Attachment F - VPC Summary June 10, 2020 - Z-49-19-8

Village Planning Committee Meeting Summary 
Z-49-19-8
Date of VPC Meeting 
April 14, 2020 (Canceled) 
May 12, 2020 (Continued) 
June 10, 2020 (Recommendation) 
Request From 
PSC 
Request To 
C-2 HGT/WVR DNS/WVR
Proposed Use 
Multifamily
Location 
Approximately 175 feet north of the northwest corner of 
19th Avenue and Southern Avenue 
VPC Recommendation 
Approve per staff recommendation 
VPC Vote 
11-4-0 Motion passes; with members Aguilar, Alvarez,
Brownell, Daniels, Holmerud, Monge Kotake, Larios, Said,
Tunning, Busching and Trites in favor; Members Coleman,
Shepard, Muriel Smith and Shelly Smith in dissent; none
in abstention.
VPC DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDED STIPULATIONS: 
Eight email messages were received, two from individuals supportive of the case 
and six from individuals in opposition, and wishing to speak. 
Mr. Bojorquez, staff, provided a presentation on the proposed rezoning case. 
Staff recommends approval, subject to stipulations found in Addendum B. He 
then invited the applicant to provide their information presentation with the 
committee. 
Mr. Russell Condas, of Dominium Inc., introduced himself and went over a 
presentation on the Dominium company then providing an overview of the 
affordable housing needs in Arizona. He then discussed how this project would 
provide workforce housing and that all units would be affordable. An overview of 
discussions with local experts pertaining to the Food Action Plan was provided, 
and stated that an agreement with the Tiger Mountain Foundation was made. He 
then went over discussions with experts on how to address issues related to thee 
formerly incarcerated. A review of the amended site plan was provided and it was 
shared that gates were intended to remain open. Building setback exhibits within 
the presentation were provided to show the before and after of the building 
modifications. A comparison with other three-story apartment buildings at the 
Attachment F

Colonia Del Sol apartments in the area was provided, then the presentation 
ended. 
 
Chairwoman Trites asked for comments from the committee. 
 
Mr. Aguilar asked whether energy efficient appliances or materials were 
considered, based on the changes to the Building 7 layout. 
 
Mr. Condas responded that yes, the project has considered this. He added that 
the operator is responsible to pay the utility costs, not individual renters, and that 
the project plans to incorporate solar panels on top of the carports. 
 
Mr. Aguilar asked whether the project was intending on renting to former 
incarcerated people and if the applicant was willing to contact the Tiger Mountain 
Foundation. 
 
Mr. Condas responded that yes, under certain conditions they would rent to 
formerly incarcerated people. He added that yes, he was also willing to reach out 
to the Tiger Mountain Foundation. 
 
Ms. Alvarez asked the applicant what was the feedback received from the public 
after the site plan changes. 
 
Mr. Condas shared that his team had gone into the community to distribute 
flyers and had received mixed feedback. 
 
Mr. Brooks stated that he was pleased with the work done by the applicant on 
contacting food organizations. 
 
Mr. Coleman asked what type of fencing was proposed along the western 
property line, specifically to address concerns with vehicular headlights and if the 
project had considered abandoning the adjacent alley to the west. 
 
 
Mr. Condas responded that they were unsure about the type of fencing along the 
alley, but are considering a CMU wall there. Also, they are unsure about pursuing 
an alley abandonment there. 
 
Mr. Gary Todd, with Todd and Associates, responded that his experience is that 
the city usually requires a CMU wall along the alleyway for this type of project 
and that the project has provided a landscape setback between vehicular parking 
spaces and the western property line. 
 
Ms. Tamala Daniels mentioned that she is in support of the project.

Mr. Gene Holmerud stated that the went over the letters and comments 
provided in the correspondence, which contained concerns about increases in 
noise for the area. 
 
Mr. Todd provided an overview on the type of materials to be used to reduce the 
noise from the units. 
 
Mr. Martin Hayime Kotake asked what has been done to address complaints 
from people on rent increases and management practices. 
 
Mr. Condas responded that there are different scenarios that lead to these 
circumstances but the company is wanting to work with residents on any issues 
raised. 
 
 
Mr. Larios referenced policies and stated that he was please that the applicant 
was willing to view property management through different lenses, especially 
from the formerly incarcerated. 
 
Ms. Fatima Said stated that she echoes the previous comments and supports 
the applicant for being willing to learn about community issues. 
 
Ms. Muriel Smith stated that she is not supportive of the project due to the 
height of three stories given that properties in the area are single story with some 
two stories in height. 
 
Mr. Shelly Smith asked the applicant why the project was still proposing three 
stories and thus adding more units. He also asked how the negative complaints 
had been addressed. 
 
 
Mr. Condas responded that he had talked with the community, in particular Ms. 
Audria Nunley who took on a role of a community organizer. 
 
Mr. Todd added that the changes to the building layout was meant to accomplish 
the desires of the community. 
 
Ms. Tunning stated that she was pleased with the six hours of meetings that the 
developer participated in. 
 
Ms. Busching stated that she was pleased with the level of outreach conducted 
by the applicant. 
 
Chairwoman Trites was also pleased with the level of outreach by the applicant, 
then opened the public comment portion of the meeting. 
 
Ms. Audria Nunley, member of the public, stated that she had concerns with the 
affordability of rents, management practices, landlord practices, discrimination

practices, rent hike practices and recent complaints in the Better Business 
Bureau (BBB) for Dominium Inc. 
 
Mr. Condas responded to the comments from Ms. Nunley. 
 
Mr. Fred Jones, member of the public, stated that he sees the property as 
incompatible with the area and is concerned with the scale of the project. He 
asked if committee members could explain their vote on this project. 
 
Mr. Alvis Fletcher, member of the public, asked the applicant to consider other 
properties in the area that are for sale for this project due to the single family 
nature of this area. He added that the lives next to this project site and opposes 
having a view of this project. He also stated that the had not received flyers from 
the applicant on Sunday. 
 
Mr. Condas responded that his group was constantly seeking new properties to 
develop, but was not aware of those other properties being for sale. 
 
Ms. Patra Carroll, member of the public, stated that the area lacks infrastructure 
and that the existing zoning on the property should be preserved. 
 
Mr. Darren Chapman, member of the public, is with the Tiger Mountain 
Foundation and supports this project from a food security perspective, however 
he recommends to the applicant to solve the ongoing issues with the community. 
 
Ms. Rose Jones, member of the public, stated that she opposes the project due 
to traffic issues, increased crime and the intended use at this location. 
 
Mr. Bojorquez, staff, attempted to connect Mr. Donald Jones, in opposition, and 
Mr. Kris Gangadean, in support, who had sent emails requesting to speak but 
these members were no longer connected to the virtual meeting. 
 
Chairwoman Trites closed the public portion of the meeting and asked for 
further discussion from committee members. 
 
Dr. Brooks left the meeting at 8:09pm, bringing the quorum to 15 members. 
 
Ms. Alvarez stated that she has concerns with the level of community opposition, 
but applauds the outreach efforts by the applicant. 
 
Mr. Brownell stated that he does not oppose the project, but is interested in 
obtaining data from the City of Phoenix on rental housing stock within the South 
Mountain Village. 
 
Mr. Coleman echoes the comments from Ms. Alvarez and Mr. Brownell.

Ms. Daniels stated that she is divided in her opinion of the project but is looking 
into the future planning and needs of this area. 
 
Mr. Holmerud echoes Ms. Daniels comments. 
 
Mr. Monge Kotake discussed being interested in learning about the city’s 
experience in working with this applicant on any other projects. 
 
Mr. Condas responded that he has met with the city on this project and others, 
and is seeking to partner with the city in future projects. 
 
Mr. Larios stated that he looks to Native American Connections for wisdom on 
affordable housing. He also referenced single-family zoning and the lack of 
affordable housing as part of a systematic problem in the current housing crisis. 
 
Ms. Said expressed support for the project due to food security and accessibility 
to the community. 
 
Ms. Kay Shepard expressed opposition to this project. 
 
Mr. Shelly Smith shared negative experiences with some apartments near his 
home that has led to an increase in crime. He also expressed concern with the 
three stories proposed by this project and added that he would support a two 
story proposal. 
 
Ms. Tunning expressed support for the project due to the affordability aspect. 
 
Ms. Busching echoes comments from Ms. Daniels. 
 
Chairwoman Trites agrees with the comments made by the committee, 
including the need to obtain housing data on this Village to help drive decisions. 
She then closed the discussion portion of the meeting and asked for a motion. 
 
MOTION 
Mr. Larios made a motion to approve the item per the staff recommendation 
presented in Addendum B of the staff report. Mr. Aguilar seconded the motion. 
 
VOTE:  
Joseph Larios motioned to approve the request per the staff 
recommendation. Matthew Aguilar seconded the motion. Members Aguilar, 
Alvarez, Brownell, Daniels, Holmerud, Monge Kotake, Larios, Said, Tunning, 
Busching and Trites in favor; Members Coleman, Shepard, Muriel Smith and Shelly 
Smith in dissent; none in abstention. 
 
11-4 Motion passes; Members Coleman, Shepard, Muriel Smith and Shelly Smith 
voted against.

Mr. Brooks left the meeting at 8:09pm thus did not vote on this item. 
 
The following members explained their vote: 
 
Mr. Aguilar supports this project due to the commitments made by the developer. 
 
Ms. Alvarez echoes Mr. Aguilar’s comments but encourages further dialogue with 
the community. 
 
Mr. Coleman is in opposition to the case due to the height proposed. 
 
Mr. Brownell stated that he supports the project for the reasons provided previously. 
 
Ms. Daniels supports the project but encourages further research. 
 
Mr. Holmerud is in support due to the affordability. 
 
Mr. Monge Kotake is in support due to the affordability. 
 
Ms. Busching supports this due to the outreach and modifications made by the 
applicant. 
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION & STIPULATIONS: 
 
Applicant stated during the presentation that all pedestrian gates would remain 
unlocked to permit public access to the site which has been desirable with regard to this 
and other projects by the South Mountain Village Planning Committee. This offer by the 
applicant is not reflected in the current stipulation language.