Station and authorized the city manager to negotiate leases with Dorsey Development Partners to redevelop three city parcels near Apache Boulevard and Dorsey Lane.

At the second public hearing, Charles Buss, speaking for the University Heights neighborhood, said he supports affordable housing but urged the council to increase the grocery space the city requested in its request for proposals from 10,000 square feet to about 20,000 square feet or to consider rent abatement for a single‑location grocer. “I have yet to find a grocer that can operate in that size of a space,” Buss said, adding that smaller independent grocers lack the buying power of regional chains and that many nearby residents are low income.

City staff and the developer responded that the 10,000 square feet cited in the RFP is a stated minimum, not a maximum, and that the development agreement can be structured to accommodate a larger tenant if required. “I will point out, I believe that the 10,000 is a minimum,” said Mr. Anderson, a city staff member. Developer representative Mr. Heulmantel told the council staff and the development team are actively engaging grocery operators and noted that Sprouts has shown some interest.

The Dorsey Station plan covers roughly 6.7 acres at 1320 E. Apache Blvd. and 1412 S. Dorsey Lane and proposes about 400 dwelling units in five buildings with approximately 11,000 square feet of commercial floor area. Mayor Woods said the city purchased the property in December 2021 (the mayor estimated the acquisition at about $10.6 million) to help ensure the site would serve neighborhood needs rather than become luxury student housing.

Councilmember Hodge moved final adoption; Councilmember Adams seconded. The ordinance passed 6–0 with Vice Mayor Garland absent. The council separately approved authorization for the city manager to negotiate lease agreements with Dorsey Development Partners to implement redevelopment of the parcels.

What happens next: The approved overlay and lease‑authorization give the city and developer authority to finalize a development agreement and pursue tenant negotiations; staff said they will continue outreach to grocery operators. No timetable for a grocery tenant or a lease execution date was provided.