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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 3/7/2013 (3) MINUTES CITY OF GLENDALE PLANNING COMMISSION® Q / Q CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013 7:00PM CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:02pm. Commissioners Present: Chairperson Petrone (Cholla), Commissioner Williams (Ocotillo), Commissioner Larson (Mayoral), and Commissioner Penilla (Sahuaro), Commissioner Lenox(Barrel), Commissioner Aldama(Yucca) Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Johnston(Cactus) City Staff Present: Jon M. Froke, AICP, Planning Director, Deborah Robberson, Deputy City Attorney, Karen Stovall, Senior Planner, Remigio Cordero Planner, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Petrone called for the Approval of Minutes. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the minutes of February 7, 2013 Public Hearing. Commissioner Larson seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES Chairperson Petrone called for any withdrawals and/or continuances. There was none. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS Chairperson Petrone called for staffs presentation. ZON12-03: A request by Gilmore Parsons, representing Litchfield & Bethany Home, LLC, to rezone 171 acres from A-1 (Agricultural) and C-3 (Heavy Commercial) to M-1 (Light Industrial). The site is located west of Litchfield Road on the north and south sides of Bethany Home Road (6010 North Litchfield Road). Staff Contact: Karen Stovall, Senior Planner(Yucca District) March 7,2013 Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 Ms. Karen Stovall, Senior Planner presented this item. Case ZON12-03 is a request by Gilmore Parsons/Litchfield and Bethany Home L.L.C. to rezone from A-1 (Agricultural) and C-3 (Heavy Commercial to M-1 (Light Industrial). The Planning Commission must conduct a public hearing and determine if this request is in the best long-term interest of this neighborhood and consistent with the General Plan. On January 3, 2013, the Planning Commission voted to continue this item to March 7, 2013. The request to continue the item was made by staff. Ms. Stovall said the site has RU-43 (Rural Zoning District) and C-3 Maricopa zoning. If the annexation requested is approved, the properties will initially receive City of Glendale equivalent zoning for A-land C-3. The applicant is requesting to rezone the entire site to M-1 (Light Industrial) She explained the site is currently vacant and is surrounded by Luke Air Force Base on the north and west, vacant land to the south in both Maricopa County and City of Litchfield Park that is zoned residential, and mostly developed land to the east, across Litchfield Road, that is zoned Maricopa County residential and commercial. The site also surrounds a five acre property that is zoned Maricopa County residential and is used by The Wigwam Resort for organized events. The owner intends to develop a 171 acre industrial park. The applicant has submitted a conceptual land use plan that depicts six lots ranging from 11.6 acres to 57.1 acres in size. Annexation and approval of a master development plan and Design Review will be required prior to the development of any portion of the site. Ms. Stovall continued by stating on September 18, 2012, the applicant mailed 193 notification letters to adjacent property owners and interested parties and was contacted by three individuals. The first individual lives in the subdivision east of Litchfield Road and had concerns related to loss of property value, increase crime and noise, loss of desert views, and increased commercial vehicular traffic along Bethany Home Road. The applicant responded that the request complies with the existing General Plan land use designation: an arterial street separates the proposed development from residential land uses: native desert and views are difficult to preserve in urban areas and around airports: and commercial traffic would not choose a less expedient route to or from the property along Bethany Home Road. The second individual represented the owner of a property to the south of the subject property and supported the request and wanted to know if the applicant could include the adjacent property in the annexation and rezoning applications. The applicant responded that they could not do so due to their development schedule. The third individual represented Wigwam Resort and expressed no concern with the proposal. Planning staff did not receive any direct communication regarding the request. This request would facilitate development of the 171 acre site for industrial land uses. Ms. Stovall said in conclusion this request appears to meet the required findings for ZON12-03 approval and should be approved, subject to the following stipulations listed in the staff report. Chairperson Petrone called for any questions from the Commission. March 7,2013 Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 Upon an inquiry from Commission Larson, Ms. Stovall reiterated this request was for the rezoning application only and not for annexation. She noted the annexation hearing will go before Council not the Planning Commission. Commissioner Williams inquired about a property shown on the map. Ms. Stovall stated that property was owned by Wigwam Resorts. Commissioner Aldama commented on the citizens who voiced their concerns regarding the loss of desert views. He suggested the applicant continue using a desert landscaping theme for the surrounding community. Ms. Stovall agreed and added the City of Glendale always ask that developers use native and low water use plants. Chairperson Petrone clarified the process they were undertaking today was only a recommendation for rezoning. Chairperson Petrone called for the applicant's presentation. Mr. Jack Gilmore with Gilmore /Parsons Land Design Group, representing Litchfield and Bethany Home L LC, stated they were anxious to start work in Glendale. He said they have had good communications with their surrounding neighbors and have addressed all community concerns. They are ready to move forward and start final design work. Mr. Gilmore called for questions from the Commission. There were none. Chairperson Petrone thanked him for his time and application. Chairperson Petrone called for any additional questions. There were none. Chairperson Petrone opened the public hearing. Since there were no additional public comments, he closed the public hearing. Commissioner Williams made a motion to recommend approval of ZON12-03 subject to the stipulations listed in the staff report. Commissioner Penilla seconded the motion,which was unanimously approved. Ms. Robberson stated the Planning Commission's actions are not final. The Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for further action. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Petrone called for Other Business. Mr. Froke asked Chairperson Petrone to join him at the podium. He stated the Government Services Committee, which recognizes esteemed Board and Commission members, provided a certificate of recognition to Chairperson Petrone for his exemplary service as Vice Chair and March 7,2013 Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 now Chairperson. Mr. Froke thanked him for the excellent leadership shown on the Commission. Chairperson Petrone stated he has enjoyed his time on the Commission and looks forward to serving as Chairperson to what appears to be an excellent body of Commissioners. OTHER BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR Chairperson Petrone called for Other Business from the Floor. There was none. PLANNING STAFF REPORT Mr. Froke updated the Commission on some new projects in Glendale. He noted a couple of buildings have been approved and will soon be under construction at The Midwestern University Campus. The Hospice of the Valley project has been completed with the ribbon cutting ceremony held this morning on site. Finally, in the western part of Glendale, a third hospital in Glendale is being developed at Desert River and will be called Saint Joseph Hospital. Additionally, Sands Chevrolet Motor Company recently opened a new state of the art showroom at their dealership in the central part of the Glendale. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Chairperson Petrone called for Comments and Suggestions. There were none. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Commissioner Penilla made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Aldama seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:22pm. The next meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2013.