Stories by Blake Herzog
As housing affordability in the Phoenix metro area continues to decline and local employment opportunities expand, real estate developers continue their push deeper into Pinal County, with more rooftops sprouting up in Florence and thousands more on the drawing board.
“With a corporate limit that totals 62.79 acres and only 10% that is developed, there is a considerable amount of growth in Florence’s future,” Town of Florence Community and Economic Development Director Harvey Knauss said.
He said the current Town population estimate is 27,932, including 17,124 residents of households and 10,808 inmates in correctional facilities.
Knauss said Florence issued an average of 25 new permits for homes per month during 2023, tripling the average of eight for 2022. At least four major homebuilders currently are active in the town:
- Pulte Homes — 235 residential lots in Sun City Anthem at Merrill Ranch and 139 in Parkside Anthem.
- Meritage Homes — 159 lots in Units 41 and 43 in Anthem at Merrill Ranch.
- DR Horton — 272 lots at Western Crossing at the intersection of AZ-287 and Continental Park Avenue, with 130 lots in Phase 1.
- LGI Homes — 330 lots at Bisbee Ranch on Adamsville Road west of Main Street, with 130 permits issued as of Dec. 4.
Two longer-term projects are going through the zoning and entitlement process:
- CD Farms — a maximum of 3,062 lots north of Adamsville and east of Plant Road.
- Florence 287 — Phase 1 contains 1,145 lots south of AZ-287 and west of Hiscox Lane.
Pinal County also has approved the Arizona Farms development just north of the town, to include 2,311 single-family homes, plus higher-density housing and commercial uses.
