Attachment C - VPC Summary-Info - Z-19-22-7.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2022-09-07)

View PDF Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 5915 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 
Z-19-22-7
INFORMATION ONLY 
Date of VPC Meeting 
June 13, 2022 
Request From 
R1-8 
Request To 
R-2
Proposed Use 
Multifamily Residential
Location 
Northeast corner of 39th Avenue and Vineyard Road
VPC DISCUSSION:
APPLICANT PRESENTATION 
Michael Maerowitz, representative with Gammage & Burnham, provided information 
regarding the location of the site, surrounding zoning, and general plan land use map 
designation. He stated that the proposal is to rezone the site from R1-8 to R-2 to allow a 
multifamily community. He added that the development is proposed to have 110 units of 
one- and two-story buildings. The development will include a clubhouse, fitness center, 
various outdoor and various outdoor amenities. He noted the there will also be 
substantial landscape enhancements along Vineyard Road, 39th Avenue, and 
throughout the site. He displayed renderings of the development and stated that the 
design was to have a low profile look that blends with the surrounding neighborhoods. 
QUESTIONS FROM COMMITTEE 
Chair Tonya Glass asked if the community will be gated. Michael Maerowitz 
confirmed that the development would be gated, including the amenity area. 
Committee member Jennifer Rouse stated that she would like to see a gate or fence 
exhibit to ensure there is not easy access to the community.  
Chair Tonya Glass asked if the applicant held any community meetings or received 
input from neighbors. Michael Maerowitz stated that a neighborhood meeting was held, 
and the meeting summary was provided to the City. He stated that there was positive 
feedback on the design. He added that the project was also presented to the Laveen 
Citizens for Responsible Development (LCRD) where concerns regarding speeding 
were voiced. He stated that the developer is working with the Street Transportation 
Department to install speedbumps along Vineyard Road. Committee member Jennifer 
Rouse confirmed there are issues with street racing in the area.  Committee member 
Carlos Ortega noted that there isn’t speeding along Vineyard Road because there is 
one lane. 
ATTACHMENT C

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Committee member Jennifer Rouse asked for clarification regarding lighting for the 
community. Michael Maerowitz stated that the lighting would be low level pedestrian 
lighting that complies with the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance. 
 
Committee member Stephanie Hurd appreciated the improvements to the streetscape 
and overall design of the development. She noted that she wants to see the 
development built as presented, rather than being modified to something else in the 
future. 
 
Committee member Carlos Ortega stated that the development should reduce height 
to one story for all buildings and decrease the number of units. Michael Maerowitz 
noted that the two-story buildings will only be along the street frontages, not adjacent to 
existing single-family. He added that this allows for variation in the rooflines and 
architectural style. 
 
Committee member Carlos Ortega asked if both sides of 39th Avenue will be 
developed. Michael Maerowitz stated that the east side of 39th Avenue will be 
developed. Committee member Carlos Ortega stated that the west side of 39th 
Avenue will not be developed because the parcel on the west side of the street is 
privately owned and will not be improved. 
 
Vice Chair Linda Abegg asked if the applicant can provide a landscape plan showing 
the specific shade calculations and caliper of trees. She added that the Committee 
would like to limit the number of 1 inch caliper trees. Michael Maerowitz stated that a 
landscape plan with the calculations and tree caliper could be provided. 
 
Committee member Carlos Ortega asked if the school district was contacted.  
Michael Maerowitz stated that the Laveen Elementary School District was contacted, 
and they are currently discussing a voluntary donation of $300 per unit. Committee 
member Carlos Ortega added that it may be beneficial to find a way for school buses 
to pull into the development, so not to hinder traffic. 
 
Chair Tonya Glass recommended that the developer find a way to incorporate electric 
vehicle charging into the development to prevent the need for retrofitting. 
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS 
Dan Penton stated that the developer should continue working to incorporate speed 
humps. He noted that he is mixed on gated communities, but the design is consistent 
with what the Laveen Village asked for. He added that lighting should be kept below 
perimeter walls to prevent light flooding into adjacent communities. He stated that there 
is speeding along Vineyard Road despite the one lane and additional lanes will 
encourage more traffic issues. He added that road improvements should incorporate 
chicanes, speed bumps, or other traffic calming elements. 
 
Phil Hertel expressed concerns with traffic, specifically along 39th Avenue. He added 
that the density needs to be reduced because traffic from 110 units will lead to 
additional fatalities. 
 
APPLICANT RESPONSE 
Michael Maerowitz stated that the density is technically higher, but the number of total 
bedrooms is similar to that of 60 single-family residential homes. He added the

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
developer will continue to work with the Street Transportation Department to mitigate 
traffic issues.  
 
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 
Chair Tonya Glass stated that the applicant should be prepared to address traffic 
issues in more detail when they return to the Committee for recommendation.