Attachment H - Opposition - Z-27-22-6.pdf

From:
GREGORY S ANDERSON
To:
Sarah Stockham; council.district6@phoenix.gov
Subject:
Z-27-22-6 Zola North Central
Date:
Friday, September 2, 2022 5:07:25 PM
Dear Chairman Swart and Camelback East VPC Members,
I am a resident of North Central Phoenix. One of the important reasons that I chose North Central is because of the
strong zoning Laws that have been put inlace to protect our neighborhoods from high density development and
important set backs on all of our properties which we have all had to abide. It seems every few months there is
someone or some entity that wants special treatment, which has not been and shouldn’t be allowed, that would only
start the degradation of our neighborhood standards. This cannot be allowed to happen. First and foremost because
it would be unfair to those of us who have lived by these same restrictions for many years. But as important, this
will only be opening of the flood gates and soon our neighborhoods will be forever changed for the worse.
Please vote no to this project to protect our neighborhood and to be fair to the rest of us that have had to obey and
live with the well placed zoning rules.
Thank you for your consideration,
Gregory S. Anderson
6030 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ. 85012
602-524-6591
ATTACHMENT H

Dear Chairman Swart and Camelback East VPC Members,
 I live in the area of Central Avenue and Bethany Home Road.  I am writing to express my opposition
to the proposed Zola Building at
Coulter and 7th Street. 
 
     For some unknown reason the City has been allowing these types of buildings to be constructed
at various locations in Central Phoenix.
Without exception they are all abominations and eyesores, conflicting with the traditional open
spaces around buildings in Phoenix.
I have noticed that, since the City has approved too many of these monstrosities, that traffic in
Central Phoenix has gotten much worse.
There is a reason that there are Density requirements.   Please enforce them.  Your decisions impact
our lifestyle and property values.
The City adopted the current Building Code for good reason.  Please honor and enforce the required
setbacks, building heights and parking space requirements in the Building Code.
The only reason that I can think of why this project would be approved is Greed.  Greed on the part
of the developer, and greed on the part of the City to collect the building fees.
The neighbors, who elect our city representatives, are the ones that will be negatively impacted by
this project.
 
   Please vote NO on this project as it is proposed, and require the developer to re-submit a project
that complies with the City’s building standards.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Tod V. Dickey
President 
VMI Holdings Inc.
5050 N 40th Street *** NOTE – New Address and Phone extension ***
Suite 280
Phoenix Az 85018
602-954-8578 x1313
602-954-8648 Fax

~Birdie Matern~
602-741-2345 [lifeonourlittlecorner.blogspot.com]

1
Jackson Olson
From:
Sarah Stockham
Sent:
Friday, September 23, 2022 10:34 AM
To:
Jackson Olson
Subject:
FW: Z-27-22-6 Zola North Central
Can you check that this one has been saved in the S drive? If not, please save it using the naming convention 
Thank you,  
Sarah Stockham 
Planner III 
City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor 
Phoenix, Arizona 85003 
Phone: 602-261-8701 
sarah.stockham@phoenix.gov
From: Tom Meissner <tomwmeissner@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 5:18 PM
To: Sarah Stockham <sarah.stockham@phoenix.gov>; Council District 6 PCC <District6@phoenix.gov>
Subject: Z 27 22 6 Zola North Central
As a resident of the North Central neighborhood I would like to express my opposition to the proposed development at
the NEC of 7th Street and Coulter.
Although the use is generally consistent with many of the surrounding neighborhood's uses, the scale is not
appropriate. When exceptions and changes are made that allow larger scale in a given area it causes no justification for
denying other similar and slightly larger projects. It is the beginning of a creep that eventually changes the general
character of that neighborhood.
To allow this project will set a precedent for other large scale projects that will eventually dominate the area with size.
North Central has tenaciously held on to its character and encroachments that begin to erode that are a threat to our
neighborhoods.
Thank you,
Tom Meissner
303 W Berridge Lane

From:
Date:
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: Z-27-22-6 Zola North Central

To:   Planning Commission
From:  Sue Rhoads 
RE:  Opposition to Zola 
Pictures attached demonstrate that the 60 feet Zola with 200++ residents on the corner of Colter and 7th
Street is a bad idea.   
1, The profile of the building as demonstrated by a picture taken at Mariposa and 5th Street of the 
monstrous apartment structure south of Camelback on 7th Street is clear that it will be an eyesore from 
both east and west of Colter and 7th Street. 
2.  In addition, school bus pickup already challenging on colter and 8th Street if curb side parking 
expands beyond the current issues of curbside parking on Colter it will cause an even bigger problem. 
Colter is not wide enough. 
3.  Traffic running east of 7th Street on Colter is already an issue as evident by the sign posted to protect 
children.  
4. Traffic backup on 7th Street will make it impossible to merge onto 7th Street. Evident by the Gompers 
bus attempting to go south on 7th Street.  In addition, I have a video of a SUV attempting to go north 
from west of 7th Street exiting Colter traveling in the reverse lane the wrong way to merge to go north. 
Balconies, shrubs and trees will further obstruct the view of traffic exiting the east side of Colter and 7th
Street.  
***This intersection is already a nightmare and dangerous.  
Please say no to Zola’s massive 60 feet/ 200-unit structure.  
 
Respectfully,  
Sue Rhoads

From:
Larry Whitesell
To:
PDD Planning Commission
Cc:
Mary Crozier; Sandy Grunow; Andy Rogers; Mike Freret; Andre DeMarco; Sue Rhoads; Jackie Rich; Anna Lee
Speer
Subject:
Zola North Central PUD - Z-27-22-6
Date:
Monday, October 3, 2022 7:47:17 PM
Attachments:
Traffic Engineering Markup Cropped.pdf
Traffic Engineer Review.pdf
Area Developments.pdf
Recent New Units.pdf
Housing Initiative Channel 5.docx
2nd Submittal Luxury.pdf
Pre-App Acres_DU.pdf
Dear Planning Commissioners –
It was a pleasure meeting with those of you who were available. I appreciate your
time and willingness to learn “the other side of the story” from neighborhood leaders
and residents who cherish our neighborhoods and our City.
An important aspect of this case is that some of the most important details were
identified as issues by various City departments but were ignored by the applicant.
Despite documentation of the issues from the Pre-Application meeting on February
1st through the review of the 2nd Submission of the project on August 12th, the
September 2nd staff report omits or “flips” on some of the issues. These include:
·        How the project goes over and above existing ordinance standards to
justify the entitlements
·        Non-compliance with the General Plan Land Use Map
·        Not consistent with other recently approved projects in the area
·        Access on 7th St (an arterial) vs Colter St (a local street)
·        Coordination with the multi-modal network
 
These remain the issues of concern for us. 
Despite these concerns, neighborhood leaders and area residents are not opposed to
multifamily housing at the subject site. However, the project should be scaled to
benefit Project Zero, the Comprehensive Bicycle Master Plan, and the Housing
Initiative, and not create unintended negative impacts. The developer's legal team is
hired to downplay the negative impacts, but logical analysis of the details will refute
several of the developer’s claims.
I.       Safety – Project Zero
A.     Setback at least 25 feet
1.     Zola should follow the examples of other recently approved
projects that we supported like Broadstone on 7th and Willowick at 16th
St & Colter. These developments have height and density, but they are
setback and stepped back from the arterial streets (7th St and 16th St)
more than is Zola.
2.     The proximity of the patios to the curb is dangerous due to the
speed of traffic on 7th St. Even the proposed bioswale will not prevent
airborne cars from crashing into the patios.
B.     Wider sidewalks – Project Zero

1.        Other projects have wider sidewalks, 8-10’ instead of 5’. Per
Attachment
2.        Wider sidewalks are important to achieve Project Zero.
C.    Access on 7th St, not Colter  - Comprehensive Bike master Plan   Per
Attachments
1.        Traffic Engineer states “There shall be no vehicular access on
Colter Street.”
2.        Traffic Engineer states that “The Zoning Ordinance provides
guidance to direct traffic onto arterial roadways when available. In this
instance, 7th Street is the adjacent arterial road connection.”
3.        Colter is part of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Multi-modal network
4.        Proposed traffic light at 7th St & Colter
a.     Mr. Wood states that the neighbors east of 7th Street are
very happy with the addition of a traffic light at the intersection of
7th St & Colter.
b.     This is patently untrue based on the many residents who
have given us input on this idea.
c.      A traffic light can only be added if the traffic volume on both
7th St and on Colter warrants it.
d.     An independent traffic study must be conducted prior to
approval of this application to determine if the subject intersection
meets the criteria specified by the Federal Department of
Transportation.
 
II.     Housing Initiative
A.     The housing shortage right now is in workforce housing, not luxury
housing. (The Phoenix Housing Department, Joseph MacEwan, August 25,
2022)  Per Attachment
B.     Wood falsely states that the surrounding area is lacking in new luxury
apartment rentals. But he provides a chart of 5 projects that are on the market,
being developed or approved within 1-mile of 7th St & Colter that will add 1,178
“luxury”/ ”high end apartments” to the inventory. Per Attachment
C.    Wood is apparently now saying that the Zola units aren’t “luxury.” The
submittal date stamped July 26, 2022, clearly states, “This project provides an
opportunity to redevelop this underutilized site into a neighborhood enhancing,
luxury residential community. Development of the project will help to further
diversify the availability of housing types and density ranges in the immediate
surrounding area, as well as attract residents with disposable incomes…” (2nd
Submittal, July 26 2022, pg. 6)  Per Attachment
D.
 Having 20-30 fewer units at Zola won’t make a difference in the overall
housing shortage.
1.     The original application for this project showed the parcels as 2.06
and asked for 186 units. Per attachment
2.     The 1st submittal showed the parcels as 2.55 acres (gross) and 200
units. However, the 2.06 net acres did not change, so 186 units was
enough for the developer originally. That should be the maximum
number now.
E.     Adding luxury apartments to the area will be detrimental to the Housing
Initiative

1.     Existing affordable rental properties in the area will increase the
rents
2.     Working class and fixed income residents will be forced to find more
affordable housing that is already the City’s greatest need.
Based on the information presented in this outline, I respectfully request that the Zola
North Central PUD project be modified to require
1.     A 25’ setback on the west 7th Street frontage, a 15’ setback on the south
Colter Street frontage
2.     A maximum height of 30’ on the west 7th Street frontage, then 40’ feet
from curb, step back to a maximum height of 48’
3.     Sidewalk on west 7th Street frontage a minimum of 8’
4.     30’ Driveway on 7th Street frontage. There shall be no vehicular access
on Colter Street per City of Phoenix Traffic Engineer.
5.     Dense landscaping with 4” caliper trees on the east property setback to
shield the abutting residential complex from the 60' garage or dwelling units
I also request that this case be continued until an independent traffic study is
conducted to determine if the intersection of 7th Street & Colter meets the
requirements for the installation of a traffic signal.
Again, thank you to those who made time for in-person and virtual meetings, and for
each of you who dedicate your volunteer time to serve on the Planning Commission.
We neighborhood leaders and residents who participate in the rezoning process also
volunteer countless hours with the hope of preserving a sustainable city.
Larry Whitesell, Co-chair
the PEAK NA

By AZFamily Digital News Staff 
Published: Aug. 25, 2022 at 9:21 AM PDT|Updated: Aug. 25, 2022 at 10:48 AM PDT 
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- Rent has skyrocketed across the Phoenix metro area and the City of 
Phoenix is trying to address it through the Phoenix Housing Initiative. 
According to the most recent Phoenix Housing Department report, the city is almost at its 
halfway point of the goal to create or preserve around 50,000 units by 2030. The Phoenix 
Housing Initiative, originally launched in 2019, reviewed the 23,000 housing units to get an idea 
According to the report, 22,683 
units have been created or preserved since the initiative launched. 16,776 were market-price 
units. 960 affordable units were created, while 2,152 were preserved. 
funding to help support affordable housing development. Add to that sort of housing shortage 
supply shortage, the gap that we have, you know, cost increases, delays to construction. All of 
Phoenix Housing Department. 
For those needing affordable housing options, fewer than 1,000 units were created or preserved 
by the department. The city says that it is aware of the disparity and that it is working to close the 
gap. When the city looked at the numbers pre-pandemic, he said there was a housing shortage of 
 
have in recent years. We 
have about 3,200 affordable units that are right now either in pre-development or under 
 
One unit near Van Buren Street and 20th called Harmony at the Park is set to be 
complete by the end of this year, but there is still a long way to go. To help spur 
development, MacEwan said the city council allocated $12 million in federal funding 
from the American Rescue Plan Act toward affordable housing. 
Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.

From:
Floral Keepsakes
To:
PDD Planning Commission
Subject:
Zola North Central #15
Date:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 3:48:35 PM
I own the building directly across the street (5202 North 7th street) from where they are planning on
building Zola.
I am in opposition of the size of this apartment complex.  It is way too large for the area.  Parking will
definitely be an issue.  I have concerns of tenants using my parking lot, also my view will be
extremely obstructed.
Thank you,
Lisa Conti
Sent from Mail [go.microsoft.com] for Windows

From:
Marlena Dominguez
To:
Sarah Stockham
Cc:
Council District 6 PCC
Subject:
Z-27-22-6 Zola North Central
Date:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 5:24:46 PM
Dear Chairman Howard and Planning Commission Members,
This letter concerns a proposal to build Zola North Central, a 60 foot high, 200 unit
apartment building on the north-east corner of 7th St and Colter—10 feet from
the Imperial Plaza Condo property line.  This matter is identified as Zola North Central,
Zoning Case Z-27-22-6.
I’d like to express my concerns with the proposed standards and offer some changes.
Height: The proposed zoning of a planned unit development (PUD) will stand 60 feet in
height.  This will negatively impact my community standing at 21ft. I would support the
proposed PUD zoning if the developer will reduce the height from 60 to 48 feet. 
 
Set-backs:  I believe the developer should increase the 15 ft. set backs at 7th Street,
Colter St. and your west property line to better blend into the surrounding neighborhoods
and to not overwhelm the area. 
 
Ingress/Egress:  A 250+ car garage will create a tremendous increase of residential
traffic on Colter.  The garage entrance would be better placed on 7th Street as has Alta
Marlette, Vela on 7th Street and as planned  at the Broadstone on 7th.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns when making your decision.
 Thank you,
Marlena Dominguez
Community Member of the Imperial Plaza
Opposition to Zola North Central is supported by:
Windsor Square Special Planning District – Mike Freret, mikefreret@gmail.com
North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association – Mary Crozier, info@ncpha.org
Murphy Trail Estates Neighborhood Association – Jackie Rich
Phoenix Mid-Century Modern Neighborhood Association – Sandy
Grunow, phxmidcenturymodernna@gmail.com    
     602-819-1482
the PEAK Neighborhood Association – Larry Whitesell, thepeakna@gmail.com  602-
370-8453

From:
Sarah Stockham
To:
Victoria C Murrillo
Cc:
Racelle Escolar
Subject:
FW: Z-27-22-6 Zola North Central
Date:
Wednesday, October 5, 2022 8:25:30 AM
For PC. I will also have to pause my Legistar and add this.
Thank you,
Sarah Stockham
Planner III
City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
Phone: 602-261-8701
sarah.stockham@phoenix.gov
From: Marlena Dominguez <mdomingu3069@gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 5:13 PM
To: Sarah Stockham <sarah.stockham@phoenix.gov>
Cc: Council District 6 PCC <District6@phoenix.gov>
Subject: Z-27-22-6 Zola North Central
Dear Chairman Howard and Planning Commission Members,
This letter concerns a proposal to build Zola North Central, a 60 foot high, 200 unit
apartment building on the north-east corner of 7th St and Colter—10 feet from
the Imperial Plaza Condo property line.  This matter is identified as Zola North Central,
Zoning Case Z-27-22-6.
I’d like to express my concerns with the proposed standards and offer some changes.
Height: The proposed zoning of a planned unit development (PUD) will stand 60 feet in
height.  This will negatively impact my community standing at 21ft. I would support the
proposed PUD zoning if the developer will reduce the height from 60 to 48 feet. 
 
Set-backs:  I believe the developer should increase the 15 ft. set backs at 7th Street,
Colter St. and your west property line to better blend into the surrounding neighborhoods
and to not overwhelm the area. 
 
Ingress/Egress:  A 250+ car garage will create a tremendous increase of residential
traffic on Colter.  The garage entrance would be better placed on 7th Street as has Alta
Marlette, Vela on 7th Street and as planned  at the Broadstone on 7th.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns when making your decision.
Thank you,
Marlena Dominguez
Community Member of the Imperial Plaza
Opposition to Zola North Central is supported by:
Windsor Square Special Planning District – Mike Freret, mikefreret@gmail.com
North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association – Mary Crozier, info@ncpha.org
Murphy Trail Estates Neighborhood Association – Jackie Rich
Phoenix Mid-Century Modern Neighborhood Association – Sandy
Grunow, phxmidcenturymodernna@gmail.com    
     602-819-1482
the PEAK Neighborhood Association – Larry Whitesell, thepeakna@gmail.com  602-
370-8453