Meeting Minutes

City of El Mirage — Regular Meeting (2026-10-06)

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D R A F T
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF EL MIRAGE
EL MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
10000 N. EL MIRAGE ROAD
6:00 PM - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Minutes
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - meeting called to order at 6:00
p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Chair Commissioner Brian Campbell-Sanderfield; Commissioner Janie Garcia;
Commissioner William Mejia; Alternate Commissioner Thomas George; Alternate
Commissioner Jason Mingura
Absent: P&Z Chairperson Philip Bueno; Commissioner Thomas Gouer
3. ACTION ITEMS
Citizens desiring to speak on an agenda item may do so when called upon by the presiding
officer. Comments shall be limited to three (3) minutes per person and shall be
addressed to the Planning and Zoning Commission as a whole.
1. Consideration and action to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2026, Planning and
Zoning Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Mejia moved to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2026,
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, seconded by Commissioner Garcia.
Motion passed 5/0
2. A public hearing, closure of public hearing to review and provide a recommendation to the
City Council on a request for a conditional use permit for a retail, smoke/vape shop use in
an urban corridor zone at 11713 W Thunderbird Road, El Mirage, AZ 85335.
Vice Chair Campbell-Sanderfield opened the public hearing at 6:02 pm.
Jose Macias, Senior Planner, presented a conditional use permit for a retail vape and
smoke shop located at 11713 W. Thunderbird Road. The building is 4,413 square feet, and
the last known use was an HVAC company. The site is within the Thunderbird Road Core
planning area of the 2020 El Mirage General Plan. The zoning is urban corridor, and the
site is within the Thunderbird Road only district. It is an existing building and is not subject
to the overlay regulations. There are no flood zone issues to be addressed. The official
proposed use is a retail vape and smoke shop, which requires approval of a conditional use
permit before the applicant may proceed with tenant improvements and open the
business. Under the stipulations, the applicant must obtain permits for the tentative
improvements, which include signage and interior upgrades. Staff will work with the
applicant to address any concerns and bring the property up to code, including parking,
signage, trash enclosure, and interior improvements. The Technical Advisory Committee
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has reviewed the application and determined that the project is appropriate to move
forward with public hearings. Staff has received no comments regarding this item.
Mustafa Shanaab, applicant, stated he has one location in operation and is looking to
expand to the City of El Mirage.
Commissioner Mejia asked if there had been adequate public input or any public concerns
or comments from the community that were being considered or observed. Mr. Macias
stated that no comments had been received, and staff followed state law by notifying
neighbors within the 200-foot property line.
Commissioner Garcia stated there was some concern regarding parking and accessible
parking for handicap spots, and the lot carries into a second business. Mr. Shanaab stated
the property is 4000 square feet, but he would not be using the entire property as a retail
shop. There are 8 parking spots available in front of the property. Mr. Macias stated he
would work with the applicant to ensure there is handicap parking and that the number of
required spaces would be recalculated based on the footage used. He has spoken to a real
estate agent regarding the property line issue and was informed it is a civil matter.
Vice Chair Campbell-Sanderfield closed the public hearing at 6:12 p.m.
Commissioner George moved to approve a recommendation to the City Council
the request for a conditional use permit for a retail, smoke/vape shop use in an
urban corridor zone at 11713 W Thunderbird Road, El Mirage, AZ 85335,
seconded by Commissioner Mejia.
Motion passed 5/0
3. A public hearing, closure of public hearing to review and provide a recommendation to the
El Mirage City Council on a request for a conditional use permit for a public art installation
of a large mural on an existing building in a commerce park zoning at 8376 N El Mirage
Rd, El Mirage, AZ 85335.
Vice Chair Campbell-Sanderfield opened the public hearing at 6:14 p.m.
Jose Macias, Senior Planner, presented a request for a conditional use permit for public
art. The proposed mural site is located on an existing building owned by the Arizona
Cannabis Society at 8376 N. El Mirage Road. The property is approximately 1.6 acres and
is situated within the Commerce Industry Park planning area of the 2020 El Mirage
General Plan. The zoning for this area is Commerce Park and falls within the Noise Contour
Zone of Luke Air Force Base and military airport territory. There are no flood items to be
addressed. The current land use is a marijuana establishment, and the proposed use is for
a public art mural. A conditional use permit is necessary for the mural to be installed. The
images will be installed on the east and south walls and on the pillar in front of the
building's entry wall. The Technical Advisory Committee has reviewed the application and
determined that the project is appropriate for public hearings to proceed. The applicant
will be required to consent to the Technical Advisory Committee stipulations per the
memorandum dated August 26, 2026. Luke Air Force Base reviewed the project and
provided comments. No negative impact is anticipated; potential risks were identified, and
those conditions have been incorporated. Staff received one inquiry about the project, with
no additional comments for or against the proposed development.
Ms. Leah Stugan, applicant, stated she is the artist behind the design. The purpose of the
mural is to educate the local community about Arizona's native flowers, beautify the
surrounding areas, and serve as a potential landmark for the community.
Commissioner Mejia asked whether a scissor lift would be used for the project, given its
height, and whether an additional building permit would be needed. Ms. Stugan stated
that a scissor lift, ladder, and potentially scaffolding would be used to complete the
project. Mr. Macias stated that he would need to check with the building official to
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determine whether an additional permit would be required.
Commissioner Garcia asked how long the process would take and what was the comment
that was submitted. Ms. Stugan stated it would take approximately two and a half weeks,
potentially starting October 13th and ending on October 29th. Mr. Macias stated the
comment was an inquiry about what was going on with the mural.
Vice Chair Campbell-Sanderfield closed the public hearing at 6:25 p.m.
Commissioner Mejia moved to approve the recommendation to the El Mirage City
Council on a request for a conditional use permit for a public art installation of a
large mural on an existing building in a commerce park zoning at 8376 N El
Mirage Rd, El Mirage, AZ 85335, seconded by Commissioner Garcia.
Motion passed 5/0
4. STAFF REPORT - The Commission may not discuss or act upon any matter unless the
matter is properly noticed for legal action.
Jose Macias, Senior Planner, stated there will be one item for the October meeting.
Tom Doyle, Economic Development Manager, stated that tonight is his last meeting. He
will be retiring on October 2, 2026.
5. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS - The Commission may not discuss or act upon any matter
unless the matter is properly noticed for legal action.
Commissioner Mejia thanked Mr. Doyle for his years of service and thanked the staff for
tonight's presentations.
Vice Chair Campbell-Sanderfield thanked Mr. Doyle for his dedication and service to the
city. He stated that tonight's meeting would be his last meeting as well. He stated that he
is resigning from the Commission because he will be moving out of the city.
Commissioner Garcia congratulated Mr. Doyle on his retirement and thanked the staff for
the presentation.
Commissioner Mingura congratulated Mr. Doyle on his retirement.
Commissioner George congratulated Mr. Doyle on his retirement.
6. ADJOURNMENT meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
_____________________________________
Brian Campbell-Sanderfield, P&Z Vice Chair
ATTEST:
I hereby certify the aforementioned minutes are a true and accurate record of the Regular P&Z Meeting
held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and a quorum was present.
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