Attachment C - VPC Summary - Z-50-21-6.pdf

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-50-21-6
Date of VPC Meeting 
October 25, 2021 
Request From 
C-2 (Intermediate Commercial) (3.26 acres)
Request To 
C-2 DNS/WVR HGT/WVR (Intermediate Commercial,
Density Waiver, Height Waiver) (3.26 acres)
Proposed Use 
Multifamily residential 
Location 
Approximately 275 feet east of the northeast corner of 
51st Street and Elliot Road 
VPC Recommendation 
Approval per the staff recommendation 
VPC Vote 
11-0 in favor; with members Benezra, Crouch, Fisher,
Holt, Maloney, Meier, Pritchette, Sharer, Symes,
Gasparro and Elliott in favor; None in dissent.
VPC DISCUSSION:
No members of the public registered to speak on this item. 
Enrique Bojórquez, staff, introduced himself and provided a presentation for 
rezoning case Z-50-21-6. He discussed the location of the site, noting surrounding 
land uses and zoning. He discussed policy documents including the General Plan. 
The conceptual site plan for the multifamily project was shown, indicating the 
existing buildings and layout of the site. Photos of the existing buildings were shown, 
and a color rendering of how the existing buildings are envisioned was discussed. 
He concluded the presentation by providing a staff recommendation of approval and 
describing the proposed stipulations for case Z-50-21-6, as presented in the staff 
report. 
Larry Lazarus, with Lazarus and Silvyn P.C., introduced himself as the applicant 
and provided an overview of the project which consists of converting a former hotel 
site into a multifamily development utilizing the existing buildings on site. He 
discussed the location of the site, existing uses in the area, and the General Plan 
Land Use map designation. An adjacent parcel is also owned by this developer, but 
this will remain used for drainage given existing drainage easements there. The site 
is within the Ahwatukee Foothills Major Employment Center and will offer a range of 
housing choices. The proposed site plan was discussed, in addition to comparing 
the existing and the proposed exterior treatment of the buildings on site. The parking 
study findings showed a reduction in vehicular trips from a hotel use to a multifamily 
Attachment C

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
use on this site. The presentation was concluded by discussing future hearing dates 
for this case. 
 
Darin Fisher asked for clarification on the sizes of residential units proposed. Josh 
Wertlieb, owner, introduced himself and stated that on average, two hotel rooms 
would be converted into one apartment unit range from 650 square feet in size to 
350 square feet for studio units. 
 
Mr. Fisher asked if there were any changes planned for the retention area next to 
the site. Mr. Lazarus responded that no changes are proposed since this area has a 
drainage easement, but landscaping will be placed along that general area to help 
screen the freeway. 
 
Mr. Fisher feels that that parking ratio proposed is adequate. He asked if traffic 
patterns along 51st Street and Elliot Road were studied, as traffic tends to back up in 
this area. Mr. Lazarus discussed the traffic study findings, comparing the number of 
vehicular trips that a hotel use would generate. The proposed use of the site would 
lead to a reduction in vehicle trips. 
 
Elena Pritchette supports this project as the site is in need to be redeveloped. 
 
Chairman Elliott asked for further discussion or a motion on this item. 
 
MOTION: 
 
Mr. Fisher motioned to approve case Z-50-21-6 per the staff recommendation in the 
staff report. Mr. Crouch seconded the motion. 
 
VOTE:  
11-0, motion passed; None in dissent. 
 
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION: 
 
None.