CITY
OF SURPRISE
PLANNING
AND ZONING COMMISSION
12425 West Bell Road, Suite
D-100
Surprise, Arizona 85374
October 17, 2006
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO
ORDER:
Chairman Lyn
Truitt called the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting to order at 7 p.m. at the Surprise City Hall, 12425 West Bell Road, Suite D100, Surprise, Arizona 85374, on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.
ROLL CALL:
In attendance with Chairman
Truitt were Vice Chair Jan Blair, and Commissioners Antonio Segarra, Steve Somers and Fred Watts. Commissioner Hall was absent.
STAFF
PRESENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ITEM 1: DIRECTOR’S
REPORT:
Director Scott Chesney mentioned that there are several General Plan outreach meetings scheduled for the
next few weeks, as well as public hearing meetings scheduled for the Planning
and Zoning Commission in November and the City Council in December. The final
draft of the General Plan is on target to be completed after the outreach
meetings have been conducted.
CONSENT AGENDA:
All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be
routine by the Planning and Zoning Commission and were approved by one motion.
There was no separate discussion of these items during this meeting.
The Planning and Zoning Commission Workshop Minutes were
removed from the Consent Agenda because Commissioner Segarra was not present at
the September 5, 2006 meeting and Commissioner Somers was not present at the
September 5 and 19, 2006 meetings.
Vice Chairman Blair made a motion to approve the Consent
Agenda. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion. The motion passed
with a vote of 5 ayes, 1 absent (Hall), and 1 vacancy.
·
Approved Item 3*: RS06-244 – Consideration and Action – Patrick
Lane Ranchettes, stipulations ‘a’ through ‘g.’
·
Approved Item 4*: RS06-213 – Consideration and Action – WBJ
Estates, stipulations ‘a’ through ‘g.’
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS REMOVED FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION:
Vice Chairman Blair made a motion to approve the Planning
and Zoning Commission Workshop Minutes for September 5 and 19, 2006.
Commissioner Watts seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 3 ayes,
2 abstained (Segarra and Somers), 1 absent (Hall), and 1 vacancy.
·
Approved Item 2*: Planning and Zoning Commission
Workshop
Minutes for September 5, 2006 and Planning and Zoning Commission
Workshop Minutes for September 19, 2006.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS REQUIRING A HEARING:
·
Item 5: PP06-058 – Consideration and Action – Surprise Ranch
Preliminary
Plat
Planner Dennis Dorch presented the project to the
Commission. Staff recommended approval of PP06-058, Surprise Ranch
Preliminary Plat, subject to stipulations ‘a’ through ‘i.’
In response to Commissioner Somers, Planner Dorch pointed
out the parameter roads for the project.
Jeff Blilie, representing applicant, provided
additional information and features of the project, specifically noting a
60-lot reduction in the project.
In response to Commissioner Watts, Mr. Blilie explained that
Parcel F is not being platted because it will be a medium-density product,
noting that it will be brought to the Planning and Zoning Commission at a later
date.
In response to Vice Chair Blair, David Burrows, TruWest
Companies, explained that all areas within this property will be removed
from the flood plain. He indicated that the homes would not be required to
have flood insurance.
Chairman Truitt opened the meeting for public comment.
Paula Forster, Surprise resident, voiced her
concern as to whether the residents will be advised that the properties will be
removed from the flood plain. She also has concerns about where the children in
this community will be attending school. Ms. Forster suggested that someone
from the school districts should attend the Planning and Zoning Commission
meetings.
Chairman Truitt explained the criteria used to calculate the
estimated number of children in a household.
Hearing no further comments from the public, Chairman Truitt
closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Somers
made a motion to approve PP06-058, Surprise Ranch Preliminary Plat, subject
to stipulations ‘a’ through ‘i.’ Vice Chair Blair seconded the motion. The
motion passed with a vote of 5 ayes, 1 absent (Hall), and 1 vacancy.
·
Item 6: PAD05-335 – Consideration and Action – Sunhaven
Planner Dennis Dorch presented the project to the Commission.
Staff recommended approval of PAD05-335, Sunhaven, subject to
stipulations ‘a’ through ‘s.’
Stephen Earl, Earl, Curley, and LaGarde, representing
applicant, presented additional information about the project, providing some
historic data. He commented on roadway design, community college location,
regional service areas, improved sites for elementary schools, and connectivity
of the neighborhood using12 miles of trail systems.
Mr. Earl talked about a large HOA-maintained community park
(43 acres) which is planned within the project that will include extensive
amenities. Originally, a lake using reclaimed water was planned for this park;
however, it was removed from the design at the city’s request. Mr. Earl
stressed that the developer’s preference is that the park become an
HOA-maintained facility rather than maintained by the city.
Chairman Truitt expounded on the various items he liked
about the project, such as 13 two-acre, one four-acre, and one15-acre pocket
parks, as well as the 43-acre community park. He noted the neighborhood
commercial areas, elementary schools, and open spaces. He voiced his concern that
a high school should be located in this community or in close proximity
considering the projected number of high school students. There was some
discussion regarding the lake that was originally planned for the community
park. Chairman Truitt noted his preference that the lake should be included.
Director Chesney briefly discussed the development impact
fees which are prescribed by statute.
Vice Chair Blair stated that she would strongly support a
city park and not an HOA-maintained one because of the burden on the residents.
She talked about the school situation, specifically noting the need for a
high school. In response, Mr. Earl replied that they are working with the Nadaburg School District to become unified and to find the appropriate location for the
high school.
In response to Vice Chair Blair, Director Chesney noted that
staff will work out their concerns before the project is presented to the City
Council. City Attorney Michael Bailey agreed that the staff will work
diligently on the concerns; however, the City has no jurisdiction over the
school districts. Mr. Earl added that as they go through the preliminary and
final plat process, an agreement with the schools will need to be prepared.
Commissioner Somers indicated that his preference would be
to include a lake in the community park.
Director Chesney pointed out that a summary of the
Commissioner’s deliberation and the Commission’s vote will be included in the
report to the City Council.
Commissioner Segarra commented that he does not feel
comfortable about this project moving forward because there are a number of
items that need to be resolved. He emphasized his preference that the
community park be maintained by the HOA.
In response to Commissioner Segarra, Director Chesney
answered questions regarding lighting and dark skies, noting that stipulations
‘f’ and ‘g’ cover this concern.
Chairman Truitt opened the meeting for public comment.
Paula Forster, Surprise resident, voiced her
concern about traffic along Grand Avenue, specifically crossing the railroad
track. She indicated that she was concerned about safety issues regarding the
exit paths for this community.
Robert Jones, Nadaburg School Board Member, explained
that passing the unification of Nadaburg School District will not necessarily
allow the district to build a high school.
Hearing no further comments from the public, Chairman Truitt
closed the public hearing.
Chairman Truitt emphasized that the Commission is very
concerned about schools in this project and would appreciate the developer
working with the schools. He pointed out that he does support the lake in the
community park. He noted his concern about an HOA incurring costs without
adequately having a reserve funding set aside.
Chairman Truitt suggested amending Stipulation E:
Delete last portion of the
stipulation which is in parenthesis
– (open space will not include
lake).
Commissioner Watts
made a motion to approve, PAD05-335, Sunhaven, subject to stipulations
‘a’ through ‘s,‘ as amended. Commissioner Somers seconded the motion. The
motion passed with a vote of 3 ayes, 2 against (Segarra and Blair), 1 absent
(Hall) and 1 vacancy.
OPEN CALL TO PUBLIC:
Chairman Truitt called to
the public to discuss any issues not noted on the agenda.
Paula Forster, Surprise resident, voiced her concern about the Houlihan’s metal structure on Bell Road.
Hearing no further comments
from the public, Chairman Truitt closed the call to the public.
CURRENT EVENTS REPORT:
Chairman
Truitt noted that he will be attending a Planning and Zoning Commission
conference on November 3.
He
mentioned that he and Vice Chair Blair met with Director Chesney recently to
discuss how to streamline the Commission meetings.
CONSIDERATION AND ACTION TO HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Pursuant to A.R.S. §
38-431.03(A)(3), the Planning and Zoning Commission
may go into executive
session with the City Attorney for legal advice on any item listed on the
agenda.
Hearing no further business, Chairman
Truitt adjourned the regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 8:24 p.m.
Planning and
Zoning Commission
