Goodyear Expands Territory with Mobile Annexation at Hidden Valley Border

Signs marking Goodyear’s city limits are positioned across from Mobile Elementary School, just north of State Route 238 in Mobile, as of July 23, 2024. The small community of Mobile, with its 100 residents, is on the brink of being incorporated into the City of Goodyear. This move aims to establish a new land border between the suburb and Maricopa’s Hidden Valley, according to a developer’s plans.

If realized, the annexation would bring increased funding for public safety, water supply, schools, and road infrastructure to the rural area along State Route 238. Historically a minor stop for drivers heading to San Diego, Mobile is set to strengthen its connection to the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Goodyear City Council recently deliberated on annexing approximately 828 acres, located 12 miles west of Maricopa city limits, for the future Rainbow Valley Energy Center, a solar power and battery storage facility. This expansion would further extend Goodyear’s already broad municipal limits, encompassing parts of Mobile and stretching the boundary near the Maricopa-Pinal County line.

The northernmost boundary of the new annexation would be near 79th Avenue and Kinney Road, extending more than four miles south to Fulcar Road in Hidden Valley. The annexation is adjacent to the proposed Interstate 11 corridor, along with the developing Sonoran Valley Parkway, which will connect Mobile with the West Valley and Maricopa.

Rainbow Valley Energy Center, poised to cover over 2,000 acres, aims to generate 300 megawatts of power, enough to supply electricity to 300,000 homes. EDF Renewables, a French developer with American headquarters in San Diego, leads the project and estimates it will contribute over $58 million in economic benefits to Goodyear and Mobile over the next 35 years.

The project expects to generate $3.2 million in taxes from materials and construction and an additional $6 million in municipal property tax revenue. A significant portion of the revenue, about $27.5 million, is earmarked for local school districts.

During the council meeting, Goodyear City Councilmember Brannon Hampton raised concerns about public safety, referencing a 2012 fire at an Arizona Public Service energy storage facility in Flagstaff. He stressed the importance of maintaining safety in the event of a battery storage fire.

Jordan Rose, from Scottsdale-based Rose Law Group, represented the developer and indicated that safety plans are still being developed. EDF Renewables intends to provide funding to enhance public safety measures, pending further discussions with local fire chiefs.

After a 45-minute discussion, Goodyear City Council voted 6-1 in favor of moving forward with the annexation proposal. Councilmember Wally Campbell was the sole dissenter, citing previous financial strains from a 2007 annexation that did not yield promised development. She highlighted ongoing expenditures for police and fire services in Mobile.

City staff estimate that permitting and construction of the energy center could take up to five years, delaying the projected economic benefits for locals. The next step involves a public hearing on the annexation before the city council can cast a final vote. The date for this hearing has yet to be determined.