In the fall of 2020 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 4936 which established a historic preservation program for the City of Chandler. The ordinance includes four types of historic designations. One of these is Historic Conservation District. The purpose of this district is to designate an area with one or more historic properties and/or is associated with significant events and persons from the City's past. The main goals are encouraging preservation of the remaining architectural resources of the district along with recognizing its heritage and the contributions of its citizens to the community. A Historic Conservation District is honorific. It does not apply any additional land use entitlements or regulations. The proposed Southside Village Historic Conservation District is generally bounded by Folley Street on the north, Pecos Road on the south, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks on the east, and Arizona Avenue on the west. This community dates back over 100 years and was Chandler's original African American and Latino community. In 2021 residents of the Southside Village partnered with Chandler 4 Change to establish the Southside Village Historic Conservation District. A request has been submitted by Village residents to designate the area between Folley Street on the north, Pecos Road on the south, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks on the east, and Arizona Avenue on the west. The neighborhood was established more than a century ago, and its residents contributed significantly to the advancement of Chandler. It was home to many of the City’s African American and Latino citizens. The historical significance of the Village is fundamentally due to the people who lived in the area. The neighborhood has fostered community leaders, attorneys, authors, social activists, politicians, doctors, entrepreneurs, and celebrities as well as other hard-working and industrious individuals. Some descendants of the first residents still live in Southside Village. Some of the Village’s residents and contributions include:
- Coy Payne, the first African American mayor in the state of Arizona;
- Zora Folley, a noted heavyweight champion who fought Muhammed Ali;
- Emma Arbuckle, a community activist who brought the first public housing project to Chandler;
- Nathan Johnson Harris, Chandler’s first African American resident who worked as Dr. Chandler’s chauffer and later established the Harris Barbeque Pit;
- Raul Navarrete, Chandler’s first, and only so far, Latino mayor;
- Glen Lavon Woods, the first African American woman to sit on the Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission;
- Jeanette Woods-Decker, first African American judge from Southside Village;
The Village contains original houses built by its residents in the 1910’s and 1920’s along with others built later. Some early homes had dirt floors and did not have indoor plumbing. The Village also had facilities that served the community: grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, a school, churches, a dance hall, and a roller rink. Many of the historic structures still exist. These include:
- Light and Life Church;
- Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church;
- Grace Memorial Church of God in Christ;
- Winn School (currently the Salvation Army);
- Roller Rink (Youth Club)
- Folly House
- Payne House
- Harris’s Barbeque
Southside Village has provided leadership and support to the successful history and development of the City of Chandler. Attached is a narrative written by the residents that documents the history of the neighborhood, its development, culture, residents, commercial buildings, churches and housing. The resident application for Southside Village Historic Conservation District presents the opportunity to recognize the contributions of its citizens, past and present, and to encourage the preservation of its remaining architectural heritage. Public/Neighborhood Outreach
- A neighborhood event was held in Harris Park on April 23, 2022, for Village residents and the Chandler community to gather, learn more about the proposed district, and sign petitions supporting creation of the Conservation District. Over 300 individuals, including property owners, residents, and individuals who attend worship services or otherwise have connections, interest, and/or interact with the neighborhood signed petitions indicating support.
- 41 property owners in the district support the district by petition. The City owns 42 parcels and also supports the resolution. There are about 220 parcels in the proposed district.
- This request was noticed in accordance with the Chandler Zoning Code.
- Two signs were posted at visible locations in the district that provide information about the district and public hearings schedules.
- Staff received one e-mail from a property owner who had questions about the district.
- As of the writing of this memo, staff is unaware of any opposition to this request.
Attachments: Vicinity Maps Southside Village Historic Neighborhood Map Resolution 5598 Southside Village Conservation District Narrative Petitions |