Attachment C - VPC Summary - Z-18-21-8.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2021-07-01)

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Village Planning Committee Meeting Summary 
Z-18-21-8
Date of VPC Meeting 
May 11, 2021 
Request From 
R1-10 BAOD 
Request To 
R-3A BAOD
Proposed Use 
Assisted living facility (community residence center)
Location 
Northwest corner of 10th Street and Baseline Road 
VPC Recommendation 
Approval per staff recommendation presented in the staff 
report. 
VPC Vote 
12-0 Motion passes; with members Aldama, Alvarez,
Brownell, Busching, Coleman, Holmerud, Marchuk, Ray,
Shepard, M. Smith, Viera and Daniels in favor; None in
dissent.
VPC DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDED STIPULATIONS: 
Enrique Bojorquez, staff, introduced himself and rezoning case Z-18-21-8. He 
discussed the location of the site, noting surrounding land uses along Baseline 
Road and 10th Street. He discussed the existing General Plan Land Use map 
designation and policy goals, Baseline Area Master Plan, Western Canalscape, 
other policy documents, and the Baseline Area Overlay District in reference to this 
site. A comparison between the previously submitted site plan and the revised site 
plan provided after the staff report was published, was provided. The conceptual 
building elevations and materials were discussed. He concluded the presentation 
by providing a staff recommendation on the case and describing the proposed 
stipulations, as presented in the staff report. 
Darrin Jolas, applicant with Vermillion Development, introduced himself and the 
Silver Birch product proposed for this community in South Mountain. Vermillion 
Development has approximately 940 residents and 450 employees throughout their 
communities. This proposed facility is of similar size to other facilities and will 
employ between 40 to 45 individuals who will assist the 100 or more residents at 
this facility. 
Sean Lake, with Pew and Lake PLC. representing Vermillion Development, 
introduced himself and discussed the location of the site and requested zoning 
district. He provided an overview of the public outreach conducted so far and the 
Attachment C

positive public feedback received. The conceptual site plan depicts the layout of the 
assisted living facility that will operate 24-hours and provide housing opportunities 
through various financing methods for all individuals. He discussed the open space 
and amenity locations, including internal trails. The presentation ended by 
describing the conceptual building elevations and various color palettes. 
 
Marcia Busching asked if this development will be fenced and if the facility will 
provide memory care services. She discourages walled developments. 
 
Mr. Lake responded that there will be a fence and wall component to the 
development, but this is still being looked. 
 
Mr. Jolas responded that this will be an assisted living facility with up to 20-percent 
of the building dedicated towards memory care services. 
 
Trent Marchuk asked if there could be any assurances that this site will be 
developed as an assisted living facility and not another permitted use. 
 
Mr. Jolas responded that his company is under contract with the option to purchase 
this property. 
 
Mr. Lake responded that his team can work with staff to review options for this 
development. 
 
Mr. Marchuk stated that most of the facilities from this company are being operated 
in the east coast. Why was South Phoenix selected to be the first facility in Arizona 
for this company? 
 
Mr. Jolas responded that this area was selected following a market study which 
identified the need in this area for similar facilities. 
 
Greg Brownell discussed the future use of the land if it was rezoned. He asked for 
clarification on the type of materials used in this building proposed. 
 
Mr. Jolas responded that they will be using regionally appropriate durable materials 
such as stucco and metal panels. 
 
Mr. Brownell asked what type of fencing material will be used along the Western 
Canal? Open view fencing is better along this use since it protects the views and he 
would encourage wrought iron fencing material along the canal. 
 
Mr. Jolas responded that his team is open to suggestions. 
 
Mr. Brownell prefers the term of “garden area” instead of “community garden” used 
in the stipulations. He discussed various gardening ideas.

Mr. Jolas discussed examples of raised bed garden amenities used in other 
projects to allow those individuals in wheel-chairs to garden. 
 
Gene Holmerud supports wrought iron fencing elements and discussed his 
experience with the canals in this area. He discussed the architecture of another 
project to the east of this site. 
 
Twanna Ray is pleased with the enhanced outreach conducted but would like 
further details about the facilities operated in Indiana by this company. 
 
Mr. Jolas responded that in Arizona, residents of similar facilities have access to a 
Medicare waiver which can be used towards assisted living facility costs. This 
facility will also use the 4-percent tax credit offered by the Arizona Department of 
Housing to keep an affordable rate for residents. 
 
Edward Aldama asked if this will be the first facility in Arizona by this company. 
 
Mr. Jolas responded that this will be the first facility and they had looked across 
Arizona to examine demand for such facilities. 
 
Mr. Holmerud suggested to keep open view fencing along the canals and clarified 
some of his previous comments. 
 
Mr. Marchuk asked if a community benefit agreement was part of this project. 
 
Mr. Jolas responded that this is not part of the project at the moment. 
 
Lee Coleman mentioned that Stipulation No. 6 requires open view fencing along 
the canal. 
 
Chairwoman Daniels opened and closed the public portion of the meeting given 
no requests to speak from the public on this item. She asked for further discussion 
or for a motion to be made on this item. 
 
MOTION – Z-18-21-8 
Mr. Coleman made a motion to approve case Z-18-21-8 per the staff 
recommendation in the staff report. Mr. Holmerud seconded the motion. 
 
VOTE: 
12-0 Motion passes; None in dissent. 
 
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION & STIPULATIONS: 
 
None.