Attachment C - VPC Summary - GPA-EST-2-22-7.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 
GPA-EST-2-22-7 
Date of VPC Meeting 
August 16, 2022 
Request From:  
Commerce/Business Park (12.58 acres) 
Residential 3.5 to 5 dwelling units per acre (0.93 acres) 
Request To:  
Residential 15+ dwelling units per acre 
Proposed Use: 
Amend the General Plan Land Use Map to allow 
multifamily residential 
Location 
Southeast corner of 107th Avenue and Buckeye 
Road
VPC Recommendation 
Approval, per the staff recommendation  
VPC Vote 
6-1
VPC DISCUSSION:
Cases EST-2-22-7 and Z-42-22-7 are companion cases and were heard together. 
One member of the public registered to speak on this item, in opposition. 
Nayeli Sanchez Luna, staff, presented an overview of the general plan amendment 
and rezoning requests. Ms. Sanchez Luna discussed the location of the site, the 
requested zoning designation, the surrounding land uses, and the proposed General 
Plan Land Use Map designation. Ms. Sanchez Luna displayed the site plan and 
elevations and described the proposed number of units, access into the development, 
number of amenities, and the variations in color and texture. Ms. Sanchez Luna 
concluded the presentation by providing the staff findings, the recommendation, and 
describing the proposed stipulations 
Jonathan Schwerd, representing the applicant with RK Design & Professional 
Services, LLC, provided an overview of the proposed general plan amendment, 
rezoning request, and surrounding land uses. Mr. Schwerd displayed the site plan and 
described the number of units, the height, enhanced landscaping, and detached 
sidewalks.  Mr. Schwerd added that the proposed development would have access to 
Buckeye Road and 107th Avenue. Mr. Schwerd noted that they have worked with the 
adjacent school district to address south access into 107th Avenue. Mr. Schwerd 
concluded his presentation by stating that a building setback of 120 feet would help act 
as a buffer to the single-family residential subdivision to the south.  
Attachment C

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
 
Questions from the committee: 
 
Committee member Beth Cartwright stated that she lived in the vicinity of the 
proposed development and that this area would benefit from a multifamily development. 
 
Vice Chair Parris Wallace asked if this proposal was going to be accessible to all 
income ranges and asked what the income was in this area.  Ms. Cartwright stated that 
the surrounding houses were all new subdivisions with average incomes.  
 
Committee member Lisa Perez asked if the proposed development would be gated 
and thanked the applicant for working on the south access.  Ms. Perez then asked if 
there were any concerns with the bar across the school. Mr. Schwerd stated that they 
do not anticipate any issues with the established bar.  Ms. Perez asked how the 
development would handle access to the school from the south.  Mr. Schwerd stated 
that the school has access to the south easement but that the applicant was the owner.  
Ms. Perez asked if the proposed development would have any bicycle parking, electric 
vehicle charging stations and amenities.  Vice Chair Wallace stated that there had to 
be a minimum of eight amenities and asked for confirmation if it was a stipulation.  Ms. 
Sanchez Luna confirmed that the development was stipulated to have a minimum of 
eight amenities.  Ms. Perez asked if the applicant could explain the relationship 
between the open space and the proposed amenities.  Mr. Schwerd stated that the 
development would have ramadas, barbeque areas, other amenities, and bicycle 
parking located throughout the entire development.  
 
Committee member Dan Rush asked if the development would have electric vehicle 
charging stations. Mr. Schwerd stated that they were willing to install electric vehicle 
charging stations.  Ms. Perez noted that the City of Phoenix has passed an electric 
transportation plan and wanted the applicant to address electric vehicle charging 
stations.  Mr. Schwerd stated that they were willing to install electric vehicle charging 
stations.  Mr. Rush asked how many charging stations would be installed.  Ms. 
Cartwright stated that one percent of 288 units would be three parking stations.  Mr. 
Rush stated that two charging stations would be sufficient. 
 
Ms. Perez stated that she didn’t have the opportunity to discuss the project with the 
superintendent and that there weren’t any comments from the City of Avondale or the 
City of Tolleson.  Ms. Perez added that the Committee was not given enough time to 
review the staff reports and make a reasonable decision.  Mr. Rush stated that the 
proposed development and density is compatible with the surrounding land uses. Vice 
Chair Wallace stated that this project could also be continued.  Mr. Rush asked if there 
was a list of questions that need to be answered and that he did not agree with 
continuing the cases.  Mr. Rush noted that that the developer did reach out to the 
community.  Ms. Perez stated she wanted to know the number of bicycle parking 
spaces, the amenities, street improvements, and other items.  Mr. Schwerd stated that 
they had reached out to the two adjacent cities, but they did not provide comments. Mr. 
Schwerd added that they were willing to add as many charging stations as the Village 
Planning Committee requested.  Ms. Perez asked where the gates would be located 
along the south accessway.  Mr. Schwerd explained that the south accessway would 
have two gated exits along the south accessway.  Ms. Perez asked for clarification if the 
south accessway would be exit right-turn-only and if ingress would be located on 
Buckeye Road.  Mr. Schwerd confirmed that the south accessway would be exit-only

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
and that ingress would occur on Buckeye Road.  Ms. Perez stated she would prefer to 
have more time to analyze the proposed development to ensure that it doesn’t have any 
adverse effects on the Estrella Village.  
 
Public Comment: 
 
Ms. Tracy Hornketh stated that her property is located on the south side of the 
proposed development and noted that she agreed with Committee member Perez’s 
concerns.  Ms. Hornketh stated that there is a lot of traffic congestion located along 
107th Avenue and Buckeye Road and that she was opposed to the proposed height.  
Ms. Hornketh noted that 107th avenue also has a lot of safety issues regarding speed 
and road damage.  Ms. Hornketh concluded her public comment by requesting that the 
Committee recommend denial to the proposed development.  
 
Applicant Response:  
 
Mr. Schwerd thanked Tracy Hornketh for her comment and stated that they would work 
towards further addressing the concerns that the community has presented. 
 
Committee Discussion:  
 
Committee member Dafra Joel Sanou stated that he lived in the area and if the 
applicant could address traffic congestion it would help the proposed development.  Mr. 
Schwerd stated in the year 2026 the Maricopa Department of Transportation (MCDOT) 
would start to widen Buckeye Road and 107th Avenue.  
 
Motion:  
Beth Cartwright motioned to recommend approval of GPA-EST-2-22-7 per the staff 
recommendation. Dan Rush seconded the motion.  
 
Vote:  
6-1, Motion to recommend approval passed, with Committee Members Barquin, 
Cartwright, Burd, Rush, Sanou, and Wallace, in favor and Perez in opposition.  
 
Staff comments regarding VPC Recommendation:  
None.