Attachment C - PHO Summary - PHO-5-22--122-03-7.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2023-02-15)

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REPORT OF PLANNING HEARING OFFICER ACTION 
Adam Stranieri, Principal Planner, Hearing Officer  
Chase Hales, Planner I, Assisting  
January 18, 2023 
ITEM NO: 1 
DISTRICT 7 
SUBJECT: 
Application #: 
PHO-5-22--Z-122-03-7 (Continued from December 21, 2022) 
Location: 
Northwest corner of 51st Avenue and Southern Avenue 
Zoning: 
S-1 (Approved C-2)
Acreage: 
2.74 
Request: 
1)
Modification of Stipulation 1 regarding general
conformance with the site plan dated March 10, 2006.
2)
Deletion of Stipulation 6 regarding enhanced
landscaping.
3)
Modification of Stipulation 13 regarding general
conformance to the elevations dated March 10, 2006.
4)
Deletion of Stipulation 15 regarding gasoline canopy
materials, color, and design.
5)
Deletion of Stipulation 18 regarding abandonment of
Huntington Drive.
6)
Deletion of Stipulation 23 regarding general conformance
to the signage designs dated April 28, 2004.
7)
Technical corrections to Stipulations 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12,
and 16.
Applicant: 
M3 Design 
Owner: 
Laveen 51 2019 LLC, et al. 
Representative: M3 Design 
ACTIONS: 
Planning Hearing Officer Recommendation: The Planning Hearing Officer 
recommended denial as filed and approval with modifications and additional 
stipulations. 
Village Planning Committee (VPC) Recommendation: The Laveen Village 
Planning Committee heard this request on December 12, 2022 and 
recommended a continuance to their January 9, 2022 meeting by a vote of 9-0.  
The Laveen Village Planning Committee heard this request on January 9, 2023 
and recommended approval with additional stipulations by a vote of 8-0. 
Attachment  C

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of January 18, 2023 
Application PHO-5-22—Z-122-03-7 
Page 2 
 
DISCUSSION: 
 
Jesse Macias, representative with M3 Design, explained that the PHO case had 
been continued from the December 21, 2022 PHO hearing to make changes to 
the conceptual plans that considered the planned developments surrounding the 
property and to return to the Laveen Village Planning Committee (VPC). He 
stated that the case was heard by the Laveen Village Planning Committee before 
and after the changes and that he had also met with the Laveen Citizens for 
Responsible Development (LCRD). He provided an overview of the proposal, 
showing a conceptual site plan, building renderings, placement of signage, as 
well as elevations for the signage. He addressed each proposed modification and 
gave rationale for each. 
 
Adam Stranieri, Planning Hearing Officer, noted that staff did not receive any 
correspondence prior to the hearing. He stated that he had no issue with the 
request for the modification of Stipulation 1 regarding general conformance with 
site plans, but recommended approval with modifications to create standard 
language for general conformance. He recommended approval of the deletion of 
Stipulation 6 regarding enhanced landscaping and explained that this 
requirement was specific to the original planned commercial center and was no 
longer relevant. He recommended denial as filed for the request to modify 
Stipulation 13 regarding general conformance to elevations and instead 
recommended to delete the stipulation in its entirety and add a new standard 
language stipulation.  He recommended approval of the request to delete 
Stipulation 15 regarding the gasoline canopy design as there is no longer a 
planned gas station. He recommended approval of the request to delete 
Stipulation 18, explaining that the referenced street was off-site and had been 
addressed in prior PHO applications which are adjacent to this alignment. He 
recommended approval of the deletion of Stipulation 23 and explained that this 
issue would be addressed in response to the Laveen VPC recommendation.  
 
Mr. Stranieri identified a planned multi-use trail easement along 51st Avenue and 
noted that existing Stipulation 8 already addressed this. He noted that the site is 
designated as archaeologically sensitive and recommended three additional 
standard stipulations. He stated that the Street Transportation Department 
recommended three stipulations, the first regarding a 14-foot-wide landscaped 
median. He noted that the Laveen VPC had recommended an additional 
stipulation requiring a flush median but stated that the Street Transportation 
Department did not support this recommendation due to conflicts with City 
standards regarding the spacing of median breaks and potential traffic movement 
conflicts. He recommended approval of the stipulation proposed by the Street 
Transportation Department. 
 
Mr. Macias asked if the additional stipulation created any new burden on the 
developer.  Mr. Stranieri responded that it did not, and the recommendation was 
consistent with the information provided by staff in the site plan pre-application

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of January 18, 2023 
Application PHO-5-22—Z-122-03-7 
Page 3 
 
and was also consistent with City standards. He recommended approval of the 
additional two stipulations from the Street Transportation Department regarding a 
5-foot detached sidewalk along Southern Avenue and responsibility for potential 
traffic signal costs. 
 
Mr. Stranieri stated that in addition to the recommendation for an additional 
stipulation regarding a flush median, the Laveen VPC also recommended an 
additional stipulation for general conformance to sign plans with specific height 
restrictions. He recommended deletion of Stipulation 23 regarding sign plans to 
create a new stipulation regarding signs. He expressed concerns with the VPC’s 
recommendation regarding signs because it limited the Sign Section’s ability to 
review designs and request or implement changes. He stated that he would 
modify the recommendation to limit the general conformance to sheets 2 and 3 
that were presented to the VPC and include the specified sign height limitations. 
He noted that these two plan sheets were those that depicted the unique 
materials, colors, and rural design characteristics desired by the Village, while 
the remaining sheets contained technical information that should be reviewed by 
Sign Section staff before any approval. 
 
FINDINGS: 
 
1) The request to modify Stipulation 1 regarding general conformance to a 
site plan is recommended to be approved with a modification to provide 
more standard conformance language.  The request to modify Stipulation 
13 regarding general conformance to building elevations is recommended 
to be denied as filed as approved with an additional stipulation, in order to 
delete the current stipulation in its entirety and create a new standard 
language conformance stipulation (New Stipulation 2).   
 
The stipulated site plan depicted a large-scale commercial, retail, and 
office complex consisting of approximately 100,000 square feet of 
buildings. The plan included a major retail tenant, smaller shops, 24,000 
square feet of offices, and four retail or drive-through restaurant pads. This 
project did not develop.  Multiple PHO actions have since modified 
stipulations and approved new development plans throughout the original 
case area.  The proposed site plan and elevations depict a drive-through 
car wash which is compatible in scale and intensity with existing and 
proposed development in the surrounding area. 
 
2) The requests to delete Stipulation 6 (enhanced landscaping), Stipulation 
15 (gas station canopy design), and Stipulation 18 (abandonment of 
Huntington Drive) are recommended to be approved.  The enhanced 
landscaping was specific to the layout on the prior conceptual site plan 
and is no longer relevant to the proposed design.  The gas station canopy 
is no longer proposed on the site.  Huntington Drive is off-site to the

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of January 18, 2023 
Application PHO-5-22—Z-122-03-7 
Page 4 
 
current request and has been addressed in prior PHO actions on the 
portion of the original rezoning case area adjacent to this street alignment. 
 
3) The request to delete Stipulation 23 regarding general conformance to 
signage designs is recommended to be approved.  This recommendation 
includes a new additional stipulation regarding general conformance to 
sign plans as adapted from the recommendation from the Laveen Village 
Planning Committee.  See Finding #6 for detailed information. 
 
4) The site is identified as archaeologically sensitive and three additional 
stipulations are recommended to be included to address requirements for 
archaeological survey and testing. 
 
5) The Street Transportation Department recommends the addition of three 
new stipulations.  These stipulations are recommended for inclusion.  The 
first two stipulations require the developer to provide a landscaped median 
and detached sidewalk along Southern Avenue.  Southern Avenue is a 
CM classified roadway on the City Council approved Street Classification 
Map. This roadway classification requires that a 14-foot-median be 
constructed, and an 18-foot-wide streetscape zone be provided which 
includes detached sidewalks.  The third stipulation assigns responsibility 
to the developer for modifications to traffic signals at 51st Avenue and 
Southern Avenue.  Redevelopment of the site may require underground 
signal utilities to be relocated and/or modified. Additionally, the final 
placement of sidewalk and push buttons associated with the signal may 
impact signal location and/or push-button location.  The developer shall be 
responsible for all costs and relocation. 
 
6) The Laveen Village Planning Committee recommended two additional 
stipulations regarding a flush median along Southern Avenue and general 
conformance to a sign plan.   
 
The stipulation regarding the flush (not raised) median along Southern 
Avenue is not recommended to be included.  The Street Transportation 
Department does not support this stipulation because of conflicts with 
adopted City standards regarding the spacing of median openings and 
potential traffic conflict.  The required median design was previously 
communicated to the applicant as part of the site plan pre-application 
process.  Additionally, the Street Transportation Department 
recommended an additional stipulation regarding this median as described 
in Finding #5. 
 
The stipulation regarding general conformance to a sign plan is 
recommended to be added with modifications.  The modifications specify 
that general conformance applies solely to sign plan sheet nos. 2 and 3 as 
these contain the renderings of the street-adjacent sign fixtures that reflect

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of January 18, 2023 
Application PHO-5-22—Z-122-03-7 
Page 5 
 
the unique colors, materials, and rural character proposed by the 
applicant.  Remaining sheets contain technical details, sign locations, and 
standard building mounted signage.  This modification is intended to avoid 
conflicts with applying Ordinance standards during sign plan review.  
Additionally, the reference to the digital display along Southern Avenue is 
removed to ensure that the height restriction applies to any monument 
sign on this street, regardless of type. 
 
STIPULATIONS: 
 
1. 
SITE PLAN 1. That The development shall be in general conformance 
with the site plan DATE STAMPED JANUARY 12, 2023, dated March 10, 
2006, as approved or modified by the FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS 
AND APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND Development Services 
Department, with specific regard to size, location and number of pad 
buildings. 
 
 
2. 
THE DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE IN GENERAL CONFORMANCE WITH 
THE ELEVATIONS DATE STAMPED JANUARY 12, 2023, AS 
MODIFIED BY THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS AND APPROVED BY 
THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. 
 
 
3. 
THE DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE IN GENERAL CONFORMANCE WITH 
THE SIGN PLAN DETAIL SHEETS NOS. 2 AND 3 DATE STAMPED 
JANUARY 12, 2023, IN REGARD TO COLOR, MATERIALS, AND 
CHARACTER, AS APPROVED OR MODIFIED BY THE PLANNING 
AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AND WITH SPECIFIC REGARD 
TO THE FOLLOWING: 
 
 
 
 
A. 
THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT FOR ANY MONUMENT SIGN ALONG 
51ST AVENUE SHALL NOT EXCEED 12 FEET. 
 
 
 
 
B. 
THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT FOR ANY MONUMENT SIGN ALONG 
SOUTHERN AVENUE SHALL NOT EXCEED 15 FEET. 
 
 
4. 
2. 
That All accessory equipment, such as air, water, vacuums, and venting 
pipes shall be located no closer than fifty (50) feet to public street 
frontages and residential neighborhoods to minimize potential impacts. 
 
 
5. 
3. 
That The developer shall screen any drive-through queuing lanes from 
view of 51st and Southern Avenues and/or residential uses through the 
incorporation of a landscaped berm, screen wall, or combination of a 
berm and wall at least four (4) feet in height, as approved or modified by 
the PLANNING AND Development Services Department.

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of January 18, 2023 
Application PHO-5-22—Z-122-03-7 
Page 6 
 
6. 
4. 
That The developer shall provide a landscape feature incorporating turf 
and monumentation on the immediate northwest corner of the 
intersection of 51st and Southern Avenues, as approved or modified by 
the PLANNING AND Development Services Department. 
 
 
7. 
5. 
That The developer shall provide primary pedestrian walkways from 
Southern Avenue and the multi-use trail along 51st Avenue to the 
commercial buildings, as approved or modified by the PLANNING AND 
Development Services Department. 
 
 
6. 
That the developer shall provide a total of four (4) landscaped fingers, 
one on each side of the two (2) driveway entrances from the shopping 
center to the Pad 1/Pad 2 gasoline canopy area, that are seven (7) feet 
wide, as approved by the Development Services Department. Each of 
these landscape areas shall contain one (1) tree in addition to other 
landscape materials. 
 
 
8. 
7. 
That The developer shall treat all primary pedestrian crossings of 
vehicular circulation drives with a change of pavement materials (color 
and texture) to demarcate the pedestrian circulation plan. 
 
 
9. 
8. 
That The developer shall provide a multi-use trail along the west side of 
51st Avenue in a manner that complements that multi-use trail north of 
the subject property and in accordance with adopted City of Phoenix trail 
standards, as approved by the Parks and Recreation Department. 
 
 
10. 
9. 
That All items for sale, excluding fuel dispensing machines and automatic 
teller machines, shall be located within buildings or screened from view of 
public streets.  
 
 
11. 
10. 
That The developer shall provide the following equestrian amenities on 
site, as approved by the PLANNING AND Development Services 
Department: two (2) hitching rails, and two (2) horse troughs. 
 
 
12. 
11. 
That The landscaped setbacks adjacent to residential development shall 
include staggered trees planted twenty (20) feet on center with fifty 
percent (50%) of such trees being a minimum four (4) inch caliper, as 
approved or modified by the PLANNING AND Development Services 
Department. 
 
 
13. 
12. 
That Approved plants for the site shall emphasize the agricultural 
heritage and culture of Laveen and shall include the following, as 
approved or modified by the PLANNING AND Development Services 
Department: Trees: pecan, Arizona ash, evergreen elm, heritage live oak, 
sycamore, willow acacia or similar trees. Shrubs: myrtle (true, dwarf or

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of January 18, 2023 
Application PHO-5-22—Z-122-03-7 
Page 7 
 
twisted), pomegranate, or similar shrubs. Accents: deer grass, wild 
sunflowers, or similar accents. Vines: white Lady Banks rose or similar 
vines. 
 
 
13. 
BUILDING DESIGN 13. That the major buildings on site shall be in 
general conformance to the conceptual elevations (Exhibits 4-6) dated 
March 10, 2006, including the following elements, all as approved or 
modified by the Development Services Department: 
 
Four-sided architecture, per the conceptual elevations. A variety of 
building materials, including a minimum of two (2) of the following 
materials: native stone, burnt adobe, textured brick, site made textured 
concrete, split-face block, wood (when shaded), slump block, simulated 
wood siding, exposed aggregate, corrugated metal or rusted metal 
roofing. 
 
• Natural and subdued color tones; 
• Exposed scuppers; 
• Pitched roof elements; 
 
A minimum ten-foot covered walkway, which can create a staggered front 
facade. Patios, trellises, and recesses may also be used to provide 
shading and break up building mass. 
 
 
14. 
That The developer shall paint all transformer and service entry 
equipment boxes to match buildings or shall screen the boxes, subject to 
utility company approval. 
 
 
15. 
That the gasoline station canopy shall incorporate materials and colors 
that complement the buildings on the site and the developer is strongly 
encouraged to use a pitched roof with a gable or hipped end on the 
canopy. 
 
 
STREET IMPROVEMENTS 
 
 
15. 
THE DEVELOPER SHALL CONSTRUCT A 14-FOOT-WIDE 
LANDSCAPED MEDIAN ALONG SOUTHERN AVENUE FROM 51ST 
AVENUE TO THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT, AS 
APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND STREET 
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENTS. 
 
 
16. 
THE DEVELOPER SHALL CONSTRUCT A MINIMUM 5-FOOT-WIDE 
DETACHED SIDEWALK ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF SOUTHERN 
AVENUE, AS APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 
DEPARTMENT.

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of January 18, 2023 
Application PHO-5-22—Z-122-03-7 
Page 8 
 
 
 
17. 
THE DEVELOPER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY 
MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXISTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT 51ST 
AVENUE AND SOUTHERN AVENUE, AS REQUIRED BY THE STREET 
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. 
 
 
18. 
16. 
That The developer shall construct all half-streets adjacent to the site 
with paving, curb, gutter, sidewalk, curb ramps, streetlights, median 
islands, landscaping, and other incidentals per plans approved by the 
PLANNING AND Development Services Department. All improvements 
shall comply with all ADA accessibility standards. 
 
 
19. 
17. 
That The developer shall provide right-of-way for, and shall construct, a 
transit pad (P1262) and a bus shelter (P1261) along Southern Avenue 
west of 51st Avenue. 
 
 
18. 
That the developer shall apply for the abandonment of Huntington Drive 
on the west side of the site. 
 
 
20. 
19. 
That The developer shall complete and submit the Developer Project 
Information Form for the Maricopa Association of Governments 
Transportation Improvement Program to the Street Transportation 
Department. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires this 
form to meet clean air quality requirements. 
 
 
ARCHAEOLOGY 
 
 
21. 
IF DETERMINED NECESSARY BY THE PHOENIX ARCHAEOLOGY 
OFFICE, THE APPLICANT SHALL CONDUCT PHASE I DATA 
TESTING AND SUBMIT AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT OF 
THE DEVELOPMENT AREA FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE 
CITY ARCHAEOLOGIST PRIOR TO CLEARING AND GRUBBING, 
LANDSCAPE SALVAGE, AND/OR GRADING APPROVAL. 
 
 
22. 
IF PHASE I DATA TESTING IS REQUIRED, AND IF, UPON REVIEW 
OF THE RESULTS FROM THE PHASE I DATA TESTING, THE CITY 
ARCHAEOLOGIST, IN CONSULTATION WITH A QUALIFIED 
ARCHAEOLOGIST, DETERMINES SUCH DATA RECOVERY 
EXCAVATIONS ARE NECESSARY, THE APPLICANT SHALL 
CONDUCT PHASE II ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA RECOVERY 
EXCAVATIONS. 
 
 
23. 
IN THE EVENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS ARE 
ENCOUNTERED DURING CONSTRUCTION, THE DEVELOPER 
SHALL IMMEDIATELY CEASE ALL GROUND-DISTURBING

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of January 18, 2023 
Application PHO-5-22—Z-122-03-7 
Page 9 
 
ACTIVITIES WITHIN A 33-FOOT RADIUS OF THE DISCOVERY, 
NOTIFY THE CITY ARCHAEOLOGIST, AND ALLOW TIME FOR THE 
ARCHAEOLOGY OFFICE TO PROPERLY ASSESS THE MATERIALS. 
 
 
GENERAL 
 
 
24. 
20. 
That The developer SHALL present a final landscape plan to the Laveen 
Village for review. 
 
 
25. 
21. 
That Light poles shall not exceed eighteen (18) feet in height. 
 
 
26. 
22. 
That Light from gasoline station canopies shall not exceed thirty (30) foot 
candles measured at the ground plane. 
 
 
23. 
That signage on the property shall be in general conformance to the 
conceptual designs (three sheets) dated April 28, 2004, including the 
following elements, as approved or modified by the Development 
Services Department. 
 
Ground/monument signs shall incorporate the materials and colors used 
for the major buildings on site. 
 
Size and height of ground/monument signs shall not exceed those 
indicated in the above-referenced conceptual designs. 
 
In conformance to the Phoenix Sign Code, one additional ground sign is 
allowed on each street frontage to identify the user(s) of the pad building 
at the immediate corner of the intersection of 51st and Southern 
Avenues. 
 
Wall signs shall use individual, halo-illuminated letters and numbers. 
 
 
27. 
24. 
That The developer shall notify prospective owners/occupants that the 
subject development is in proximity to Phoenix Sky Harbor International 
Airport. The developer shall disclose the following:  
 
 
 
a. The airport is considered a busy hub airport. 
 
 
 
 
b. Forecasts predict that Airport operations will increase. 
 
 
 
 
c. Extended flight tracks and traffic patterns may extend several miles 
beyond the Airport boundary. 
 
 
 
The notice shall be reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.

Planning Hearing Officer Summary of January 18, 2023 
Application PHO-5-22—Z-122-03-7 
Page 10 
 
 
 
 
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