Medium Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 9
Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Airspace Structure; Aircraft; Weather
Aircraft X was westbound on the downwind assigned 5000 feet. Aircraft Y was released off of FFZ assigned 3000 feet and 180 heading. After I radar identified Aircraft Y there were numerous VFR aircraft in the vicinity appearing likely to converge with him. I climbed Aircraft Y to 4000 feet. There were still numerous aircraft in their vicinity. I turned Aircraft X to the north heading 350 and as soon as Aircraft X was abeam Aircraft Y I climbed Aircraft Y to 5000 feet to avoid the several VFR aircraft they were conflicting with. I felt this was the safe way even though there may not have been 3 miles lateral separation with Aircraft X.The only fix would be to lower the Class Bravo airspace.
P50 TRACON Controller reported climbing an aircraft through the altitude of another aircraft with less than the required three lateral miles lateral separation to avoid numerous VFR aircraft.