Glendale has approved a land-use amendment for the long-unused Capistrano property near Westgate, giving the owner flexibility to pursue either a roughly 314-unit multifamily development or a senior-living concept with as many as 400 units.
The City Council adopted Ordinance O26-35 on Sept. 22. The action amended the Planned Area Development for 7.5 acres west of the northwest corner of 91st Avenue and Zanjero Boulevard, at 7400 N. Zanjero Blvd. The property is south of Desert Diamond Casino West Valley and close to the Westgate Entertainment District.
The vote is an important entitlement step, but it did not approve a final 400-unit construction plan. The city’s planning report for zoning case ZON26-03 describes two conceptual development paths. The owner can pursue a high-density apartment community of about 314 units or a senior-living community accommodating up to 400 units across independent living, assisted living and memory-care uses.
What the zoning action allows
The amended zoning framework permits either residential option, along with limited commercial or professional uses on the ground floor of the existing building. Development must substantially conform to the Capistrano PAD amendment narrative dated July 28, 2026.
The ordinance also requires a 20-foot easement for an existing city waterline. The development must work with Palo Verde Cancer Center, immediately south of the site, to re-establish use of effluent water for lakes and landscape irrigation.
City staff said the residential options would reuse the existing three-story structure. Later phases could add four-story buildings along the site’s north and west boundaries for the multifamily concept, or a five-story building along the west side for the senior-care concept. At least 20% of the property would remain open space under the planning framework.
The building shell dates to work started in 2008 and has remained unused, according to the city report. Glendale previously approved a PAD rezoning for multifamily housing and related commercial uses in November 2021. The latest amendment broadens the permitted uses and updates the site rules.
Senior-living proposal is still taking shape
Property owner Nirvana at Zanjero LLC is represented in the zoning case by attorney Shaine Alleman of Tiffany & Bosco. ABC15 reported Sept. 30 that Nirvana Homes managing partner Shaun Kanaka is considering the 400-unit senior-living option and said construction could begin as early as fall 2027 if that plan moves forward.
Kanaka told the station that the company is weighing how to proceed and expects a final direction soon. The proposed senior community would be market-rate rather than income-restricted housing, according to ABC15.
Those statements describe the developer’s current concept and anticipated schedule. They are not a construction start, building permit or guarantee that all 400 units will be built. Financing, operating partners, final site and building plans, and later city reviews still have to be resolved.
The next meaningful milestone will be a firm development selection followed by the detailed reviews and permits required for that plan. Until then, the city action establishes what may be developed on the property while leaving the choice between conventional apartments and senior housing open.
Featured image: AI-generated editorial illustration representing senior housing and a land-use decision. It does not depict the Capistrano site or an official project design.
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