Arizona Coyotes

Rendering of the proposed Tempe Entertainment District that would house the new Arizona Coyotes arena.

The city of Phoenix filed suit Tuesday in Maricopa County Superior Court to stop a major development planned in Tempe that Phoenix believes is too close to Sky Harbor Airport.

The mixed-use project would be anchored by a new hockey arena for the Arizona Coyotes, but would also feature residential housing.

In its lawsuit, Phoenix cites Federal Aviation Administration findings that the land is not compatible for residential use due to high noise levels from air traffic.

Tempe voters are scheduled to decide the fate of the project in a special election May 16.

For more on the filing, The Show spoke with Sam Kmack, a reporter for The Arizona Republic covering city government in Tempe, Scottsdale and Chandler.

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