PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES

12425 W. BELL ROAD, SUITE D-100
SURPRISE AZ 85374
REGULAR MEETING
February 20, 2001
7:00 P.M.

Chairman Cox called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Carl Cox, Vice Chairman Karen Creighton, Commissioner Ken Senft, Commissioner Martha Bails, Commissioner Bob Gonzales, Commissioner Dan Morris, Commissioner Tony Segarra.

STAFF PRESENT: Interim Director of Community Development John Guenther, Deputy City Attorney Ted Mariscal, Senior Planner Scott Phillips, Planner Desmond McGeough, Planner Jim Atkins, Planner Grant Penland, Administrative Assistant Jenifer O’Melia.

Minutes of the February 6, 2001 regular meeting were approved with corrections.

Floyd Ervin on behalf of Hicks Investments Unlimited, property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Conditional Use Permit for a mini-storage facility located at 15701 N. Reems Road. (Surprise Mini-Storage)

Planner Atkins made a presentation for application CUP00-169.

Commissioner Creighton had a concern since Title 17 does not mention a storage building under C-2 zoning.

Planner Atkins stated that it is dedicated under mini warehouse storage.

Deputy City Attorney Mariscal stated that in the code title 17.28.080, page 184-45c it states warehouse residential storage is a conditionally permitted use.

Commissioner Bails stated that warehouse storage is different than R.V. storage.

Planner Atkins stated that there is an allowance for R.V. storage under the code.

SPEAKER: Don Kramer 707 W. Missouri Ave., stated the code allows ten percent for R.V. storage.

Commissioner Senft had concerns regarding the R.V. storage. He wanted to know if there is going to be any type of dumping facility.

He also wanted to know what are the hours of operation, and if there are security cameras in place. He also had a concern with the gate, which you cannot see the through. There is no natural surveillance.

SPEAKER: Don Kramer stated that there is no dumping facility, but it can be added if necessary. He stated the hours of operation are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and there are security cameras around the project.

Commissioner Creighton had a concern with the landscaping not meeting the 15% that is required by the city code.

SPEAKER: Don Kramer replied that to get up to the 15% for landscaping, they would have to put landscaping against commercial land, which would have no benefit for anyone.

Commissioner Morris stated the building, having walls on all four faces, is a concern, and the building should have better architecture. He stated he felt the building should not be put there.

Chairman Cox opened the hearing to the public.

SPEAKER: Peter Yachimski of Commerce Realty Advisor’s 5070 N. 40^th St., stated that he is one of the project manager’s for the Orchards project. They are not in opposition of this project. He stated that the school district most likely will acquire land directly across from the mini storage, which he has concerns regarding that. He feels this project is not compatible with the future of the Orchards.

SPEAKER: Bob Karber 4343 E. Camelback Rd. stated that, based on the potential acquisition of this property by the Dysart School District, the school district needs to be informed of this application.

Chairman Cox closed the hearing to the public.

Commissioner Senft had a concern regarding how the police and fire departments will be able to gain access into this site. He also stated that he would like to add a stipulation to have closed circuit television installed as a surveillance device and have taping capabilities and be implemented upon review of the Community Development Director.

Planner Atkins stated that there is a stipulation for the applicant to use a Knox box for those departments to gain access.

Commissioner Senft had concerns regarding the lighting being only interior. He would like the applicant to add exterior lighting.

SPEAKER: Don Kramer stated the applicant has no objections to exterior lighting.

Commissioner Morris stated he feels the PAD has changed and the total area needs to be looked at again.

Planner Atkins stated that this project is not within the Orchards PAD; however, this property lies along the perimeter of the Orchards.

Floyd Ervin on behalf of Hicks Investments Unlimited, property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Conditional Use Permit for a mini-storage facility. (Staff Recommendation - Approval)

Commissioner Senft made a motion to table Application CUP00-169. Commissioner Gonzales seconded the motion.

Scott Moore of Dunway Associates West, Inc. on behalf of Thomas & King, Inc., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Site Plan Amendment for Applebee’s restaurant located at 13756 w. Bell Road. (Applebee’s)

Planner Penland made a presentation for Application SPA01-14.

Commissioner Morris wanted to know if the building was moved north since it was a concern in the original site plan.

Planner Penland stated that it has been addressed and had been done.

Commissioner Senft had a concern regarding adding a surveillance camera or alarm on the back door, possibly adding a window for the back door.

SPEAKER: Jim Bizley of Dunaway Associates stated the applicant can add a window to the door.

Chairman Cox wanted to know if there have been any further corrections to the circulation and driving aisles in the parking lot.

Planner Phillips replied yes that there has been.

Chairman Cox opened the hearing to the public. There were no questions or comments from the public. Chairman Cox closed the hearing to the public.

Scott Moore of Dunway Associates West, Inc. on behalf of Thomas & King, Inc., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Site Plan Amendment for Applebee’s restaurant. (Staff Recommendation - Approval)

Commissioner Morris made a motion to approve Application SPA01-14, subject to stipulations a – e attached hereto as Exhibit A. Commissioner Creighton seconded the motion.

Richard Schwartz of Stanley Consultants, Inc. on behalf of Del Webb Home Construction Inc., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Final Plat for a subdivision to be known as Sun City Grand – Ironwood, located north of Mountain View Blvd., and east of Sunrise Blvd. (Sun City Grand - Ironwood)

Planner McGeough made a presentation for Application FP01-04.

Chairman Cox opened the hearing to the public. There were no questions or comments from the public. Chairman Cox closed the hearing to the public.

Richard Schwartz of Stanley Consultants, Inc. on behalf of Del Webb Home Construction Inc., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Final Plat for a subdivision to be known as Sun City Grand – Ironwood. (Staff Recommendation - Approval)

Commissioner Bails made a motion to approve Application FP01-04, subject to stipulations a – h attached hereto as Exhibit B.

Commissioner Creighton seconded the motion.

Commissioner Bails stated for the record she is a resident of Sun City Grand but that there was no conflict of interest in this application.

Stuart Baird of VSLA Architects on behalf of Kingswood Parke Church of Christ, property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Conditional Use Permit for a church located northwest of Bell Road and Parkview Place on Silverleaf Way. (Kingswood Parke Church of Christ)

Planner Penland made a presentation for Application CUP00-175.

Commissioner Creighton wanted to know if there was any notification given to the Homeowners Association at Kingswood Parke.

SPEAKER: Stuart Baird of VSLA Architects stated that applicant had not contacted the Homeowners Association.

Commissioner Bails had a concern if the applicant planned on adding more handicap parking to the second phase.

SPEAKER: Stuart Baird stated that there has been no consideration in adding additional handicap parking.

Commissioner Senft wanted to know what the classrooms will be used for.

SPEAKER: Stuart Baird replied the classrooms are only used for Bible study and will not be used as schoolrooms.

Commissioner Morris had concerns with the circulation of traffic entering the site. He wanted to know if the direction of the traffic is one-way for drop off and possibly angle the handicap parking.

SPEAKER: Stuart Baird stated the driveway drop off is one-way and the applicant will angle the handicap parking.

Chairman Cox wanted to know the height of the building. He also had a concern with stipulation "g" regarding the roof-mounted equipment, since the Homeowners Association doesn’t allow it.

SPEAKER: Stuart Baird stated that the building is 26 feet tall; with the spire, it is 36 feet. He stated there is no roof-mounted equipment.

Chairman Cox opened the hearing to the public.

SPEAKER: Mark Collins14904 W. Elko Dr., wanted to know since this application will be bringing more traffic, what is going to be put in place to help control the extra traffic. He also wanted to know if the parking lot is lighted and how the lighting will affect the residents.

Planner Phillips stated the traffic impact fee has been implemented for the city, and until there is a traffic study done and the traffic study warrants a signal, there will not be signal.

Planner Penland stated there is a stipulation stating that all lighting must be shielded away from residential and roadways.

SPEAKER: Michael Trunzo17814 N. Juneberry Dr., wanted to know what will be the height of the second phase building.

SPEAKER: Stuart Baird stated that the building will not exceed one story in height.

Chairman Cox closed the hearing to the public.

Stuart Baird of VSLA Architects on behalf of Kingswood Parke Church of Christ, property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Conditional Use Permit for a church. (Staff Recommendation - Approval)

Commissioner Morris made a motion to approve Application CUP00-175, subject to stipulations a – I attached hereto as Exhibit C. Commissioner Segarra seconded the motion.

Tim Keenan of Surprise Village Company L.L.C., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Final Plat for a subdivision to be known as Surprise farms Phase 1B, located south of Bell Road, north of Greenway Road, west of Cotton Lane, and east of 175^th Ave. (Surprise Farms Phase 1B – Map of dedication)

Planner Atkins made a presentation for Application FP00-180.

Chairman Cox opened the hearing to the public. There were no questions or comments from the public. Chairman Cox closed the hearing to the public.

Tim Keenan of Surprise Village Company L.L.C., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Final Plat for a subdivision to be known as Surprise Farms Phase 1B. (Staff Recommendation - Approval)

Commissioner Creighton made a motion to approve Application FP00-180, subject to stipulations a – c attached hereto as Exhibit D. Commissioner Morris seconded the motion.

Jeffrey Norman of Norman Engineering Group, Inc., on behalf of D.C.C. Investment L.L.C., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Final Plat Amendment for a retail subdivision to be known as Grand Village Center South, located on the southwest corner of Grand Avenue and Parkview Place. (Grand Village Center South)

Planner McGeough made a presentation for Application FPA00-174 and revised stipulation "e."

Commissioner Senft wanted to know how many times a split is allowed on a property.

Planner McGeough stated that a property may be split three times prior to having to go through a sub-division plat.

Planner Phillips stated this was originally part of Lot 7 of Parkview Place, and because it was part of an original plat anything there after has to be done through the final plat amendment process.

Commissioner Senft wanted to know the intended uses of the four lots.

Planner McGeough stated the four lots are zoned C-2.

SPEAKER: Tom McIntyre of Kitchell Development Company 1707 E. Highland, replied the plan for the land is to extend the retail shop buildings and have a restaurant possibly.

Commissioner Morris had a concern with the chopping of the lots and missing a master concept of the site.

SPEAKER: Tom McIntyre stated this amendment is only for the legal parcel, which will not change the plan.

Planner Phillips stated that the code requires that if applicants are going to sale a piece of property, they must plat the property. The applicant must come back to the commission with a master site plan for Lot 3.

Chairman Cox opened the hearing to the public. There were no questions or comments from the public. Chairman Cox closed the hearing to the public.

Jeffrey Norman of Norman Engineering Group, Inc., on behalf of D.C.C. Investment L.L.C., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a Final Plat Amendment for a retail subdivision to be known as Grand Village Center South. (Staff Recommendation - Approval)

Commissioner Bails made a motion to approve Application FPA00-174, subject to stipulations a – e attached hereto as Exhibit E. Commissioner Morris seconded the motion.

David K. Jones of David K. Jones, P.C. on behalf of Summer Winds L.L.C., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a General Plan Amendment for a subdivision to be known as Rio Rancho Estates, consisting of 184 gross acres, located primarily on the north side of Happy Valley Road and southwest of Grand Ave., with a small parcel located south of Happy Valley Road. (Rio Rancho Estates)

Commissioner Gonzales stated for the record he will not take any

Action on Application GPA00-162 or Application PAD00-135 since it is a conflict of interest. He also stated there are two modifications to stipulations e and f.

Planner McGeough made a presentation for both Application GPA00-162 and PAD00-135.

Commissioner Bails had a concern with the cluster housing, and asked where will the visitor’s park and who takes care of the roads.

Planner McGeough replied that there are additional parking spaces for visitors and other parking accommodations. He stated the Homeowners Association will take care of the court yard driveways and private streets.

Commissioner Creighton had a concern as to which parcels are dedicated C-3. Se also wanted to now the status of the development agreement.

Planner McGeough stated that parcel 17 and 18 will be zoned C-3.

Deputy City Attorney Mariscal stated there have been several drafts, and hopefully it will be ready for when this application goes to City Council.

Chairman Cox wanted some clarification in regards to one side of this project consisting of six-foot sidewalks, and the other side is decomposed granite.

Planner McGeough stated that there is a ten-foot trail and hiking pathway on both sides of the street.

Commissioner Creighton has a concern with the twelve-foot travel lanes and a fourteen-foot median.

SPEAKER: David Jones 1 Arizona Center, stated the applicant is proposing a bike and a pedestrian path on either side of the roadways, and they are still not sure what kind of materials for those. The concept of the twelve-foot travel lane is a traffic-calming feature.

Commissioner Senft wanted to know how many residential dwellings the overall project will have and the total population for the project.

SPEAKER: David Jones replied there will be around 906 dwellings and approximately two thousand residents.

Commissioner Senft had concerns if there are any plans for an emergency building and a school site.

SPEAKER: David Jones stated at this point there is no plan for an emergency building, and they have had extensive discussions with Dysart School District--south and west of the property, there is state land that the district would like to put a school there.

Interim Community Development Director John Guenther stated that this project will have full residential sprinklerization on the site.

Commissioner Senft had concerns with east and west traffic corridors such as Happy Valley Road and Jomax Road. He also had concerns with the existing land uses around the property site.

Planner Phillips stated that Happy Valley Road will run into Grand Avenue and Jomax Road will tie into Loop 303 but loop around and connect to El Mirage Road.

Planner McGeough replied that the speedway is about 3/4 miles from this site, and there are 1 and ½ acre lots to the east and to the north, which is vacant.

SPEAKER: David Jones stated that they have an agreement with ADOT in regards to their Grand Avenue intersection.

Commissioner Morris stated the medium density elevations presentation has conflicts, which the commission would not be able to approve. He also had concerns that there was not enough play areas for the number of residents.

SPEAKER: David Jones stated there will be bicycle and internal open spaces, and they propose large parcels that are suited for an active environment. He also they are aware that a design review will be required before construction of residential units.

Chairman Cox opened the hearing to the public. There were no questions or comments from the public. Chairman Cox closed the hearing to the public.

Commissioner Creighton had a concern with the over-flight from Luke Air force Base and potential homebuyers being notified possibly by putting the information in the public report.

SPEAKER: David Jones replied the homebuilders have an obligation to report and disclose that information.

Commissioner Segarra stated a concern in regards to the narrow streets posing a problem to the residents.

Commissioner Bails and Commissioner Senft both stated concerns with the medium to high density.

SPEAKER: David Jones stated that staff has required that the applicant submit detailed information on the multi-family dwellings and has incorporated a stipulation to address the situation.

Commissioner Morris wanted to know how the speedway noise was going to be addressed.

SPEAKER: David Jones stated that the homebuilder will disclose the information.

Commissioner Senft had concerns with the speedway being protected from new residents.

Interim Community Development Director John Guenther stated that the land was leased and owned by the state and the speedway isn’t long term.

David K. Jones of David K. Jones, P.C. on behalf of Summer Winds L.L.C., property owner is requesting consideration and action on a General Plan Amendment for a subdivision to be known as Rio Rancho Estates. (Staff Recommendation - Approval)

Commissioner Bails made a motion to approve Application GPA00-162, subject to stipulations a – c attached hereto as Exhibit F. Commissioner Creighton seconded the motion.

Core Group Consultants LTD., on behalf of Summer Winds L.L.C., property owner is requesting consideration and action on rezoning certain parcels of property to Planned Area Development for a subdivision to be known as Rio Rancho Estates on approximately 184 gross acres, located primarily on the north side of Happy Valley Road and southwest of Grand Ave., with a small parcel located south of Happy Valley Road. ( Rio Rancho Estates)

Chairman Cox opened the hearing to the public. There were no questions or comments from the public. Chairman Cox closed the hearing to the public.

Core Group Consultants LTD., on behalf of Summer Winds L.L.C., property owner is requesting consideration and action on rezoning certain parcels of property to Planned Area Development for a subdivision to be known as Rio Rancho Estates. (Staff Recommendation - Approval)

Commissioner Creighton made a motion to approve Application PAD00-35, subject to stipulations a – l attached hereto as Exhibit G. Commissioner Bails seconded the motion.

Community Development Director John Guenther stated that there are a number of potential training classes in the near future.

Chairman Cox stated that at the last meeting there was a church approved, but the information given in regards to the sidewalk across the street is incorrect. He also wanted to know who is responsible for keeping unattended property clean and nice looking.

Planner Phillips stated that staff will double-check the sidewalks. He stated that the code enforcer is the person who enforces to the property owner to keep their unattended property clean.

Commissioner Senft stated his concerns with U-Haul and their trucks being an advertisement.

Commissioner Bails would like to have the planners put their name and phone number on the staff report.

Commissioner Creighton stated that regarding the Van Arse property, there is exposed electrical and would like to have the code enforcer look at it.

Commissioner Morris stated his concern that the commissioner should get reimbursed for their mileage to look at the sites.

There was no further business. On a motion duly made and seconded. Chairman Cox declared the meeting adjourned at 9:50.

Carl Cox, Chairman
Planning and Zoning Commission

John Guenther, Interim director
Community Development