Attachment B - VPC Rec Form - PHO-2-21_Z-12-11-2.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2021-08-25)

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City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Village Planning Committee Meeting Summary 
PHO-2-21—Z-12-11-2 
Date of VPC Meeting 
July 8, 2021 
Planning Hearing Officer 
Hearing Date 
July 21, 2021 
Request 
1) Review of site plan and elevations by the Planning 
Hearing Officer per Stipulation 1.
2) Review of site plan and elevations by the North 
Gateway Village Planning Committee per Stipulation 
18.
Location 
Approximately 1,320 feet south of the southeast corner 
of North Valley Parkway and Sonoran Desert Drive 
VPC Recommendation 
Approval 
VPC Vote 
6-0
VPC DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDED STIPULATIONS:
Committee Member Julie Read arrived to the meeting during this item, bringing the 
quorum to six members. 
Julianna Pierre provided information regarding the location of the site and the 
surrounding zoning.  She stated that the site is a portion of the property from Rezoning 
Case No. Z-12-11.  She noted that there were no specific plans in 2011 and stipulations 
were included requiring conceptual site plans and elevations to be reviewed and 
approved by the North Gateway Village Planning Committee (VPC) and the Planning 
Hearing Officer (PHO).  She stated that the applicant is now submitting plans for review 
and approval to comply with Stipulations 1 and 18, regarding review of site plan and 
elevations. 
Julianna Pierre stated that the proposed multifamily development is 240 units with a 
neighborhood community theme.  She added that there is a centralized and amenitized 
common open space area and private rear yards for units.  She stated that the 
proposed units are desert bungalow style with pitches roofs and stucco and masonry 
veneer.   
Attachment B

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Jennifer Meyers, senior associate with Norris Design, provided background regarding 
the site of the proposed development.  She added that they are bringing their site plan 
and elevations to the VPC and PHO to comply with stipulations from the original 
rezoning case.  She stated that the development will include 240 for lease, single story 
residential units located within a gated community with individual private yards and 
community amenities.  She added that the amenities will include workout facilities, pool, 
yoga platforms, game areas, dog park, and car wash area.  She added that the 
community product will have 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, with two elevations and three 
material schemes per unit type.  She added that there are detached garages with 
storage located throughout the site  
 
Jennifer Meyers stated that the density of the site is 10.23 dwelling units per acre, 
which is below the maximum 17.4 dwelling units per acre with bonus allowed in the C-2 
(Intermediate Commercial) zoning district.  She added that they are providing 476 
parking spaces when only 376 spaces are required, to ensure that there is adequate 
parking for both residents and guests.  She added that there is 10.3% common area, 
double the required 5%. 
 
Jennifer Meyers stated that the property is gated and there will be roll turn access at 
Rancho Tierra Drive, meaning southbound traffic will be able to make a left turn into the 
property at that location.  She clarified that this will be a full access intersection.  She 
added that there is another access point at the northwest corner of the property that will 
only be a right in, right out driveway. 
 
Jennifer Meyers stated that the developer anticipates most residents to be young 
professionals, millennials, empty nesters, and people that want to downsize.  She 
added the residents want the livability of traditional single-family detached homes 
without the maintenance. 
 
Vice Chair Shannon Simon stated that there are concerns regarding the influx of 
residential.  She stated that the appropriate infrastructure, specifically streets, utilities, 
and schools, is not in place to support the continued development in and around the 
Village Core.  Shelby Duplessis, representing Empire Group, stated the developer is 
working closely with City staff to ensure that everything is accounted for, such as traffic, 
water, and sewer.  She added that the developer is aware that this is a sensitive area 
and intends to meet the North Black Canyon Overlay District guidelines.  She added 
that this development type typically brings in few children, but the developer is also 
working with the School District to ensure the appropriate school system is in place. 
 
Vice Chair Shannon Simon asked if there is going to be any form of traffic control at 
the main entrance.  Shelby Duplessis stated that they are working with their engineer 
as well as Traffic Services to determine what is needed at that intersection. 
 
Committee member Michelle Ricart asked if Empire Group will be the project 
manager.  Shelby Duplessis stated that Empire Group has brought in Stellar Homes to 
manage all their properties.  She stated that they are also working to connect their 
communities via a lifestyle manager to have joint community activities. 
 
Committee member Michelle Ricart stated that this particular area has more families 
living in apartments that other parts of the Valley.  She stated that the development may 
have more families than anticipated and expressed concerns regarding the school

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
system, specifically because Sonoran Foothills School is already at capacity. 
Committee member Julie Read stated that she sits on the Deer Valley Unified School 
District Governing Board and this area has four times as many students that come from 
apartments than any other area in the district.  She added that Elementary School 32 
will be built on the west side of I-17, but it will be the only other school option to relieve 
pressure from Sonoran Foothills School.  She recommended that the developer reach 
out to the School District to discuss build out and capacity. 
 
Committee member Julie Read asked for clarification regarding an official traffic study.  
Shelby Duplessis stated that they are working with their engineer to complete traffic 
requirements.  Committee member Julie Read asked if the results of the traffic study 
could be shared with the VPC to better understand flow, speed, and existing traffic 
patterns.  She stated that the information would be helpful for future discussions with 
the Street Transportation Department.  Shelby Duplessis sated that she found the 
completed Traffic Impact Statement and would be willing to share that with the VPC. 
 
MOTION: Committee member Steve Tucker made a motion to approve PHO-2-21—
Z-12-11-2. 
 
Vice Chair Shannon Simon requested that the applicant share any traffic related 
studies or statements with the VPC. 
 
MOTION: Committee member Steve Tucker made a motion to approve PHO-2-21—
Z-12-11-2.  He added that there is an additional request for the applicant to share any 
traffic related studies or statements with the VPC.  The motion was seconded by Vice 
Chair Shannon Simon. 
 
VOTE: 6-0 with Committee Members Stokes, Simon, Read, Ricart, Tome, and Tucker in 
favor. 
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION & STIPULATIONS: 
 
None.