HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 6/7/2012 MINUTES
CITY OF GLENDALE PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE
GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85301
THURSDAY,JUNE 7,2012
7:00pm
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00pm.
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Sherwood (Sahuaro), Commissioner Shaffer (Cactus),
Commissioner Petrone (Cholla), Commissioner Larson (Mayoral), and Commissioner Williams
(Ocotillo).
Commissioner Absent: Commissioner Penilla(Barrel).
City Staff Present: Tabitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, Jon M. Froke, AICP, Planning Director,
Sherry Schurhammer, Financial Services Executive Director, Deborah Robberson, Deputy City Attorney,
Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner, Karen Stovall, Senior Planner, Remigio Cordero, Planner, and Diana
Figueroa, Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson Sherwood called for Approval of Minutes.
Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2012
Workshop as written. Commissioner Shaffer seconded the motion, which was approved
unanimously.
Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2012 Public
Hearing as written. Commissioner Shaffer seconded the motion, which was approved
unanimously.
WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES
Chairperson Sherwood called for any withdrawals and/or continuances. There were none.
Chairperson Sherwood stated tonight's agenda items would be taken out of order and would begin with
Other Business.
OTHER BUSINESS
Chairperson Sherwood called for Other Business.
Preliminary Capital Improvement Plan 2013-22
Staff Contact: Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner (Citywide)
June 7,2012
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 2
Mr. Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner, presented this item. He stated this is a request to
determine if the fiscal year 2012-2013 preliminary Capital Improvement Plan conforms to the
General Plan.
He said the ten year CIP is updated annually to ensure consistency with the City Council strategic
goals, objectives and priorities, intergovernmental agreements, and on-going projects in the
community.
In Glendale, the Planning Commission reviews the ensuing year, fiscal year 2012-2013
preliminary Capital Improvement Plan to determine if the projects are in conformance with the
adopted General Plan. This is the only responsibility the Planning Commission has in the CIP
process.
Staff is recommending the Planning Commission indicate that the fiscal year 2013 preliminary
CIP is in conformance with Glendale's General Plan.
Mr. Ritz said the recommended action is to report to the City Council that the fiscal year 2013
preliminary CIP of the fiscal year 2013-2022 preliminary CIP is in conformance with the General
Plan. Mr. Ritz stated he was available for questions.
Chairperson Sherwood opened the public hearing.
As no one wished to speak, Chairperson Sherwood closed the public hearing.
Chairperson Sherwood called for a motion.
Commissioner Petrone made a motion to approve as recommended. Commissioner Shaffer
seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Chairperson Sherwood called for staff's presentation.
1. ZON12-01 A request by Beus Gilbert PLLC, representing Hospice of the Valley, to
rezone 1.7 acres from C-O (Commercial Office) to G-O (General Office). The site is
located approximately 340 feet south of the southwest corner of 59th Avenue and
Thunderbird Road (13614 North 59th Avenue). Staff Contact: Karen Stovall, Senior
Planner (Sahuaro District).
Ms. Karen Stovall presented this item. She said this is a request by Beus Gilbert for the property
at 13614 North 59t Avenue, which is a 1.7 acre property located south of the southwest corner of
59th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.
She stated the property is currently vacant and is bordered by a child care facility and retail
building to the north, a medical office building to the south, Thunderbird Paseo Park to the west,
and a retail center to the east, across 59th Avenue.
June 7,2012
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 3
Ms. Stovall said the applicant is requesting to rezone this property from C-O (Commercial Office)
to G-O (General Office)to permit a hospice care facility operated by Hospice of the Valley.
The applicant wishes to develop a 10,000 square foot inpatient care facility with the capacity to
hold up to 12 beds. The property will have a single driveway on 59th Avenue, which will restrict
vehicular movements to right-in and right-out only. The site is adjacent to Thunderbird Paseo
Park and will have a solid, decorative six-foot wall along the rear property line.
She explained in April 2012, the applicant mailed 73 notification letters to adjacent property
owners and interested parties. The applicant and the Planning Department received an email in
support of the request from the same citizen. There were no concerns expressed during the citizen
participation process.
Ms. Stovall explained the G-O zoning district is an appropriate district to implement the existing
OFC General Plan land use designation and develop this infill property.
The proposed zoning district is compatible with adjacent properties and will not be detrimental to
the neighborhood. Completion of this project will include the redevelopment of a currently
underutilized property that will complement the existing office and medical land uses in the
vicinity of 59th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.
She concluded the Planning Commission should recommend approval of ZON12-01, subject to
the stipulations listed in the staff report.
Chairperson Sherwood called for the applicant's presentation.
Mr. Paul Gilbert, Beus Gilbert, 4800 North Scottsdale, Scottsdale, stated there has been no
neighborhood opposition; the request is consistent with the General Plan, and in agreement with
the stipulations. He stated he was available for questions.
Commissioner Larson questioned the entrance to the property which is right-in, right-out. Mr.
Gilbert explained the city informed him that only a right-in, right-out would be allowed at this
entrance. He said traffic would have to continue northbound and then loop back southbound in
order to gain access to the property.
Chairperson Sherwood opened the public hearing.
Ms. Bonnie Steiger, 5325 West Acapulco Lane, Glendale, 85306, stated she was in support of the
project but asked if the parking provided was sufficient.
Ms. Stovall explained the proposed facility is considered a hospital. She said one parking space
per bed is required and the facility will have 12 beds. The applicant is proposing 44 parking
spaces.
No with one else wishing to speak, Chairperson Sherwood closed the public hearing.
June 7,2012
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 4
Commissioner Williams made a motion to recommend approval of ZON12-01 subject to the
stipulations listed in the staff report. Commissioner Petrone seconded the motion, which
was unanimously approved.
Ms. Robberson said the Planning Commission's recommendation will be forward to City Council
for final action.
2. CUP12-01 A request by Level 4 Studio, representing De Rito Partners LLC, to approve
a Conditional Use Permit to allow a convenience use in the C-2 (General Commercial)
zoning district. The site located at the southwest corner of 43rd and Peoria avenues (4303
West Peoria Avenue). Staff Contact: Remigio Cordero, Planner (Cactus District).
Mr. Remigio Cordero, Planner, said this is a request by Level 4 Studio representing De Rito
Partners Inc. for a Conditional Use Permit approval to allow a convenience use in the C-2
(General Commercial) zoning district for the property at 4303 West Peoria Avenue. If this request
is approved, a drive thru lane on the northern end tenant suite of an existing building would be
allowed.
Mr. Cordero said the Glendale Towne Center remodel is a major renovation of an existing
building. The applicant is proposing to update the floor plan, building elevations, landscaping,
and create new tenant suites throughout this building. The proposed drive thru lane will be
adequate in length to accommodate more than six vehicles. The drive thru lane will have an
integrated, architectural canopy and a decorative masonry wall to screen the vehicles from 43`d
and Peoria Avenues.
He said the applicant and the Planning Department have not received any opposition to the
request.
Mr. Cordero said the proposed use is compatible with the surrounding uses.
He stated the Planning Commission should approve CUP12-01 subject to the stipulations
contained in the staff report. He said he was available for questions.
Commissioner Williams questioned the entry and exit drives. Mr. Cordero said the Transportation
Department has approved the existing driveways to be sufficient to accommodate traffic generated
by this proposal.
Commissioner Larson verified that the Transportation Department approved the proposed drive
thru as the property seems very tight. Mr. Cordero said all departments review the plans and
Transportation has deemed there is adequate access on the site.
Commissioner Petrone commented a project similar to this was recently approved. He said the
site looks terrific and the project was done beautifully. He applauded the applicant for their
innovated use of this existing building.
June 7,2012
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 5
Chairperson Sherwood stated he had contacted Mr. Cordero questioning the procedure regarding
dedication of the right of way where the bus shelter is located. Mr. Cordero explained this is a
process handled by the city's Engineering Department.
Chairperson Sherwood opened the public hearing.
Ms. Julie Dimaria, 4238 West Mountain View Road, Phoenix, 85051, questioned if the proposed
drive thru would eliminate the existing landscaping. She was concerned about the lack of
landscaping with a bus stop, sidewalk, and drive thru being adjacent to one another.
Chairperson Sherwood called for the applicant's presentation.
Mr. Tim Ward, Level 4 Studio, 6868 North 7th Avenue, Suite 209, Phoenix, applicant, stated he
appreciated the opportunity to speak. He said there will be screen walls added to screen the drive
thru lane as well as to provide security to those waiting at the bus stop. He said the bus bay
current exists. Mr. Ward said he appreciates Commissioner Petrone's comments and this is a good
project to attempt to clean up this corner. Mr. Ward added this proposal will not change any
traffic flow patterns.
Commissioner Larson said there is approximately ten to 15 feet of landscaping behind the
sidewalk. He questioned what type of facilities would use a drive thru.
Mr. Doug Himmelberg, De Rito Partners, 6868 North 7th Avenue, Suite 209, Phoenix, stated
something such as a Starbucks would be ideal for this location; however, there are no specific
commitments as this time.
Commissioner Larson verified that only the suite to the north would be able to use the drive thru.
Mr. Himmelberg said yes.
Commissioner Larson said it will be great to see businesses occupying this corner.
Chairperson Sherwood asked the applicant when they would anticipate having businesses occupy
the building. Mr. Himmelberg said it would be approximately six to eight months for remodeling
and before tenants move in.
Chairperson Sherwood continued with the public hearing portion.
Mr. Scott VanSoest, 4223 West Cinnabar Avenue, Phoenix, 85051, said although he was glad this
area was being cleaned up, he was concerned about the amount of traffic this proposal would bring
and how the traffic would flow in and out of the property. He felt this intersection was already
congested.
Mr. Cordero explained there is a deceleration lane on Peoria Avenue which would allow a vehicle
heading east to turn right into the site. He added if a vehicle is leaving the drive thru window, it
could continue forward through the center or to the north to access Peoria Avenue, or circle the
property and access 43`d Avenue heading south.
June 7,2012
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 6
With no one else wishing to speak, Chairperson Sherwood closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Petrone made a motion to approve CUP12-01 subject to the stipulations listed
in the staff report. Commissioner Shaffer seconded the motion.
Commissioner Larson stated there were a few options as far as exiting the property is concerned.
He said he saw no major issues.
The motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Robberson stated this is final approval by the Planning Commission subject to appeal if filed
within 15 days.
OTHER BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
Chairperson Sherwood called for Other Business From The Floor. There was none.
PLANNING STAFF REPORT
Chairperson Sherwood called for the Planning Staff Report. Ms. Perry asked the Commission to vacate
the July 5, 2012 Planning Commission meeting.
Chairperson Sherwood called for a motion.
Commissioner Shaffer made a motion to vacate the July 5, 2012, Planning Commission Workshop
and Public Hearing. Commissioner Larson seconded the motion,which passed unanimously.
Ms. Perry stated there have been several workshops and meetings regarding ZTA11-01. She informed the
Commission this case will be heard by the City Council on June 12, 2012.
COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Chairperson Sherwood called for Commission Comments and Suggestions. There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Commissioner Shaffer made a motion to adjourn the Meeting. Commissioner
Williams seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:38pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 2, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
0
Diana Figueroa, Recordi ecretary