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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 9/6/2012 WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY OF GLENDALE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 2A GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 6:00PM CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Chairperson Sherwood (Sahuaro), Commissioner Petrone (Cholla), Commissioner Larson(Mayoral), and Commissioner Penilla(Barrel). Commissioner Absent: Commissioner Williams (Ocotillo). City Staff Present: Tabitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, Jon M. Froke, AICP, Planning Director, Deborah Robberson, Deputy City Attorney, Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary. Ms. Tabitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, thanked Commissioners for their service. The objective of the workshop was to provide time for Commissioners to hear and understand application information. ITEMS 1. Potential Projects for FY 2012-2013 a. Amendments to PADs in the Sports and Entertainment District Ms. Tabitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, stated that one of the goals for the staff is to review the Sports and Entertainment District PADs. She said staff will base decisions today on what has happened in regard to the economy. She said staff will need to be more realistic in its expectations. For example, Ms. Perry said a 67-acre mixed use PAD located at the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Bethany Home Road, approved by Council in April 2008, had plans for a 400' tall hotel. However, the new owners are now discussing more practical ideas for this area. The city's goal is to ensure the amended PAD will truly fit the city's current day needs. She said the amended will require the applicant reaching out to the residents through the Citizen Participation Process. Ms. Perry explained when Westgate was first being developed, the cost was high. Years later when Park West in Peoria was being developed, prices were more reasonable which Planning Commission Workshop Minutes September 6,2012 Page 2 caused the city of Glendale to review the direction of the Sports and Entertainment District. Another possible amendment concerns the Bellagio parcel of 47 acres at the southeast corner of 99th Avenue and Bethany Home Road approved by Council in June 2010. The potential owners are comfortable with the PAD as a whole; however, some of the design concepts are not something they would want to continue. In response to a question from Commissioner Penilla, Mr. Froke said there is no activity at Camelback Ranch; however, there is some movement on Main Street that is tied in to Camelback Ranch. He added some portions of Main Street are going to auction. b. Loop 303 Corridor Mr. Jon Froke, AICP, Planning Director, provided information regarding the Loop 303 Corridor project coming forward. He stated that the same group of consultants and property owners group are interested in seeking annexation. As of this week, there is approximately 3,000 acres of vacant land that is interested with the ownership group to participate in initial annexation, a Pre-Annexation Development Agreement, or PADA. He said this may be brought forward for Council action at a Council Workshop within the next three to four weeks to seek policy direction. Mr. Froke said the city of Glendale has completed a few significant annexation requests over the past seventeen years including Luke Air Force Base, Woolf Crossing, and the Glendale Promenade. He added there are two major transportation corridors that are currently under construction. They are the widening of Loop 303 and the construction of the Northern Parkway between Loop 303 and Dysart Road. c. General Plan Update Mr. Froke stated that the current general plan is known as Glendale 2025. He explained by state statute, every city and town in Arizona that has a plan must complete a ten year update. He said recent legislation gave some relief to the ten year requirement. Some work has taken place which will lay the groundwork for the General Plan update with a working title of Glendale 2035. Mr. Froke said the Commission may see this update by 2015. d. Zoning Ordinance Update Ms. Perry said update of the Zoning Ordinance has been a lengthy process. The update initially included the digital billboards issue along with additional updates pertaining to some language regarding increasing the notification area to 500 feet from 300 feet. She said Commissioners gave a recommendation for approval in June 2011 and a decision was made to revamp and take a different approach. Mr. Perry said the billboards issue moved forward, but the other amendments were tabled. She said staff has been given direction to complete the update by 2013. Several items presented to the Commission in Planning Commission Workshop Minutes September 6,2012 Page 3 June 2011 will be returning with additional updates. At this time, staff will ask the Commission to initiate the zoning ordinance and update and provide suggestions. Staff will then work with the Commission on putting a proposal together to take forward to Council for final adoption in 2013. 2. Westgate Development Update Ms. Perry stated that the City of Glendale has met their obligation in regard to parking requirements for this season and are in negotiations to hopefully ensure parking obligations for next season are met as well. Commissioner Petrone asked if this issue will be constant until a permanent issue is found. Ms. Perry said yes, with the solution being construction of a parking structure. Commissioner Penilla asked when the structure would be built. Ms. Perry stated it depends on the economy. If development takes place on what is currently being used as parking, there will need to be other measures taken to accommodate vehicles. Commissioner Larson said the media is portraying Glendale as being "asleep at the wheel" regarding the parking issue. Mr. Froke distributed a handout displaying the 2012 parking exhibit from the Glendale Transportation Department, which is prepared each season. City staff worked together to devise a parking plan and the Cardinals were pleased with the plan. He noted additional development in areas used for parking may require an additional parking structure. Commissioner Penilla inquired about the Cardinals threatening a lawsuit. Ms. Perry stated that perhaps communication with the Cardinals could have occurred sooner as this occurred at the same time work was being done with Tanger Outlet and the design review process. The City wanted to ensure a solid plan before sharing with the Cardinals. Ms. Perry continued by stated that Westgate has received some inquires for additional restaurants. It appears that some retailers may be leaving Westgate and moving to Tanger; therefore, Westgate will concentrate on bringing in additional restaurants. Westgate development is currently in Phase I and working to get into Phase II. She said staff has had discussions with the new owners of Westgate to see if they would be interested in amending the existing PAD. Currently, they are concentrating on filling vacant spots in Westgate. Ms. Perry said the Tanger Outlet is scheduled to open November 15, 2012. There are 80 stores proposed at the Outlet. Building Safety has issued 18 permits with 30 additional permits having been approved but not yet permitted. She added at the direction of the owner, Tanger may change their color palette to make it more vivid. Planning Commission Workshop Minutes September 6,2012 Page 4 3. Glendale Centerline Update Mr. Froke stated Sands Chevrolet is located just outside the Centerline and they are in the process of adding a new showroom and modernizing the campus. He said the site plan was just approved. He said the city has worked closely with new owners of the Gas Light Inn over the last year. Improvements and additions have included programmed events, art displays, and live entertainment. Regarding downtown entertainment, he added The Brelby Theater would like to have a facility downtown and a request to utilize the overlay district has been approved to accommodate this use. Circle K has done a nice job on their design and are taking over the vacated Denny's building at the southwest corner of 43rd Avenue and Glendale Avenue. The existing building will be demolished and a new Circle K facility constructed. In conclusion, Mr. Froke stated the city has spoken with representatives interested in some infill housing at 45th Avenue, south of Glendale. They have expressed interest in rehabilitating an existing apartment complex. 4. Recent Text Amendment Update a. Medical Marijuana Ms. Perry stated the city has conditionally approved three dispensaries. One is located at 5301 West Glendale Avenue and was approved by the state. The next is located at 8160 West Union Hills Drive. This site will need to go through inspection by Building Safety, then proceed to the state, and then receive their approval for a dispensary location. The third and potential site is located at 6921 North 91St Avenue and has received conditional approval from the city, but has not yet their application to the state. She said there are two cultivation sites with the first site located at 7115 North 110th Avenue and the second at 5619 North 53rd Avenue. Ms. Perry said the city has received 13 applications with four of them potentially moving forward and one has yet to file with the state. b. Digital Billboards Ms. Perry stated the digital billboards issue has been adopted by Council. Only formal applications for two potential billboards have been received for Sportsman's Park West and they are under review. Planning Commission Workshop Minutes September 6,2012 Page 5 OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Perry stated that her group is now defined as the Community and Economic Development Department and consists of planning, building safety, and economic development. The organizational chart demonstrates a reduction in staff and reflects working relationships. Chairperson Sherwood reminded the Planning Commission that professional attire is required until the May holiday. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 4sra4__A / p Diana Figueroa, Rec• a ing Secretary