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Report to the Board of Supervisors Prepared by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department Board Hearing Date: February 7, 2024 Case #/Title: Z2023052 – Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery Supervisor District: 3 Applicant/Owner: Jessica Sarkissian, Upfront Planning & Entitlements, LLC / Scenic Foothills, LLC Request: Zone Change with Overlay from Rural-43 to C-2 CUPD Site Location: Generally located at the NWC of Cave Creek Road and Westland Road in the north Phoenix / Cave Creek area Site Size: Approximately 5.27 acres County Island Status: Yes (City of Phoenix) Additional Comments: There are no outstanding concerns from reviewing agencies. The applicant is requesting a zone change with overlay from Rural-43 to C-2 CUPD for the Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery. The existing retail nursery was previously entitled with a Special Use Permit (Z93-43, amended per Z2002024) that expired in 2022.The site is approximately 5.27 acres and is generally located at the northwest corner of Cave Creek Road and Westland Road in the North Phoenix / Cave Creek area. The Vision 2030 Maricopa County Comprehensive Plan designates the site as “Rural Development Area (0 – 1 d.u./ac).” The site is located on a county island within the Phoenix Municipal Planning Area. The Phoenix General Plan designates the site as “Large Lot (0 – 2 d.u./ac),” which “provides for very low density residential uses to protect and preserve low density areas in their present or desired character.” The City of Phoenix did not comment on the request. Staff did receive comments from the Town of Cave Creek, in which the town recommended conditions prohibiting static and digital billboards; restricting the height, area, and illumination of signage; and requiring that any future consideration of a WCF be subject to an SUP. Staff notes that the conditions of approval recommended by the Commission would prohibit digital or illuminated billboards, as well as billboard embellishments and WCFs. The conditions would February 7, 2024 Z2023052 Page 1 of 5 also restrict the height of all structures (including billboards) onsite to 28’. The uses allowed onsite with the CUPD would be limited only to the existing retail nursery and a static, non-illuminated billboard. At the time of the Commission hearing, staff had received one letter of support and 42 letters of opposition to the request. However, the opposition received from within a 300’ radius of the subject site accounts for two property owners with an area of 26,635 square feet. An opposition map is attached. Because less than 20% of parcel acreage and fewer than 20% of parcel numbers within the 300’ buffer have registered opposition to the case, a supermajority vote will not be required. The calculations for Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery are as follows: 4% opposed parcel acreage within 300’ buffer 9% opposed parcel numbers within 300’ buffer Commission Recommendation: On 1/11/23, the Commission voted 8-0 to adopt a motion recommending the Board of Supervisors approve Z2023052 subject to conditions ‘a’ – ‘j’: a. Development of the site shall be in substantial conformance with the zoning exhibit entitled “Zoning Exhibit for Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery,” consisting of one full-size sheets, dated October 20, 2023, and stamped received October 20, 2023, except as modified by the following conditions. A revised zoning exhibit shall be submitted within 30 days of Board approval that reflects substantial conformance with condition ‘d’ as it pertains to the revised C-2 CUPD standards and condition ‘f’ as it pertains to design conditions. Staff may determine slight refinements to remain in substantial conformance with the approved site plan. Minor and major amendments to the site plan will be determined in accordance with Chapter 3 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance. b. Development of the site shall be in substantial conformance with the narrative report entitled “Rezone with Overlay Narrative for Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery”, consisting of seven pages, dated December 2023, and stamped received December 19, 2023, except as modified by the following conditions. A revised narrative shall be submitted within 30 days of Board approval that reflects substantial conformance with condition ‘d’ as it pertains to the revised C-2 CUPD standards and condition ‘f’ as it pertains to design conditions. c. The following Planning Engineering conditions shall apply: 1. Without the submittal of a precise plan of development, no development approval is inferred by this review, including, but not limited to number of proposed buildings, drainage design, access, and roadway alignments. These items will be addressed as development plans progress and are submitted to the County for further review and/or entitlement (i.e., POD). 2. Unless abandoned, no improvements that would inhibit access is permitted within existing Patent Easements within or surrounding the site. February 7, 2024 Z2023052 Page 2 of 5 3. Dedication of right-of-way across the site’s Westland Road frontage is required to provide a half-width of 40 feet measured from the mid-section line. The dedication shall occur within 6 months of BOS approval or prior to the issuance of any building permit(s) for the site, whichever occurs first. 4. Cave Creek Road and N. 52nd Street are within the jurisdiction of the Town of Cave Creek. The applicant will be responsible for coordinating with the Town to review any traffic impact, right-of-way dedication, permitting or roadway improvement requirements needed to provide suitable access to the site. 5. Engineering review of planning and/or zoning cases is for conceptual design only. All development and engineering design shall be in conformance with Section 1205 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance; Drainage Policies and Standards; Floodplain Regulations for Maricopa County; MCDOT Roadway Design Manual; and current engineering policies, standards and best practices at the time of application for construction. d. The following C-2 CUPD standards shall apply: 1. Allowed uses shall be limited to: a. Nurseries (flower and plant sales) provided all incidental equipment and supplies are kept within a completely enclosed building or within an area enclosed on all sides by a solid fence or wall at least six feet in height. No artificial goods, materials, or objects displayed or stored outdoors may be stacked higher than the fence or wall erected. Natural plants displayed, stored, and sold onsite as part of the nursery’s inventory may exceed the height of screening. b. Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to the above. c. One static, non-illuminated billboard 2. Maximum building/structure/billboard height: 28’ 3. Maximum height of exterior lighting: 10’ (six feet within west side setback) 4. Minimum number of parking spaces: one space per 1,250 square feet of retail commercial floor area 5. Surfacing for parking and onsite circulation of plant nurseries and ancillary uses: stabilized decomposed granite except as required for ADA spaces 6. All portions of the perimeter adjacent to residential zoning shall be screened by a fence or wall at least six feet in height. e. The CUPD overlay is applied to restrict the use of the site. Until such time as the site is served by sewer, uses on the site shall only be those acceptable to the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) that can be accommodated by septic systems. A public water system and public sewer system shall be required prior to establishment of any non-residential use that requires potable water. February 7, 2024 Z2023052 Page 3 of 5 f. The following design conditions shall apply: 1. Wireless communication facilities (WCFs), digital billboards, illuminated billboards, and billboard embellishments shall be prohibited. 2. Adjacent to residential uses, all improvements except for landscaping, utilities, and approved pathways shall be located outside the building setbacks. 3. A landscape buffer shall be included within the building setback parallel to 52nd Street. 4. Display or storage of any equipment and supplies incidental to the nursery shall be prohibited within the building setback parallel to 52nd Street. 5. Parking and loading areas shall be prohibited within the building setback parallel to 52nd Street. 6. Vehicle access shall be prohibited along 52nd Street. 7. Screening along the Cave Creek Road frontage shall consist of a combination wrought-iron fence and/or adobe wall at least six feet in height. The fence/wall shall be located outside the ultimate right-of-way and any sight visibility triangles. Live landscaping shall be provided on the external side of the fence/wall to help soften its appearance. 8. There shall be a landscape setback within all territory outside right-of-way as measured within 105’ of the centerline of Cave Creek Road. Within this landscaped setback, there shall be no buildings / structures, including billboards or fences / walls. g. Administrative approval of a plan of development will be required prior to approval and issuance of construction permits to develop and establish use of the site. Prior to issuance of a building permit, written confirmation will be required from the emergency fire protection jurisdiction having authority that the facility has been designed in accordance with their regulations and requirements, and that emergency fire protection service will be provided to the facility. Prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy, local fire protection jurisdiction review and approval will be required. h. Noncompliance with any Maricopa County Regulation shall be grounds for initiating a revocation of this zone change as set forth in the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance. i. The property owners and their successors waive claim for diminution in value if the County takes action to rescind approval due to noncompliance with conditions. j. The granting of this change in use of the property has been at the request of the applicant, with the consent of the landowner. The granting of this approval allows the property to enjoy uses in excess of those permitted by the zoning existing on the date of application, subject to conditions. In the event of the failure to comply with any condition, the property shall revert to the zoning that existed on the date of application. It is, therefore, stipulated and agreed that either revocation due to the failure to comply with any conditions, does not reduce any rights that existed on the date of application to use, divide, sell or possess the property and that there would be no diminution in value of the property from the value February 7, 2024 Z2023052 Page 4 of 5 it held on the date of application due to such revocation of the zone change. The zone change enhances the value of the property above its value as of the date the zone change is granted and reverting to the prior zoning results in the same value of the property as if the zone change had never been granted. Presented by: Nick Schlimm, Planner Reviewed by: Darren Gérard, AICP, Planning Manager Attachments: 1/11/24 P&Z Packet (50 pages) 1/11/24 P&Z Handout (22 pages) 1/16/24 Opposition Map (1 page) Note: 1/11/24 Draft P&Z Minutes are not available as of the writing of this report but can be provided upon request later when available. February 7, 2024 Z2023052 Page 5 of 5 Report to the Planning and Zoning Commission Prepared by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department Case: Z2023052 – Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery Hearing Date: January 11, 2024 Supervisor District: 3 Applicant: Jessica Sarkissian, Upfront Planning & Entitlements, LLC Owner: Scenic Foothills, LLC Request: Zone Change with Overlay from Rural-43 to C-2 CUPD Site Location: Generally located at the NWC of Cave Creek Road and Westland Road in the north Phoenix / Cave Creek area Site Size: Approx. 5.27 acres Density: N/A County Island: Yes (City of Phoenix) County Plan: Maricopa County Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan – Rural Development Area (0 – 1 d.u./ac) Municipal Plan: City of Phoenix – 0 to 2 du/ac – Large Lot Municipal Comments: Town of Cave Creek (2) Support/Opposition: 1 in support / 16 in opposition (18 letters representing 16 people) Recommendation: Approve with conditions Z2023052 Page 1 of 12 Project Summary: 1. The applicant, Jessica Sarkissian of Upfront Planning, is requesting a zone change from Rural-43 to C-2 CUPD to accommodate an existing retail plant nursery at the northwest corner of Cave Creek Road and Westland Road. The subject property, parcel 211-46-032B, has been the location of a wholesale plant nursery since the 1980s. Wholesale plant nurseries are allowed by right in the Rural-43 zoning district, whereas retail plant nurseries require at least intermediate commercial zoning or a special use permit (SUP). An SUP had been approved for a retail nursery onsite in 1994, per case Z93-43, and was subsequently amended in 2002, per case Z2002024. This SUP expired in 2022, twenty years after approval of the major amendment. The retail nursery has since been operating onsite without entitlement. A request for a new SUP had been submitted by the property owner that year, per case Z2022107. However, in 2023, the property owner signed onto this zone change request and the SUP request was withdrawn. Approval of this zone change would restore entitlement to the property for the retail nursery, although the applicant or property owner would then be required to submit a plan of development (POD) for review and approval. 2. The subject parcel is approximately 9.73 acres. However, this request is only to rezone the southernmost 5.27 acres (approximately) of the parcel. The northern portion of the parcel, along with the adjacent parcel 211-46-026, have been subject to a separate request for a zone change from Rural-43 to C-2 CUPD, per case Z2023090. The adjacent rezoning request will entitle the redevelopment of the site as a garage-style condominium facility – a high-end manifestation of a self-storage-type use. As of January 3, 2024, case Z2023090 has been recommended for approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission and is scheduled to be heard by the Board of Supervisors on January 24, 2024. Following approval of Z2023090 and Z2023052 (this request), the subject parcel will be split. The southern portion of the subject parcel will become a new lot of record and will remain in use as a retail nursery. The northern portion of the parcel will be combined with the aforementioned adjacent parcel and redeveloped. 3. Per the zoning exhibit submitted with the application, portions of the southern and eastern boundaries of the subject parcel will be modified to exclude existing rights-of-way when the new lot split parcel is recorded. These rights-of-way include a 33’-wide portion of Westland Road (corresponding with part of an existing patent easement) and what appears to be a culvert adjacent to the Cave Creek Road right-of-way (aside from this culvert, Cave Creek Road is within the Town of Cave Creek’s jurisdiction). Staff notes that Westland Road and 52nd Street (which form the lot’s southern and western boundaries, respectively) are both patent easements and mid-section line roads. As patent easements, each has a half-width of 33’ and must be kept clear unless abandoned. However, as mid-section line roads, each requires a minimum additional setback of 40’ from either side of the centerline for future right-of-way reservation. These 40’-wide reservations must be kept clear regardless of whether the patent easements are abandoned. Per its review of this request, the Planning Engineering division has conditioned approval on the dedication of the entire 40’-half-width of Westland Road along the south lot line. Dedication of this right-of-way will be required within six months of BOS approval or prior to issuance of any building permits, whichever occurs first. 4. The applicant is requesting a CUPD overlay to vary some of the development regulations of the C-2 zoning district, as well as to limit the land uses allowed onsite. Most of these variations have been requested to accommodate existing conditions onsite dating to when the nursery was entitled with an SUP. For example, whereas paved parking and circulation are required with commercial zoning, the applicant is requesting to use stabilized decomposed granite (i.e., gravel with an approved dust control plan) for surfacing of all parking areas and onsite circulation. Asphalt or concrete pavement will still be required for the driveway thresholds themselves within Z2023052 Page 2 of 12 the rights-of-way for Cave Creek Road and Westland Road. A reduction in the required parking ratio for commercial uses – from 1 space per 250 square feet of floor area to 1 space per 1,250 square feet of floor area – has also been requested due to the low traffic generation of the nursery. 5. Furthermore, the applicant is requesting to allow fencing in lieu of a solid wall to provide the required screening of the property from adjacent residential land uses. Per the narrative, current screening onsite is a mix of decorative stone and metal, as well as a six-foot-tall chain link fence that was previously permitted. Historically, the site has been screened with a combination of chain link fencing, decorative wrought-iron fencing, adobe walls, and view-obscuring landscaping. Due to the general cohesiveness of the plant nursery with the surrounding environs, this screening arrangement was approved with previous entitlements. As the use of the site will remain largely the same, the applicant is requesting that the CUPD overlay allow for (at minimum) chain-link fencing along all property lines adjacent to rural or residential zoning, so long as the property continues to be used as a retail nursery. Should the site be redeveloped in the future into a more traditional commercial use, base C-2 screening requirements will apply. 6. Per the request, the CUPD would limit the allowed uses onsite to nurseries (flower and plant sales), feed stores (inside storage only), retail sales of gas (butane or propane), and uses allowed in the C-1 zoning district, as well as accessory buildings or uses incidental to these. The applicant has also requested to allow a static billboard with the CUPD. A summary of the proposed CUPD development standards has been provided in the table below. Note that hobby shops and offices have been requested as allowed uses, although these are included within the uses allowed in the C-1 zoning district. Also note the request to allow outdoor display and storage with the retail nursery use. Per the C-2 development standards for nursery uses, any outdoor display or storage of incidental equipment and supplies must be enclosed on all sides by a solid fence or wall at least six feet in height; likewise, no goods, materials, or objects may be stacked higher than the fence or wall erected. As this is a condition of the use itself as written in the MCZO, it may not be waived with the CUPD. Development Standards Base C-2 Development Proposed C-2 CUPD Standards Development Standards Front Yard 25’ (adj. to rural/residential) 25’ (adj. to rural/residential) Side Yard 10’ (adj. to rural/residential) 10’ (adj. to rural/residential) Street Side Yard 10’ (adj. to rural/residential) 10’ (adj. to rural/residential) Rear Yard 0’ (adj. to commercial) 0’ (adj. to commercial) 25’ (adj. to rural/residential) 25’ (adj. to rural/residential) Max. Building Height 40’ (or 1’ less for each foot 40’ (or 1’ less for each foot closer than 40’ to closer than 40’ to rural/residential zoning) rural/residential zoning) Driveway Surface Material Paved Parking Stabilized Decomposed Granite Parking Requirements 1 per 250 sq. ft. of floor area 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. of floor area 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. of outside 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. of outside display area display area 1 per 100 sq. ft. of outdoor 1 per 100 sq. ft. of outdoor seating area seating area Z2023052 Page 3 of 12 Site Enclosure and Screening 6’ solid wall 6’ fence (nursery, feed store, butane/propane sales, and accessory uses only) 6’ solid wall (C-1 uses) Permitted Uses See MCZO Art. 804.2 for Uses allowed in C-1 allowed uses Nurseries, flower and plant sales, wholesale and retail; including outdoor display and storage Feed stores with inside storage Retail sales of butane or propane gas Hobby shop Non-illuminated Billboards per MCZO except limited to 28’ height Office Accessory buildings/uses incidental to the above Z2023052 Page 4 of 12 2023 aerial image Rural-43 zoning district and surrounding zoning districts Z2023052 Page 5 of 12 Excerpt from land use exhibit Existing On-Site and Adjacent Zoning / Land Use: 7. On-site: Rural-43 / Wholesale and Retail Plant Nursery North: C-2 CUPD (Pending BOS Approval of Z2023090) / nonresidential garage/storage units with an associated clubhouse South: S-1 (City of Phoenix) / vacant East: DR-43 (Town of Cave Creek) / church, vacant, and single-family residential West: R-35 (Town of Cave Creek) / single-family residential Utilities and Services: Z2023052 Page 6 of 12 8. Water: Town of Cave Creek Wastewater: Septic School District: Cave Creek Unified School District Fire: Rural Metro Fire Department Police: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Right-of-Way: 9. The following table includes existing and proposed half-width right-of-way and the future classification based upon the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Major Streets and Routes Plan. Street Name Half-width Existing R/W Half-width Proposed R/W Future Classification Cave Creek 55’ 55’ Principal Arterial Road Westland Road 33’ (R/W and patent 40’ Minor Collector easement) 52nd Street 33’ (patent easement) 40’ (required mid-section N/A line buffer) Adopted Plans: 10. 2015 Phoenix General Plan (land use map updated November 2023): The City of Phoenix General Plan designates the site as “Large Lot (0 – 2 du/acre).” This land use category “provides for very low density residential uses to protect and preserve low density areas in their present or desired character.” Public Participation Summary: 11. The applicant complied with the requirements of the Citizen Review Process with the required posting of the property and notification by first-class mail to interested parties and adjacent property owners within 300’ of the subject site. 12. Staff received 18 letters of concern or opposition regarding the request, with most of these letters specifically referencing the request to allow a billboard (staff notes that only two of these letters have originated from properties within 300 feet of the subject site). Originally, the applicant had proposed allowing an illuminated billboard onsite, with the required distance from rural/residential zoning reduced to 39 feet with the CUPD (where a minimum of 150 feet is required for digital or illuminated billboards in commercial zoning districts). The applicant has since revised the narrative and is no longer requesting to vary the distance requirements for illuminated billboards. 13. Of the 18 letters of concern or opposition received, 13 directly referenced opposition to allowing a billboard on the property, with 11 of these letters specifically including opposition to an illuminated billboard or concerns with lighting in general. Many of these letters specifically noted that the local community observes Dark Sky practices, with neighbors expressing their fears that an illuminated billboard or the possibility of future redevelopment would inhibit the intent of maintaining a Dark Sky community. 14. Additional concerns that surfaced in multiple letters received included opposition to cell towers, multi-family redevelopment, allowing butane/propane sales, and allowing access to the site via 52nd Street (which separates the site from the adjacent Saguaro West subdivision). One letter Z2023052 Page 7 of 12 expressed opposition to allowing a feed store, as there are other feed stores nearby, and another letter expressed opposition to allowing a gas station. Staff notes that, while the applicant’s narrative did not specifically mention allowing gas stations or multi-family development (and has been revised to eliminate reference to cell towers), these uses would be allowed as C-1 uses, which were requested. 15. Several of the letters received expressed explicit opposition to the zone change request, with some arguing that reviving the SUP would have been more appropriate. Some of these letters, however, expressed a willingness to support the zone change if additional stipulations were recommended. Some neighbors specifically referenced the stipulations recommended for case Z2023090 and requested that very similar stipulations be recommended for this case. Among the requested conditions were restricting the use of the site exclusively to the nursery, prohibiting billboards and cell towers, prohibiting access from 52nd Street, prohibiting parking or loading areas along or within the setback adjacent to 52nd Street, requiring a landscape buffer (e.g., planting box trees) within the building setback along 52nd Street, and requiring that all material sales and storage be kept behind screening and out of setbacks. 16. Staff did receive one letter expressing general support for the zone change. All letters of support, concern, and opposition received as of the writing of this staff report have been attached. 17. Staff also received correspondence from a Senior Planner with the Town of Cave Creek on December 19, 2023, inquiring about where to find application documents for this request as well as for case Z2023090. This was followed by correspondence received from the Development Services Director with Cave Creek on December 21, 2023, advising that Cave Creek staff would “review and discuss the associated applications and prepare comments for the record where necessary.” As of the writing of this staff report, no further correspondence has been received from Cave Creek. To date, no correspondence has been received from the City of Phoenix regarding this request. Outstanding Concerns from Reviewing Agencies: 18. N/A Staff Analysis: 19. Staff supports the request for a zone change to allow the retail nursery to continue operating onsite with the required entitlement. The continued use of the site as a retail plant nursery provides a fitting low-intensity commercial use for the surrounding community. As such, it provides a smooth and appropriate transition of land uses between the surrounding residential properties and the general commercial areas further north. The nursery also acts as a buffer between Cave Creek Road on the east side and the neighborhoods to the west. The quiet and agrarian nature of the site also makes the current use an appropriate one along Cave Creek Road, where preservation of a scenic character is strongly encouraged. The location of the site at the intersections of two mid-section line roads (52nd Street and Westland Road) and a major arterial (Cave Creek Road) make it an appropriate location for limited commercial zoning. Furthermore, limits placed on the types of commercial uses allowed will ensure that the site continues to provide a smooth transition between the surrounding neighborhoods and the more intense commercial uses nearby. 20. To alleviate concerns from neighboring property owners, staff recommends further restricting the uses allowed onsite with the CUPD. Due to significant neighborhood opposition to increased Z2023052 Page 8 of 12 commercial development in the area, staff recommends limiting the allowed uses onsite exclusively to retail nurseries (flower and plant sales), buildings and uses ancillary to the nursery, and a static, non-illuminated billboard. Staff also supports establishing height restrictions for buildings as well as for exterior illumination, in line with those recommended per case Z2023090. This would establish a maximum building/structure height of 28’, as well as a maximum height of 10’ for all exterior lighting. Within the west side building setback, the maximum height for lighting would be reduced to six feet. Staff supports adding additional stipulations to address concerns regarding access, screening, and landscaping along 52nd Street. 21. Regarding screening in particular, staff notes that one of the stipulations originally approved for Z2002024 included a specific requirement that screening along Cave Creek Road consist of a combination wrought-iron fence and/or adobe wall located outside the ultimate right-of-way and any sight visibility triangles, with live landscaping required on the external side of the wall or fence to “help soften its appearance.” Staff supports reviving this stipulation for this request. 22. Originally, the applicant requested that an illuminated billboard be allowed with the CUPD, with the required separation distance from rural/residential zoning reduced to 39 feet. After public outreach and following discussions between staff and the applicant, staff recommends restricting the uses allowed onsite to prohibit illuminated and/or digital billboards, as well as billboard embellishments. This will alleviate concerns from neighboring residents regarding light pollution in the surrounding dark sky community. It will also alleviate the visual impact along Cave Creek Road, along which preserving the existing natural and scenic quality is of particular interest and along which billboard development has been minimal to date. The proposed location of the billboard would be along the east lot line of the subject property, although it must be placed outside the required 105’ road setback measured from the centerline of Cave Creek Road intended for landscaping. If placed adjacent to this road setback, the proposed billboard would be located at least 100’ away from the nearest residential zoning district boundary or parcel boundary of a residential use in a rural zoning district, as required per MCZO Article 1403.3.1.B.1. Recommendation: 23. Staff recommends the Commission adopt a motion recommending that the Board of Supervisors approve Z2023052 subject to the following conditions ‘a’ – ‘j’: a. Development of the site shall be in substantial conformance with the zoning exhibit entitled “Zoning Exhibit for Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery,” consisting of one full-size sheets, dated October 20, 2023, and stamped received October 20, 2023, except as modified by the following conditions. A revised zoning exhibit shall be submitted within 30 days of Board approval that reflects substantial conformance with condition ‘d’ as it pertains to the revised C-2 CUPD standards and condition ‘f’ as it pertains to design conditions. Staff may determine slight refinements to remain in substantial conformance with the approved site plan. Minor and major amendments to the site plan will be determined in accordance with Chapter 3 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance. b. Development of the site shall be in substantial conformance with the narrative report entitled “Rezone with Overlay Narrative for Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery”, consisting of seven pages, dated December 2023, and stamped received December 19, 2023, except as modified by the following conditions. A revised narrative shall be submitted within 30 days of Board approval that reflects substantial conformance with condition ‘d’ as it pertains to the revised C-2 CUPD standards and condition ‘f’ as it pertains to design conditions. Z2023052 Page 9 of 12 c. The following Planning Engineering conditions shall apply: 1. Without the submittal of a precise plan of development, no development approval is inferred by this review, including, but not limited to number of proposed buildings, drainage design, access, and roadway alignments. These items will be addressed as development plans progress and are submitted to the County for further review and/or entitlement (i.e., POD). 2. Unless abandoned, no improvements that would inhibit access is permitted within existing Patent Easements within or surrounding the site. 3. Dedication of right-of-way across the site’s Westland Road frontage is required to provide a half-width of 40 feet measured from the mid-section line. The dedication shall occur within 6 months of BOS approval or prior to the issuance of any building permit(s) for the site, whichever occurs first. 4. Cave Creek Road and N. 52nd Street are within the jurisdiction of the Town of Cave Creek. The applicant will be responsible for coordinating with the Town to review any traffic impact, right-of-way dedication, permitting or roadway improvement requirements needed to provide suitable access to the site. 5. Engineering review of planning and/or zoning cases is for conceptual design only. All development and engineering design shall be in conformance with Section 1205 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance; Drainage Policies and Standards; Floodplain Regulations for Maricopa County; MCDOT Roadway Design Manual; and current engineering policies, standards and best practices at the time of application for construction. d. The following C-2 CUPD standards shall apply: 1. Allowed uses shall be limited to: a. Nurseries (flower and plant sales) provided all incidental equipment and supplies are kept within a completely enclosed building or within an area enclosed on all sides by a solid fence or wall at least six feet in height. No artificial goods, materials, or objects displayed or stored outdoors may be stacked higher than the fence or wall erected. Natural plants displayed, stored, and sold onsite as part of the nursery’s inventory may exceed the height of screening. b. Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to the above. c. One static, non-illuminated billboard 2. Maximum building/structure/billboard height: 28’ 3. Maximum height of exterior lighting: 10’ (six feet within west side setback) 4. Minimum number of parking spaces: one space per 1,250 square feet of retail commercial floor area Z2023052 Page 10 of 12 5. Surfacing for parking and onsite circulation of plant nurseries and ancillary uses: stabilized decomposed granite except as required for ADA spaces 6. All portions of the perimeter adjacent to residential zoning shall be screened by a fence or wall at least six feet in height. e. The CUPD overlay is applied to restrict the use of the site. Until such time as the site is served by sewer, uses on the site shall only be those acceptable to the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) that can be accommodated by septic systems. A public water system and public sewer system shall be required prior to establishment of any non-residential use that requires potable water. f. The following design conditions shall apply: 1. Wireless communication facilities (WCFs), digital billboards, illuminated billboards, and billboard embellishments shall be prohibited. 2. Adjacent to residential uses, all improvements except for landscaping, utilities, and approved pathways shall be located outside the building setbacks. 3. A landscape buffer shall be included within the building setback parallel to 52nd Street. 4. Display or storage of any equipment and supplies incidental to the nursery shall be prohibited within the building setback parallel to 52nd Street. 5. Parking and loading areas shall be prohibited within the building setback parallel to 52nd Street. 6. Vehicle access shall be prohibited along 52nd Street. 7. Screening along the Cave Creek Road frontage shall consist of a combination wrought-iron fence and/or adobe wall at least six feet in height. The fence/wall shall be located outside the ultimate right-of-way and any sight visibility triangles. Live landscaping shall be provided on the external side of the fence/wall to help soften its appearance. 8. There shall be a landscape setback within all territory outside right-of-way as measured within 105’ of the centerline of Cave Creek Road. Within this landscaped setback, there shall be no buildings / structures, including billboards or fences / walls. g. Administrative approval of a plan of development will be required prior to approval and issuance of construction permits to develop and establish use of the site. Prior to issuance of a building permit, written confirmation will be required from the emergency fire protection jurisdiction having authority that the facility has been designed in accordance with their regulations and requirements, and that emergency fire protection service will be provided to the facility. Prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy, local fire protection jurisdiction review and approval will be required. Z2023052 Page 11 of 12 h. Noncompliance with any Maricopa County Regulation shall be grounds for initiating a revocation of this zone change as set forth in the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance. i. The property owners and their successors waive claim for diminution in value if the County takes action to rescind approval due to noncompliance with conditions. j. The granting of this change in use of the property has been at the request of the applicant, with the consent of the landowner. The granting of this approval allows the property to enjoy uses in excess of those permitted by the zoning existing on the date of application, subject to conditions. In the event of the failure to comply with any condition, the property shall revert to the zoning that existed on the date of application. It is, therefore, stipulated and agreed that either revocation due to the failure to comply with any conditions, does not reduce any rights that existed on the date of application to use, divide, sell or possess the property and that there would be no diminution in value of the property from the value it held on the date of application due to such revocation of the zone change. The zone change enhances the value of the property above its value as of the date the zone change is granted and reverting to the prior zoning results in the same value of the property as if the zone change had never been granted. Presented by: Nick Schlimm, Planner Reviewed by: Matthew Holm, AICP, Planning Supervisor Attachments: Case Map (1 page) Zoning Exhibit (reduced 8.5”x11”, 1 page) Narrative Report (7 pages) MCESD comments (1 page) DPR comments (2 pages) Correspondence from Cave Creek (3 pages) Letters of opposition (22 pages) Letter of support (1 page) Z2023052 Page 12 of 12 E CAREFREE HWY ZONING EXHIBIT FOR PKWY DESERT FOOTHILLS GARDENS NURSERY MOUNTAIN STR PORTION OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 8, TOWNSHIP 5 NORTH, RANGE 4 EAST 52ND SITE OF GILA AND SALT BASE AND MERIDIAN, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA BLACK N REQUEST TO REZONE FROM RU-43 TO C-2 CUPD N 8 STR 56TH STR N 48TH N E DOVE VALLEY RD VICINITY MAP NOT TO SCALE PARCEL DESCRIPTION THAT PORTION OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 8, TOWNSHIP 5 NORTH, RANGE 4 EAST OF THE GILA AND SALT RIVER BASE AND MERIDIAN, MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA, LYING NORTHWESTERLY OF CAVE CREEK ROAD AS SHOWN IN BOOK 3 OF ROAD MAPS, PAGE 20, RECORDS OF SAID COUNTY AND LYING NORTHWESTERLY OF THOSE CERTAIN PARCELS DESCRIBED IN THE FINAL ORDER OF CONDEMNATION RECORDED SEPTEMBER 04, 2001 AS 2001-0816599, RECORDS OF SAID COUNTY BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE CENTER (BRASS CAP FLUSH) OF SAID SECTION 8, FROM WHICH THE NORTH QUARTER CORNER (BRASS CAP IN HANDHOLE) OF SAID SECTION 8 BEARS NORTH 00 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 50 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 2644.18 Ltd FEET: Ltd THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 50 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID NORTHEAST QUARTER Group A Blvd 85305 Group DISTANCE OF 535.00 FEET; 629-8830 Sunset 325 THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 57 MINUTES 10 SECONDS EAST A DISTANCE OF 186.00 FEET; Consulting Arizona (480) www.bowman.com Consulting North Suite THENCE ALONG A NON-TANGENT ARC 389.87 FEET TO THE RIGHT, HAVING A RADIUS OF 4500.00 FEET, THE CHORD OF WHICH IS SOUTH 83 DEGREES 43 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST FOR A DISTANCE OF 389.75 FEET TO THE NORTHWESTERLY LINE OF 6751 SAID Glendale, Phone: Bowman CERTAIN PARCELS; Bowman © THE FOLLOWING 9 COURSED RUN ALONG SAID NORTHWESTERLY LINE THENCE SOUTH 27 DEGREES 27 MINUTES 40 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 426.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 72 DEGREES 33 MINUTES 51 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 28.23 FEET; COUNTY THENCE NORTH 62 DEGREES 32 MINUTES 20 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 30.49 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 27 DEGREES 27 MINUTES 40 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 33.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 62 DEGREES 32 MINUTES 20 SECONDS EAST A DISTANCE OF 50.49 FEET; HENCE SOUTH 27 DEGREES 27 MINUTES 40 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 43.91 FEET; STREET THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 44 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 4.66 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 57 MINUTES 41 SECONDS WEST A DISTANCE OF 163.00 FEET; MARICOPA NURSERY THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 02 MINUTES 44 SECONDS EAST A DISTANCE OF 33.00 FEET TO THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID NORTHEAST QUARTER; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 57 MINUTES 41 SECONDS WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE A DISTANCE OF 168.88 FEET 52ND TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. FOR RD N CREEK OWNER ENGINEER AUTHORIZED AGENT EXHIBIT SCENIC FOOTHILLS, LLC BOWMAN CONSULTING UPFRONT PLANNING & ENTITLEMENTS LLC ROAD 36622 LAXY LN 6751 NORTH SUNSET BLVD, SUITE 325 1811 S. ALMA SCHOOL ROAD SUITE 283 CAREFREE, ARIZONA 85377 GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85305 MESA, ARIZONA 85210 FOOTHILLS CAVE PHONE (480) 629-8830 PHONE (480) 221-6150 CONTACT JOE CABLE CONTACT JESSICA SARKISSIAN PHONE: jcable@bowman.com EMAIL jessica@upfrontplanning.com ZONING N CREEK SITE DATA PARCEL ADDRESS 33840 N CAVE CREEK RD 33840 CAVE CREEK, ARIZONA 85331 ARIZONA CAVE APN 211-46-032B NET AREA 205,197 sf GROSS AREA 229,464 sf N EXISTING ZONING RU-43 (IN UNINCORPORATED MARICOPA COUNTY TO BE ANNEXED INTO TOWN OF CAVE CREEK) DESERT CREEK, PROPOSED ZONING C-2 CUPD CAVE UTILITY COMMITMENT TABLE WATER TOWN OF CAVE CREEK Z2023052 SEWER SEPTIC SYSTEM FIRE RURAL METRO FIRE DEPARTMENT POLICE MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ELECTRICITY ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE (APS) NATURAL GAS SOUTHWEST GAS TELEPHONE LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES (CENTURY LINK) REFUSE WASTE MANAGEMENT SCHOOL DISTRICT CAVE CREEK UNIFIED #93 CAVE CREEK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMERCIAL UNIT PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT SITE BENCHMARK FOUND BRASS CAP IN HANDHOLE AT CENTER OF SEC. 8 T5N R4E PROPOSED (C-2 CUPD) ELEVATION = 2002.23 REGULATION BASE (C-2) REGULATIONS REGULATIONS FRONT YARD 25' (adj. to rural/ residential) 25' (adj. to rural/ residential) SIDE YARD 10' (adj. to rural/ residential) 10' (adj. to rural/ residential) STREET SIDE YARD 10' (adj. to rural/ residential) 10' (adj. to rural/ residential) LEGEND . 0' (adj. to commercial) 0' (adj. to commercial) PROPERTY LINE REAR YARD 25' (adj. to rural/ residential) 25' (adj. to rural/ residential) SECTION LINE 40' (or 1' less for each foot closer than 40' (or 1' less for each foot closer than MAX. BUILDING HEIGHT 40' to rural/ residential) 40' to rural/ residential) EASEMENT LINE CENTER LINE 1 per 250 sq. ft. of floor area 1 per 1250 sq. ft. of floor area PARKING 1 per 5000 sq. ft. of outside display area 1 per 5000 sq. ft. of outside display area RIGHT OF WAY LINE DD PC JC 1 per 100 sq. ft. of outdoor seating area 1 per 1000 sq. ft. of outdoor seating area BRASS CAP IN HANDHOLE LOADING 1 per 25000 sq. ft. of floor area 1 per 25000 sq. ft. of floor area REBAR AS NOTED 1" = 40' Z2023052 BRASS CAP AS NOTED SURFACE (PARKING & ONSITE) paving (asphalt/ concrete) stabilized decomposed granite 050635-00097 RIGHT OF WAY SURFACE (DRIVEWAYS) paving (asphalt/ concrete) paving (asphalt/ concrete) PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT Call at least two full working days 10/20/23 before you begin excavation. # 6' fence (nurseries, feed stores and EASEMENT E WESTLAND ROAD SCREENING 6' solid wall accessory uses only) EDGE OF PAVEMENT Arizona Blue Stake, Inc. SP01 6' solid wall (C-1 uses) Dial 8-1-1 or 1-800-STAKE-IT (782-5348) CASE BUILDING SETBACK LINE In Maricopa County: (602) 263-1100 1 1 Rezone Narrative Maricopa County REZONE WITH OVERLAY NARRATIVE FOR Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery Case Number: Z2023052 Submitted to: Maricopa County Planning Department 301 West Jefferson St, Suite 170 Phoenix, AZ 85003 Prepared by: Upfront Planning & Entitlements, LLC Ph: (480) 221-6150 Email: Jessica@upfrontplanning.com December 2023 1 Rezone Narrative Maricopa County SITE 33840 N Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 1. REQUEST Upfront Planning & Entitlements, LLC is pleased to submit for your consideration a rezone request for a portion of Parcel 211-46-032B (the “Property”). The property is located at 33840 N. Cave Creek Road at the northwest corner of Cave Creek Road and Westland Road. The property is approximately 5.27 acres and will be split from the larger existing parcel following County approval of the rezone request. The property is located on a county island between the City of Phoenix and the Town of Cave Creek. The owner requests to rezone the property from Rural-43 to C-2 (Intermediate Commercial) with a CUPD overlay to allow the continuation of an existing retail nursery. A wholesale nursery has been in place since 1985, and the retail nursery since 1995, following approval of a Special Use Permit which has since expired. Following County approval of this rezone request, a Plan of Development will be submitted for review by the County. 2. PROPOSAL The property owner requests a rezoning from Rural-43 to C-2 CUPD to allow the site to continue operating as a retail and wholesale plant nursery. Although wholesale plant nurseries are allowed by-right with Rural-43 zoning, retail plant nurseries require at least C-2 zoning or a Special Use Permit. The retail nursery opened in 1995 after having been entitled with an SUP (Z93-43), which was approved in 1994 and amended in 2002 (per Z2002024). This SUP expired in 2022, twenty years following approval of the Major Amendment. Approval of this zone change request will entitle the continued use of this site as a retail nursery. The required Plan of Development will be submitted for separate review after approval. Outdoor storage and display areas are located throughout the site. Shoppers walk through these areas 2 Rezone Narrative Maricopa County to view and purchase items and consult with onsite designers. The site also includes a retail sales building and various small structures, including shade canopies over display areas, small buildings for storage of soils and materials, and a greenhouse. All of these structures are accessory to the retail nursery. The site will continue to operate as a retail plant nursery with outdoor display and storage areas. No changes to the existing buildings or signage are currently proposed, and they will remain unchanged unless otherwise modified with the subsequent POD. However, the owners hope to expand their clientele and provide additional services, including the sale of landscape materials and enhancements (for example, stoneware and outdoor fountains), as well as the sale of feed for customers who keep small animals (such as chickens) on their properties. Even with these additional services, the character and operation of the site will remain largely unchanged and will continue to respect the surrounding rural and scenic character of the area. All lighting onsite will continue to adhere to MCZO Section 1112. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM with approximately 15 employees Monday through Friday and approximately 7 on the weekends, weather permitting. Current screening is a mix of decorative stone and metal, as well as a six-foot-tall chain link fence which was previously permitted. Following approval of this rezone request and subsequent approval of a POD, all property lines of the new lot split parcel will be screened to a minimum height of six feet. Although base C-2 regulations require at least six-foot solid walls adjacent to rural or residential zoning, the site has historically been screened with a combination of chain link fencing, decorative wrought-iron fencing, adobe walls, and view-obscuring landscaping and wishes to continue as such. Due to the general cohesiveness of the plant nursery with the surrounding environs, this screening arrangement was approved with previous entitlements. As the use of the site will remain largely the same, it is requested that the CUPD overlay allow for (at minimum) chain-link fencing along all property lines adjacent to rural or residential zoning, so long as the property continues to be used as a retail nursery. Should the site be redeveloped in the future into a more traditional commercial use, base C-2 screening requirements will apply. Parking is currently provided next to the retail building, accessible from Cave Creek Road. Parking is also accessible from Westland Road. Stabilized decomposed granite (DG) is provided for all parking and circulation onsite, for which a water truck is used on an as-needed basis to maintain dust control. This use of stabilized DG, as opposed to traditional paving, is preferred for the site because it blends well with the surrounding rural land uses and contributes to the scenic character of the area. The continued use of DG would remain largely unchanged from the long-existing use of the property. Nonetheless, asphalt or concrete paving will be provided for the driveways at Cave Creek and Westland Roads. Table 1 – Development Standards Development Base C-2 Development Standards Proposed C-2 CUPD Standards Development Standards Front Yard – Abutting 25-feet 25-feet residential (Adj. to rural/ residential) (Adj. to rural/ residential) Side Yard – abutting 10-feet 10-feet Residential (Adj. to rural/ residential) (Adj. to rural/ residential) Street Side Yard – 10-feet 10-feet abutting Residential (Adj. to rural/ residential) (Adj. to rural/ residential) Rear Yard Setback 0’ (adj. to commercial) 0’ (adj. to commercial) 3 Rezone Narrative Maricopa County adjacent to 25 feet 25 feet Residential (Adj. to rural/ residential) (Adj. to rural/ residential) Max. Building Height 40’ (or 1’ less for each foot closer than 40’ (or 1’ less for each foot closer 40’ to rural/residential zoning than 40’ to rural/residential zoning Driveway surface Paved parking Stabilized Decomposed Granite material Parking Requirements 1 per 250 sq. ft. of floor area 1 per 1,250 sq. ft. of floor area 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. of outside display area 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. of outside 1 per 100 sq. ft. of outdoor seating area display area 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of outdoor seating area Site Enclosure and A 6’ solid wall A 6’ fence (nurseries, feed stores, Screening – whether and accessory uses only) abutting a Rural 6’ solid wall (C-1 uses) zoning district or not Permitted Uses See MCZO Art. 804.2 for allowed uses Uses allowed in C-1 Plant Nurseries, flower and plant sales, wholesale and retail; including outdoor display and storage Feed Stores with inside storage retail sales of Butane or Propane Gas; does not include automotive gas stations Hobby Shop Billboards per MCZO Office Accessory buildings/ uses incidental to the above 3. RELATIONSHIP TO SURROUNDING PROPERTIES The site is located on a county island between the City of Phoenix and the Town of Cave Creek, within the Phoenix Municipal Planning Area. We have reached out to Phoenix regarding this request and have not yet received a response. The parcels immediately surrounding the property consist of rural or single-family zoning within the jurisdictions of Maricopa County, Phoenix, and Cave Creek. There is nearby general commercial zoning within Cave Creek further to the north (along Carefree Highway) and the southeast (kitty corner to the property across Cave Creek and Westland Roads). The continued use of the site as a retail plant nursery provides a fitting low-intensity commercial use for the surrounding community. As such, it provides a smooth and appropriate transition of land uses between the surrounding rural/residential properties and the general commercial areas further north. The nursery also acts as a buffer between Cave Creek Road on the east side and the residences to the west. The quiet and agrarian nature of the site also makes the current use an appropriate one along Cave Creek Road, where preservation of a scenic character is strongly encouraged. 4 Rezone Narrative Maricopa County Parcels to the north of the site are zoned Rural-43 (County) and DR-43 (Cave Creek), with General Commercial (GC) zoning further to the north within Cave Creek. The parcels to the east and west have also been incorporated within Cave Creek, with DR-43 zoning to the east across Cave Creek Road and R-35 zoning to the west. Across Westland Road to the south is City of Phoenix jurisdiction, with Suburban – Ranch or Farm Residence (S-1) zoning. The north half of the subject parcel, which will be split from the project site and is therefore not subject to this request, is currently zoned Rural-43, but is undergoing review of a separate case to change the zoning to C-2 with a CUPD overlay. The location of the site at the intersections of two mid-section line roads (52nd Street and Westland Road) and a major arterial (Cave Creek Road) make it an ideal location for limited commercial zoning. Furthermore, limits placed on the types of commercial uses allowed will ensure that the site continues to provide an orderly transition between the surrounding residential uses and the more intense general commercial uses nearby. The Comprehensive/ General Plan Land Use classifications, along with the existing zoning and uses for the parcels adjacent to the Property, are listed in the following table: Adjacent Land Uses Direction Existing Zoning Comp/ General Plan Land Existing Use Use Rural-43 (Maricopa Rural (Maricopa County) single-family residential North County) East Mixed Use (Cave Creek) DR-43 (Cave Creek) church, vacant, and single-family residential South 1-2 du/ac – Large Lot S-1 (Phoenix) vacant (Phoenix) West Medium Residential 1 single-family residential R-35 (Cave Creek) (Cave Creek) 5 Rezone Narrative Maricopa County 4. LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY Three driveways will continue to provide safe access to the site. Two of these driveways are located along the east and south lot lines, providing customers access to the site from Cave Creek Road and Westland Road, respectively. A third driveway located along the west lot line provides employee and service access from 52nd Street. A 25’ x 25’ sight visibility triangle (SVT) will be maintained on either side of each driveway entrance/exit and will be kept clear of obstructions to visibility exceeding two feet in height. Cave Creek Road and 52nd Street are within Town of Cave Creek jurisdiction. We will coordinate with the Town to review any traffic impact, right-of-way dedication, permitting, or roadway improvement requirements needed to continue providing access to the site. This will be coordinated prior to or during review of the Plan of Development. There are multiple existing patent easements located on the parcel. One is located to the north of the proposed lot split area and will therefore not be located within the project site. The remaining two patent easements are located along the western and southern boundaries of the site (along 52nd Street and Westland Road, respectively). These easements shall remain free and clear of any obstructions that would otherwise inhibit access. 5. CIRCULATION SYSTEM Vehicles safely navigate the property by parking once they have entered any of the three forementioned entrances. Emergency vehicles have enough space to pull in and out of the parking lots as well as park in case of an emergency. The main customer parking areas are located off of Cave Creek Road and Westland Road with the employee and service entrances off of 52nd St. A POD will be submitted at a later time. 6. DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE The site is an existing commercial plant nursery that was previously entitled with a Special Use Permit. Following approval of this zone change request, a Plan of Development will be submitted for review. Any changes to the existing development onsite will be reviewed upon submittal of the POD. The property owners intend to continue operating the site in much the same manner as it has been operating since its establishment. 7. COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES The project is located within the Cave Creek Unified School District (No. 93). The nearby Black Mountain Elementary School and Cactus Shadows High School, as well as the Bella Vista College Preparatory School, are located within a mile to the southeast of the site. Dove Valley Park, a neighborhood park, is located within a mile to the southwest. The project is not anticipated to generate any impact on these nearby amenities. Water Town of Cave Creek Sewer Septic Police Maricopa County Sheriff Fire Rural Metro Fire Electric APS Natural Gas Southwest Gas Telephone Cox / Century Link Refuse Waste Management 6 Rezone Narrative Maricopa County 8. CONCLUSION The proposed rezoning will allow the site to continue operating as both a retail and a wholesale nursery, with the retail nursery having been established over 35 years ago. The rezoning will also allow the retail nursery to expand its services to include the sale of landscaping materials and enhancements. Even so, any such expansion will not alter the overall character of the existing nursery and will have no negative impact on the surrounding community. The site is located off Cave Creek Road, just south of Carefree Highway. This makes it an ideal location for C- 2 zoning and the types of limited commercial uses that would best serve the community without disturbing the ambiance created by the surrounding desert. This rezoning will allow the parcel to be used to its highest and best use and will usher a smooth transition between the surrounding rural/residential zoning and the general commercial zoning nearby to the north. 7 Water and Waste Management Division Subdivision Infrastructure & Planning Program Project Name: - Desert Foothills Gardens Primary Contact Name: Jessica 301 W. Jefferson St. Nursery Sarkissian Phoenix, AZ 85003 Planning Application Type: Zone Change APN(s): 211-46-032B S u b d i vi s io n @ m a ri co p a .go v with Overlay e s d .m a r i c o pa .g o v Reviewer: Souren Naradikian, P.E. Planner Name: Nick Schlimm Email: Souren.Naradikian@maricopa.gov Planning Case #: Z2023052 Phone: 602-372-2907 Date: May 30, 2023 The Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) has completed review for the - Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery planning case(s). Please note the following MCESD requirements for site development: Onsite Wastewater – A Minor Plan Review application must be submitted for any existing system(s) if being utilized and if the applicant believes the existing system(s) are adequate in size to support the new use; otherwise, a new septic permit/install may be required. For Onsite Wastewater related questions, please contact the Onsite Program at (602) 506- 6666 or by email at septicquestions@maricopa.gov. Subdivision and Infrastructure – An Approval to Construct application is required and must be submitted to MCESD’s Subdivision & Infrastructure Program for water, reclaimed water and/or wastewater system infrastructure. For subdivision related questions, please contact the Subdivision and Infrastructure Program at (602) 506-1058 or email subdivision@maricopa.gov. Additional Notes – Environmental Services does not require these items for condition of approval of Z2023052, however these items must be addressed with the development of the site. Environmental Services does not require additional review of this case. *It should be noted that this document does not approve the referenced project. Comments are provided for the benefit of the applicant for MCESD permit requirements and as an advisory to Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. Other Maricopa County agencies may have additional requirements. Final review and approval will be made through Planning and Development Department procedures. Applicant may need to submit separate applications to the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department for approval of proposed facilities regulated by the Department. Review of any such application will be based on current regulations at the time of application. Page | 1 Planning & Development Engineering Plan Review Date: November 2, 2023 Bob Fedorka, PE Planning & Development 301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 170 Memo To: Darren Gerard, AICP, Planning Manager, Department of Planning & Phoenix, Arizona 85003 Development Phone: (602) 506-7151 www.maricopa.gov/planning Email address: Attn: Nicholas Schlimm, Planner, Planning & Development Services bob.fedorka@maricopa.gov cc: Michael Norris P.E., Engineering Manager, Planning and Development From: Bob Fedorka, PE, Plans Examiner Engineer, Planning & Development Subject: Z2023052 – Zone Change for Desert Foothills Nursery (3rd Review) APN(s): 211-46-032B Engineering Plan Review has reviewed the third submittal of the subject application routed for review on 10/24/2023, for the subject application and has no objections subject to the following conditions: 1. Without the submittal of a precise plan of development, no development approval is inferred by this review, including, but not limited to number of proposed buildings, drainage design, access and roadway alignments. These items will be addressed as development plans progress and are submitted to the County for further review and/or entitlement (i.e. POD). 2. Unless abandoned, no improvements that would inhibit access is permitted within existing Patent Easements within or surrounding the site. 3. Dedication of right-of-way across the site’s Westland Road frontage is required to provide a half-width of 40 feet measured from the mid-section line. The dedication shall occur within 6 months of BOS approval or prior to the issuance of any building permit(s) for the site, whichever occurs first. 4. Cave Creek Road and N. 52nd Street are within the jurisdiction of the Town of Cave Creek. The applicant will be responsible for coordinating with the Town to review any traffic impact, right-of-way dedication, permitting or roadway improvement requirements needed to provide suitable access to the site. Page 1 of 2 5. Engineering review of planning and/or zoning cases is for conceptual design only. All development and engineering design shall be in conformance with Section 1205 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance; Drainage Policies and Standards; Floodplain Regulations for Maricopa County; MCDOT Roadway Design Manual; and current engineering policies, standards and best practices at the time of application for construction. Please contact me with any questions. Page 2 of 2 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Luke Kautzman <lkautzman@cavecreekaz.gov> Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2023 7:48 AM To: Joel Landis (PND); Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Cc: Steven Perales Subject: RE: Rezone Cases Z2023090 and Z2023052 This Message Is From an External Sender This message came from outside your organization. Please use caution when corresponding outside the county. Good Morning Joel and Nicholas, Thank you for sending along the information. During the Town Council Call to Public this past Monday a resident of Cave Creek in the adjacent Saguaro West neighborhood addressed the Council regarding the pending applications currently being processed by you both. I had asked our Senior Planner the following day to reach out to you and obtain the latest information on each case. You had provided the notice and updated application for Z2023090 where it appears the applicant met with residents and adjusted their conceptual plan as a result. Staff will review and discuss the associated applications and prepare comments for the record where necessary. Respectfully, Luke Kautzman, MPA Development Services Director Town of Cave Creek 480.488.6633 lkautzman@cavecreekaz.gov www.cavecreekaz.gov From: Joel Landis (PND) <Joel.Landis@maricopa.gov> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 9:02 AM To: Steven Perales <sperales@cavecreekaz.gov> Cc: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) <Nicholas.Schlimm@maricopa.gov> Subject: Re: Rezone Cases Z2023090 and Z2023052 1 [EXTERNAL MESSAGE - use caution with links or attachments] Hello, I am the planner for Z2023090 and my colleague, Mr. Schlimm (cc'd), is the planner for Z2023052. Z2023090, a zone change with overlay from Rural-43 to C-2 CUPD, was recently heard by the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission, who recommended a motion for approval to the Board of Supervisors at the upcoming January 24 BOS hearing. Please see this link for my staff report for the case. Z2023052 will be heard at an upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission hearing: my colleague Mr. Schlimm can provide the details on that project as a staff report is not yet available. To find all uploaded materials related to these cases online, you may do the following: The application materials related to the above referenced case are available for download from the On-line Permit Manager: https://accela.maricopa.gov/CitizenAccessMCOSS/Default.aspx Under Planning Services select ‘Search Applications’ Enter the case number Z2023090 or Z2023052 and click enter New page will load with case information, at the top next to Record Info Click on the arrow drop down and select Attachments. Finally, I would note that in our routing to areas of interest related to planning cases within the County, we rout all projects within the Cave Creek area to Mr. Kautzman. To modify this, you may use this link. Please let us know if you have any questions. Joel Landis To Maricopa help protect County your Logo privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT 301. W Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003 Planner O: 602-506-8358 MARICOPA.GOV Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube 2 From: Steven Perales <sperales@cavecreekaz.gov> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 8:52 AM To: Joel Landis (PND) <Joel.Landis@maricopa.gov> Subject: Rezone Cases Z2023090 and Z2023052 Good Morning Mr. Landi s, I am Steven Perales, the Senior Planner for the Town of Cave Creek. I was hoping you would assist me and guide me to where I can find t he links to the following Rezone Ca ses within the County Z2023090 – RU-43 Good Morning Mr. Landis, I am Steven Perales, the Senior Planner for the Town of Cave Creek. I was hoping you would assist me and guide me to where I can find the links to the following Rezone Cases within the County Z2023090 – RU-43 to C-2 CUPD for a Storage Condo Facility Z2023052 – RU-43 to C-2 CUPD for a Retail and Wholesale Plant Nursery with Added Retail Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Best, Steven Perales Senior Planner Town of Cave Creek Planning and Zoning 37622 North Cave Creek Road Cave Creek, AZ 85331 Office: (480) 488-6614 Work Cell: (480) 909-7651 Email: sperales@cavecreekaz.gov Town Hall is open 7:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Thursday. Town Hall is closed on Fridays. 3 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Julie G. <phxjag@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, December 9, 2023 12:47 PM To: Jessica Sarkissian Cc: Nicholas Schlimm (PND); Joel Landis (PND) Subject: Opposition to Rezone for George's Nursery to C-2: Z2023052 Attachments: Z2023090 - 12_1_2023 - 12_7_2023 PZ.pdf This Message Is From an External Sender This message came from outside your organization. Please use caution when corresponding outside the county. Hi, Jessica & Nick, At your request, I'm sending over the Toy Barn's conditions that were approved within their CUPD with the rezone at the Dec 7 P&Z hearing. I am in opposition to this rezone unless we apply more conditions into the CUPD. We feel that George's rezone to C-2 is entirely different from requesting a Special Use Permit and keeping it Desert Rural zone. Once it changes to Commercial C-2 zoning, we are stuck with anything being there in the future if the overlay isn't clear enough. We feel the Toy Barn standards and conditions of their rezone should be similarly applied to the Southern parcel that George is keeping. The neighbors will oppose the current rezone for George's nursery under this case. I have attached a copy of the report as submitted by Joel Landis. We want to work with you and George to apply relatively the same conditions into his rezone. I have also copied several neighbors on this email as a BCC. I am encouraging them to email directly to you both. See below excerpt from Joel Landis' report on Toy Barn. See also attached for the full report. Additionally, we vehemently oppose ANY request for Billboards or Cellphone towers and request these conditions be added to the Overlay for this rezone. We are not against the diminished number of parking spaces, but want ALL parking (staff and customers) to be solely within the perimeters of the property, which means behind any wall or fence. We are not against keeping the parking spaces gravel as long as there isn't any parking along 52nd Street. No access on N 52nd Street. He already has 2 entries off Cave Creek Rd and Westland. We do not want large diesel trucks offloading in the street or right of way. And 52nd Street should not be used as a loading zone, which has been happening 7 days a week at random hours of the day. All materials for sale or being stored should be BEHIND walls or fences. Not along the roadway in the setback or ROW along N 52nd St. 1 If the chain link fences stay, we want this condition reverted back to walls when the property is sold. And we want the items along the fence to be aesthetically pleasing in nature. Currently, it's a bunch of stuff and isn't nice to look at. Or, we request he plant box trees in the setback to buffer the "stuff" from the roadview, as was included in Toy Barn's proposal below. Recommendation excerpt from Joel Landis: 15. Staff recommends the Commission adopt a motion recommending that the Board of Supervisors approve Z2023090 subject to the following conditions ‘a’ – ‘i’: a. Development of the site shall be in substantial conformance with the narrative report entitled “Rezone Narrative consisting of 13 full-size sheet, dated November 3, 2023, except as modified by the following conditions. Staff may determine slight refinements to remain in substantial conformance with the approved narrative report. Minor and major amendments to the site plan will be determined in accordance with Chapter 3 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance. b. Development of the site shall be in substantial conformance with the Zoning Exhibit entitled “Carefree Toy Barn“, consisting of 1 full-size sheet, dated October 18, 2023, except as modified by the following conditions. Staff may determine slight refinements to remain in substantial conformance with the approved site plan. Minor and major amendments to the site plan will be determined in accordance with Chapter 3 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance. c. The following planning engineering conditions apply: 1. Any new site improvements will require a Plan of Development and Traffic Impact Study. 2. The submitted site plan shows development within the federal patent easement area. The site is encumbered by Federal Patent easements. Unless abandoned, these easements must remain intact for their intended use. See link below for abandonment process. https://www.maricopa.gov/775/Abandonment-of-Patent- Easements. This must be completed prior to issuance of building permits. 3. Without the submittal of a plan of development, no development approval will be inferred by the engineering review, including, but not limited to drainage design, site access and roadway alignments. These items will be addressed as development plans progress and are submitted to the County for further review and/or entitlement. 4. Engineering review of planning and/or zoning cases is for conceptual design only. All development and engineering design shall be in conformance with Section 1205 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance; Drainage Policies and Standards; Floodplain Regulations for Maricopa County; MCDOT Roadway Design Manual; and current engineering policies, standards and best practices at the time of application for construction. d. The following CUPD standards shall apply: 1. Allowed Uses: Uses shall be limited to individual, non-residential garage/storage units with an associated clubhouse. Residential platted subdivisions shall be prohibited including, but not limited to residential condominium plats, townhouse plats, and single-family residence plats. 2. Setbacks: Rear Setback (West): 58’ minimum along 52nd St. Side Setback (North): 15’ minimum Side Setback (South): 5’ minimum 3. Lighting Maximum height: 10’ maximum – 6’ maximum within 58’ setback adjacent to 52nd St. 2 4. Building Height Maximum height: 28’ maximum (including parapet) e. Administrative approval of a plan of development will be required prior to approval and issuance of construction permits to develop and establish use of the site. Prior to issuance of a building permit, written confirmation will be required from the emergency fire protection jurisdiction having authority that the facility has been designed in accordance with their regulations and requirements, and that emergency fire protection service will be provided to the facility. Prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy, local fire protection jurisdiction review and approval will be required. f. The following design conditions shall apply: 1. Adjacent to residential uses, all improvements with the exception of landscaping, utilities and approved pathways shall be located outside the building setbacks. 2. A landscape buffer shall be included along the subject parcel at 52nd Street. The landscape buffer shall include at a minimum one 36” box tree every 20 feet along 52nd Street and 5-gallon native plants/cacti every 10 feet. Existing saguaros on the Property are to be protected and may be replanted within landscape buffer. 3. No emergency access shall be located on 52nd Street. 4. Block facia along 52nd Street corridor shall be consistent with muted desert tones of tans and browns. 5. Enhanced architecture of a southwestern theme shall be provided on west elevations Building A and Building E. 6. All parts of the perimeter which are adjacent to a residential zone shall be screened by a fence or wall. 7. No noise, odor or vibration shall be emitted so that it exceeds the general level of noise, odor or vibration emitted by uses outside the site. Such comparison shall be made at the boundary of the site. g. Noncompliance with any Maricopa County Regulation shall be grounds for initiating a revocation of this zone change as set forth in the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance. h. The property owner/s and their successors waive claim for diminution in value if Maricopa County takes action to rescind approval due to noncompliance with conditions. i. The granting of this change in use of the property has been at the request of the applicant, with the consent of the landowner. The granting of this approval allows the property to enjoy uses in excess of those permitted by the zoning existing on the date of application, (continued) Z2023090 Page 9 of 9 subject to conditions. In the event of the failure to comply with any condition, the property shall revert to the zoning that existed on the date of application. It is, therefore, stipulated and agreed that either revocation due to the failure to comply with any conditions, does not reduce any rights that existed on the date of application to use, divide, sell or possess the property and that there would be no diminution in value of the property from the value it held on the date of application due to such revocation of the zone change. The zone change enhances the value of the property above its value as of the date the zone change is granted and reverting to the prior zoning results in the same value of the property as if the zone change had never been granted. Thank you for your openness to discuss this further. Please let us know next steps. 3 Regards, Julie Goldammer, 602-820-0330 34022 N 52nd St. 4 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Margaret Larson <meglarson777@icloud.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 8:04 AM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Subject: Lights, billboards… This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. Please keep north Scottsdale and Rio verde areas a DARK sky area. Sent from my iPhone 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Star Thornton <boxtstart@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 8:15 AM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND); Joel Landis (PND) Subject: Z-2023052 This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. Dear Sirs, I am in opposition to this request. It is not in keeping with the surrounding area. A lighted billboard is a blight for this area. Please vote no. -- Star Thornton 480-510-6713 BoxTstarT@gmail.com 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: nina <spitzer.nina@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 8:20 AM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Subject: 33840 N. Cave Creek Road rezoning request This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. This zoning request at 33840 N. Cave Creek Road is ridiculous and needs to be a definite "No." This area of town is NOT a turnpike or expressway. A 39' lighted billboard will be obtrusive and disturb our coveted dark skies. It will also set precedent for allowing additional future rezonings. The applicant's sole reason for the request is (bottom line) their own profit. Please, have a heart, save the community, and say - NO! Thank you, Nina Spitzer Cave Creek resident 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Elly Whyte <mzelly@aol.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 8:36 AM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Cc: Joel Landis (PND) Subject: Case Z2023052 33840 N. Cave Creek Road This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. To Whom it May Concern: We absolutely DO NOT need another lighted billboard in the north east valley to destroy our beautiful dark skies. This company is in the wrong part of town if they feel the need to light up the skies with this SPAM. The answer is no to their request for a zoning change. Elaine Whyte 602/309-2802 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Lisa Yost <lisa.yost@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 8:43 AM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Cc: Joel Landis (PND) Subject: Case Z2023052 This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. This email is to OPPOSE the request for a lighted billboard up to 39' tall, cell tower and multi-family units. This is not at all in keeping with our area or dark skies. Further, this is not at all what the people living in this area want. Thank you, Lisa Yost Sent from my iPhone 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Sheila Lavell <slavell98@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 9:54 AM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Cc: Joel Landis (PND) Subject: Opposition to Case Z2023052 This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. Hi I would like to voice our opposition to Case Z2023052 with respect to changing zoning to allow a lighted billboard on the property at 33840 N Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. This would negatively affect the dark sky policy in the area. This will negatively affect the area and potentially change future development. Please do not allow this to spoil the area. Regards. Sheila Lavell and Colin Duff Porteous 33600 N Cave Creek Road, Unit 17D Cave Creek, AZ 85331 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Randy Eskelson <randyjayeskelson@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 10:49 AM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND); Joel Landis (PND); randyjayeskelson@gmail.com Subject: Case Z2023052 This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. Please do not accept a Zoning Change for the property located at 33840 N Cave Creek Road. A 39' tall lit up billboard would be horrible for our Cave Creek, AZ area. Thanks for your consideration and Happy Holidays to you and your families, Randy J Eskelson 40190 N 50th Street Cave Creel, AZ 85331 Cell: 602-708-3696 randyjayeskelson@gmail.com 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Karen Garnett <garkar888@aol.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:47 PM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Cc: Joel Landis (PND) Subject: Case Z2023052 This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. I am opposed to Case Z2023052 requesting a lighted billboard and gas station. This is not keeping with our area or dark skies. Karen Garnett 4909 E Duane Lane Cave Creek, AZ 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: Jacqueline Cohan <jacqsbac@live.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 5:19 PM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Cc: Joel.Schlimm@maricpa.gov Subject: Case Z2023052 This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. Please no… it goes against everything that this area stands for which is dark skies and retaining the beauty of our Natural Desert, whenever possible. No gaudy signs please. Case Z2023052 Sent from my iPhone Jacque Cohan 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: +14804882358@tmomail.net Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2023 9:15 PM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Attachments: text_0.txt This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. Reference Case Z2023052 I am in opposition to billboard, propane/diesel sales on this property. Cell tower would be ok. Mary Magers 1 Nicholas Schlimm (PND) From: only1marymm@yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2023 11:48 AM To: Nicholas Schlimm (PND) Cc: Joel Landis (PND) Subject: Case Z2023052 This Message Is From an Untrusted Sender You have not previously corresponded with this sender. Please use caution when you receive messages from new senders. Always validate the sender first. Dear Nicholas and Joel I am absolutely opposed to the rezoning of this property for the purposes that the owner is requesting. We do not need a billboard much less a lighted billboard on this property so close to a residential neighborhood such as I live in and have for more than 40 years. The owner also wants propane and diesel sales….why? Tractor Supply offers propane and can’t be more than 1/4 of a mile away! Propane tanks can also be exchanged at Walmart directly across the road, or at Fry’s less than half mile away. There is a gas station 1/4 mile away, and one about 1/2 mile away. I would not oppose a cell tower if low and disguised as a Saguaro or Palm Tree. This is a residential neighborhood and needs to remain residential with no new businesses. I understand owner wants other rezoning to put in Toy Barn…..stop, stop stop all the commercial buildings/businesses in this area. We have way more traffic now in our area as it is. Cave Creek Road has more than enough traffic any day of the week and all day long. Please keep the area residential with no new buildings. Would you want any of this in your backyard? I don’t want more in mine. Merry Christmas and happy new year. Mary Magers Mel Magers 1