DRC_STAFF REPORT_VENTURA DRIVE 2ND STORY_022426.DOCX

PL250400 – VENTURA DRIVE 2ND STORY 
Page 1
February 24, 2026
STAFF REPORT
VENTURA DRIVE 2ND STORY (PL250400)
PROJECT DATA:
Project Address
1727 South Ventura Drive
Property Owner
Tundra Homes, LLC
Applicant
Blake Murphy, Tundra Homes, LLC
Zoning District
R1-6 (Single-Family Residential)
Net Site Area
7,706 s.f.
Total Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Total Building Area
3,583 s.f.
Building Height(s) 
21’ (30’ maximum allowed)
Lot Coverage
39% (45% maximum allowed)
Building Setbacks
20’ front, 5’ north side, 5’ south side, 23’ rear (20’, 5’, 5’, 15’ min.)
COMMENTS:
This second story addition will allow 615 square feet to be added to the existing single-story house, 
which will include four bedrooms and five bathrooms.
The applicant is requesting the Development Review Commission take action on:
ZUP250111
Use Permit to allow a second story addition to an existing single-family 
residence
There are three other two-story properties in the vicinity of the subject site:

502 East Vista del Cerro

1715 South Sierra Vista Drive

1731 South Sierra Vista Drive
The map below shows these three (3) properties highlighted in orange and the subject site in red.

PL250400 – VENTURA DRIVE 2ND STORY 
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February 24, 2026
PUBLIC INPUT

A neighborhood meeting was not required.

As of completion of this report, staff has not received any public input.
PROJECT ANALYSIS
USE PERMIT
The proposed use requires a Use Permit for a second story addition to an existing single-family 
residence in the R1-6 zoning district.
Section 6-308 E Approval criteria for Use Permit (in italics): 
1.
Any significant increase in vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The proposed second story addition is 
intended for use as part of the existing single-family residence and is not expected to significantly 
increase pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Per the Zoning and Development Code (ZDC), a minimum 
of two off-street vehicle parking spaces are required outside of the front yard buildings setback, 
and the site can provide for two spaces on the north side of the house. 
2.
Nuisance arising from the emission of odor, dust, gas, noise, vibration, smoke, heat or glare at a 
level exceeding that of ambient conditions. The proposed addition is not expected to generate 
emissions at levels exceeding those of ambient conditions.
3.
Contribution to the deterioration of the neighborhood or to the downgrading of property values, the 
proposed use is not in conflict with the goals objectives or policies for rehabilitation, redevelopment 
or conservation as set forth in the city’s adopted plans or General Plan. The addition is not conflict 
with the Tempe General Plan 2050, nor should it contribute to the deterioration of the 
neighborhood or downgrading of property values.
4.
Compatibility with existing surrounding structures and uses. The second story addition is unlike 
surrounding structures directly adjacent to the site; however, two-story homes exist elsewhere in 
the same subdivision and in the subdivision to the west.
5.
Adequate control of disruptive behavior both inside and outside the premises which may create a 
nuisance to the surrounding area or general public. The proposed addition is not expected to 
create a nuisance to the surrounding area or general public.
Section 3-420 C. Additional criteria for determining approval of a use permit for second-story addition:
6.
The design is compatible with the architecture of the building on site and compatible with the 
surrounding neighborhood or immediate surrounding architectural character. The design of the 
addition is appropriate for the existing home and compatible with the neighborhood.
7.
There are design considerations for privacy to adjacent properties and protection of existing solar 
appurtenances on adjacent lots. The applicant agreed to modify the window on the north elevation 
of the second story to a clerestory window to increase privacy for the property owner to the north. 
The adjacent properties do not appear to currently have solar panels.
6.
There is sufficient parking on site or on the street frontage to accommodate guests. Addition shall 
be required to meet current parking standards pursuant to section 4-603, parking ratios. The two 
required parking spaces for the site will be provided on the north side of the home. While a permit 
is required to park on Ventura Drive, there is ample room on the driveway to accommodate guest 
parking.

PL250400 – VENTURA DRIVE 2ND STORY 
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February 24, 2026
The manner of conduct and the building for the proposed use will not be detrimental to persons 
residing or working in the vicinity, to adjacent property, to the neighborhood, or to the public welfare in 
general, and that the use will be in full conformity to any conditions, requirements or standards 
prescribed therefore by this code. 
Based on the information provided by the applicant and the above analysis, staff recommends 
approval of the requested Use Permit. This request meets the required criteria and will conform to the 
conditions.
USE PERMIT CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: (Non-standard conditions are identified in bold)
EACH NUMBERED ITEM IS A CONDITION OF APPROVAL.  THE DECISION-MAKING BODY MAY MODIFY, DELETE OR 
ADD TO THESE CONDITIONS.  
1.
The Use Permit is valid only after a Building Permit has been obtained, the required inspections 
have been completed and a Final Inspection has been passed. As part of the Building Permit 
process, on-site storm water retention may be required to be verified or accomplished on this Site.
2.
The Use Permit is valid for the plans as submitted within this application to include the 
following, as noted on plans:
a.
Modification to the existing carport at the northeast corner of the house to provide a 
five-foot side yard building setback.
b. Reduction in the height of the existing 60” CMU/metal fence within the front yard 
building setback to no higher than four feet (48”).
Any further additions or modifications may be submitted for review during the building plan 
check process.
3.
Modify building section A-A to reduce the size of the window in Bedroom 4 to a clerestory 
(transom) window, as depicted on the north elevation.
CODE/ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS:
THE BULLETED ITEMS REFER TO EXISTING CODE OR ORDINANCES THAT PLANNING STAFF OBSERVES ARE 
PERTINENT TO THIS CASE.  THE BULLET ITEMS ARE INCLUDED TO ALERT THE DESIGN TEAM AND ASSIST IN 
OBTAINING A BUILDING PERMIT AND ARE NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST.
This approval for the Use Permit review did not include a comprehensive evaluation of the site for 
code compliance; the scope of approval is for the second-story only. The property owner should be 
aware of all city codes and zoning ordinances applicable to the property including maintenance and 
conformance with the codes. Below is a partial list of references provided to advise the owner of 
pertinent code requirements; this is not an exhaustive list. 
TEMPE CITY CODE: Specific requirements of the Tempe City Code are not listed but apply to any 
application. 
ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE: Specific requirements of the Zoning and Development Code 
(ZDC) are not listed as a condition of approval but apply to any application.  To avoid unnecessary 
review time and reduce the potential for multiple plan check submittals, become familiar with the ZDC.
BUILDING & FIRE CODES: Any modifications to the buildings involving mechanical, electrical, 
plumbing or structural tenant improvements that would require a building permit must obtain required 
permits.

PL250400 – VENTURA DRIVE 2ND STORY 
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February 24, 2026
ENGINEERING CODES: Any site modifications affecting utilities, retention or engineering code 
requirements must obtain required permits.
USE PERMIT:

The Use Permit is valid for (Business Name) and may be transferable to successors in interest 
through an administrative review with the Community Development Director, or designee.

The Use Permit approval shall be void if the use is not commenced or if an application for a 
building permit has not been submitted, whichever is applicable, within twelve (12) months 
after the Use Permit is granted or within the time stipulated by the decision-making body.

The decision-making body, upon finding that the applicant has not taken corrective actions to 
resolve issues related to the permit/approval and that a continuation of the permit/approval is 
not in the interest of the public health, safety and general welfare, can revoke the 
permit/approval after providing written notice of its intentions to the holder of the permit.

Any intensification or expansion of use shall require a new Use Permit.

All required Federal, State, County, and Municipal permits, licenses, and clearances shall be 
obtained, or the Use Permit is void.
BASIS OF BUILDING HEIGHT: Measure height of buildings from top of curb at a point adjacent to the 
center of the front property line.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION: State and federal laws apply to the discovery of features or artifacts 
during site excavation (typically, the discovery of ancestral (human) remains or associated funerary 
objects). Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-865 stipulates that “any landowner with intention to disturb 
human remains or having unintentionally disturbed human remains shall immediately cease any 
activity in the vicinity of the remains and shall notify the Arizona State Museum Repatriation Office of 
the encounter. Any human remains and funerary objects shall not be further disturbed without 
obtaining written permission from the Repatriation Office.” Additional information about requirements 
related to encountering and disturbing ancestral (human) remains and funerary objects on private land 
can be found on the Arizona State Museum website. While not required, applicants are encouraged to 
enlist the services of a qualified archaeological firm to conduct monitoring during ground-disturbing 
activity on private property that is Archaeologically Sensitive (AS). Contact the Historic Preservation 
Officer with general questions.
DUST CONTROL: Any operation capable of generating dust, include, but not limited to, land clearing, 
earth moving, excavating, construction, demolition and other similar operations, that disturbs 0.10 
acres (4,356 square feet) or more shall require a dust control permit from the Maricopa County Air 
Quality Department (MCAQD).  Contact MCAQD at http://www.maricopa.gov/aq/. 
HISTORY & FACTS:
1954
The existing single-story home was constructed.
October 26, 1965
A building permit was issued to construct a single-story family room addition.
ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE REFERENCE:
Section 3-102, Permitted Uses in Residential Districts
Section 4-202, Development Standards for Residential Districts
Section 6-308, Use Permit