Planning Staff Report

City of Glendale — Regular Meeting (2021-11-23)

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PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
CASE:
The Capistrano located at the northwest corner of 91st Avenue and
Zanjero Boulevard at 7410 North Zanjero Boulevard.
CASE #:
GPA21-10 & ZON21-25
MEETING DATE:
11/04/2021
FROM:
Alejandro Lerma, Planner, Planning, alerma@glendaleaz.com,
SUBJECT
THE CAPISTRANO GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT GPA21-10 AND REZONING APPLICATION
ZON21-25:     A request by Shaine T. Alleman, on behalf of Tiffany & Bosco, PA, representing
Nirvana at Zanjero LLC, for a Minor General Plan Amendment from (CCC) Corporate Commerce
Center to (EMU) Entertainment Mix-Use designation and Rezone on a 7.50-acre site from Planned
Area Development (PAD) zoning district to Planned Area Development (PAD) zoning district.  The
site is located at the northwest corner of 91st Avenue and Zanjero Boulevard at 7410 North Zanjero
Boulevard and is in the Yucca District.  Staff Contact: Alex Lerma, Planning Project Manager, (623)
930-2810, alerma@glendaleaz.com
REQUEST
1. Minor General Plan Amendment from CCC (Corporate Commerce Center) to EMU
(Entertainment Mix-Use); and
2. Rezone approximately 7.50 acres of real property from PAD (Planned Area Development)
zoning district to PAD zoning district.
APPLICANT/OWNER
Shaine T. Alleman on behalf of Tiffany & Bosco, PA, representing Nirvana at Zanjero LLC
REQUIRED ACTION
The Planning Commission must conduct a public hearing and determine if this request is in the best
long-term interest of this neighborhood and consistent with the General Plan.
SUMMARY
The applicant is seeking entitlements to allow for a mixed use development. The proposal includes
the multifamily development of approximately 314 dwelling units, which will include repurposing the
existing 3-story building on the property to be used for a residential use along with a new 4-story
building located on the northern and western boundaries of the site. Commercial uses will be located
within the bottom floor of the existing 3-story building.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
General Plan Designation:
The property is designated CCC (Corporate Commerce Center).
 
Zoning:
The current zoning is PAD (Planned Area Development).

Property Location and Size:
The site is located at the northwest corner of 91st Avenue and Zanjero Boulevard at 7410 North
Zanjero Boulevard and is approximately 7.50 acres in size.
 
Adjacent Uses and Zoning: 
North: Desert Diamond Casino, A-1 (Maricopa County Zoning) Tohono O’odham Nation Jurisdiction
East: Vacant, PAD zoning
South: Palo Verde Cancer Center, PAD zoning 
West:  Multi-Family Residential, PAD zoning
 
History:
On May 23, 2003, City Council approved Z-02-19 to rezone the site and the surrounding area from
A-1 (Agricultural) to PAD for a 156.7 acre mix development project known as Zanjero PAD.
 
Site improvements were initiated in 2007-2008. The property has been underutilized for more than a
decade as the Zanjero Falls project, which includes a large senior living care facility that never
materialized, and the existing building has been unused since it was constructed.
 
The property has no recent land use actions.
 
Project Details:
The applicant is proposing to develop the site as a mix use project consisting of (i) a multifamily use
comprised of 314 dwelling units and (ii) limited commercial uses geared towards the personal needs
of the residents within the development. The residential component will feature a mixture of 1, 2, and
3-bedroom units ranging in size from approximately 655 sq. ft. to 1,476 sq. ft.
 
The project has a 15-foot-wide landscape perimeter buffer requirement, a 15-foot building setback
requirement and 70% lot coverage. In addition, a maximum building height of 85 feet and 65 feet will
be applied for the existing building and the new building respectively. A minimum residential density
of 42 dwelling units per acre will apply to the project. An existing 6-foot-tall perimeter decorative
block theme wall is located to the north, east, and west boundaries of the project.
 
The existing 3-story building will be repurposed and used for both the residential and the limited
commercial use in the first-floor level. A new 4-story building will be developed along the western
and northern boundaries of the property. The site modifications will allow the developer to add
additional residential amenities to the project including the construction of a dog park, a pool area, a
yoga lawn, a fitness studio, clubroom, and other high-quality amenities. 
 
The project will provide a minimum of 20% open space. The project will facilitate pedestrian
circulation within the entire project and connect externally with existing pedestrian paths. These
internal paths and the layout of the buildings will make the on-site amenities convenient and easily
accessible. The central area will consist of a clubroom, a pool area, fire pits, and shaded cabanas.
Common open space areas and landscaping will be provided throughout the site for small gathering
spaces.
 
The architectural theme of the new four-story building will be consistent with the architectural theme
already established by the existing 3-story building. The existing building architecture has a
contemporary Santa Barbara style with varied roof lines, canopy projections, and stucco clad
cornices that create a signature appearance. The proposed four-story multifamily building will
adhere to the same architectural themes including parapets and roof lines matching the existing
building, pitched barrel roof tile with tower elements at the ends of the buildings, trellis and column
details, undulating building face plans, varied arched windows with highlighting color trim and other
similar architectural details.

The property has ample amount of parking that includes an underground garage area underneath
the existing 3-story building and surface parking to the north, east and west of the site. Even with
the elimination of some of the existing parking area in order to place the additional buildings, the
proposed development will still have adequate parking. Additional parking will be provided as private
garages on the bottom floor of the proposed 4-story building. Parking spaces for any limited
commercial uses on the property will not be required as the internal commercial uses will be geared
towards the personal needs of those living in the development.
 
The site has a shared access with the Palo Verde Cancer Treatment Center located south of the
subject property along Zanjero Boulevard.  Said access drive leads internally as a two-way drive to
the front of the cancer center building and continues in both in a west and eastbound direction to the
subject property.
 
It is anticipated that the property will be developed in two (2) or more phases. The first phase of the
development will consist of repurposing and reconfiguring the existing 3-story building to
accommodate 105 units. Additional phases will consist of construction of additional 4-story
multifamily buildings on the north and west boundary line of the property.
 
CERTIFICATE OF ADEQUATE SCHOOL FACILITIES:
 
The Capistrano is located within the Peoria Elementary School District (PESD) and Peoria High
School District (PHSD). The applicant has met with both school districts to ensure that there are
adequate school facilities in their respective districts.  Both PESD and PHSD confirmed that the
school districts have adequate facilities to accommodate the additional residents. Copies of the
certificates are provided as attachments.
 
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION TO DATE:
 
Applicant’s Citizen Participation Process:
On September 10, 2021, the applicant mailed notification letters to adjacent property owners and
interested parties regarding the applicant’s proposal. The applicant received correspondence from
two (2) interested parties. Comments were in regard to area traffic and wanting single family homes
in the area.  The applicant’s Citizen Participation Final Report is attached.
 
Planning Commission Public Hearing:
A Notice of Public Hearing was published in The Arizona Republic on October 13, 2021. Notification
postcards of the public hearing were mailed to adjacent property owners and interested parties on
October 15, 2021. The property was posted on October 20, 2021.
STAFF FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS
Required General Plan Findings:
A. Amendments to the General Plan of the City of Glendale shall be approved only if:
1. The amendment is consistent with the policies and objectives of the rest of the General
Plan; and
2. The proposed amendment furthers the public health, safety and general welfare of the
citizens of Glendale.
B. If the amendment is to the Land Use Map, an additional finding must be made that the
proposed change will be compatible with other land uses, existing or planned, in the vicinity.

Required Zoning Findings:
Section 5.913 of the Zoning Ordinance requires the following finding to be met prior to approval of a
PAD (Planned Area Development) district:
 
The Planning Commission shall find that the PAD application is consistent with the purpose of the
district. The Commission evaluation shall include land use mixture, land use categories, land use
intensities, and the proposed development standards.
 
Purpose: 
 
Section 5.901 of the Zoning Ordinance states that the purpose of the PAD (Planned Area
Development) district is to:
A. Encourage creative and effective use of land and circulation systems to accommodate
changes in land development technologies.
B. Encourage residential development to provide a mixture of housing types and designs.
C. Encourage innovative development or redevelopment concepts for all land use types to
provide a greater variety and intensity of uses. 
D. Provide a process which relates the urban design and scale of the project to the unique
characteristics of the site.
E. Require the nature and intensity of development to be supported by adequate utilities,
transportation, drainage, and common open spaces to serve the development and to minimize
impact on existing or future adjacent development. 
F. Encourage development that is consistent with the policies and the guidelines established in
any specific plan and the General Plan.
Staff Findings:
The proposed amendment is consistent with the policies and objectives of the General Plan.
The proposed amendment meets several of the policies and goals established in the General
Plan.
The proposed amendment furthers the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens
of Glendale; and
If the amendment is made to the official Zoning Map, the proposed change will include
conditions necessary to mitigate and adverse impact on the properties and uses adjacent to
the site.
A finding is made that there are adequate school facilities, if that amendment is to the Official
Zoning Map, and if Section 3.812 (Adequate School Facilities) is applicable.
Staff Analysis:
The proposed amendment is consistent with several of the Goals and Policies depicted within
the Envision Glendale 2040 such as the following:
Goal LU (Land Use): Development is guided by sound growth management.
Policy LU-1.1 - The City shall ensure that sufficient infrastructure is in place for desired
land uses.
The property is located in a strategic growth area that has seen numerous recent
developments and is dominated by planned commercial, retail, entertainment,

employment and high density residential uses, making the project compatible and
complementary to surrounding uses.
Goal LU (Land Use) – Land uses tie into existing and future transportation systems.
Policy LU-3.6 – The City should encourage developers to establish densities of at least
15 dwelling units per acre for new residential development in areas within a quarter mile
radius of high-capacity transit stations.
There are multiple transportation systems located within the surrounding area.
Specifically, the property is approximately 3,000 feet from both the Loop 101 and
Glendale Avenue interchange and the Loop 101 and Northern Avenue interchange.
Public transportation stations exist at the northwest corner of Glendale Avenue and
91st Avenue and at the southwest corner of Glendale Avenue and 93rd Avenue,
approximately 2,250 feet and 2,000 feet respectively form the property.
Goal HE-6 (Housing Element) – Residential areas relate to workplaces.
Policy HE6.2 – The City shall encourage housing in close proximity to designated
employment areas.  
The subject property as well as other surrounded properties are within the Zanjero
PAD, which permits uses such as commercial, retail, office, restaurants, hotels, and
multifamily uses. In addition, the property is located in close proximity to Westgate,
therefore providing a vast number of employment opportunities for residents of the
proposed development.
The proposed project will provide economic viability by repurposing and completing
improvements to the site that has been abandoned for more than a decade.
The proposed project meets the intent of the PAD zoning district by creating a mix of land uses
and intensity of use. The project provides a mix of high-density multi-family and commercial
uses which meets the intent and the purpose of a PAD.
The project proposes a 314 dwelling units (41.8 du/ac) multifamily project with limited
commercial uses on a 7.50-acre lot.
The project will include the repurposing of the existing 3-story building which will be converted
to allow multifamily uses in addition to a new 4-story residential building to be located along the
western and northern boundaries of the site.  
The limited commercial uses will be designated to the bottom floor of the existing 3-story
building.
The project will provide a minimum of 20% open space with various amenities located
throughout the site including a dog park, a pool area, a yoga lawn, fitness studio, clubroom,
and green spaces for small gatherings.
Additional landscaping will be located along the western and northern boundaries to mitigate
the 4-story buildings from the adjacent uses. 
The on-site traffic is adequately planned to permit safe and efficient circulation.
The Transportation Department has reviewed the project's Traffic Impact Study (TIS) and
Executive Summary and approved the findings.
There are adequate school facilities for the proposed project.
All applicable city departments have reviewed the application and recommended approval of
the application. Stipulations have been added to ensure quality development.
RECOMMENDATION
Should the Planning Commission motion to recommend approval of GPA21-10, it should be as
written.
 
Should the Planning Commission motion to recommend approval of ZON21-25, it should be subject
to the following stipulations:
1. Development shall be in substantial conformance to the development plan outlined in the PAD
Booklet and the PAD Booklet entitled “The Capistrano,” date stamped October 26, 2021.

2. The owner is required to convey a 20-foot waterline easement to the City for the existing
waterline on the site since the easement was not previously conveyed.
3. The developer is required to work with the Palo Verde Cancer Center to re-establish the use of
effluent for the lakes and for supplying the landscape irrigation.
PROPOSED MOTION
Action on this request will require two motions:
 
Move to recommend approval of GPA21-10, as written.
 
Move to recommend approval of ZON21-25, subject to the three (3) stipulations contained in
the staff report.
 
 
Attachments
PAD Narrative
CPP Final Report without labels
Certificate of Adequate Schools
Prop. 207 Waiver
TIS Executive Summary
General Plan Map
Zoning Map
Aerial Map
Presentation