Attachment H - PC Summary - Z-TA-5-18-2.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2022-06-01)

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REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION 
May 5, 2022 
ITEM NO: 7 
DISTRICT NO.: 2
SUBJECT:
Application #: 
Z-TA-5-18-2 (Companion Cases GPA-DSTV-1-18-2, Z-75-18-2, and Z-62-
18-2)
Location: 
South of Sonoran Desert Drive between 16th and 32nd Street alignments 
Proposal: 
Amend Section 653 of the Zoning Ordinance to modify the boundaries of 
the Desert Character Overlay District. 
Applicant: 
Susan Demmitt, Gammage & Burnham, PLC 
Owner: 
MacEwan Ranch, LLC 
Representative: 
Susan Demmitt, Gammage & Burnham, PLC 
ACTIONS: 
Staff Recommendation: Approval, as shown in Exhibit A. 
Village Planning Committee (VPC) Recommendation: 
North Gateway 11/8/2018 Information only. 
Desert View 11/6/2018 Information only. 
Desert View 4/2/2019 Information only. 
Desert View 12/7/2021 Information only. 
North Gateway 12/9/2021 Information only. 
North Gateway 3/10/2022 Approval, per the staff recommendation. Vote: 4-1. 
Desert View 4/5/2022 Approval, per the staff recommendation. Vote: 7-4. 
Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval, per the Addendum A Staff Report. 
Motion Discussion: N/A 
Motion details: Commissioner Simon made a MOTION to approve Z-TA-5-18-2, per the 
Addendum A Staff Report. 
 
Maker: Simon 
 
Second: Mangum 
Vote: 7-1 (Perez) 
Absent: Gaynor 
 
Opposition Present: Yes 
Findings: 
1.
The boundary of the Desert Maintenance Overlay of the Desert Character Overlay
Districts was derived from the Desert Preserve character area outlined in the North
Land Use Plan. This preservation area distinguished between the planned preserve
area north of the then Dynamite Road alignment and the area adjacent to the Cave
Buttes Recreational area, which was slated for additional residential development.
Subsequent to the approval of the Desert Character Overlay Districts, the roadway
connecting Interstate 17 to Cave Creek Road was further evaluated and realigned as
the currently constructed Sonoran Desert Drive.
Attachment H

2. 
The companion Verdin PUD request contains development standards and 
design guidelines that are intended to provide consistency with Desert Maintenance 
Overlay standards and the general intent of the Desert Character Overlay Districts. 
These standards collectively ensure appropriate development within the undisturbed 
desert context. 
 
 
3. 
Due to the shift in the transportation corridor from the inception of the Desert 
Character Overlay Districts in addition to the enhanced standards contained in the 
Verdin PUD, the staff recommended modification to the Sub-District boundaries and 
associated ordinance language is warranted. 
 
Proposed Language: 
 
Amend Chapter 6, Section 653.A. (General Purpose of Desert Character Overlay Districts) 
to replace Figure A and read as follows: 
 
A. 
General Purpose of Desert Character Overlay Districts. The purpose of the Desert 
Character Overlay Districts is to implement the north land use plan, to define the nature 
of development while maintaining undisturbed areas, and to provide guidance for new 
development to occur within the context of the fragile undisturbed desert. The Desert 
Maintenance, Rural Desert and Suburban Desert Overlay Districts are designed in 
response to existing undisturbed conditions and pressures placed on them by increased 
development. The key to successful development within the three districts, which 
maintain interconnected undisturbed desert and washes, lies in analysis of individual 
subdivision sites before laying out the design of streets and lots. 
 
The Desert Maintenance Overlay District is divided into Subdistricts A and B,. as 
illustrated on Figure A. in order to address specific requirements of this area. Subdistrict 
A includes approximately one mile on both sides of the Cave Creek Wash and includes 
the area along the wash, that is not part of any Parks, Recreation and Library 
Department managed open space, such as the a Sonoran Preserve. With the many 
washes to be maintained in an undisturbed condition crossing this area, Subdistrict A is 
intended to provide a transition from the preserve to areas with greater density. A very 
low density, scale and intensity of residential development characterize this area. The 
Desert Maintenance Overlay Subdistrict A is the least intensive with regards to 
density allowed and the most restrictive in order to maintain the fragile undisturbed areas 
and the wildlife corridor along the Cave Creek Wash. Subdistrict B is characterized by 
low density development which may be sited in clusters along with provision for an area 
to allow access to the Cave Buttes Recreational Area. Through clustering of 
development in this area the ability to maintain large connected undisturbed areas and 
washes becomes possible. 
 
***

Figure A: Desert Maintenance Character DistrictS

Amend Chapter 6, Section 653.B.2. (Desert Maintenance Overlay (Sub-Districts A and B), 
Applicability) to read as follows: 
 
 
2. 
Applicability. The Desert Maintenance Overlay District applies to all land within 
the area as depicted on the Desert Character District Map (Figure A). More 
specifically, the Desert Maintenance Overlay Sub-District A applies to all land 
within the area bounded by Carefree Highway on the north, the Dynamite 
Boulevard alignment on the south, a line running parallel to the Cave Creek Wash 
connecting the 24th Street alignment at Carefree Highway to the 16th Street 
alignment at the Dynamite Boulevard alignment along the west, and the west 
boundary of Dove Valley Ranch extending south along the Black Mountain 
Parkway to Ashler Hills Drive and then running parallel to the Cave Creek Wash 
to the 32nd Street alignment at the Dynamite Boulevard alignment along the east.

The Desert Maintenance Overlay Sub-District B applies to all land within the area 
bounded by Sub-District A on the north, the Cave Buttes Recreation Area along 
the south and west, and Cave Creek Road (excluding the commercially 
designated parcel at the northwest corner of Cave Creek Road and Dynamite 
Boulevard) together with the south and west boundary of the Tatum Ranch 
Planned Community District (west of Cave Creek Road) and Black Mountain 
Parkway along the east. 
 
A site plan approved in accordance with Section 507 of the Zoning Ordinance is 
required for all development, plus adherence to the design guidelines and 
standards detailed below and in Section 507 Tab A of the Zoning Ordinance. 
 
*** 
 
This publication can be made available in alternate format upon request. Please contact  
Les Scott at 602-376-3981, Les.scott@phoenix.gov or TTY: Use 7-1-1.