Attachment D - VPC Rec Forms - Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2024-12-04)

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Village
Information Only 
Date
Recommendation 
Date
Recommendations
Vote
Central City
8/12/2024
9/9/2024
Approval, per the staff recommendation
12-0
Encanto
8/5/2024
9/9/2024
Approval, per the staff recommendation
9-1
ATTACHMENT D
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 Downtown Code
Village Planning Committee Summary Results
Updated : 8/11/2023

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-TA-5-22-4-7-8 
INFORMATION ONLY 
 
 
Date of VPC Meeting 
August 12, 2024 
Request 
Add a new Section 312 and amend the following 
sections of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to revise 
and clarify definitions, and variance and Design 
Review appeal processes and to clarify how other 
sections interact with Chapter 12 (Downtown Code): 
 
Section 201 (Rules of Construction), Section 202 
(Definitions), Section 307.A (Authority and duties of the 
Zoning Administrator), Section 507 (Development 
Review Approval), Section 669 (Arts, Culture, and 
Small Business Overlay District), Section 702 (Off-
Street Parking and Loading), and Section 703 
(Landscaping, Fences and Walls), Chapter 12 
(Downtown Code) 
 
 
VPC DISCUSSION: 
 
No members of the public registered to speak on this item. 
 
STAFF PRESENTATION 
Christopher DePerro, staff, provided a presentation about the proposed amendments 
to the Downtown Code, highlighting the revisions to the appeals processes, frontage 
and streetscape zones, the Taylor Street Paseo, and clarifications about issues in the 
right-of-way, further reviewing the timeline for the text amendment. 
 
QUESTIONS FROM COMMITTEE 
Committee Member Sonoskey asked about variances and if adding DRC review will 
make it take longer to get a variance. Mr. DePerro replied that a lot of other changes to 
the DTC will make variances necessary less often and that in some cases a variance 
can be obtained in conjunction with the DRC review. 
 
Mr. Sonoskey asked if valet parking is currently allowed in the DTC. Mr. DePerro 
replied that the text doesn’t currently say whether it’s allowed and that the proposed

Central City Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 
August 12, 2024 
Page 2 of 2 
 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
text requires Street Transportation Department approval for valet parking within the 
right-of-way. 
 
Vice Chair Gaughan asked how long this revision has been in the works. Mr. DePerro 
replied that it has been since 2021. 
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS 
None.

Village Planning Committee Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8
INFORMATION ONLY 
Date of VPC Meeting 
August 5, 2024 
Request 
Add a new Section 312 and amend the following 
sections of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to revise 
and clarify definitions, and variance and Design 
Review appeal processes and to clarify how other 
sections interact with Chapter 12 (Downtown Code): 
Section 201 (Rules of Construction), Section 202 
(Definitions), Section 307.A (Authority and duties of the 
Zoning Administrator), Section 507 (Development 
Review Approval), Section 669 (Arts, Culture, and 
Small Business Overlay District), Section 702 (Off-
Street Parking and Loading), and Section 703 
(Landscaping, Fences and Walls), Chapter 12 
(Downtown Code) 
VPC DISCUSSION: 
No members of the public registered to speak on this item. 
STAFF PRESENTATION 
Chris DePerro introduced himself and stated that changes to the Downtown Code have 
been in development for some time and there is a portion that is within the Encanto 
Village. Mr. DePerro stated the downtown area is between 7th Street and 7th Avenue 
extending to Buckeye Road to the south. Mr. DePerro stated that one of the reasons for 
changes was due to unclear language and over the years other changes were not made 
to update different provisions, tables and there was the intent to have a more traditional 
downtown code. Mr. DePerro stated that one of the big changes is clarification to the 
appeal process that was discovered when addressing large projects. Mr. DePerro said 
they also updated development requirements to be consistent and there were revisions 
to format, terminology, and grammar to have better interactivity with the rest of the 
ordinance. Mr. DePerro stated that what has not changed are the existing entitlements, 
the street classifications and character areas. Mr. DePerro said that one update that

Encanto Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 
Page 2 of 4 
 
was made was the inclusion of a parcel at the corner of 7th Avenue and Lynwood Street 
which was added back in to provide full coverage for the area. Mr. DePerro said no 
changes were made to permitted land uses with exception of one interpretation that was 
in error which was adjusted, and valet parking was added to the development 
standards. Mr. DePerro stated that Chapter 12 has been rewritten in the style of Section 
507, Tab A and includes a reference to variance requirements and presumptions and 
technical appeals. Mr. DePerro said that performance standards can be evaluated by 
technical staff to evaluate the situation but does not go to a public hearing but can be 
appealed to the City Manager’s representative. Mr. DePerro stated that variance relief 
would be maintained as required by state law. Mr. DePerro stated that what has been 
added is a process for design related items to go to the Design Review Committee for a 
recommendation addressing how the requirement items are met. Mr. DePerro stated 
that provisions were added for some items that are not design related that would be 
addressed by a design advisor. Mr. DePerro stated the 35 percent limitation on relief 
was removed and allowed for adjustments for alternative designs like storefront when 
they did not meet all the specific details. Mr. DePerro discussed the changes to 
frontages and streetscape zone to put more focus on the ground level environment for 
shade and landscaping. Mr. DePerro stated that provisions were added for sidewalks, 
bicycle parking, and amenities that match the WU (Walkable Urban) Code to be 
consistent. Mr. DePerro stated ride share and delivery space were added, and 
commercial loading remains to be kept off the street. Mr. DePerro discussed the 
streetscape zone that would include the minimum sidewalk and landscape setback. Mr. 
DePerro discussed the frontage setback zone and adjustments to the maximum 
setbacks to allow full use of the property as well as projections. Mr. DePerro displayed 
examples of commercial mixed-use frontages and residential frontages and how they 
will be expected to be developed in the future. Mr. DePerro discussed how public art 
would be utilized and placed in designated areas and corridors for display. Mr. DePerro 
stated that with the updates there would be new terminology, some terms would be 
updated to be consistent with the Zoning Ordinance to clearly express what is allowed 
with what is permitted. Mr. DePerro stated that certain terms like door yard, grand entry 
and traditional entry were updated to adapt to the WU Code and to be more functional 
options. Mr. DePerro stated that adjustments were added for windows, glazing and 
setbacks to encourage frontage options. Mr. DePerro discussed the Taylor Street 
Paseo which was updated to include portions of the character area and match the 
intended areas that were originally planned for. Mr. DePerro stated the Paseo would be 
preserved and there would be development incentives. Mr. DePerro stated that in 
making changes they evaluated streets and right of ways and driveways to maintain 
pedestrian activity and passenger loading. Mr. DePerro stated that the updates include 
provisions for valet parking that can be utilized across the street, but no new or 
additional parking is granted. Mr. DePerro stated that with adjusting the right of way 
allowances it still allows the Street Transportation Department to have flexibility and

Encanto Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 
Page 3 of 4 
 
does not override their role. Mr. DePerro discussed Historic Preservation and the 
general provisions of Chapter 12 and there would be no changes in preserving the 
existing developments. Mr. DePerro stated features such as height bonuses and 
corporate areas have been clarified when being rehabilitated. Mr. DePerro stated the 
availability of sustainability bonus points for reduced parking, additional lot coverage 
and the work with preservation and historical structures. Mr. DePerro stated the timeline 
for the proposed changes which began in 2022 and they have made the changes which 
are being presented. Mr. DePerro stated that the proposed changes will affect the 
Encanto Village and the Central City Village.  
QUESTIONS FROM THE  COMMITTEE 
Committee Member Procaccini asked when there is a historic designation does it 
have to be nationally registered. Mr. DePerro responded this is addressed in Chapter 8 
of the Ordinance when a site or building is designated HP (Historic Preservation) it is 
consider historic by City designation. Committee Member Procaccini asked if a site 
would be federally designated for preservation. Mr. DePerro stated he would check with 
the City’s Historic Preservation Department for clarification. 
Committee Member Warnicke stated there were changes made to the tree matrix and 
landscaping, but caliper size was not mentioned. Mr. DePerro responded that this was 
not addressed but there are installation requirements for tree size. 
Chair Wagner stated the proposed changes will have a greater impact on Central City 
with some limited application on the southern boundary of the Encanto Village. Chair 
Wagner asked about the Design Review Committee and their decision that is final and 
non-appealable, noting that from the Village they address design questions without 
sufficient design details. Chair Wagner asked why there was a decision to grant power 
to a few people on a committee rather than a more public process. Mr. DePerro 
responded that the Design Review Committee was established with the original 
Downtown Code, and the committee was the final decision maker. Mr. DePerro stated 
that other options were considered for appeals that include a Design Advisor with a 
different board and at this time the updates are a major clarification of items that have 
been in practice for the last ten years and the focus has been on codification for clarity. 
Chair Wagner asked if staff could obtain the minutes from the Central City Village 
Planning Committee Meeting. Chair Wagner stated that it would be helpful to get 
information from the Central City Village perspective as well as seeing how the outreach 
was conducted. Mr. DePerro responded that they worked with the Downtown Phoenix 
Partnership, the Phoenix Community Alliance, the Rosevelt Action Association, and 
there was a work group that reviewed the language. Mr. DePerro stated that there will 
be additional presentations made to other groups. Chair Wagner asked if the City is 
currently rewriting other parts of the ordinance, to get a heads up on future changes. Mr. 
DePerro responded that there will be some upcoming changes based on the state

Encanto Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 
Page 4 of 4 
 
mandated requirements including revision to ADU’s. Mr. DePerro stated they will be 
making some revisions to Adaptive Reuse as a follow up to SB 2297. Mr. DePerro 
stated there are many provisions that have to be updated but there is no immediate 
hurry, but they will be in progress. 
PUBLIC COMMENTS 
None.  
FLOOR/PUBLIC DISCUSSION CLOSED: COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 
 
None.

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-TA-5-22-4-7-8 
 
 
Date of VPC Meeting 
September 9, 2024 
Request 
Add a new Section 312 and amend the following 
sections of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to revise 
and clarify definitions, and variance and Design 
Review appeal processes and to clarify how other 
sections interact with Chapter 12 (Downtown Code): 
 
Section 201 (Rules of Construction), Section 202 
(Definitions), Section 307.A (Authority and duties of the 
Zoning Administrator), Section 507 (Development 
Review Approval), Section 669 (Arts, Culture, and 
Small Business Overlay District), Section 702 (Off-
Street Parking and Loading), and Section 703 
(Landscaping, Fences and Walls), Chapter 12 
(Downtown Code) 
VPC Recommendation 
Approval, per the staff recommendation 
VPC Vote 
12-0 
 
 
VPC DISCUSSION: 
 
No members of the public registered to speak on this item. 
 
Committee Member Nervis joined the meeting during this item and Committee Member 
Burton declared a conflict of interest on this item, bringing quorum to 12 members. 
 
STAFF PRESENTATION 
Christopher DePerro, staff, provided a presentation about the proposed amendments 
to the Downtown Code, highlighting the revisions to the appeals processes, frontage 
and streetscape zones, the Taylor Street Paseo, and clarifications about issues in the 
right-of-way, further reviewing the timeline for the text amendment. 
 
QUESTIONS FROM COMMITTEE 
Committee Member Olivas asked if there were any provisions in the proposal that 
have had opposition. Mr. DePerro stated that the proposal has been designed to

Central City Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 
September 9, 2024 
Page 2 of 2 
 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
respond to comments from the community, highlighting the addition of a maximum 
grade for sidewalks. 
 
Committee Member Martinez asked about the outreach conducted for this proposal. 
Mr. DePerro reviewed the process of conducting outreach to several organizations. 
 
Chair O’Grady asked about the tree species matrix. Mr. DePerro described the 
purpose and history of the tree species matrix and the proposed text to allow 
alternatives to be approved administratively. 
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS 
None. 
 
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 
Committee Member Olivas asked if this has gone to any other VPCs. Mr. Hales 
responded that the item is being heard at Encanto tonight. 
 
MOTION 
Vice Chair Gaughan made a motion to recommend approval of Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 per 
the staff recommendation. Rachel Frazier Johnson seconded the motion. 
 
VOTE 
12-0; Motion to recommend approval of Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 per the staff recommendation 
passed; Committee Members Ban, Burns, Greenman, R. Johnson, Martinez, Nervis, 
Olivas, Sonoskey, Starks, Vargas, Gaughan, and O’Grady in favor. 
 
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION: 
 
None.

Village Planning Committee Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8  
 
Date of VPC Meeting 
September 9, 2024 
Request 
Add a new Section 312 and amend the following 
sections of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to revise 
and clarify definitions, and variance and Design 
Review appeal processes and to clarify how other 
sections interact with Chapter 12 (Downtown Code): 
 
Section 201 (Rules of Construction), Section 202 
(Definitions), Section 307.A (Authority and duties of the 
Zoning Administrator), Section 507 (Development 
Review Approval), Section 669 (Arts, Culture, and 
Small Business Overlay District), Section 702 (Off-
Street Parking and Loading), and Section 703 
(Landscaping, Fences and Walls), Chapter 12 
(Downtown Code) 
VPC Recommendation  
Approval, per the staff recommendation 
VPC Vote 
9-1 
 
VPC DISCUSSION: 
No members of the public registered to speak on this item. 
 
Committee Member Kleinman left the meeting room during this item, bringing quorum to 
10 members. 
 
STAFF PRESENTATION 
Tricia Gomes, Planning and Development Department Deputy Director, introduced 
herself and provided a recap of the changes, explaining the updates aim to improve 
clarity, address contradictions, and simplify the language of the Downtown Code. Ms. 
Gomes stated the revisions focus on several key areas including appeals, an analysis of 
the pedestrian environment to improve shade, development regulations and some 
updated language and grammar. Ms. Gomes stated what is not changing are existing 
entitlements, pedestrian side streets, buffer alleys and character areas with one 
exception at the corner of Lynwood Street and 7th Avenue which had a unique update.

Encanto Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 
Page 2 of 3 
 
Ms. Gomes stated that the changes to the land use portions were interpretations for 
valet parking as an accessory use. Ms. Gomes stated that Chapter 12 was reevaluated 
and rewritten addressing technical appeals and design related variances and to address 
how other sections would interact with the changes. Ms. Gomes discussed the letters 
associated to the designations for the type of appeal and rationale behind them 
including T (Technical Appeal), R (Variance), R* (Design Review Committee) and P 
(Staff Discretion). Ms. Gomes stated that the Technical Appeal Committee is a newly 
added requirement and will address safety or performance standards and will be 
appealable to the City Manager (CMR) or the Design Advisory Board (DAB). Ms. 
Gomes said that design related variances will be reviewed by the Design Review 
Committee (DRC) for recommendations, allowing flexibility in design without requiring a 
variance for a minor adjustment. Ms. Gomes noted that the appeals for variances are 
handled by the Board of Adjustment or Superior Court focusing on hardship or unique 
circumstances. Ms. Gomes stated that design related items would be routed to the DRC 
for recommendation prior to a hearing. Ms. Gomes discussed the DRC public hearing, 
the removal of 35 percent limitation on relief, requests made with a design alternative 
and a new role of providing recommendations for design related variances. Ms. Gomes 
said frontages and streetscapes were addressed to include a minimum sidewalk width 
and setbacks were increased 10-15 feet and projections were added within frontage 
zones. Ms. Gomes stated the Grand Entry was added to allow prominent and large-
scale developments such as hotels and this element is intended to create significant 
and welcoming entryways for high-traffic areas. Ms. Gomes discussed the Taylor Street 
Paseo which is now included and updated in the  maps and provisions for paseo lines to 
connect parcel areas. Ms. Gomes said the new alignments and approved locations 
have been codified and allow incentives for properties along existing lines to provide 
advanced frontages if desired. Ms. Gomes discussed revisions to address vehicular 
access and driveway separation, providing greater flexibility while recognizing existing 
rights. Ms. Gomes stated this update aims to balance pedestrian needs with vehicular 
access requirements. Ms. Gomes stated that all the revisions regarding Historic 
Preservation have been revised to clarify the significance of historic designations noting 
the Chapter 8 (Historic Preservation) remains prominent in development actions. Ms. 
Gomes stated the changes provide clarity on Warehouse and Business Core Character 
Areas and outline the Sustainability Bonus Points for historic structure preservation and 
rehabilitation. Ms. Gomes thanked the Committee and noted staff recommends 
approval and asked the committee for their support noting Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 will be heard 
by the Planning Commission in October.

Encanto Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8
Page 3 of 3
QUESTIONS FROM THE  COMMITTEE 
Committee Member Mahrle asked if the appeals apply only to the DTC or does it apply 
to any place in the City. Ms. Gomes responded that with the appeal structure it is for 
the whole city but items identified by the T designation only exist in the downtown area. 
Committee Member Warnicke commented that the larger caliper trees from the WU 
Code should be applied to the revisions.   
Chair Wagner reiterated that the DTC extends only to the most southern portion of the 
Encanto Village and includes the Central City Village.   
PUBLIC COMMENTS 
None.  
FLOOR/PUBLIC DISCUSSION CLOSED: COMMITTEE DISCUSSION, AND VOTE 
MOTION: 
Committee Member Jayson Matthews motioned to recommend approval of Z-TA-5-
22-4-7-8 per the staff recommendation.
Committee Member Steve Procaccini seconded the motion. 
VOTE: 
9-1; motion to approve Z-TA-5-22-4-7-8 per the staff recommendation passes with
Committee Members Carranza, Doescher, George, Jewett, Mahrle, Matthews,
Procaccini, Montaño Searles and Chair Wagner in support and Committee Member
Warnicke opposed.
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION: 
No comments.