City Council Memo

City of Glendale — Regular Meeting (2024-01-23)

View PDF Item 2 Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 6311 characters
City of Glendale ● 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Suite 212, Glendale, Arizona 85301-2599 ● (623) 930-2800 
Planning 
Memorandum 
DATE: 
23 January 2024 
TO: 
City Council   
FROM: 
Tabitha Perry, Deputy Director, Development Services 
John Kennedy, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department  
SUBJECT: 
Heart of Glendale Recognition Plaques  
 
This memo serves to provide City Council members further information for the Heart of 
Glendale project including the involvement and approval of other internal departments and 
public hearing bodies to ensure project compliance with all city requirements. 
 
SCOPE OF WORK 
The scope of work entails the installation of bronze plaques in three (3) separate locations within 
the Heart of Glendale neighborhood in recognition of its community members and their 
contribution. This neighborhood is generally bound by Glendale and Maryland Avenues to the 
north and south and 54th and Grand Avenues to the east and west.  
(See Appendix A: Aerial Map)    
 
PROPOSED PLAQUE LOCATIONS AND PLAQUE LANGUAGE   
Cerretas Plaque  
Proposed to be located on City right of way, south of the southeast corner of Glendale Avenue 
and 54th Avenue. This area is considered the main access to the neighborhood and the plaque will 
serve as a welcoming attraction to the neighborhood. The plaque language will narrate the 
history of the Heart of Glendale neighborhood discussing events, businesses and residents. 
 
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Plaque 
Located south of the southeast corner of Lamar Road and 55th Avenue. The proposal is to locate 
the plaque on the façade of the church building. The plaque will narrate key events and the 
overall history of the site as a chapel for the Catholic Church. The information for the plaque was 
provided by the Diocese of Phoenix, Office of the Archives.    
 
Barrio Park Plaque 
Proposed to be located at Barrio Park on the southeast corner of Ocotillo Road and 54th Avenue.  
The bronze plaque will be a tribute to the Hispanic Veterans of Glendale who served in the U.S. 
Military in various campaigns and conflicts around the world.  
 
(See Appendix B: Specific Plaque Locations Map)

City of Glendale ● 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Suite 212, Glendale, Arizona 85301-2599 ● (623) 930-2800 
 
INTERNAL REVIEW AND PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS 
Based on the unique nature of the project, the involvement from other internal city departments 
was essential along with approval of several public hearing bodies to ensure that the project 
would comply with all city requirements.  
 
Historical Preservation Commission 
Through various meetings between late 2016 and mid-2019, both Planning staff and the 
Historical Preservation Commission took steps to move the project forward, including reviewing 
bronze plaque options and discussing the likely locations for the plaques.  
(See Appendix C: Plaque Style Examples)  
 
Between December 2021 and mid-2023, Planning staff worked with community members to 
finalize the language for each plaque.  
 
Staff conducted two (2) separate neighborhood meetings to receive citizen input and feedback 
for the project, the meetings were conducted on November 2, 2022, and August 2, 2023.  
 
 At the October 19, 2023, Historical Preservation Commission meeting, the Historical Preservation 
Commission unanimously approved and finalized the language for each plaque.  
(See Appendix D: Approved Plaque Language) 
 
Parks and Recreation Department and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission  
Planning staff initially reached out to Parks and Recreation Department in November 2022 to 
inquire about the Departments process for installation of the Barrio Park plaque. The Parks and 
Recreation Interim Director at the time communicated with planning staff to discuss the 
Department policy and process for the project.  
 
Planning staff was informed that the installation of the plaque at Barrio Park would need to 
comply with Policy Number 9.4, Park and Facility Naming Policy of the Department, which 
include guidelines for naming facilities and park amenities, or adding plaques. Furthermore, an   
Application for Parks Recognition Plaque Installation and Facility Naming in conjunction with 
Policy Number 9.4 would need to be completed and returned to the Interim Director.  
 
In October 2023 and once Historical Preservation Commission approved and finalized the 
language for the plaques, planning staff distributed the required documentation back to the Parks 
and Recreation Interim Director.   
 
After processing the application, the Park and Recreation Department scheduled the proposed 
dedication plaque at Barrio Park item to be heard at the Parks and Recreation Advisory 
Commission Meeting on December 11, 2023.  
 
At the scheduled December 11, 2023, public hearing meeting, the Parks and Recreation Advisory 
Commission unanimously approved the proposed dedication plaque at Barrio Park.

City of Glendale ● 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Suite 212, Glendale, Arizona 85301-2599 ● (623) 930-2800 
Transportation Department 
During the month of January 2023, planning staff initiated a discussion with the Transportation 
Department regarding the installation of the Cerretas Plaque along City right-of-way. 
Transportation staff verified that there was no internal application required for the installation of 
the plaque. Transportation staff did request information in regard to the specific location of the 
installation and the height and dimensions of the proposed plaque.      
 
During the month of April 2023, planning staff met with Alan Heathcoat, Principal Engineer of 
the Transportation Department, to inspect the existing conditions of the installation area and 
discuss alternative options if needed. Taking into account sight visibility requirements and safety 
requirements, both planning and transportation staff agreed on a specific area south of the 
southeast corner of 54th Avenue and Glendale Avenue, where the landscaping area begins, 
between 54th Avenue and the pedestrian sidewalk.  
 
REQUEST 
Planning staff has completed the required processes through both Historical Preservation 
Commission and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and seeks to discuss the item 
before City Council as a workshop item and receive further direction.