PHOENIX (June 22, 1998) -- Pivotal Group today filed its application with the City of Peoria for the zoning of a master-planned community called WestWing Mountain. The site is bordered by Sunrise Mountain to the south and West Wing Mountain to the north.

Located north of Happy Valley Road and west of 83rd Avenue, the WestWing Mountain site encompasses more than 1,300 acres and is currently designated for resort use. The property's former owner, Phoenix-based Talley Realty Group, had completed a master plan in 1996 but did not file it with the city. Since then, Pivotal has studied previous work and conducted numerous engineering studies regarding the development of the property.

As proposed, WestWing Mountain would be developed over four phases as a residential, commercial and resort mixed-use project. Approximately 350 acres would be preserved as hillside open space, not including the project's planned park and trail system. The project's residential component proposes no more than 2,550 homes with an overall density of below 2 units per acre, substantially lower than Peoria's other masterplanned communities which range from 2.6 to more than 3.8 units per acre.

WestWing Mountain also would include quality light commercial development at Lake Pleasant Parkway. In addition, discussions are underway with both the Deer Valley and Peoria School Districts about school facilities for the project.

Pivotal, which acquired the WestWing site as part of Talley's real estate portfolio in December 1996, decided to seek a re-zoning of the property in order to accommodate community input and visioning for the site's development. "WestWing Mountain represents a departure from masterplanned communities of the past," said Jahm Najafi, a partner with Pivotal Group. "Our goal is to create a community that both reflects quality urban planning and incorporates the needs of those who live and work in this area. By listening to our neighbors, and continuing to evaluate master-planned communities both in our Valley and across the country, we feel we can accomplish this goal."

For the past four months, Najafi and project planner Vern Swaback of Vernon Swaback Associates (VSA) have met with community members, neighbors and planning officials to discuss issues associated with the project. "We have been meeting diligently with community leaders and residents to learn first-hand about this community; how they feel about the WestWing Mountain project; and how we can make it better," Najafi said. "By continuing to maximize community input, we will be able to integrate what matters most to these people and make WestWing Mountain a model for responsible community development."

Contemplated design features for the project would incorporate wash corridor, mountain/open space preservation and quality streetscapes. In addition to preserving the area's distinctive desert landscape character, WestWing Mountain also will allow public access to the community's hiking and equestrian trails.

According to Vern Swaback, utilizing a free-flowing design that embraces the natural amenities of the area will help fulfill WestWing Mountain's commitment to environmentally sensitive land planning. "WestWing Mountain will be a master-planned development that combines 21 st century technology with old-fashioned values about neighborhood living. Diversity and public access are important parts of this equation. While golf courses and lakes served as the major amenities for communities planned in the 70s and 80s, the signature features for WestWing Mountain will be open space, trail systems and mountain preservation."

In accordance with Peoria's existing transportation plan, the first phase of WestWing Mountain will extend 83rd Avenue to West Wing Parkway. The planned route would stay clear of local neighborhoods, and would not impact traffic on 91 st Avenue, Happy Valley Road or Jomax Road west of the project. Infrastructure improvements will include water and sewer lines.

The application for WestWing Mountain will undergo planning and zoning hearings this summer and be presented to the Peoria City Council in the fall. Pending approval, lots within the development should be available in mid-to-late 1999.

Pivotal Group, based in Phoenix, is a diversified real estate company dedicated to the quality development of residential, retail, office and industrial properties in Arizona and the Southwest. Widely recognized for its ability to combine dynamic planning with a variety of financing approaches, the firm has developed project partnerships with some of the nation's premier real estate companies including DMB, Southwest Value Partners and Los Angeles-based William E. Simon & Sons Realty.

Founded in 1978, Vernon Swaback Associates is a Scottsdale-based multi-disciplinary firm specializing in land planning, architecture and community visioning. Over the past 30 years, VSA president Vern Swaback has been involved in the design of award-winning master plans, hotels, office buildings, recreational facilities and custom homes throughout the Valley. In addition to planning the 1,000 acres that are now the Arizona Biltmore Estates, he established the City of Phoenix's Village Core concept plan and has created more than 20 master-planned communities in the Valley including DC Ranch, Palm Valley, Mountain Park Ranch and Scottsdale Mountain Estates.

For more information about Pivotal Private Equity, visit www.pivotalgroup.com