Save the Chateau, Approve the Chateau

A year and a half ago, my wife Shelly and I purchased a property on Kyrene Road, just north of Ray, known as “Chateau de Vie” or the “Chandler Mansion”. Our intent is to turn the beautiful estate into a wedding/reception center, a bed-and-breakfast and bistro. Many of you have likely seen or will see the news coverage about this property. As a Chandler native, I feel that this type of venue would be a boon to Chandler and would help preserve the unique beauty that Chandler has to offer. When we purchased it, the property was run-down, the landscape was dying (40 of the 240 large pine and ash trees had died from neglect, 185 of the 800 orange trees died from lack of watering), and it was a magnet for vandals. Over the past year and a half, Shelly and I have worked hard to revitalize the landscape and restore the property to its original beauty, and it has become more and more clear that the mansion and grounds are perfect for weddings and other events. It would be a destination center and bring jobs and growth to Chandler.  

In order to use the property as an event center, bed-and-breakfast, and bistro, we filed a Use Permit application with the city of Chandler. We held four meetings with neighbors in the area and addressed all of their concerns about noise, traffic and light pollution, and modified our plans to make the venue friendly to the neighborhood. The Chandler city staff recommended approval of the Use Permit, however, a handful of very vocal residents are rallying their forces to oppose us. A group of opponents came to the planning and zoning commission meeting wearing t-shirts that say “Not in our backyard” and rehashed the arguments that we have addressed and alleviated in our proposal. As a result, the planning and zoning commission voted 4-2 to oppose the permit.

Not being able to contradict the evidence of our traffic and noise studies with real data or facts or research of their own, our opponents rely on emotional arguments and personal attacks. Many of these opponents have called into question Shelly’s and my personal integrity, and doubt whether we will do the things we have promised to do through the Use Permit application. Many have begun calling for the destruction of the property, feeling that it would be better to tear down this historic and majestic estate rather than have it enjoyed by the community. The voices of a select few are attempting to destroy a treasure of Chandler. If the property is not used the way we intend the most likely thing to happen will be for the mansion and landscaping to be destroyed (well over 1,000 trees) and for homes to be built.

We now have come to the “make it or break it” point. On February 23rd, Chandler City Council will vote to approve or reject our Use Permit application, and we need your help. The Chandler City Council needs to see that this is important to ALL of Chandler, and that the voices of a few opponents do not indicate the will of all Chandler residents.

If you are willing to help us save this property and preserve its unique beauty for Chandler, please email Mayor&Council@ChandlerAZ.gov and express your support of the Chateau de Vie Use Permit. The email can be short and to the point or can be a detailed analysis. Please make sure you include your name (and your address if you live in Chandler) and that you clearly support the approval of the Chateau de Vie Use Permit. Please keep in  mind that everything that is sent to the Mayor or City Council is public record and that it is our intent to keep everything very professional.

If you feel that this is a positive move for our city, please speak with your neighbors and friends and encourage them to send an email as well and stand behind this great landmark. We are also asking that as many of you as are able, please attend the Chandler City Council meeting on February 23rd at 7 pm. Given the number of people that will be in opposition, we ask that you please arrive early (6:30) so that you can get a seat. When you arrive, please fill out the yellow speaker card (you won’t have to speak unless you choose to) in favor of the proposal. Every little bit helps!

Please “like” our facebook page at www.facebook.com/chateaudevie and forward this to your friends. Shelly and I appreciate your help in this endeavor.

Gratefully,

Nick Goodman