Citizen Participation Final Report

Glendale City Planning: Citizen Participation Report
Project Name: Arizona Sunshine Assisted Living - Group Home Expansion
Location: 6008 W Paradise Ln, Glendale, AZ 85306
Case Number: VAR24-14
Date: November 5, 2024
Failed
BY
DATE
Conditionally Approved
Approved

Sydney Tirella
11/6/2024
City of Glendale
Development Services Department
Planning Division
VAR24-14 Citizen Participation Final Report

1. Project Description
Arizona Sunshine Assisted Living is requesting a Disability Accommodation to operate a
Group Home within 1,200 feet of an existing Group Home, as defined by the Unified
Development Code. The property is an 8-bedroom, 4-bathroom single-family residence
situated on a 10,731 square foot lot with a building footprint of approximately 2,712
square feet. It is currently zoned as R1-6 (Single-Family Residential).
This home previously functioned as an assisted living residence for 19 years from 2003
to 2022, accommodating up to 10 senior residents without disruption to the
neighborhood and surrounding area. Upon changing ownership in 2022, the license was
lost. The objective of this request is to renew the property’s license for use as an
assisted living facility and to reconstruct it to better accommodate seniors and disabled
individuals, addressing a critical need in the community. The home’s prior existence did
not alter the nature or purpose of the zoning regulations.
The requested disability accommodation meets the requirements of the UDC, Section
35.3.102(7), which are as follows:
√
(a) The requested accommodation is requested by or on the behalf of one (1)
or more individuals with a disability protected under Federal and Arizona Fair
Housing Laws (42 U.S.C. § 3600 et seq. and A.R.S. § 41-1491 et seq.);
√
(b) The requested accommodation is necessary to afford an individual with a
disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling;
√
(c) The standard or requirement unduly restricts the opportunity for a person
with a disability from finding adequate housing within the City of Glendale;
√
(d) The requested accommodation does not fundamentally alter the nature
and purpose of the UDC of the City of Glendale;
√
(e) The requested accommodation will not impose an undue financial or
administrative burden on the city, as”undue financial or administrative burden”
is defined in Federal or Arizona fair housing laws (42 U.S.C. § 3600 et seq. and
A.R.S. § 41-1491 et seq.) and interpretive case law.

2. Overview of Citizen Participation Plan
The Citizen Participation Plan included the following elements:
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Project Description
●
Public Notification Technique
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Notification Area
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Affected Individuals
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Addressing Consideration of Concerns
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Opportunity for Discussion - Neighborhood Meeting Held on September 25, 2024
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Reporting of Participation Results
3. Notification Dates
●
Citizen Input Period: September 7 - September 24, 2024
o
Sign Posted: September 7 to September 25, 2024
o
Notification Mailing: Mailed Sept 10, 2024
●
Neighborhood Meeting: September 25, 2024, at 6 PM
●
Citizen Participation Final Report SubmissionNovember 4, 2025
2024

4. Notification Area Map
5. Meeting Details
A neighborhood meeting was held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 6 PM
at the Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center.
6. Participation Summary
●
Total Number of Individuals Notified: 221
o
Successful Mailing’s Delivered: 216
o
Mailings Returned to Sender: 5
●
Meeting:
o
Number of Participants: 4 Residents + 2 City Planners
SEE APPENDIX A & B - Attach copies of letters, affidavits, meeting invitations, newsletters,
publications, sign-in sheets, petitions received in support of or against the proposed project, and
any other materials pertaining to the notification process.
APPENDIX B
Attach a complete mailing list used which includes all individuals located in the notice area,
homeowners’ associations, registered neighborhood groups/ associations, individuals on the
district’s “Interested Parties” list, and individuals on the “Additional Notification” list.

7. Concerns Expressed by Participants
1. Association of "Group Home" with Negative Implications: It was evident that
many residents associate the term "Group Home" with negative connotations
such as “sober living,” “substance abuse,” or “mental health” facilities, which are
not permitted in the area. This association has raised concerns about potential
decreases in property values due to demographic shifts.
o
Comments included: "I was mainly concerned with the idea of a 'Group
Home' because I didn’t understand what that represented, but I have no
issue with a home for seniors with disabilities."
o
Another resident stated, "I don’t want sober living or substance abuse
homes in my neighborhood," which was addressed during the meeting by
clarifying that these types of facilities are not allowed under current zoning
regulations and are unrelated to this project.”
2. Concerns Regarding Noise, Traffic, and Neighborhood Culture: Attendees
expressed curiosity about the potential impacts of the home on noise levels,
traffic in front of the property, and changes to the neighborhood's culture and
appearance.
o
Importantly, none of the residents present were aware that the property
had been successfully operated as a licensed Residential Assisted Living
Home for 19 years, which demonstrated an ability to function peacefully
within the community.
3. Opposition to Residential Businesses: One participant exhibited strong
opposition to any form of residential business in the neighborhood, including
AirBnBs.
o
He cited an AirBnB across the street as a source of noise, traffic, and
disruption, which he viewed as unrelated to the proposed group home
project.
o
Additionally, he referenced a nearby Residential Assisted Living home
located 740 feet away, known for noise and activity. This resident’s
negative experiences with the other facility contributed to his overarching
opposition to any Assisted Living Home in the neighborhood, regardless of
distance, indicating personal bias against such establishments.
4. Advocacy from Participants: One resident actively supported the establishment
of the group home, stating a need for accommodations for her disabled senior
relative who is running out of suitable options in the area.

8. Addressing Participant Concerns
a. Concerns About Property Values:
●
While we cannot control the real estate market, we will limit the use of the
group home to providing reasonable accommodations specifically for seniors
with disabilities (Assisted Living Care).
●
Residents were reassured that the presence of Residential Assisted Living
homes typically increases property values by approximately 20%, countering
concerns about potential declines from other GH classifications.
b. Disruption to Neighborhood Culture and Aesthetics:
●
Residents were pleased to learn that the home at 6008 W Paradise Ln will
maintain its appearance as it has for the past 19 years, integrating
seamlessly with nearby homes.
●
There will be no signage or indications that the home operates beyond a
standard single-family residence.
c. Noise Levels and Loitering Concerns:
●
The primary concern relates more to perceptions of noise rather than actual
levels. While we encourage activities for residents, the nature of their
mobility—often limited due to disabilities—means any noise is typically soft
and conversational.
●
The disabled seniors living in the home are unlikely to create disturbances or
loiter outside as with most RAL’s which assimilate easily into the surrounding
neighborhood.
d. Increased Foot Traffic:
●
The care home will operate on a 4 to 1 resident-to-caregiver ratio, resulting in
fewer than 3 caregivers entering or exiting the home at any time.
●
While we encourage family visits, residents typically receive fewer than 1
visitor every 10 days, leading to minimal additional foot traffic.
●
Overall, the foot traffic generated by this home is expected to be 50%
less than that of a typical 4-bedroom family residence.
e. Increased Parking on Paradise Ln:
●
The home has capacity for 4 off-street parking spaces, but we will limit
on-site parking to fewer than 2 vehicles per day.
●
Should more than 2 vehicles need to visit, additional cars will be parked at a
nearby commercial parking area located at Paradise Ln & 59th Avenue.

9. Concerns Beyond Our Control
While we strive to address concerns raised by one resident regarding issues with an
AirBnB and other Assisted Living Homes in the neighborhood, we cannot take
responsibility for the miss-management or operational challenges of these unrelated
facilities.
●
Our commitment is to respect community concerns while ensuring we
implement the necessary policies and procedures to maintain a harmonious
environment at our care home.
10. Revisions to Address Public Concerns
To address public concerns, the proposal has been revised to include restrictions
that limit the group home’s operations solely to providing accommodations for
seniors with disabilities.
●
The application explicitly will not apply to any other categories of group
homes, such as sober living, mental health facilities, or substance abuse
treatment, ensuring clarity and transparency regarding its intended use.
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APPENDIX A
-
Copy of Public Notification Letter
-
Affidavit of Mailing
-
Affidavit of Posting
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Affidavit of Removal
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Sign-in Sheet
APPENDIX B
Attach a complete mailing list used which includes all individuals located in the notice
area, homeowners’ associations, registered neighborhood groups/ associations,
individuals on the district’s “Interested Parties” list, and individuals on the “Additional
Notification” list.

Sept 9, 2024
Arizona Sunshine Assisted Living
6008 W. Paradise Ln,
Glendale, AZ 85306
SUBJECT: SR24-0468 (Reference: GH24-41)
Dear Neighbor:
This letter is to inform you that I am applying for a GH24-41 Variance application with the City of
Glendale. The property is located at 6008 W Paradise Ln, Glendale, AZ 85306 in the Sahuaro
District.
We are requesting a Variance approval to operate a Group Home within 1,200 feet of an existing Group
Home as defined by the Unified Development Code. The property is a single-family residence situated on
a 10,731 square foot lot with a building footprint of approximately 2,712 square feet. The property is
currently zoned as R1-6 (Single-Family Residential).
The purpose of our request is to serve the rapidly growing shortage, and clear demand for exceptional
serviced senior care in the Glendale area, by utilizing the existing infrastructure of the larger, historically
configured 8 bedroom group home more effectively, allowing us to provide enhanced, high-quality care
to our residents while integrating seamlessly into the neighborhood. Additionally, because the
property was previously an operational licensed, successful Senior Living Care Home and it is our
objective to renew and leverage the large single family home configured, and approved by the Glendale
Fire Department.
We invite all interested parties to submit their comments by September 24th, 2025.
I have included a site plan with this letter for your review. A neighborhood meeting will take place after the
comment period has concluded, on September 25, 2024 at 6pm located at Foothills Recreation &
Aquatics Center. Room: Coyote 100, located at 5600 W. Union Hills Dr. Glendale AZ 85308. If you are
unable to attend in person, please write, email, or call the contact information above. You may also contact
Sydney Tirella at STirella@glendaleaz.com for the City of Glendale at (623) 930-2588.
For additional details about this project or to be added to the Interested Parties mailing list, scan the
QR code:
Warmest regards,
Administration@equityhorizon.net
Phone: 619-914-2725

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTIFICATION AREA 
NAME / TYPE OF REQUEST: 
Arizona Sunshine Assisted Living 
LOCATION: 6008 West Paradise Lane 
REQUEST: 
The applicant is requesting Board of Adjustment approval for a 
disability accommodation to permit the operation of an assisted 
living Group Home within 1,200 feet of another existing Group 
Home.  
ZONING DISTRICT:  
R1-6 (Single Residence) 
COUNCIL DISTRICT:  
S a h u a r o  
FORMAL APPLICATION SUBMITTED: No 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTIFICATION 
AREA 
SITE 
LOCATION
N