Attachment C - VPC Summaries - GPA-CE-2-23-6.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2024-05-01)

View PDF Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 12936 characters
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Village Planning Committee Meeting Summary 
GPA-CE-2-23-6 
INFORMATION ONLY 
Date of VPC Meeting 
January 9, 2024 
Request From 
Residential 5 to 10 dwelling units per acres and 
Commerce/Business Park 
Request To 
Mixed Use (Industrial/Commerce/Business 
Park/Commercial) 
Proposal 
Minor General Plan Amendment for general 
commercial, commerce park, and industrial 
Location 
Southwest corner of 52nd Street and McDowell Road 
VPC DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDED STIPULATIONS: 
Cases GPA-CE-2-23-6 and Z-54-23-6 are companion cases and were heard together. 
No members of the public registered to speak on this item. 
APPLICANT PRESENTATION: 
Wendy Riddell with Berry Riddell, LLC introduced herself and noted she is presenting 
on behalf of Baker Development. Ms. Riddell stated the proposal is at a location known 
as the Motorola site a former conductor development site consisting of 66 acres. Ms. 
Riddell stated this site is currently occupied by Onsemi a conduct development 
company and it has been an industrial campus for a long time. Ms. Riddell displayed 
maps of this site from 1969 when it was a larger employer. Ms. Riddell said with the 
proposed redevelopment the site could be a productive employment center. Ms. Riddell 
stated the current overall site is in disrepair. Ms. Riddell expressed that Baker, the 
development company, has been in business for over 40 years and has been involved 
in many successful projects and are currently engaged in six active projects in the 
Phoenix area. Ms. Riddell discussed the request from mixed use to PUD with a minor 
General Plan Amendment which is part of the presentation. Ms. Riddell explained the 
PUD request is most applicable because it will allow a larger employer to the site with 
some flexibility for the development options. Ms. Riddell reviewed the proposed uses 
including C-3, commerce park, general commerce park, light industrial and public utility 
buildings are among some options. Ms. Riddell noted prohibited uses including 
residential uses on the site. Ms. Riddell stated the intent of the proposal is to be an 
employment center business park with no residential development. Ms. Riddell stated 
there is no site plan because they are still reviewing options for flexibility, but they will 
include landscape setbacks and improvements to the streetscape along 52nd Street 
ATTACHMENT C

Camelback East Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
GPA-CE-2-23-6 Info Only 
Page 2 of 2 
 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
and McDowell Road. Ms. Riddell expressed the proposal may include a building height 
of up to 60 feet with accommodating steps backs, open space, shade requirements with 
enhanced amenities for the entire campus. Ms. Riddell stated that the design will 
increase setbacks when adjacent to residential areas and landscaped areas will be 
enhanced for the streetscape frontages. Ms. Riddell stated the landscape palate will 
include low water use plants and will be uniformly applied through the entire campus 
development for pedestrian circulation and to provide meaningful shade. Ms. Riddell 
stated the architecture for the site will include development standards and finish 
materials to be sensitive to the adjacent residential area. Ms. Riddell stated the campus 
area will have an amphitheater, a covered pavilion outdoor and activity areas. Ms. 
Riddell thanked the committee and concluded her comments. 
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE: 
 
Committee Member Grace asked if they will be working with the EPA to remediate the 
site with all the existing infrastructure. Ms. Riddell responded that remediation has 
been ongoing. Committee Member Grace commented that access to the site should be 
maintained as the cleanup of the site continues.  
 
Committee Member Augusta asked if the applicant is the current site owner. Ms. 
Riddell responded yes. 
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS: 
 
None. 
 
APPLICANT RESPONSE: 
 
None.  
 
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 
GPA-CE-2-23-6 
 
Date of VPC Meeting 
March 5, 2024 
Request From 
Residential 5 to 10 dwelling units per acre and 
Commerce/Business Park 
Request To 
Mixed Use (Industrial/Commerce/Business Park 
Commercial) 
Proposal 
Minor General Plan Amendment for general 
commercial, commerce park, and industrial  
Location 
Southwest corner of 52nd Street and McDowell Road 
VPC Recommendation 
Approval, per the staff recommendation 
VPC Vote 
15-0 
 
VPC DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDED STIPULATIONS: 
 
Cases GPA-CE-2-23-6 and Z-54-23-6 are companion cases and were heard together. 
 
Two members of the public registered to speak in support of this this item. 
 
STAFF PRESENTATION: 
 
John Roanhorse, staff, provided an overview of the request including the location of 
the proposal, existing and proposed zoning and districts and surrounding land uses. Mr. 
Roanhorse displayed the site plan proposed PUD (Planned Unit Development) 
standards for building height, setbacks, streetscapes and open space. Mr. Roanhorse 
discussed the General Plan Land Use Map changes. Mr. Roanhorse shared the staff 
findings and stated that staff recommends approval subject to stipulations.  
 
APPLICANT PRESENTATION: 
 
Wendy Riddell with Berry Riddell, LLC introduced herself and noted she is presenting 
on behalf of Baker Development. Ms. Riddell stated the proposal is approximately 66 
acres and located at the former Motorola site located at 52nd Street and McDowell 
Road. Ms. Riddell stated this site is currently used by Onsemi an electronics conductor 
development company and the site no longer has the demand it once did for intense 
industrial uses. Ms. Riddell said originally the site was a larger and highly productive 
employment center and now it is time to reimagine the site for new opportunities. Ms. 
Riddell stated that Baker Development has experience in working with sites that require 
remediation, and the subject site is a Super Fund site and will require some 
specialization for development. Ms. Riddell expressed that the intended proposal is to

Camelback East Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
GPA-CE-2-23-6 
Page 2 of 4 
 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
develop a PUD and align it with the General Plan and is an economic opportunity for 
development and is in a great location. Ms. Riddell stated that with a PUD the objective 
was to design a comprehensive development for flexibility and maximize the speed to 
market opportunity to attract users. Ms. Riddell explained with the design the site will be 
ready, flexible and suitable to the needs of various commercial, commerce park and 
industrial uses. Ms. Riddell stated that no residential uses are proposed for the site 
because of ongoing remediation and there is deed restriction that would prevent 
residential uses. Ms. Riddell discussed the building height in relation to setbacks, open 
space, landscaping, shading, site amenities and a revision to office spaces in response 
to employee comfort and functionality. Ms. Riddell expressed that the design includes 
setbacks and landscaping adjacent to the existing residential area. Ms. Riddell said the 
proposal includes high quality architecture and design as part of the aesthetics on the 
site. Ms. Riddell stated that in preparing the proposal they did extensive outreach and 
engaged the adjacent neighborhood and had two meetings to provide as much 
information as possible. Ms. Riddell stated they did respond to correspondence that was 
received to address access to the site and they did meet with the VPC Chair and 
discussed the applicant’s response and proposed adjustments. Ms. Riddell said they 
are in agreement with staff’s stipulations and concluded her comments to the 
committee. 
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE: 
 
Committee Member Sharaby asked if the proposal includes an amphitheater as part of 
the development and if so what would be the capacity. Ms. Riddell responded that any 
outdoor venue would be small in scale and not a large concert area. 
 
Chair Swart asked the committee if they had additional questions then noted the public 
would have the opportunity to ask questions or provide comments. 
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS: 
 
Christie Mackay, Director of the Community and Economic Development Department, 
thanked Chair Swart and the Camelback East Village Planning Committee for the 
opportunity to comment. Ms. Mackay noted the history of the Motorola site and its 
growth and economic success. Ms. Mackay stated that the development went through 
its life cycle and the former company has transitioned into smaller operations. Ms. 
Mackey stated many developing companies that come to Phoenix look for suitable sites 
that have transportation connections and are centrally located. Ms. Mackay stated that 
from an economic point of view development of the proposed site is an opportunity for 
redevelopment.  Ms. Mackay stated that among the opportunities is to give new life to 
this brownfields site. Ms. Mackay stated they have been working with Baker 
Development of the site to increase the opportunity for new partners and prospects.    
 
Chair Swart thanked Ms. Mackay for her comments and her work with the city. Chair 
Swart noted that Ms. Mackay has worked to bring many economic opportunities to the 
city and has worked through many challenges and has been successful with the new

Camelback East Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
GPA-CE-2-23-6 
Page 3 of 4 
 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Data Center. Chair Swart expressed that it is an honor to have Ms. Mackay present with 
the committee. Chair Swart stated that in addition to bringing in new businesses she 
has also worked to protect neighborhoods throughout the city.   
 
Vice Chair Fischbach commented that Ms. Mackay’s work has not only focused on 
businesses but explored solutions for homelessness. Vice Chair Fischbach stated that 
Ms. Mackay has also been engaged in seeking solutions for homelessness and 
affordable housing. Vice Chair Fischbach commended Ms. Mackay’s service and 
continued effort to find solutions across various shareholders. 
 
Jack Robson introduced himself and stated he is with a community business. Mr. 
Robson stated his company has been in operation for 50 years and is looking for a new 
headquarters south of the proposed site on 52nd Street. Mr. Robson stated his 
business broke ground last year and is excited about this proposal. Mr. Robson stated 
he would prefer that the project have a greater setback on 52nd Street and include 
more parking for other developments south of the site and this would attract more 
businesses to the area and consider other employers that are looking at proposed 
development site. 
 
APPLICANT RESPONSE: 
 
Ms. Riddell stated she had no additional comments and thanked the committee. 
 
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION: 
 
None. 
 
FLOOR/PUBLIC DISCUSSION CLOSED: MOTION, DISCUSSION, AND VOTE: 
 
Committee Member Paceley asked for clarification on motions for the General Plan 
Amendment case GPA-CE-2-23-6, and the rezone request Z-54-23-6 and that each 
would be voted on separately. Chair Swart responded affirmatively that there would be 
two voting actions. 
 
MOTION: 
 
Committee Member Paceley motioned to recommend approval of GPA-CE-2-23-6 per 
the staff recommendation. Committee Member Abbott seconded the motion.   
 
VOTE: 
 
15-0; motion to recommend approval of GPA-CE-2-23-6 per the staff recommendation 
passes with Committee members Abbott, Augusta, Baumer, Bayless Eichelkraut, 
Guevar, Jurayeva, Langmade, Paceley, Schmieder, Sharaby, Whitesell, Williams, 
Fischbach and Swart in favor.

Camelback East Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
GPA-CE-2-23-6 
Page 4 of 4 
 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Committee Member Jurayeva commented that she is in favor of the proposal and the 
applicant should note the speaker Mr. Jack Robson’s concern on parking and 
improvements to 52nd Street. 
 
Chair Swart commended Ms. Riddell on the presentation and her work prior to bringing 
the project to the committee, and the outreach and preparation was highly professional 
and beneficial. 
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION: 
 
Staff has no comments.