Attachment B - PHO Summary - PHO-2-21--Z-59-08-3.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2021-09-15)

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REPORT OF PLANNING HEARING OFFICER ACTION 
Adam Stranieri, Planner III, Hearing Officer 
Bradley Wylam, Planner I, Assisting 
 
August 18, 2021 
 
ITEM NO: 2 
 
 
DISTRICT 3 
SUBJECT: 
 
 
 
Application #: 
PHO-2-21--Z-59-08-3 
Location: 
Northeast corner of 19th Avenue and Cactus Road 
Existing Zoning:  C-2 HGT/WVR DNS/WVR 
Acreage:  
8.76 
Request: 
1) Modification of Stipulation No. 1 regarding general 
conformance to the site plan date stamped July 2, 2010. 
2) Deletion of Stipulation 1.b regarding multifamily unit 
density. 
3) Modification of Stipulation No. 3 regarding maximum 
height of assisted living and independent living facilities. 
4) Technical corrections to Stipulations 2.a, 2.b, 4, 5, and 
7.a. 
Applicant: 
Phoenix Rehab Campuses 
Owner: 
 
Palombo-Bell LLC 
Representative: 
Ryan Mahar P.E. 
 
ACTIONS 
 
Planning Hearing Officer Recommendation: The Planning Hearing Officer 
recommended denial as filed and approval with a modification and additional 
stipulations. 
 
Village Planning Committee (VPC) Recommendation: The North Mountain 
Village Planning Committee opted not to hear this request. 
 
DISCUSSION 
 
Michael Zipprich, Phoenix Rehab Campuses owner, gave an overview of the 
proposed development and the activities and treatments that occur in each area 
on the conceptual plans. He stated the location of the full continuum-of-care 
facility would be in a good location to address issues in the surrounding 
community. Ryan Mahar, representative, stated a modification to Stipulation 1 
regarding general conformance to the site plan would be needed and noted that 
the site plan that Mr. Zipprich presented was revised after the original submittal. 
He stated that the new site plan is an improvement to the site and that by 
implementing multiple smaller buildings, they can decrease the amount of 
Attachment B

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of August 18, 2021 
Application PHO-2-21 – Z-59-08-3 
Page 2 
 
encroachment on the hillside. He stated that the other two stipulation 
modifications are made because the stipulations are not relevant to their 
development.  
 
Adam Stranieri, Planning Hearing Officer, noted that the applicant recently 
attended an abandonment hearing regarding right-of-way for 19th Avenue. Mr. 
Mahar stated that a 30-foot-wide easement ran through the site, but 19th Avenue 
curves to the west at the northern portion of the property. He stated that the City 
requested a portion of the site be dedicated to the City to address a bus stop and 
other utilities. He stated the hearing resulted in the need for the new site plan 
resubmitted on August 13, 2021 to adjust the location of some buildings along 
19th Avenue.  
 
Mr. Stranieri noted one public comment was submitted from a resident in the 
surrounding area that had concerns about transients in the surrounding area and 
encroachment on the mountain. He gave an overview of the site plan and stated 
he appreciates the broken-up development that creates a campus environment. 
He stated the outdoor recreational activities are in a good spot to allow minimal 
encroachment on the hillside for the rest of the development. He stated the 
development is compatible with other developments in the area.  
 
Stacia Hurst, resident of the nearby Sunnyslope neighborhood, inquired about 
the location of rehabilitation facilities. She stated members her neighborhood 
group are opposed to the location of the development. Mr. Stranieri noted that 
the hearing is not a zoning case and the use in question is allowed in the C-2 
zoning district. Ms. Hurst stated that the Sunnyslope area is saturated with uses 
like this and that she hopes future developments provide help to the community. 
Mr. Zipprich stated the location of this rehabilitation center will provide a central 
care location that will help the surrounding community.  
 
Mr. Stranieri noted that Stipulation 1.b includes the requirement that defines the 
limit of the density waiver, which allows 26 dwelling units per acre. He stated that 
he agreed with the rationale that the proposed development does not include 
independent living facilities that factor into density, but that removing the 
stipulation would not be advised in order to address density if the site were to 
develop with residential uses in the future. He stated that a similar rationale 
applied to Stipulation 3 as well and he would not recommend removing height 
restrictions on independent living to address future development proposals 
including this use. He stated an additional stipulation was requested by the Street 
Transportation Department regarding access to Cactus Road and intersection 
improvements at the intersection of Cactus Road and 19th Avenue. 
 
FINDINGS 
 
1) The proposed site plan depicts a campus development integrating a 
variety of health and treatment uses.  Services include mental and

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of August 18, 2021 
Application PHO-2-21 – Z-59-08-3 
Page 3 
 
behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, medical detox, residential 
treatment centers, outpatient treatment, sober living, dining facilities, 
administrative offices, and amenities for patients and residents.  Amenities 
include hiking trails, yoga space, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and 
gazebos on the east portion of the site against the hillside.  There is also a 
large pool in the center of the site.  Total lot coverage is approximately 
44%.  Building heights range from 20 feet 7 inches to 30 feet 6 inches.  
The scale, intensity, and land use of the proposal is compatible with the 
surrounding area.  General conformance to the proposed site plan is 
recommended. 
 
2) The applicant requested to delete Stipulation 1.b which establishes a 
maximum density for multifamily residential units at 26 dwelling units per 
gross acres.  This stipulation was established in the original rezoning case 
which proposed a combination of assisted living, independent living, and 
single-family residential.  The density cap was established as a 
component of the density waiver to address the proposed independent 
living units and permit a density comparable to the R-3A zoning district.  
This density exceeded the density of the R-3 zoning district which is 
permitted by right in the C-2 zoning district.   
 
The applicant argued that their project does not contain multifamily units 
and the stipulation should be deleted.  However, multifamily residential 
uses are permitted by right in the subject property’s C-2 HGT/WVR 
DNS/WVR zoning and it would not be appropriate to delete the unit cap 
that defines the limit of the density waiver.  If the applicant does not build 
multifamily units, this stipulation would not apply and may remain.  The 
stipulation will continue to control future proposals for multifamily uses on 
the site.  The applicant’s request is recommended for denial. 
 
3) The applicant requested to modify Stipulation 3 which limits the maximum 
height of assisted living and independent living facilities to a maximum of 3 
stories and 40 feet.  This stipulation was established in the original 
rezoning case which proposed a combination of assisted living, 
independent living, and single-family residential.  The height limitation was 
established as a component of the height waiver to address the land uses 
and height limits that the waiver applied to.   
 
The applicant argued that as their project does not contain independent 
living units, the reference to this use should be removed.  However, 
independent living uses are permitted by right in the subject property’s C-2 
HGT/WVR DNS/WVR zoning and it would not be appropriate to delete a 
portion of the height limitation that defines the height waiver.  If the 
applicant does not build independent living units, this stipulation would not 
apply and may remain.  The stipulation will continue to control future

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of August 18, 2021 
Application PHO-2-21 – Z-59-08-3 
Page 4 
 
proposals for independent living projects on the site.  The applicant’s 
request is recommended for denial. 
 
4) The Street Transportation Department recommended an additional 
stipulation noting that if access is proposed to Cactus Road, the developer 
shall submit a traffic signal modification for the intersection of 19th Avenue 
and Cactus Road and will be responsible for the intersection (street type 
access), ADA, and traffic signal modifications needed to activate the 
eastside of the intersection.  This stipulation is recommended to be 
adopted. 
 
STIPULATIONS 
 
1. 
That The C-2 portion of the development shall be in general conformance 
to WITH the site plan date stamped AUGUST 13, 2021 July 2, 2010, as 
approved by the Planning and Development Services Department, AND 
with specific regard to: 
 
 
 
a. 
Pedestrian linkages between buildings on site, to the adjacent 
commercial property, and to the transit stop on 19th Avenue. 
 
 
 
 
b. 
The number of multifamily units shall not exceed 26 dwelling units per 
acre. 
 
 
 
2. 
That All structures on the C-2 and R1-10 portions of the site shall have 
buildings which: 
 
 
 
a. 
Possess a color palette similar to the adjacent hillside area of Shaw 
Butte, as approved by the Planning and Development Services 
Department. 
 
 
 
 
b. 
Have materials and finishes similar of the adjacent hillside area of 
Shaw Butte, as approved by the Planning and Development Services 
Department. 
 
 
 
3. 
That The maximum height of the assisted living and independent living 
facilities in the C-2 portion of the site shall not exceed 3 stories, 40 feet, as 
approved by the Planning and Development Services Department. 
 
 
4. 
That Any exposed cut slopes, retaining walls or disturbance of the hillside 
area shall be stained or treated to blend with the surrounding natural 
desert, as may be approved by the Planning and Development Services 
Department.

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of August 18, 2021 
Application PHO-2-21 – Z-59-08-3 
Page 5 
 
5. 
That Disturbed areas of the site shall be revegetated with plant materials 
similar to the plant palette of the surrounding area, as approved by the 
Planning and Development Services Department. 
 
 
6. 
That The two billboards on the site shall be removed prior to the issuance 
of building permits. 
 
 
7. 
Streets 
 
 
 
a. 
That Unless an abandonment is granted for the south portion of 
Cactus Road, right-of-way totaling 30 feet shall be dedicated for the 
north half of Cactus Road to match the south half (cul-de-sac), as 
approved or modified by the Planning and Development Services 
Department. 
 
 
 
 
b. 
That Right-of-way totaling 65 feet shall be dedicated for the east half 
of 19th Avenue. 
 
 
 
 
c. 
IF ACCESS IS PROPOSED TO CACTUS ROAD, THE 
DEVELOPER SHALL SUBMIT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL 
MODIFICATION FOR THE INTERSECTION OF 19TH AVENUE 
AND CACTUS ROAD AS APPROVED BY THE STREET 
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.  THE DEVELOPER SHALL 
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTERSECTION (STREET TYPE 
ACCESS), ADA, AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS 
NEEDED TO ACTIVATE THE EAST SIDE OF THE 
INTERSECTION, AS APPROVED OR MODIFIED BY THE STREET 
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. 
 
 
 
 
d. 
c. 
That The developer shall construct all streets within and adjacent to 
the development with paving, curb, gutter, sidewalk, curb ramps, 
streetlights, landscaping and other incidentals as per plans approved 
by the City. Any existing improvements that do not comply with ADA 
accessibility standards shall be replaced. 
 
 
 
8. 
That If any archaeological materials are encountered during construction, 
all ground disturbing activity shall cease within 10 meters of the discovery 
and the City Archaeology Office shall be notified and allowed time to 
properly assess the materials. 
 
 
9. 
PRIOR TO PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN APPROVAL, THE LANDOWNER 
SHALL EXECUTE A PROPOSITION 207 WAIVER OF CLAIMS IN A 
FORM APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.  THE WAIVER 
SHALL BE RECORDED WITH THE MARICOPA COUNTY RECORDER'S

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of August 18, 2021 
Application PHO-2-21 – Z-59-08-3 
Page 6 
 
OFFICE AND DELIVERED TO THE CITY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 
REZONING APPLICATION FILE FOR RECORD. 
 
 
 
Upon request, this publication will be made available within a reasonable length of time 
through appropriate auxiliary aids or services to accommodate an individual with a 
disability. This publication may be made available through the following auxiliary aids or 
services: large print, Braille, audiotape or computer diskette.  Please contact the 
Planning and Development Department, Tamra Ingersoll at voice number 602-534-6648 
or TTY use 7-1-1.