HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 12/2/2021PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
GLENDALE CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE
GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301
DECEMBER 2, 2021
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Crow called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Crow, Vice Chairperson Nyberg, Commissioners Crow,
Nowakowski, Heath, and Wilfong.
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Cole was absent and excused.
City Staff Present: Jamsheed Mehta, Development Services Director, Tabitha Perry, Interim
Planning Manager, Jim Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney, George Gehlert, Senior Planning
Project Manager, Christina LaVelle, Planner, Alex Lerma, Planner, and Jonatan Ramirez,
Associate Planner, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Chairperson Crow called for citizen comments. There were none.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Chairperson Crow called for a motion.
Commissioner Wilfong made a motion to approve the November 4, 2021, Regular Meeting
minutes as written. Vice Chairperson Nyberg seconded the motion, which was approved
unanimously.
WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES
Chairperson Crow called for Withdrawals and Continuances.
CENTERLINE ON GLENDALE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT GPA21-11 AND
REZONING APPLICATION ZON21-27: A request by Stephen W. Anderson, on behalf
of Gammage & Burnham, PLC, representing Saia Family Limited Partnership, for a Minor General
Plan Amendment from HDR20 (High Density Residential 12.0 — 20.0 du/ac) to DMU (Downtown
Mixed -Use) designation and Rezone for a 14.6 acres site from R-4 (Multiple Residence) zoning
district to PAD (Planned Area Development) zoning district. The site is located southeast of the
intersection of 67th and Glendale Avenues in the Ocotillo District. Staff Contact: Alex Lerma,
Planner, (623) 930-2810, alermana 7lendaleaz.com
Ms. Tabitha Perry, Interim Planning Manager, stated the applicant is requesting a continuance to
the January 13, 2022, Planning Commission public hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Chairperson Crow called for the public hearing items.
AMBERLIN ARROWHEAD GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT GPA21-07 AND
REZONING APPLICATION ZON21-19: A request by Brian Greathouse, on behalf of
Burch & Cracchiolo, PA, representing Empire Residential Communities Fund, III LLC, for a
Minor General Plan Amendment from PC (Planned Commercial) to HDR -30 (High Density
Residential 20-30 du/ac) designation and a Rezone for 7.44 acres site from PAD (Planned Area
Development) zoning district to PAD zoning district to allow for an active adult (55+) senior
multifamily development. The site is located north of the northwest corner of 51St Avenue and
Bell Road in the Cholla District. Staff Contact: Alex Lerma, Planner, (623) 930-2810,
alerm lendaleaz.com
Mr. Alex Lerma, Planner, provided staff's presentation.
Mr. Brian Greathouse, on behalf of Burch & Cracchiolo, PA, applicant, was present and stated he
was available for questions.
Chairperson Crow opened the public hearing.
With no one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Chairperson Crow called for a motion.
Vice Chairperson Nyberg made a motion to RECOMMEND APPROVAL of General Plan
Amendment GPA21-07 as written. Commissioner Nowakowski seconded the motion, which
was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
Commissioner Wilfong made a motion to RECOMMEND APPROVAL of Rezoning
Application ZON21-19 subject to the two stipulations in the staff report. Vice Chairperson
Nyberg seconded the motion, which was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
Commissioner Nowakowski stated he notices and appreciates the attention to detail to protect the
existing neighborhood.
Mr. Jim Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney, stated these recommendations will be forwarded to
the City Council for final action.
GLENDALE PLAZA CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CUP21-07: A request by Luis
Aguilar, representing RKAA Architects, on behalf of HH -Glendale Plaza, LLC, for a Conditional
Use Permit to allow an outdoor recreation area for a proposed fitness center in the C-2 (General
Commercial) zoning district. The 6.7 -acre property is located on the southwest corner of 43rd and
Glendale Avenues at 4307 West Glendale Avenue in the Cactus District. Staff Contact: Alex
Lerma, Planner, (623) 930-2810, alerma d jalendaleaz.com
Mr. Alex Lerma, Planner, provided staff's presentation.
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Mr. Luis Aguilar, representing RKAA Architects, on behalf of HH -Glendale Plaza, LLC,
applicant, was present and stated he was available for questions.
Chairperson Crow opened the public hearing.
With no one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Chairperson Crow called for a motion.
Commissioner Nowakowski made a motion to APPROVE Conditional Use Permit CUP21-
07 subject to one stipulation in the staff report. Commissioner Wilfong seconded the motion,
which was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Jim Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney, stated this is final action by the Planning
Commission subject to a written appeal within 15 days.
THE PAWNSHOP RELOCATION PLAN CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CUP21-11: A
request by Neal Yukolis, of Sterling Holdings, for Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approval to
permit a pawn shop in the C-2 (General Commercial) zoning district. The site is located at 9250
North 43rd Avenue, Suite 23, in the Cactus District. Staff Contact: Christina LaVelle, Planner,
(623) 930-2553, clavellerl lendaleaz.com
Ms. Christina LaVelle, Planner, provided staff's presentation.
Commissioner Nowakowski stated the applicant's hours of operations are different from the
applicant indicated on his neighborhood notification letter. Ms. LaVelle clarified the hours in the
narrative are correct.
Mr. Neal Yukolis, of Sterling Holdings, applicant, was present and stated he was available for
questions. He said he was not opening a new shop, but only relocating his existing shop.
Chairperson Crow opened the public hearing.
With no one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Chairperson Crow called for a motion.
Commissioner Crow made a motion to APPROVE Conditional Use Permit CUP21-11
subject to one stipulation in the staff report. Commissioner Wilfong seconded the motion,
which was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Jim Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney, stated this is final action by the Planning
Commission subject to a written appeal within 15 days.
TOLMACHOFF SUBDIVISION PRELIMINARY PLAT PP21-04: A request by Natalie
Maikoski, EPS Group Inc., representing the Harry Tolmachoff Trust for Preliminary Plat approval
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of a 71 -lot subdivision, including a 17.9 -acre parcel located at the northeast corner of 75th Avenue
and Bethany Home Road in the Yucca District. Staff contact: George Gehlert, Senior Planning
Project Manager, (623) 930-2597, ggehlert@g1endaleaz.com
Mr. George Gehlert, Senior Planning Project Manager, provided staff's presentation.
Ryan Johnson, 1890 West Aspen Avenue, Gilbert, applicant, was present and made a brief
presentation.
Chairperson Crow opened the public hearing.
Ms. Terry Star, Rose Lane, stated she was concerned about single lane along Claremont Street.
She stated there are many vehicles, including a garbage truck today, that struggle with the turning
radius along this corner. She stated either Beazer, or the City of Glendale, needs to widen
Claremont Street. In addition, she stated there is flooding issues along 74th Avenue. Although it
was addressed, she felt the situation is now worse. She said the speed limits are not enforced
currently. She would appreciate someone looking into these concerns.
Mr. Steve Poole, Claremont Street, stated there is no way two vehicles can be on Claremont Street
simultaneously. Mr. Poole indicated he is very familiar with traffic impact studies. He said this
study occurred in April 2020 when people were working from home and the schools were closed
due to the pandemic. He said the philosophy is `do no harm' to the existing neighborhoods. He
said whatever improvements Beazer makes to Claremont Street should make Claremont Street into
a safe street.
Ms. Karen Aborne, Griffin Lane, stated she is concerned about the schools surrounding this
neighborhood closing. She added this development is in the Sky Harbor flight path. She was also
very concerned about the safety of the residents and drivers along Claremont Street. She added it
was difficult for her to participate in the virtual neighborhood meeting due to a disability.
Mr. Johnson spoke about the traffic analysis.
Commissioner Heath asked what accommodations were made for those interested to attend the
virtual, neighborhood meeting.
Mr. Johnson explained they met the legal requirements, and they were not aware of Ms. Aborne's
desire to participate in the neighborhood meeting.
In response to a concern from Commissioner Nowakowski, Mr. James Alexander, 1284 East Spur
Avenue, Gilbert, stated there are two owners of the rights of ways. He also provided information
regarding the retention at the southeast corner of 74th Avenue and Bethany Home Road.
Commissioner Nowakowski expressed that he sees the effort made to buffer to the existing
neighborhood and it is appreciated; although he recognizes there is a traffic concern at 74th Avenue
and Claremont Street.
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Ms. Mary Kay Wormer, Cavalier Drive, stated she is concerned about the traffic at 75th Avenue
and Bethany Home Road. She would like larger lots similar to the lot she owns and where she
resides. She wants the corner to be made safe.
With no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed.
Ms. Perry stated she would like to reassure the Commission that the city is working to find
solutions to the Claremont Street concerns.
Commissioner Crow wanted to ensure that City staff would work diligently to find a solution.
Commissioner Heath expressed his concern regarding the issue of a disabled person not being able
to attend a public meeting.
Mr. Gruber stated that staff can look into the concern although city staff felt the issue had been
addressed.
Chairperson Crow called for a motion.
Vice Chairperson Nyberg made a motion to APPROVE Preliminary Plat PP21-04 subject to
five stipulations in the staff report. Commissioner Wilfong seconded the motion.
The motion was APPROVED with a vote of 5 to 1 (Heath).
Mr. Jim Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney, stated this is final action by the Planning
Commission subject to a written appeal within 15 days.
OTHER BUSINESS
Chairperson Crow called for Other Business. There was none.
PLANNING STAFF REPORT
Chairperson Crow called for the Planning Staff Report.
Mr. Jonatan Ramirez, Associate Planner, made a presentation regarding new development
occurring around the Loop 303 referred to as the New Frontier.
Ms. Perry announced after 25 years of service Ms. Figueroa would be retiring. The Commission
thanked her for her dedication.
COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Chairperson Crow called for Commission Comments and Suggestions. There was none.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for January 13, 2022, at 6:00
p.m., at the Glendale City Hall, Council Chambers, 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale,
Arizona, 85301.
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ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Crow called for a motion to adjourn.
Commissioner Wilfong made a motion to ADJOURN. Commissioner Crow seconded the
motion, which was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:1Opm.
Submitted by:
Diana Figueroa
Recording Secretary
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