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ATTACHMENT G From: Daniel Lawrence To: PDD Planning Commission Subject: Public comment for 10/06/22 Planning Commission meeting item 15, Z-27-22-6 (Zola North Central PUD) Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2022 3:08:51 PM Hello, I apologize for the late submission of my comment, I regret not being more engaged in this process earlier. I would like to submit the following comment for the Planning Commission meeting on October 6, 2022: I would like to express my support for item 15, application # Z-27-22-6 (Zola North Central PUD). Phoenix urgently needs more housing, and this development is a far superior use of this centrally located parcel than a small commercial building with excessive surface parking. The proposed project is not perfect. Luxury housing is not accessible to much of Phoenix's workforce, which is a regrettable shortcoming of Zola North Central. That said, additional housing units generally help reduce rents by increasing supply, and luxury housing is better than no housing in this regard. The addition of parking spaces furthers the cycle of car dependency and car-centric infrastructure in our city, which produces negative outcomes too numerous to list here. Additionally, residents of the Kensington condominiums to the east deserve better than to have a parking garage directly adjacent to their homes. Again, I support this PUD case despite its shortcomings. The improvements to walkability are fantastic. I am overjoyed by the proposed construction of a HAWK signal at 7th St and Colter, and would encourage consideration of a fully signalized intersection to alleviate some of the single vehicle traffic and speeding concerns in the surrounding neighborhood. Opponents voice concerns about this project's failure to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Surely dense, efficient multifamily construction with shade trees and improved pedestrian infrastructure is no worse for this important consideration than the lot's current composition, more than half of which is black asphalt. I consider this opposing argument to be a bad faith talking point. I love my Phoenix neighborhood and want more people to be able to move here and enjoy all it has to offer. Residents living in this centrally-located area in the fifth-largest city in the nation must recognize that while historic preservation is essential, development is both immanent and necessary. Those who can't imagine life without car-centric design and an endless expanse of single family houses ought to consider adopting a Gilbert address. Thank you, Daniel Lawrence