Attachment C - PC Summary - PHO-1-24--Z-37-07-2.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2024-09-04)

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REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION 
August 1, 2024 
ITEM NO: 11 
DISTRICT NO.: 2 
SUBJECT: 
Application #: 
PHO-1-24--Z-37-07-2 
Location: 
Approximately 480 feet south of the southwest corner of Scottsdale Road 
and Sweetwater Avenue 
Existing Zoning: R-O
Acreage: 
1.17 
Request: 
1)
Request to modify Stipulation 1 regarding general conformance to
the site plan date stamped February 9, 2009.
2)
Request to delete Stipulation 4 regarding cross access and parking
agreements.
3)
Request to delete Stipulation 5 regarding Scottsdale Road
improvements.
4)
Request to modify Stipulation 7 regarding building height.
5)
Request to modify Stipulation 8 regarding rear building setbacks.
6)
Request to delete Stipulation 10 regarding street improvements.
7)
Request to delete Stipulation 11 regarding archaeological
assessment.
8)
Request to modify Stipulation 12 regarding a requirement to obtain
final site plan approval.
9)
Request to delete Stipulation 13 regarding walls along the rear
property line.
10)
Technical corrections to Stipulations 2, 3, 6, 9, and 15.
Applicant: 
David E. Richert 
Owner: 
Linda Cohn, Beldar Properties Arizona, LLC and Steven R. Bund 
Representative: David E. Richert 
ACTIONS: 
Village Planning Committee (VPC) Recommendation: 
Paradise Valley: No recommendation. 
Planning Hearing Officer (PHO) Recommendation: The Planning Hearing Officer heard the 
request on April 17, 2024 and took the case under advisement. On May 21, 2024 the Planning 
Hearing Officer took the case out from under advisement and recommended denial as filed and 
approval with modifications and an additional stipulation. 
Staff Recommendation: Denial as filed and approval with modifications and an additional 
stipulation, as recommended by the Planning Hearing Officer. 
Planning Commission Recommendation: Denial as filed, and approval with modifications and an 
additional stipulation, per the Planning Hearing Officer recommendation, with two deletions. 
Motion Discussion: 
Commissioner Matthews made a MOTION to deny as filed and approve with modifications, an 
additional stipulation, and a deletion. Commissioner Hu seconded, but the motion was 
withdrawn. 
ATTACHMENT C

Planning Commission Summary of August 1, 2024 
Application PHO-1-24—Z-37-07-2 
Page 2 
 
 
 
Commissioner Matthews made a second MOTION to deny as filed and approve with 
modifications and an additional stipulation for PHO-1-24—Z-37-07-2, per the Planning Hearing 
Officer recommendation, and striking out stipulations 5 (new 4) and 13 (new 12).  
 
Vice-Chairperson Busching seconded the motion. 
 
Chairperson Gaynor called for a roll call vote. 
 
Motion details: Commissioner Matthews made a MOTION to deny as filed and approve with 
modifications, and an additional stipulation for PHO-1-24—Z-37-07-2, per the Planning Hearing 
Officer recommendation, and striking out stipulations 5 (new 4) and 13 (new 12). 
 
 
Maker: Matthews 
 
Second: Vice-Chairperson Busching 
 
Vote: 6-2 (Gaynor, Gorraiz) 
 
Absent: Read 
 
Opposition Present: No  
 
Findings: 
 
1. 
The request to modify Stipulation 1 regarding general conformance to the site plan is 
recommended to be approved with a modification. This modification is to provide more 
standardized general conformance stipulation language and combine both lots into one 
general conformance stipulation. 
 
The original rezoning case (Z-37-07-2) stipulated general conformance to the site plan 
date stamped February 9, 2009 with specific regard to the existing building footprints, 
maintenance of the existing west property line walls and the addition of 
enclosed/covered trash containers.  
Lot 5 received approval for a detached garage in the rear yard prior to the City Council 
approval of the original rezoning case. The intent of the garage, as explained in a letter 
written by prior Principal Planner/Planning Hearing Officer Alan Stephenson on 
February 5, 2010, was for the client to continue utilization of the property as a single-
family residence with a detached garage for their personal use. The letter from Mr. 
Stephenson also noted that the current owner of Lot 5 may not utilize the detached 
garage for a Residential Office (R-O) use unless a PHO modification of Stipulation 1 
regarding general conformance to the site plan is approved. The applicant did not 
complete this step as directed and has been using the site for R-O uses for several 
years and is now asking for the necessary modification. 
2. 
The request to delete Stipulation 4 regarding cross access and parking agreements is 
recommended to be approved. In the original rezoning case, it was envisioned that Lots 
3 and 4 would develop concurrently as a combined phase and with a shared parking 
design. This did not come to pass and Lots 3 and 4 were converted to office uses 
separately. Lot 3 is also not a party to this case. The two property owners are not 
working together on a shared design.  Further, this recommendation is consistent with 
the recommendation for modification in Stipulation 1 in which Lot 4 is depicted as a 
standalone site.  This recommendation will allow Lot 4 to move forward with its 
proposed site plan and not be dependent on redevelopment of Lot 3.

Planning Commission Summary of August 1, 2024 
Application PHO-1-24—Z-37-07-2 
Page 3 
 
 
3. 
The request to delete Stipulation 5 regarding Scottsdale Road improvements is 
recommended to be approved since there is an existing bus stop just north of 
Sweetwater Avenue. 
4. 
The request to modify Stipulation 7 regarding building height is recommended to be 
approved with a modification. References to the maximum number of building stories 
are recommended to be removed as building height is the appropriate standard to 
control building massing and impact. There is no proposal to modify the maximum 
building height of Lot 4 and the existing stipulated height of 13 feet is recommended to 
be retained. The detached garage in the rear portion of Lot 5 is setback at a minimum 
of 18 feet from the centerline of the alley and one extra foot of building height beyond 
the original stipulated 14-foot maximum height will not negatively impact surrounding 
properties. The modified stipulation is also more restrictive than the maximum 30 feet in 
height otherwise permitted by the R-O zoning. 
5. 
The request to modify Stipulation 8 regarding minimum rear setbacks is recommended 
to be approved with a modification. The modification is to remove reference to Lot 5 
entirely. The original stipulation (i.e., 111-foot setback) was based on the existing 
setback of the original primary home at the time of the rezoning action. However, during 
processing of the rezoning case, there was also a garage constructed at a minimum 
setback of 10-feet from the rear property line (18 feet to the centerline of the alley). For 
further context regarding this garage, please see Finding 1 regarding Stipulation 1. The 
R-O zoning district requires a minimum 25-foot setback measured to the centerline of 
the alley. The existing garage would not meet this condition. However, as it was legally 
permitted and constructed per residential standards, it would be allowed to remain. 
However, if this garage is expanded or redeveloped in the future, a variance would be 
required. Therefore, it is sensible to remove the reference to Lot 5 entirely as the 
existing conditions do not meet the requirement and a public hearing would be required 
for any future expansion. 
6. 
The request to delete Stipulation 10 regarding street improvements is recommended to 
be denied. The City of Scottsdale holds authority over the west side of Scottsdale 
Road, extending solely to the back of the curb. Given that sidewalks are constructed 
behind the curb within the jurisdiction of the City of Phoenix, the City of Scottsdale 
lacked the capacity to construct sidewalks within the City of Phoenix right-of-way during 
the improvement of Scottsdale Road. Additionally, both Stipulation 10 and the proposed 
additional stipulation (see Finding #10) by the Street Transportation Department align 
with the provisions outlined in Phoenix City Code Section 31-91.a. This section of City 
Code necessitates enhancements to the right-of-way by the adjacent property owner 
before the issuance of building permits. The section also ensures compliance with the 
standards designated for each right-of-way as depicted in the "Minimum Right-of-Way 
Standards Map”. 
7. 
The request to delete Stipulation 11 regarding archaeological assessment is 
recommended to be denied. This stipulation is standard language and will only be 
enforced during site plan review if new ground is being disturbed and therefore should 
be retained. 
8. 
The request to modify Stipulation 12 regarding a requirement to obtain final site plan 
approval is recommended to be approved with a modification. The modification is to 
delete the stipulation in its entirety. The zoning was vested with the City Council’s 
adoption of Ordinance No. G-5383 and subsequent development is subject to plan 
review and approval by existing policy.

Planning Commission Summary of August 1, 2024 
Application PHO-1-24—Z-37-07-2 
Page 4 
 
 
9. 
The request to delete Stipulation 13 regarding walls along the rear property line is 
recommended to be approved since there are existing walls on both the subject site 
and across the alley on the neighboring lots. 
10. 
The Street Transportation Department recommended addition of a new stipulation 
regarding provision of a detached sidewalk and landscape strip along the west side of 
Scottsdale Road. This stipulation is recommended for inclusion as the new Stipulation 
9. In the event the property is redeveloped, this stipulation establishes the streetscape 
standard for inclusion of a sidewalk in this location. This stipulation aligns with the 
provisions outlined in Phoenix City Code Section 31-91.a. This section of City Code 
necessitates enhancements to the right-of-way by the adjacent property owner before 
the issuance of building permits. The section also ensures compliance with the 
standards designated for each right-of-way as depicted in the "Minimum Right-of-Way 
Standards Map”. Provision of detached sidewalks is a commonplace stipulated 
requirement and appropriate for this location in which no current pedestrian 
infrastructure exists. 
 
Stipulations: 
 
1. 
LOTS 4 AND 5 That development shall be in general conformance to the site plan date 
stamped FEBRUARY 23, 2024, February 9, 2009, with specific regard to the existing 
building footprints, maintenance of the existing west property line walls and the addition 
of enclosed/covered trash containers as approved AS MODIFIED BY THE 
FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS AND AS APPROVED by the PLANNING AND 
Development Services Department. 
2. 
That A minimum 10-foot-wide landscape setback along the entire west property line of 
all lots shall be provided with the corresponding phase. Required landscape materials 
planted in this landscape buffer shall include a mix of minimum 2 and 3-inch caliper 
trees placed 20 feet on center or equivalent groupings as approved by the PLANNING 
AND Development Services Department. 
3. 
That A minimum six-foot wide landscape setback shall be provided along the north 
property line of Lot 1. Required landscape materials shall include a mix of minimum 2 
and 3-inch caliper trees placed 20 feet on center or equivalent groupings as approved 
by the PLANNING AND Development Services Department. 
4. 
That cross access and parking agreements for Lots 3 and 4 shall be created and 
recorded prior to preliminary site plan approval for the corresponding phase as 
approved by the Development Services Department. 
5. 
4. 
That Right-of-way shall be dedicated to the city along Scottsdale Road south of 
Sweetwater Avenue and a transit pad installed according to City of Phoenix Detail 
P1261 as approved by the Public Transit Department. 
6. 
5. 
4. 
That The property owner of Lot 5 shall file for and pursue abandonment of the alley, 
south of Lot 5 prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the residential 
office use on Lot 5. In the event the abandonment is not granted, a one foot (1') 
vehicular non-access easement (VNAE) shall be recorded along the southern property 
line of Lot 5 as approved by the PLANNING AND Development Services Department. 
7. 
That building height shall be limited to one (1) story and 13 feet with the exception of

Planning Commission Summary of August 1, 2024 
Application PHO-1-24—Z-37-07-2 
Page 5 
 
 
6. 
5. 
Lot 5 to be limited to one (1) story and 14 feet. 
THE MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT OF LOT 4 SHALL BE 13 FEET. THE MAXIMUM 
BUILDING HEIGHT OF LOT 5 SHALL BE 15 FEET.  
8. 
7. 
6. 
That The rear building setbacks (west side) shall be limited to the following existing 
setbacks: Lot 1 - 77 feet; Lot 2 - 78 feet; Lot 3 - 97 feet; Lot 4 - 103 feet, and Lot 5 - 111 
feet as measured from the centerline of the existing 16-foot alley. 
9. 
8. 
7. 
That A one foot (1') vehicular non-access easement (VNAE) along the entire west 
property line shall be recorded prior to preliminary site plan approval for the 
corresponding phase as approved by the PLANNING AND Development Services 
Department. 
9. 
8. 
A MINIMUM 6-FOOT-WIDE DETACHED SIDEWALK SEPARATED BY A MINIMUM 10-
FOOT-WIDE LANDSCAPE AREA SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE WEST SIDE 
OF SCOTTSDALE ROAD, ADJACENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT. 
10. 
9. 
That The developer shall construct sidewalk, curb ramps, and other incidentals as per 
plans approved by the PLANNING AND Development Services Department. All 
improvements shall comply with all ADA accessibility standards. 
11. 
10. 
That In the event archaeological materials are encountered during construction, the 
developer shall immediately cease all ground disturbing activities within a 33-foot radius 
of the discovery, notify the City Archaeologist, and allow time for the Archaeology Office 
to properly assess the materials. 
12. 
That each individual property owner shall obtain final site plan approval within 24 
months of council action. 
13. 
12. 
 
That An eight-foot wall shall be constructed along the rear property line with the 
corresponding phase as approved by the PLANNING AND Development Services 
Department. 
14. 
13. 
11. 
That The Street Transportation Department shall study cut-through traffic before and 
after all five businesses have been established to determine if traffic mitigation is 
warranted. If warranted, the applicant shall pay their rough proportionality of the costs of 
mitigation, not to exceed 12 percent. 
15. 
14. 
12. 
That Notice shall be provided to all property owners within the 85254 zip code who 
submitted speaker cards at the City Council hearing of changes to the site plan through 
either the PLANNING AND Development Services Department site plan review process 
or the Planning Hearing Officer hearing process. 
 
This publication can be made available in alternate format upon request. Please contact Teleia 
Galaviz at 602-291-2559, teleia.galaviz@phoenix.gov, TTY: Use 7-1-1.