HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 10/19/2017 PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MINUTES
GLENDALE CITY HALL
CONFERENCE ROOM 2-A
5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE
OCTOBER 19, 2017
5:15PM
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at approximately 5:18p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Harper, Gallegos, Crow, Vice Chairperson Hirsch and
Chairperson Dobbelaere were present.
Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Moreno and Lenox were absent.
City Staff Present: Tabitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, Jim Gruber, Chief Deputy City
Attorney, Sam McAllen, Development Service Director, and Diana Figueroa, Recording
Secretary.
Guests in Attendance: Ed Bull, Burch & Cracchiolo, Michael Martindale, Representative for
Woolf Properties, and Brian Greathouse, Burch & Cracchiolo.
ITEM:
REZONING (ZON) APPLICATION ZON17-12: WOOLF LOGISTICS — 8805 NORTH
REEMS ROAD
Tabitha Perry,Assistant Planning Director,stated that at the Planning Commission Workshop held
on August 17,2017,the Planning Commission initiated a rezoning application to rezone properties
generally located north of Northern Avenue, south of Peoria Avenue, west of 143rd Avenue and
east of Reems Road.
Since the August 17th workshop, staff has worked collectively with the owners' representative to
include Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. to prepare a draft Planned Area Development for entitlement.
As discussed during the previously held workshop, these properties are currently located in
Maricopa County and zoned RU-43. Once the properties are annexed into the city, the initial City
zoning will be A-1 She said the purpose of the initiative by the Planning Commission is to create
a PAD zoning district that would allow for various land uses and development standards that are
consistent with the regulations identified in an existing Pre-Annexation Agreement and the
established Military Compatibility Permit which was approved by Maricopa County.
Ms.Perry announced that at the request of the Planning Commission,discussion for this workshop
is to provide more specific information on the(1)history of the properties, (2)proposed land uses,
(3) proposed development standards, (4) initial thoughts on circulation for the proposed
Planning Commission
Special Workshop
October 19,2017
development, and(5) interaction and feedback from Luke Air Force Base(LAFB)representatives
regarding the proposed development.
Ms. Perry stated she would like to begin the workshop with the Commission's questions. Staff
will then respond and make their presentation.
Commissioner Harper stated his main concern was if Luke Air Force Base was on board with the
city's plans. He explained that all of Glendale wants to protect Luke and wishes to do what is in
their best interest.
Commissioner Crow agreed with Commissioner Harper. He said they want to make sure Luke is
on board with these plans and wants to see verbiage written to make sure they are protected years
from now He believes the city owes them that protection,making sure any type of development
will not harm them and infringe their ability to operate as an Air Force Base and a Training Center.
Commissioner Gallegos inquired as to what is being proposed.
Commissioner Harper asked if they could include stipulations that will protect Luke Air Force
Base now and in the future.
Vice Chairperson Hirsch asked if there was language in the General Plan that protects Luke and
its specific uses. Ms. Perry stated there was a level of protection in the General Plan. She said the
city has received letters from Luke Air Force Base stating they agree and are on board with the
proposal. She noted the Commission can include stipulations that will give them a more secure
level of comfort. She said they all have the same goal in mind of protecting Luke.
Ms. Perry introduced Ed Bull, Burch& Cracchiolo,to provide a summary on this item.
Mr. Bull explained that Luke has been involved in all aspects including at the state and city level
for a long time. Therefore, within this process, there are uses listed in state statute that are
considered to be Luke compatible and are allowed uses. He said they have stayed within those
parameters and Luke has been involved in reviewing them. He displayed letters received from
Luke stating their support. In short,he said Luke has been involved every step of the way on uses,
including other compatibilities, such as heights. Accordingly, they all agree that all height
requirements have to go through FAA review for hazard determination.
Commissioner Crow noted that it all sounds very well and good; however,he was concerned about
ten years down the road when things change, and problems arise. He would like to see something
that states that without Luke's approval, nothing can change.
Mr. Bull believes the state statute would apply legally to protect Luke, a military installation.
However,he suggested they add language to that effect as a matter of comfort for the Commission.
Michael Martindale,representative for Woolf Properties,stated they had been working with LAFB
for 15 years. He said the FAA form they are addressing has been a process crafted by Luke to
2
Planning Commission
Special Workshop
October 19,2017
have height determinations. He added that each site plan and project has to go through that process
crafted by Luke.
Commissioner Crow asked if the noise issue was a concern. He commented on possible lawsuits
from residents. Mr. Bull noted area restriction regarding neighborhoods.
Commissioner Crow noted his concerns regarding heights are being addressed by the FAA.
However, he still has some concerns regarding noise issues for the surrounding area. He asked if
there was any protection in providing a stipulation that will protect the city and Luke against noise
lawsuits. Mr. Bull stated he could work with staff to review a disclaimer that can be given to
property owners willing to live or work in the area. Mr. Perry explained what the city has done in
the past in similar situations regarding disclaimers or disclosures.
Chairperson Dobbelaere agreed to have staff consider the process to safeguard against the noise
issue liability Mr. Bull agreed to look into disclaimers and or disclosures for.possible noise issue.
Ms. Perry reviewed the rezoning application and its uses including the time line regarding this
project.
The consensus from the Planning Commission was to move forward with this initiative.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Ms. Perry provided an update on item CUP 17-08-Goodwill. She said the Commission's approval
of the Goodwill CUP Thrift Store still stands, however, the development agreement amendment
has been pulled from the agenda so that will not be going forward before City Council. She
explained that as of this date, she cannot say when it will go before Council. Additionally,because
of these turn of events, as of right now, the CUP will not stand because there is.no amendment to
the development agreement.
Ms. Perry noted there had been a request for an appeal to the application by a Councilmember.
Commissioner Harper asked if the Councilmember lived in the area and, if not, can they still file
an appeal. Vice Chairperson Hirsch was also interested to find out what occurred first, the item
being pulled from the agenda or the appeal request.
Vice Chairperson Hirsch noted that as far as he can remember, there are no special privileges or
authority to do that for a Councilmember •
Ms. Perry said that she was not sure but will follow She added should the Commission decide to
have a workshop on the appeal process and what is allowed, they can certainly do that. She read
from the appeal directive that stated a Councilmember could request an appeal.
Chairperson Dobbelaere commented that it was unusual since there had not been much opposition
against this case. He also discussed the signage issue that does not help businesses in Glendale.
Ms. Perry informed the Commissioners that the city was reviewing the signage process to favor
businesses.
3
Planning Commission
Special Workshop
October 19,2017
Vice Chairperson Hirsch asked to receive a copy of the requested appeal language. He talked
about how it did not make much sense when the Commissioners do their due diligence on a case
only to have it pulled. He said it becomes very frustrating. He explained that the applicant should
be entitled to go through the whole process. Ms. Perry recommended they have a workshop to
discuss some of these types of issues. Everyone agreed.
Vice Chairperson Hirsch stated it was very unfortunate for the applicant not to be able to go
through the entire process and have all seven duly elected Councilmembers on the record as to
what their disposition of this issue would be. Everyone agreed.
Chairperson Dobbelaere remarked what purpose is there in having a Commission serving against
elected officials when their recommendations are overturned.
Vice Chairperson Hirsch agreed. He noted the Commission was actually in a better position to
make these decisions since they are not elected and not in a political situation.
Chairperson Dobbelaere commented that he was afraid things are becoming too political.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Commissioner Harper made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice
Chairperson Hirsch seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously
The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
4