Approved GPA & PAD Narrative
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Westgate Parc 6115 N. 91st Avenue Planned Area Development and Minor General Plan Amendment Project Narrative Received 2/18/2026 Development Team Developer D.R. Horton, Inc. 1890 S. Price Road Suite 200 Chandler, AZ 85286 Contact: Dan Bonow DRBonow@drhorton.com Representative Benjamin L. Tate Withey Morris Baugh, PLC 2525 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle, Suite A-212 Phoenix, AZ 85016 ben@wmbattorneys.com Planning and Architecture Thomas Durant, RLA, LEED AP Alex Fish ABLA Studio 310 E Rio Salado Pkwy Tempe AZ 85281 alex.fish@ablastudio.com Traffic Engineering Sean Messner, PE CivTech, Inc. 10605 North Hayden Road, Suite 140 Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 SMessner@civtech.com 1 | Westgate Parc Introduction This application is being submitted on behalf of D.R. Horton, Inc., the proposed developer of approximately 10.11 gross acres on the east side of 91st Avenue between Rose Lane and Rovey Avenue in Glendale, Arizona (the “Property”) as illustrated in the Aerial Map at Tab 1. The Property is currently zoned R1-8 PRD. See Zoning Map at Tab 2. The Property has a General Plan land use designation MDR 3.5 – Medium Density Residential 2.5 – 3.5 du/ac. See General Plan Map at Tab 3. D.R. Horton seeks to redevelop this infill site as a Westgate Parc – a single-family attached residential community with seventy-eight (78) homes. The community is thoughtfully arranged into thirty-nine (39) two-story duplex townhomes carefully designed and configured to blend seamlessly with the surrounding single-family neighborhood. The proposed residential community is right-sized to meet the needs of the housing market surrounding the Westgate Entertainment District with an appropriate transitional density between the traditional single-family detached neighborhood that borders three sides of the Property and the high-intensity hub of activity to the west. Request This application requests the following: 1. Amend the General Plan Land Use Map designation from MDR 3.5 – Medium Density Residential 2.5 – 3.5 du/ac to MHDR 8 - Medium-High Density Residential 5.0 - 8.0 du/ac. 2. Rezone the Property from R1-8 PRD to Planned Area Development. Site Background The Property is an infill redevelopment site that straddles two different eras of growth and development in the City of Glendale. The church on the Property was originally constructed in 1982, prior to both the subdivision that now borders the site on three sides and massive entertainment, dining, and retail hub to the west consisting of State Farm Stadium and Westgate. At the time, the Property was surrounded by farmland and remained in that condition until 1989. Construction on the 397-lot La Buena Vida subdivision, which surrounds the property to the north, east, and south, began in late 1989 and was completed in 1993. The area remained predominantly residential and agricultural land uses until 2002, when construction commenced on the Cardinals football stadium, Coyotes hockey arena, and Westgate Entertainment District. The development of the City’s sports and entertainment district, which now consists of approximately 482 acres of development and includes a shopping, dining, and entertainment hub, an NFL stadium, an entertainment venue/arena, a conference and events center, multiple hotels, offices, and multiple residential communities, represented a seismic shift in the land use pattern in west Glendale. The growth in this area has had significant ripple effects, leading to the development of a major casino, a destination resort and theme park, and new residential communities in the immediate vicinity. In this context, the Property poses significant challenges as an infill development site. Any new development must align with the modern development trends and patterns associated with 2 | Westgate Parc Westgate and State Farm Stadium, while also remaining compatible with the single-family community that surrounds the Property and predates the entertainment district. As detailed below, D.R. Horton’s proposed residential community threads this needle with a thoughtfully designed community of 78 for-sale residences on the 10.11 gross-acre site. Surrounding Land Uses Existing Use Zoning North Single-Family Residential La Buena Vida Subdivision R1-8 PRD East Single-Family Residential La Buena Vida Subdivision R1-8 PRD South Single-Family Residential La Buena Vida Subdivision R1-8 PRD West State Farm Stadium Westgate Entertainment District Planned Area Development Minor General Plan Amendment Request In order to facilitate the proposed development and align the proposed residential density with the appropriate land use designation in the City of Glendale’s Envision 2040 General Plan, a Minor General Plan Amendment is requested as part of this application. The proposed amendment is an incremental shift from the existing MDR 3.5 designation, and simply reflects the changes in the residential housing market and the land use patterns adjacent to the site since the designation was first applied to this site in the 1990s. In accordance with Table 1 in the General Plan, a request to amend the land use designation from MDR 3.5 to MDHR 8 for less than 160 acres in Area B (between 83rd Avenue and Highway 101) is categorized as a Minor General Plan Map Amendment. The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment is required to be consistent with the policies and objectives of the rest of the General Plan; and further the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Glendale. As outlined below, this request meets many policies and objectives of the General Plan, including housing, socioeconomic and proximity to employment. In addition, this request furthers the public health, safety and general welfare for the surrounding area as the development will contribute to impact fees ensuring new developments pay for their proportional share of public services like police, fire, parks, and libraries. The proposed amendment meets many of the Goals and Objectives set forth in the Envision 2040 General Plan: 3 | Westgate Parc Goal HE-2: Glendale has a wide variety of housing types, styles, and options. Policy HE-2.3: The City should provide housing areas that allow homeowners to move up in home size, quality, and price. Policy HE-2.6: The City shall develop a comprehensive strategy for attracting a variety of housing opportunities, including higher-end and move-up housing markets. The proposed Minor GPA aligns with the above policy goals by allowing the development of high- quality for-sale housing product that falls within what has often been referred to as the “missing middle” in the housing supply: housing opportunities that fall between traditional multi-family for- rent apartments and for-sale single-family detached residences. The proposed community offers a move-up opportunity for first-time home buyers seeking to both live within walking distance of the vibrant hub of activity at Westgate and also build equity in a home. Goal HE-3: Glendale has housing options that meet the range of socioeconomic needs of the City’s current and future residents. Policy HE-3.5: The City should support adjustments to the housing mix based on demographic needs and economic changes within Glendale. This goal/policy within the General Plan perfectly encapsulates the basis of this Minor GPA request. At the time the land use designation was established for the Property, the City of Glendale and the Phoenix MSA as a whole was experiencing a massive boom in suburban residential growth with enormous demand for new single-family detached homes. As this area of Glendale evolved and the Westgate entertainment district sprang up to the west of the Property, the land use patterns in this area permanently shifted. More importantly, the housing crisis that now exists across the Valley and the State inform the need for more housing – particularly on infill sites where developers can create new ownership opportunities with duplexes, townhomes and the like. Goal HE-6: Residential areas relate to work places. Policy HE-6.2: The City should encourage housing in close proximity to designated employment areas. The entertainment district to the west employs an enormous workforce, as do many of the surrounding office parks and industrial developments at the periphery. The proposed development creates new home ownership opportunities for the local workforce, thereby shortening commutes, encouraging alternative forms of transportation, and promoting better work/life balance. Planned Area Development Plan A. Purpose and Overview The purpose of the proposed PAD is to facilitate the development of a 78-lot single-family attached residential development with development standards that ensure the appropriate flexibility to meet the needs of this infill redevelopment site. The PAD will utilize the R1-4 zoning district for its base development standards, modified to meet the specific needs of the duplex-style single-family attached residences. 4 | Westgate Parc As illustrated in the Site Plan attached at Tab 4, the residences are arranged around the interior of a dual-looped private road that runs around the perimeter of the site. The configuration of the site plan was the result of considerable feedback from the surrounding residents obtained through a voluntary neighborhood outreach process prior to the filing of this application. Previous iterations of the site plan included two-story homes around the perimeter of the site, which garnered considerable feedback from the adjacent homeowners with concerns about the proximity, privacy, and loss of views. To address these concerns, the site plan was reconfigured to remove the perimeter homes entirely, concentrate the new residences in the interior of the site, and create a significant buffer around the perimeter of the site with a landscape tract and perimeter road. Additionally, the orientation of the homes, with front doors/driveways facing outward, further addresses resident concerns regarding privacy. The combined setback of the perimeter landscape tract, road, and front yard/driveway ensures that the second-story windows do not have a viewing angle into the surrounding backyards of the existing residents. The proposed residential community has been carefully designed to ensure a comfortable transition and buffer with the existing neighborhood, while allowing residential density appropriate for the site with respect to current market needs and prevailing land use trends. The conceptual site plan strikes a thoughtful balance between the concerns of the existing residents and the housing needs of the immediate area and Glendale as a whole. B. Permitted Uses Permitted uses for this PAD shall conform with the table below. Table A PAD Permitted Use Table Urban Agriculture, Noncommercial Conditional Use Dwelling, Duplex Permitted Dwelling, Single-Family Attached Not Permitted Dwelling, Single-Family Detached Permitted Dwelling, Modular Home Permitted Residential Care Home Permitted Model Home Complex Permitted Short-Term or Vacation Rental Permitted Cemetery or Mausoleum Requires Special Use District Community Playfields and Parks Permitted Community Recreation Center Permitted Country Club Permitted 5 | Westgate Parc Golf Course Requires Special Use District Government Offices and Civic Buildings Permitted Place of Worship Permitted Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities; without Dormitories Conditional Use Utility Facility and Service Yard, Major Requires Special Use District Utility Facility, Minor Permitted Wireless Facility (Including Tower and Supporting Facilities) Permitted Commercial Entertainment, Outdoor Requires Special Use District Hotels, Resort Requires Special Use District Broadcast Tower Requires Special Use District Helistops or Heliports Requires Special Use District Resource Extraction and Processing Requires Special Use District C. Development Standards As reflected in Table B below, the development standards for the proposed Planned Area Development are intended to facilitate the development of the Conceptual Site Plan at Tab 4 by providing targeted relief and tailored standards for this specific residential community. Should a conflict exist between any provision in this PAD and the Glendale Unified Development Code, the PAD standards shall apply. Table B R1-4 Development Standards Regulation Base UDC Standards (R1-4) Proposed UDC Standards (R1-4) Minimum Required Net Lot Area 4,000 SF 2,700 SF Minimum Required Lot Width 401 30 Minimum Required Setbacks Front: 15-20 Feet2 Side: 0-10 Feet3 Rear: 15 Feet Front: 18 Feet Side: 0-10 Feet3 Rear: 10 Feet 6 | Westgate Parc Within 35’ of the South Perimeter Property Line: N/A Within 35’ of the South Perimeter Property Line: 15’ Lot Coverage 45% Maximum 65% Maximum Building Height Maximum 30 feet 30 feet Minimum Required Common Open Space 15% 19% Landscape Areas Lots within 35’ of South Perimeter Property line: Not Applicable Lots within 35’ of South Perimeter Property line: Minimum fifteen (15) foot wide Planting Specifications All landscape areas: x A minimum of one tree and five shrubs (or groundcover subject to Table 4.100-5) per 400 square feet of landscape area. x No trees shall be permitted within a Public Utility Easement (PUE) Use Buffers: x A minimum of one screening tree per 25 linear feet of required buffer area Street Frontage: x A minimum of one tree and five shrubs (or groundcover subject to Table 4.100-5) per 30 linear feet of street frontage. x This minimum quantity of trees, shrubs, and vegetative groundcover shall be located in the street right-of-way landscaped area. Trees shall not be placed between the curb/gutter and a detached sidewalk. x Within the street right-of- way, no trees are to be planted within 25' of a street All landscape areas: x A minimum of one tree and five shrubs (or groundcover subject to Table 4.100-5) per 400 square feet of landscape area. x No trees shall be permitted within a Public Utility Easement (PUE) Use Buffers: x A minimum of one screening tree per 25 linear feet of required buffer area Street Frontage: x A minimum of one tree and five shrubs (or groundcover subject to Table 4.100-5) per 30 linear feet of street frontage. x This minimum quantity of trees, shrubs, and vegetative groundcover shall be located in the street right-of-way landscaped area. Trees shall not be placed between the curb/gutter and a detached sidewalk. x Within the street right-of- way, no trees are to be planted within 25' of a street 7 | Westgate Parc light pole. x Trees and shrubs may be clustered to improve visibility of signage and store fronts and should be placed in a manner that provides shade for pedestrians. x Reverse street frontage. All developments that back or side onto a street and which have a six-foot screening wall constructed on the property line shall install within the street right-of-way contiguous with the property one tree and three shrubs for every thirty (30) feet of such reverse street frontage. x Groundcover placed within sight visibility triangle areas should adhere to the "Drought Tolerant Groundcover Selection For COG ROW Sight Triangle Areas". Parking Areas: x A minimum of one tree and two shrubs per single landscape island x A minimum of two trees and four shrubs per double landscape island. x A minimum of one tree and three shrubs per 30 linear feet of landscape median. light pole. x Trees and shrubs may be clustered to improve visibility of signage and store fronts and should be placed in a manner that provides shade for pedestrians. x Reverse street frontage. All developments that back or side onto a street and which have a six-foot screening wall constructed on the property line shall install within the street right-of-way contiguous with the property one tree and three shrubs for every thirty (30) feet of such reverse street frontage. x Groundcover placed within sight visibility triangle areas should adhere to the "Drought Tolerant Groundcover Selection For COG ROW Sight Triangle Areas". Parking Areas: x A minimum of one tree and two shrubs per single landscape island x A minimum of two trees and four shrubs per double landscape island. A minimum of one tree and three shrubs per 30 linear feet of landscape median. Accessory Building Requirements Section 35.3.200 of the Unified Development Code will regulate. Section 35.3.200 of the Unified Development Code will regulate. Parking Section 35.4.000 of the Unified Development Code will regulate. Section 35.4.000 of the Unified Development Code will regulate. Outdoor Lighting Section 35.4.400 of the Unified Development Code will regulate. Section 35.4.400 of the Unified Development Code will regulate. 1. Lot width is measured at front setback. 2. Front setback shall be fifteen (15) feet to living area or for side entry garages and/or covered front porch. Front setback shall be twenty (20) feet for front entry garages and carports. 3. For Single-Family Attached uses, side yard setbacks with common walls may be zero (0) feet. 8 | Westgate Parc D. PAD Deviation Justification The requested deviations for lot area/width, setbacks, lot coverage, and common open space are all interrelated and are aimed to solve a single, collective problem. The Property is an infill redevelopment site with a non-uniform shape that requires creative design solutions to address the physical constraints of the site. Neither the R1-4 district nor the R-2 district are a perfect fit for the proposed duplex townhome product, and while selection of the R1-4 base standards requires greater modification, it also establishes permitted uses and a scale of development more compatible with the surrounding area. E. Landscape, Screening, and Walls A Conceptual Landscape Plan for the proposed development is attached at Tab 5. All landscaping for the proposed development shall comply with Section 35.4.100 of the Unified Development Code, as amended over time. Landscaping shall be designed to complement the overall design theme for the site. All materials must be included on the most recent edition of the Phoenix Active Management Area Low Water Using Plant List. Tree plantings in the perimeter landscape tract along the north, east, and south perimeter shall be designed to ensure adequate screening and privacy for the adjacent single-family residents. A variety of tree species, combined with a colorful combination of shrubs and groundcovers, will provide an overall landscape composition of appropriate scale to enhance the overall development and its visual impact on its surroundings. Plantings, types, locations and quantities will be required to conform with Table B. A Conceptual Wall Plan is attached at Tab 6, illustrating the perimeter and interior wall design for the project. Screening, walls, and fences for the development will comply with Section 35.4.200 of the Unified Development Code. An entirely opaque, masonry wall, with a minimum height of 6 feet, shall be provided along the development's abutting property lines, as depicted. PAD Findings This request meets the PAD findings as follows: 1. Encourage creative and effective use of land and circulation systems to accommodate changes in land development technologies. The proposed development demonstrates an effective use of land through the redevelopment of an underutilized property, utilizes an existing signalized intersection, and provides ample internal circulation. The site plan contemplates 78 homes, an outdoor community amenity area, retention, emergency access, sidewalks, and appropriate buffering. Given the unique location and geometry of the Property, the proposed project balances best practices with existing conditions. 9 | Westgate Parc 2. Encourage residential development to provide a mixture of housing types and designs. The proposed development includes single family attached duplex units, which provides diversity within an area with predominantly traditional single family homes. This new housing product will provide a new living opportunity for various lifestyles and stages of life. 3. Encourage innovative development or redevelopment concepts for all land use types to provide a greater variety and intensity of uses. The redevelopment of this underutilized property will provide a greater variety in housing product and act as a buffer for existing homes from more intense entertainment uses and arterial roadways to the west. This proposed PAD seeks relief from Euclidian zoning districts to allow for a thoughtful infill residential development. 4. Provide a process which relates the urban design and scale of the project to the unique characteristics of the site. As an infill development, the Property is impacted by land use patterns of the past while subject to development standards of the present. The Project is intended to provide additional housing that mitigates impacts to existing homes through maintaining a residential character with appropriate building heights, while acting as a buffer between more intense uses and the surrounding community. 5. 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. The development, as outlined by this narrative, will have access to adequate utilities, transportation, drainage, and open space. The transportation impact analysis for this project indicates that all studied intersections operate within an acceptable level of service. Additionally, pedestrian mobility will be enhanced through an on-site sidewalk network. On-site drainage is accommodated through two (2) retention basins located at the northeast of the project site. The project proposes 19% common area open space, exceeding the base zone requirements of 15%. 6. Encourage development that is consistent with the policies and the guidelines established in any specific plan and the General Plan. As noted in the General Plan Amendment section of this narrative, this request is consistent with the policies and guidelines of the General Plan. 10 | Westgate Parc Architectural Design As illustrated in the Conceptual Elevations attached at Tab 7, the proposed duplex townhomes will be developed in multiple architectural styles with a variety of materials to ensure that the community maintains a neighborhood feel. Pop-outs and recesses create movement in the facades along with awnings and overhangs – some masonry and wood, others metal – to provide architectural diversity along the internal street frontages. A mix of stacked stone and changes in color offer texture and visual interest to street facing elevations. The composition of these features creates visual diversity within the community, avoiding the monotony of a typical townhome development and creating a true neighborhood feel. The development is subject to the requirements of the City's Residential Design and Development Manual, as amended over time. Sign Standards Section 35.4.300 Signage of the Unified Development Code will regulate the applicable signage criteria/review, specifically utilizing the R1-4 Zoning District’s signage regulations for this PAD. Circulation and Access Vehicular access to the site will be provided by the existing signalized access intersection at 91st Avenue. As illustrated on the Conceptual Circulation Plan at Tab 8, vehicles will enter off 91st Avenue and be provided with the option to continue ahead into the residential community via secured electronic gates, or turn into the adjacent property to the south, if and when the adjacent property develops, that is not included in this application. For motorists that turn into the development by mistake, a turnaround area is provided outside the electronic gates. The looped internal private drive providing access to the residences will be a 42-foot-wide tract consisting of a 32-foot-wide roadway section flanked by 5-foot sidewalks. See Street Section Exhibit at Tab 9. Secondary emergency-only access is provided via the cul-de-sac at 90th Avenue to the south of the Property. Adequate contiguous right-of-way exists at the northern end of the cul-de-sac to provide emergency access, which will be secured via “crash gate” and landscaped with appropriately compacted decomposed granite and adjacent landscaping to provide a pleasant and attractive condition for adjacent residents. Grading and Drainage The grading and drainage for the site will be designed to retain the 100-year, 2-hour storm event in accordance with the City of Glendale drainage design guidelines. Storm drainage will be conveyed via internal drain or downspouts and overland flow to the streets where it will be conveyed into either catch basins or curb openings which will outfall to a combination of surface and/or underground retention areas. The required storage volume will dissipate within 36 hours via a combination of natural percolation and drywells. Any off-site drainage impacts to the site will be routed through the site in order to maintain its historical drainage pattern. 11 | Westgate Parc Summary The proposed PAD is the ideal use of an infill parcel that is both surrounded by single-family homes and adjacent to the most intense commercial district in the City of Glendale. While it is not well-suited for new single-family detached development, the Property is perfectly positioned to create new home ownership opportunities in the missing middle. D.R. Horton has crafted a thoughtful and attractive residential community that appropriately balances the needs of existing residents, the prevailing land use patterns, and the realities of the current housing market. TAB 1 6115 N. 91st Avenue – Glendale, AZ Aerial Map TAB 2 6115 N. 91st Avenue – Glendale, AZ Zoning Map TAB 3 6115 N. 91st Avenue – Glendale, AZ General Plan Map SITE TAB 4 TAB 5 TAB 6 TAB 7 DRH Properties, Inc., Broker 1,966 SQ. FT. | 4 Bed 2.5 Bath 2 Story 2 Car VW$YHQXH 5RYH\ Traditions Series SM Elevation C Elevation D 1,966 SQ. FT. - DRHorton.com VW$YHQXH 5RYH\ DRH Properties, Inc., Broker VW$YHQXH 5RYH\ 1,983 SQ. FT. | 3 Bed 2.5 Bath 2 Story 2 Car Traditions Series SM Elevation C 1,983 SQ. FT. - DRHorton.com VW$YHQXH 5RYH\ Elevation D 8 8.*&828 0( #8 #'&038 8 48,#8-,#''"*8 /& &8 18++8 &'/+8 /& &8 88 #'&058 *'-&8'-&, &!#8 )- (%&,8 6 #'&08 4WHM T 2O Y *OHQGDOH $UL]RQD ,#8-,$''"*+8 $ %#% % $ %% $ %% $ % $ !%%" $ $ %%! %"" 7 #'&08 % 55+'#505 -%!5 5 1$%$*)5 .5((5#$,(5 ,##5/5 $%$*) !$#-25 '$*#5$*#) #!5 &*%"#)5 3 !$#- 4WHM STº!VEºº2OVEY 'LDL 5 $$5*) $$'( $ %#% % $ % % $ %% $ % $ %"%% $ % $ %%! $ %"" 4 !$#-5 5 % 7TT0R 7TT0R 7TT0R TAB 8 TAB 9 Master Development Plan Set Fire Review - Standard Comments 1.Applicable Fire Code – 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) with local amendments. 2.Fire Department Permit Checklist shall be filled out and submitted with each permit application. The check list may be found on the city web page with the commercial application form. 3.Fire Hydrants – Number and spacing shall comply with 2024 IFC. 4.Fire lanes shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide. See 2024 IFC Appendix D for specific conditions requiring additional fire lane width. 5.Deferred plans shall be listed as deferred on the cover sheet of plans. (Ex: Sprinkler, fire alarm, gates, etc.) 6.Fire Access plans shall be submitted and include the following: fire hydrant locations, FDC locations, fire lane width, turn radius, sprinkler riser room location, fire lane sign locations (see 2024 IFC Appendix D and detail G434), Aerial fire apparatus access road (buildings over 30 feet), hose pull distances, etc. 7.Fire sprinkler and alarm system shall comply with 2024 IFC and local amendments. 8.The water supply for the building shall comply with 2024 IFC Appendix B. A water supply test shall be provided to document the available water supply complies with Appendix B. 9.New buildings with unknow occupancy type or hazard classification shall comply with 2024 IFC Code Amendment Section 903.2.13 for fire sprinkler density (.495 gpm/2000 sq.ft.). 10.Gates shall comply with Regulation 503 Fire Access Gates. Land Development No additional comments at this time.