Attachment H - Opposition - Z-138-F-83-5.pdf

May 17, 2022
City of Phoenix Planning Commission 
Board of Supervisor's Auditorium 
205 West Jefferson Street 
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
I’m Erik Espinoza and I live at 5712 N 103rd Dr, Glendale Az 85307.  I comment to 
lend my local perspective about item number 8 of the June 2, 2022 Planning Commission 
meeting regarding case Z-138-F-83-5 (Aldea Centre PUD).
 I am in opposition to the request. Through the designation of a PUD, the land owner 
and the developer were given significant power in design and development of the area 
use. Failure to take appropriate measures to protect surrounding properties and Grand 
Canal users from impacts of those uses is evident.  Arguments were made on page 48 in 
the Z-138-D-83 narrative that have carried forward which suggest commercial use should 
be towards the Canal and Residential use away.  In fact, the land owner received a minor 
amendment to replace Section 507 Tab A (II)(E)(2)(2.6.4) appropriate guidelines in 
design review that allowed land uses far less compatible with the Canal system frontage.  
As a result, vista wrecking, monotonous warehouses on grade elevations significantly 
higher than nearby communities were built, which now promote unlawful commercial traffic 
and noise throughout the area.  You may regard work request 2201994 City of Phoenix 
Traffic Investigator, Anthony Contreras and case file pertaining to such traffic.   
Larissa subdivision, the local residential and school district are absorbing 
consequences of poor planning and oversight of this PUD.  Specifically, Ryan Norris of 
Trammel Crow Company, who was disingenuous in his action to stop semi trucks traveling 
through restricted residential roadways, is a perfect example of how our community has 
been ignored.  It should be considered that the commerce center, at a million square feet 
of warehouse space, will have a high negative impact on residential development of the 
proposed parcel. Besides setbacks and loading dock screening, no other provisions are 
offered to protect the proposed residential development from the noise and congestion of 
the semi truck traffic.  I find it unreasonable that only now, when all other land in the 
development has been accounted for, a residential development request near the canal is 
being considered, especially after beautiful mountain views have been blocked and heavy 
Erik Espinoza
(602)535-7802	
erk85302@yahoo.com	
5712 N 103rd Dr, Glendale Az 85307
ATTACHMENT H

commercial semi truck traffic uses have been introduced.  It is a failed opportunity to really 
build value in the community and Phoenix. 
	
 An overall view of the area should be considered.  The proposed site is surrounded 
by future developments or developable land and the Street Transportation Department 
may require that these developments be considered when estimating future traffic volumes.  
I would be interested to know if any of the Traffic studies included estimates of these 
future traffic volumes.  To the north is Glendale, between Ballpark Boulevard and 
Glendale Avenue on 99th Avenue Vision 2 is planned as a development, providing the 
foundation for high intensity, pedestrian active, mixed-use/urban developments.  “The 
applicant and property owners anticipate the construction of a mixed-use development that 
will include such land uses as office, retail, hotel, and high density multifamily residential.
“ Under construction to the east is the Crystal Lagoons Island Resort directly in line with the 
proposed development.  To the south are more high intensity residential and commercial 
uses, among them is pending construction of La Mesa RV, and south of Camelback the 
Bungalows on Camelback which are also under construction. 99th avenue also acts as a 
reliever to Loop 101 due to traffic delays, closures, and events at Glendale’s Westgate area.  
I am unaware of recommendations from Phoenix or Glendale that pertain to road 
improvements to handle higher traffic or recessed bus stops outside of the main lanes of 
travel, as 99th is only 2 Lanes each way.  I also am unsure of implications these 
developments will have on overall traffic especially during seasons of high usage,’ i.e. 
Spring training/Football or typical prime time hours of use.  I have concerns as to whether 
current growth trends have been accounted for when calculating terms in the Traffic Study.  
I know it is a concern of multiple cities as to the flow of traffic on 99th avenue due to 
Maricopa Association of Governments having Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc prepare the 99th  
Avenue Corridor Optimization, Access Management Plan and System Study.    
	
 Housing Phoenix Plan has been effective; there have been 20,530 units developed 
in just the 2 years since its initiation as of the writing of this letter.  I can attest to the 
development in my area and offer an insight that the area is being saturated by a variety of 
mixed family developments.  Moreover, because the Phoenix housing market is well 
overvalued, the pursuit of rapid construction of “affordable dwellings” at the moment can 
easily be appealing but can lead to an over production of rental housing.  One must be 
prudent in regulating the speed of growth of units that are not equitable for its residents.  In 
concentrating on building rental housing to accommodate rapid growth perhaps in a 
temporary bubble, we are under developing equitable properties that will grow 
communities, leading to home ownership becoming more expensive and less accessible.  
Huge increases in rezoning for logistical commerce centers within mixed use areas are

lending to increases in land prices and so we see commercial markets and developers of 
rentals as the answer to support the growth.  This also contributes to sprawling issues.  One 
should be cautious of a “right now” type mindset.  I recommend pursuit of suitable 
commercial use that would benefit users of the Canal and local residential district without 
compromising local interests. 
	
 I support a request of clarification by members present on this motion reason(s) for 
such vote. Thank you all for crafting our great city.
Best Regards,
Erik Espinoza