Attachment B - VPC Summary Info Only - Z-27-22-6.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2022-11-02)

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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-27-22-6 
INFORMATION ONLY 
 
 
Date of VPC Meeting 
June 7, 2022 
Request From 
C-2 
Request To 
PUD 
Proposed Use 
Multifamily residential 
Location 
Northeast corner of 7th Street and Colter Street   
 
 
VPC DISCUSSION: 
 
Committee Members Jerryd Bayless, Greg Abbott, and Craig Tribken joined the 
meeting during this item, bringing the quorum to 15 members. 
 
Chair Jay Swart shared that he met with a neighborhood group regarding this request 
for over two hours, it was a productive meeting, and that he formally requested a copy 
of the traffic study from Mr. Wood. Chair Swart added that the item would return for 
recommendation no earlier than September and requested from staff that this item be 
the only item on the agenda to allow sufficient time for public speakers. Chair Swart 
also asked Mr. Wood to meet with concerned neighborhood groups often and if 
possible, in person. Chair Swart also asked staff to get more information on when 
Village Planning Committee meeting will be held in person. Chair Swart reiterated that 
this item is being heard for information only, the committee will not be voting on the item 
at this time and introduced the case.  
 
APPLICANT PRESENTATION:  
 
Nick Wood, representing the applicant with Snell & Wilmer, introduced himself on 
behalf of the developer, ZOM. Mr. Wood confirmed that this item was set to be 
presented for action no earlier than the September meeting and that there would be 
several neighborhood meetings before then, per a conversation with Chair Swart. Mr. 
Wood displayed an aerial image of the site and discussed its surrounding context and 
uses, including a unique traffic barrier on Colter Street and photos of the site. Mr. Wood 
then shared the project’s conceptual site plan, development standards table, and 
conceptual landscape plan, which included a discussion of proposed parking as it 
relates to the unit mix. Mr. Wood next displayed renderings to discuss landscaping, 
architectural features, and amenities.  
ATTACHMENT B

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE: 
  
Craig Tribken shared that he was familiar with the site and its current use and that the 
unique traffic blocking measures on Colter Street minimizes cut-through traffic in 
Windsor Square.  
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS: 
 
Mike Freret introduced himself as the Vice President of the Windsor Square Historic 
District. Mr. Freret shared the boundaries of the district, which is directly to west of the 
subject site, across 7th Street. Mr. Freret gave a brief history of the historic district. Mr. 
Freret stated that the project is inappropriately dense given its proximity to the historic 
district, citing concerns for traffic on 7th Street. Mr. Freret stated that Windsor Square is 
not anti-development, adding that they have worked with developers in the past to 
design projects that exist in balance with the surrounding neighborhood.  
 
Susan Rhoads introduced herself as a resident of Windsor Square since 2014 whose 
home backs up to 7th Street south of Colter Street. Ms. Rhoads shared concerns about 
the proposed development blocking views of Piestewa Peak, increased traffic and cut-
through traffic in the neighborhood, privacy concerns with patios facing 7th Street and 
concluded that she believes the site’s current zoning designation of C-2 to be 
appropriate.  
 
Larry Whitesell introduced himself as a nearby resident, residing on 20th Street. Mr. 
Whitesell shared that he does not agree with the project’s development standards as it 
relates to the Walkable Urban Code, as Walkable Urban Code applicability is only along 
existing and proposed light rail lines. Mr. Whitesell also shared concerns about 
adequate guest parking and parking along Colter Street.  
 
Mary Crozier introduced herself as the President of the North Central Phoenix 
Homeowners’ Association. Ms. Crozier asserted that communication from the developer 
has not been timely, citing a recent project on 7th Street and Marlette where neighbors 
were excluded from the conversation, and on the other end of the spectrum, the project 
at 5727 N. 7th Street where the applicant began their community engagement two 
years before filing their rezoning application. Ms. Crozier added that the project as 
proposed does not create a superior product, and that they look forward to continuing to 
work with the applicant collaboratively on this proposal.  
 
Sandy Grunow shared that Mary Crozier’s statement covered her comments.  
 
APPLICANT RESPONSE: 
 
Mr. Wood prefaced his rebuttal with a discussion of the current housing shortage due to 
an influx of population to the Phoenix metro area. Mr. Wood stated that it is important to 
provide new residents with housing closer to the amenities of the city center rather than 
responding to this crisis by furthering urban sprawl. Mr. Wood claimed that this project’s 
location is appropriate being adjacent to a major arterial. Mr. Wood addressed the prior 
comments stating that a PUD was necessary given the desired height and density, the 
project will generate significantly less traffic than nearby projects due to its relatively 
lower density, and the agreement to push the action item to September will give

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
community members and the applicant additional time to collaborate. Mr. Wood 
concluded his response by comparing the proposal with the densities and intensities of 
several recent developments in the project’s vicinity.  
 
FLOOR/PUBLIC DISCUSSION CLOSED: COMMITTEE DISCUSSION:  
 
None.