Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

City of Glendale — Regular Meeting (2026-03-26)

View PDF Item a Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 5341 characters
D R A F T
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
GLENDALE CIVIC CENTER
5750 W GLENN DR
GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301
FEBRUARY 26, 2026
6:00 P.M.
 
 
         
 
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Crow called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
 
2.
ROLL CALL
Present: 
Vern Crow, Chair   
Tom Cole, Vice Chair   
John Crow, Commissioner   
Sergio Arellano, Commissioner   
John Geurs, Commissioner   
Helena Johnson Vasquez, Commissioner   
Absent: 
Bryan Hooper, Commissioner
Also Present: Duane Hoskins, Interim Deputy Director, Development Services
James Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney
Alex Lerma, Senior Planner
Sydney Tirella, Senior Planner
Tawanda Walker-Hall, Supervisor, Administrative Support
3.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
 
a.
Planning Commission Workshop and Meeting Minutes of January 22, 2026.
 
 
Motioned by Chair Vern Crow, seconded by Commissioner Helena Johnson Vasquez to
approve the workshop and meeting minutes of January 22, 2026. 
 
AYE: Chair Vern Crow 
 
Vice Chair Tom Cole

Commissioner John Crow
 
Commissioner Sergio Arellano
 
Commissioner John Geurs
 
Commissioner Helena Johnson Vasquez
Passed 
 
4.
WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES
There were none.
 
5.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
 
1.
CUP25-14, a request by Rogelio Arrieta representing RA Architectural Studio LLC on behalf of
Phalanx Tactical Group LLC, for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a health and fitness center
land use in the General Commercial (C-2) zoning district. The 9.8-acre property is located at the
northwest corner of 59th Avenue and Utopia Road at 19420 North 59th Avenue in the Cholla
District. 
 
Alex Lerma, Senior Planner, presented CUP25-14.
With no public comments or questions, Chairperson Crow closed the public hearing and called
for a motion on CUP25-14.
 
 
Motioned by Commissioner John Crow, seconded by Commissioner Helena Johnson
Vasquez to approve CUP25-14. 
 
AYE: Chair Vern Crow 
 
Vice Chair Tom Cole
 
Commissioner John Crow
 
Commissioner Sergio Arellano
 
Commissioner John Geurs
 
Commissioner Helena Johnson Vasquez
Passed 
 
 
Chief Deputy City Attorney Gruber's actions for approval are final for CUP25-14, subject to an
appeal filed within 15 days.
 
2.
GPA25-01 & ZON25-01, a request by Noel Griemsmann on behalf of Snell & Wilmer, LLP,
representing Nikki’s Next Step LLC, to rezone approximately three acres from Single Residence
(R1-6) to Planned Area Development (PAD) and amend the General Plan from Medium-High
Density Residential 8 - 12 du/ac (MHDR 12) to High Density Residential 12 - 20 du/ac (HDR
20). The site is located south of the southeast corner of 67th Avenue and Bell Road and in the
Sahuaro District.
Sydney Tirella, Senior Planner, presented GPA25-01 and ZON25-01.
Applicant representative Michael Maerowitz provided context for the goal and role of the project.
Vice Chair Cole inquired about screening and perimeter fencing. Michael Maerowitz stated that

perimeter fencing is currently in place, but additional fencing will need to be installed on the
south side.
Commissioner Crow asked whether the condominium unit would be restricted to IDD use.
Michael Maerowitz responded that, under the Fair Housing Act, a deed restriction for use by
people with IDD cannot be created. However, the nonprofit has partnerships that help connect
the units with the intended population.
With no further comment, Chairperson Crow closed the public hearing and called for a motion
on GPA25-01.
 
 
Motioned by Commissioner John Geurs, seconded by Commissioner Helena Johnson
Vasquez to recommend approval of GPA25-01. 
 
AYE: Chair Vern Crow 
 
Vice Chair Tom Cole
 
Commissioner John Crow
 
Commissioner Sergio Arellano
 
Commissioner John Geurs
 
Commissioner Helena Johnson Vasquez
Passed 
 
 
Chief Deputy, City Attorney Gruber's recommendation for approval of GPA25-01 will be
forwarded to City Council for final action.
Commissioner Arellano participated virtually in the meeting and did not respond to the
ZON25-01 vote.
 
 
Motioned by Vice Chair Tom Cole, seconded by Commissioner Helena Johnson Vasquez to
recommend approval of ZON25-01. 
 
AYE: Chair Vern Crow 
 
Vice Chair Tom Cole
 
Commissioner John Crow
 
Commissioner John Geurs
 
Commissioner Helena Johnson Vasquez
Other: Commissioner Sergio Arellano (ABSTAIN)
Passed 
 
 
Chief Deputy, City Attorney Gruber's recommendation for approval of ZON25-01 will be
forwarded to City Council for final action. 
 
6.
OTHER BUSINESS
There were none.
 
7.
PLANNING STAFF REPORT

a.
There were none.
 
8.
COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
There were none. 
 
9.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were none. 
 
10.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for March 26th at 6:00 p.m.,
in the Civic Center located at 5750 W. Glenn Dr., Glendale, Arizona, 85301.
 
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Crow called for a motion to adjourn.
 
 
Motioned by Vice Chair Tom Cole, seconded by Commissioner John Crow to adjourn. 
 
AYE: Chair Vern Crow 
 
Vice Chair Tom Cole
 
Commissioner John Crow
 
Commissioner John Geurs
 
Commissioner Helena Johnson Vasquez
Other: Commissioner Sergio Arellano (ABSTAIN)
Passed 
 
 
The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
 
 
The Planning Commission meeting minutes of February 26, 2026, were submitted and approved on the
26th day of March 2026. 
____________________________________
Tawanda Walker-Hall
Recording Secretary