To: The Dewey-Humboldt Planning and Zoning Commission
Date: 8/24/06
Re: Agua Fria Center Development: Just Land Speculation


Dear Members of the Dewey-Humboldt Planning and Zoning Commission,

  As you well know, I have questioned the very idea that Dennis Roberts actually intends to develop the proposed Agua Fria Center. Rather, I remain convinced that this is a case of land speculation and that Mr. Roberts is relying on a stroke of the Town Council's pen to instantly make millions. Think about it. All you have to do is buy $1 million worth of land (probably worth twice that much now) and then sell any idea to the town that will increase its value. Then it can be sold, even at a cut rate, for millions of dollars of profit. In essence, he is asking Dewey-Humboldt to make him very rich.

  My first suspicions were raised as Roberts began describing the project but could not, to my satisfaction, demonstrate feasibility. Still missing are projections for traffic flow and income generation. Still missing are indications that there are any interested buyers or letters of intent. Still missing are indications that he has the necessary physical supply of water that he claims. Still missing is an accurate accounting of "open spaces" which do not seem to amount to very much unless you count every crevice between buildings as open space.

  With these doubts, I began wondering if Roberts is the developer that claims to be. A search of county records revealed dealings with Antelope Meadows and Headwaters Ranch, which appear to amount to little more than land brokering. What is more curious (other than the addresses that Roberts used) is that nowhere can I find any indications that he has developed any kind of a commercial area, as he has claimed in the past. A developer of any repute should be more visible than that. Although this evidence cannot be taken as proof, it once again points toward land speculation.

  I have been suspicious of Robert's understanding of alternative and "green" building techniques ever since he began touting what looked more like a wish list than a real comprehensive plan designed for this specific area. Upon researching permeable pavement and discovering that Roberts does not understand it well enough to know that it won't work on his existing land, my suspicions of his lack of expertise have been greatly aroused. I have since begun to look at his statements and claims with a much more critical eye. For example, his wholesale condemnation of town-wide septic systems as a disaster waiting to happen may prove to be simply a lack of understanding of the types of septic technologies available today (which I will report on when I do more research and find more facts to support this hypothesis).

  Add to this the recent discovery that the Agua Fria Center is already for sale, already listed as Planned Area Development zoning with all parcels available for sale as a whole. See the attached ad from LoopNet or just Google "Agua Fria Center" to find it on line and view more information. Interestingly enough, this ad was placed before the first public hearing with Planning and Zoning.

  Quite frankly, I can hardly take the plan for the Agua Fria Center seriously, especially after seeing the more seasoned efforts put forth by Monogram recently. What I see is profiteering in the making and it would be Dewey-Humboldt that gets played for the fool. The choices made by Planning and Zoning and by the Town Council will reflect not just on them but on the whole town so I think this issue should be taken seriously. Ironically, having gone on the record with the belief that the Agua Fria Center is a simple case of land speculation, I sure would hate to find out the hard way that I am right. I believe the same would be true for you.


Len Marinaccio
Humboldt, AZ