Attachment C - VPC Summary - Z-27-24-2.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2024-12-04)

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City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Village Planning Committee Meeting Summary 
Z-27-24-2
Date of VPC Meeting 
October 10, 2024 
Request From 
PCD NBCOD (Approved C-2/CP M-R PCD NBCOD) 
and FH PCD NBCOD  
Request To 
C-2 HGT/WVR DNS/WVR NBCOD and FH NBCOD
Proposal 
Multifamily residential
Location 
Approximately 1,000 feet south of the southwest corner 
of the 29th Avenue alignment and Dove Valley Road 
VPC Recommendation 
Approval, per staff recommendation 
VPC Vote 
8-0
VPC DISCUSSION:
No members of the public registered to speak on this item. 
Staff Presentation: 
Adrian Zambrano, staff, provided an overview of rezoning case Z-27-24-2, including 
the location of the request, surrounding zoning and land uses, and the General Plan 
Land Use Map designation. Mr. Zambrano shared background information on the site 
regarding the North Black Canyon employment center, the North Gateway Village Core 
Plan Conceptual Land Use Map designations, and the Infrastructure Limit Line. Mr. 
Zambrano displayed the site plan, elevations, and rendering for the proposed project 
and stated that as noted in the staff report, the proposal supports the goals, policies, 
and recommendations of several adopted plans, policies, and initiatives. Mr. Zambrano 
stated that the proposal has not received any letters of support or opposition. Mr. 
Zambrano shared the staff findings and stated that staff recommends approval subject 
to stipulations. Mr. Zambrano shared the recommended stipulations and next steps for 
public hearings. 
Applicant Presentation: 
Shane Essert, representative with Trumont Group, introduced himself and provided an 
overview of the project. Mr. Essert displayed and discussed the proposed site plan and 
elevations. Mr. Essert discussed different versions and evolution of the site plan and 
building height. Mr. Essert compared the existing zoning permitted density, lot 
coverage, and building height to the requested zoning and proposed site plan. Mr. 
ATTACHMENT C

North Gateway Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-27-24-2 
Page 2 of 5 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Essert then discussed compatibility with approved projects in the surrounding area. Mr. 
Essert stated that the project has support from various stakeholders, including the Deer 
Valley Unified School District, which has a signed per unit payment agreement.  
 
Questions from the Committee: 
Jeff Johnson asked for clarification what the request for the west parcel was for. Mr. 
Zambrano responded that the request was for C-2 HGT/WVR DNS/WVR NBCOD 
zoning. Mr. Johnson asked for clarification that the west parcel is located within the 
FH-zoned area currently. Mr. Zambrano responded affirmatively, noting that the 
request is to rezone a portion of the west parcel from FH zoning to C-2 HGT/WVR 
DNS/WVR NBCOD zoning. Mr. Johnson asked what land uses would be allowed. Mr. 
Zambrano responded that it could be a commercial use or multifamily residential use. 
Mr. Johnson asked if the west parcel is located within the floodway zone. Mr. 
Zambrano responded that it is currently located within the FH-zoned area, which was 
established to be setback further than the boundary of the floodway zone. 
 
Vice Chair Michelle Ricart stated that there are concerns with flooding with recent 
hurricanes in Florida and noted that there was a massive flood in the area about eight 
years ago, which flooded the entire subject property as well as the freeway. Vice Chair 
Ricart asked if there has been anything done to protect the area from flooding. Mr. 
Zambrano responded that the Floodplain Management section has reviewed the 
proposal’s preliminary CLOMR engineering documents and adjustments were made to 
the proposed FH zoning boundary per the clearance granted by the Floodplain 
Management section. Vice Chair Ricart asked what the large vacant property to the 
east of the subject site is. Mr. Zambrano responded that it is the WL Gore property, 
which has not submitted any plans for development yet. 
 
Scott McGill thanked Mr. Essert for reaching out to Committee members and 
addressing their concerns. Mr. McGill stated that FEMA would need to approve the 
project since it is in the 100-year floodplain. Mr. McGill stated that he has worked on 
projects adjacent to the subject site which did not modify the FH zoning on their 
properties because it was too far into the wash. Mr. McGill added that most structures 
cannot be built within the FH zoning district, and any kind of development is very limited.  
 
Mr. Essert stated that the request is to rezone the west parcel out of the FH zoning 
boundary in order to be zoned for the same use as the east parcel. Mr. Essert stated 
that there currently is no access to the west parcel, and nothing will be built there until 
the Arizona State Land parcel to the west is auctioned. Mr. Essert clarified that the west 
parcel is usable acreage on the property that they are obtaining zoning entitlements for 
in order to develop it many years from now. Mr. Essert added that the FH zoning 
boundary has nothing to do with the FEMA floodplain or floodway zone and it is not 
governed by FEMA. Mr. Essert displayed a clearance letter from the City of Phoenix 
Floodplain Management section regarding the proposal.  
 
Mr. Johnson asked for clarification that the letter stated that FEMA approval is required 
prior to grading of the land.

North Gateway Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-27-24-2 
Page 3 of 5 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Chandra McCarty responded affirmatively and clarified the FEMA CLOMR and LOMR 
process. 
 
Mr. McGill asked for clarification that FEMA could approve the CLOMR for the west 
parcel at the very end after the other properties around it have developed. Ms. McCarty 
responded affirmatively.  
 
Vice Chair Ricart reiterated concerns with flooding given the major flood that occurred 
about eight years ago. Mr. Essert assured that their civil engineer’s calculations are 
correct, and that the City has cleared them to move forward.  
 
Mr. Zambrano displayed the site plan depicting the floodplain, floodway zone, and FH 
zoning boundaries. 
 
Kylie Kennelly asked what a trail easement is. Mr. Zambrano responded that the 
General Plan designated a multi-use trail along the west side of the wash and a shared-
use path along the east side of the wash, so developers must dedicate a 25-foot-wide 
easement along the wash and construct a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail or shared-use 
path within the easement. 
 
Mr. Essert displayed the location of the shared-use path on the site plan and stated that 
they would be stipulated to construct it, meaning that they are obligated to construct it. 
 
Ms. Kennelly asked if the west parcel would also be required to construct a trail. Mr. 
Zambrano responded affirmatively, noting that the west side is a multi-use trail, and the 
east side is a shared-use path. Mr. Zambrano clarified that a multi-use trail has a 
decomposed granite surface, and a shared-use path has a concrete surface.  
 
Vice Chair Ricart asked if a school bus would be able to have the turn radius to 
maneuver within the development, noting that their area has many families that live in 
apartments. Mr. Essert responded that he is not sure if it was designed specifically for a 
school bus but noted that it will comply with City of Phoenix standards and 
requirements, including fire truck turn radius. Vice Chair Ricart stated that another 
community in the area has the ability for a fire truck to turn into it but not a school bus, 
so children have to walk a further distance, and noted to keep that in mind. Vice Chair 
Ricart asked about the windows at the top of the building that appear to go beyond the 
48 feet in height. Mr. Essert responded that it is within the 48-foot height and is not 
another story. Mr. Essert clarified that it would be a loft unit with higher ceilings. Vice 
Chair Ricart stated that their community is fighting for pickleball courts and appreciated 
that proposed amenity. Vice Chair Ricart asked if they agree to all of the stipulations. 
Mr. Essert responded affirmatively.  
 
Public Comments:  
None. 
 
Applicant Response: 
None.

North Gateway Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-27-24-2 
Page 4 of 5 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Discussion: 
Paul Carver asked if Vice Chair Ricart was referring to a pull out for school buses 
similar to a public bus pull out. Vice Chair Ricart clarified that she was referring to a 
sufficient turn radius at the driveway entrance since the community would be gated. Mr. 
Carver asked if school buses would be allowed inside the community or if children 
would have to walk outside of the community to be picked up on the street.  
 
Mr. Essert responded that it would be ideal for them to be picked up within the 
community. Mr. Essert asked if there is a bus stop nearby. Vice Chair Ricart 
responded that they do not know yet since nothing has been built yet. Vice Chair Ricart 
clarified that they wanted to make sure a school bus would have sufficient turnaround 
radius at the driveway entrance. Vice Chair Ricart asked for clarification that 
construction likely would not begin until 2026. Mr. Essert responded affirmatively.  
 
Mr. Carver stated that a pull out may need to be considered for school buses if there is 
no pull out for public buses nearby and they are unsure if a school bus would have 
sufficient turnaround radius within the community.  
 
Mr. Johnson stated that it looks like a school bus would be able to maneuver through 
the community if the gates were open at the entryway.  
 
Mr. Carver stated that from a school board perspective with 344 units there would likely 
be around 500 children in the community that would need access to a safe school bus 
pickup area. Mr. Essert responded that the development would still need to comply with 
City of Phoenix codes and regulations. Mr. Carver asked if this development would be 
the first one to be built in the area. 
 
Vice Chair Ricart responded that it would likely be the last development to be built in 
the area. Vice Chair Ricart stated that there will be many children since there are also 
multifamily residential developments that will be constructed to the north and south of 
the subject site.  
 
Mr. Essert stated that there would likely be a designated bus stop since there are 
multiple multifamily residential developments in the area and school buses would not go 
into each community individually.  
 
Vice Chair Ricart agreed, noting that the designated school bus stop would likely be 
somewhere along the street. 
 
Mr. Carver stated that school bus stops and turnaround radius should be considered 
when designing these developments, noting that there should be a way to assure this to 
the Committee. 
 
Vice Chair Ricart asked Mr. Zambrano if a school bus stop would normally be located 
on the street for a project like this. Mr. Zambrano responded that 29th Avenue is a 
collector street, so traffic volume would be lower, and the school bus would likely stop 
on the side of the road to pick up children.

North Gateway Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-27-24-2 
Page 5 of 5 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Mr. McGill stated that a school bus driver would likely not want to drive into each 
community separately since it would waste time and add more time to the school bus 
pickup schedule.  
 
Vice Chair Ricart concurred. 
 
Ms. Kennelly asked for clarification where the garage parking spaces are. Mr. Essert 
displayed the locations of the garages, noting that they would be on the first floor below 
the units above them. 
 
MOTION – Z-27-24-2:  
Mr. Carver motioned to recommend approval of Z-27-24-2, per the staff 
recommendation. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. 
 
VOTE – Z-27-24-2:  
8-0; the motion to recommend approval of Z-27-24-2 per the staff recommendation 
passes with Committee members Carver, Crouch, Johnson, Kennelly, McCarty, McGill, 
Stein, and Ricart in favor. 
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION: 
 
None.