PC Meeting Minutes 11.13.25
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D R A F T MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION GLENDALE CIVIC CENTER 5750 W GLENN DR. GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301 OCTOBER 23, 2025 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 Edwin Nyberg, Vice Chair Tom Cole, Commissioner John Crow, Commissioner Sergio Arellano, Commissioner Bryan Hooper, Commissioner John Geurs, Commissioner Also Present: Duane Hoskins, Interim Deputy Director, Development Services James Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney Alex Lerma, Senior Planner Sydney Tirella, Senior Planner Joseline Castaneda, Planner Christina LaVelle, Planner Lora Lakov, Planner Tawanda Walker-Hall, Administrative Support Supervisor 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Planning Commission Minutes of September 25, 2025. Chairperson Crow called for a motion. Motioned by Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg, seconded by Commissioner John Geurs to approve the meeting minutes of September 25, 2025. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner Tom Cole Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Passed 4. WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES There were none. 5. *OTHER BUSINESS Chair and Vice Chair recommendations for 2026. 1. Commissioner Cole recommended Vern Crow continue as the 2026 Chairperson. Chairperson Crow called for a consensus. All Commissioners expressed unanimous agreement. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner Tom Cole Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Passed Vice Chair Nyberg recommended that Commissioner Tom Cole serve as Vice Chair in 2026. Chairperson Crow called for a consensus. All Commissioners expressed unanimous agreement. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner Tom Cole Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Passed Commissioner Cole was excused from the public hearing at 6:05 p.m. Discussion and consensus for 2026 goals. 2. Commissioners agreed on the proposed goals and discussed potential additions to be considered later. Chairperson Crow called for a consensus. All Commissioners expressed unanimous agreement. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Other: Commissioner Tom Cole (ABSENT) Passed Discussion and consensus on the 2026 Public Hearing Calendar. 3. With no discussions or questions about the 2026 Public Hearing Calendar, Chairperson Crow called for consensus. All Commissioners expressed unanimous agreement. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Other: Commissioner Tom Cole (ABSENT) Passed 6. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 1. CUP25-07, a request by Gary Scott representing 2KnuckleSports MMA & Fitness on behalf of Olive Crossing 43 LLC, for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a health and fitness center land use in the C-2 (General Commercial) zoning district. The 2.2-acre property is located north of the northwest corner of 43rd Avenue and Olive Avenue at 9250 North 43rd Avenue in the Cactus Council District. Presented by: Alex Lerma, Senior Planner The applicant was present but chose not to make a presentation. Chairperson Crow received three speaker cards in support of CUP25-07. With no further questions or discussion, the chair closed the public hearing for CUP25-07 and called for a motion. Motioned by Commissioner John Crow, seconded by Commissioner Sergio Arellano to approve CUP25-07. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Other: Commissioner Tom Cole (ABSENT) Passed Chief Deputy City Attorney Gruber's actions for approval are final for CUP25-07, subject to an appeal being filed within 15 days. 2. CUP25-08, a request by Robert Romano, on behalf of Hub City Productions, LLC, representing Sunbelt Investment Holdings, Inc., for approval of a Health and Fitness Center in the C-2 (General Commercial District) zoning district. The property is approximately 0.05 acres and is located west of North 67th Avenue and south of West Beardsley Road at 20028 North 67th Avenue, Suite # 206 in the Cholla Council District. *Presented by: Joseline Castaneda, Planner, on behalf of Phil Martinez, Senior Planner With no further questions or discussion, the chair closed the public hearing for CUP25-08 and called for a motion. Motioned by Commissioner Bryan Hooper, seconded by Commissioner Sergio Arellano to approve CUP25-08. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Other: Commissioner Tom Cole (ABSENT) Passed Chief Deputy City Attorney Gruber's actions for approval are final for CUP25-08, subject to an appeal being filed within 15 days. 3. CUP25-09, a request by Tom Fischer on behalf of 8 PM 2 LLC dba Gravitate, representing 67th and Bell LLC, for approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow a Retail Smoke and Vape Shop in a C-2 (General Commercial) zoning district. The 0.93-acre site is located north of the northeast corner of 67th Avenue and Bell Road at 6680 W Bell Road Suite B-1 in the Sahuaro Council District. Presented by: Lora Lakov, Planner Commissioner Geurs inquired why a neighborhood meeting was not required. Ms. Lakov informed the Commissioner that no meeting was necessary because the use previously existed at this location. Commissioner Hooper asked for clarification that the application was submitted due to a lapse in the Business License. Ms. Lakov affirmed. With no further questions or discussion, the chair closed the public hearing for CUP25-09 and called for a motion. Chairperson Crow and Commissioner Hooper explained their votes in support, as the use had previously existed in this location. Motioned by Commissioner Bryan Hooper, seconded by Commissioner Sergio Arellano to approve CUP25-09. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs NAY: Commissioner John Crow Other: Commissioner Tom Cole (ABSENT) Passed Chief Deputy City Attorney Gruber's actions for approval are final for CUP25-09, subject to an appeal being filed within 15 days. 4. CUP25-13, a request by Alario Insunsa on behalf of Bellagio Smoke & Vape, representing Capital Asset Management, for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a Retail, Smoke and Vape Shop Land Use in the C-2 (General Commercial) zoning district. The site is located south of the southwest corner of Peoria Avenue and 43 rd Avenue,10240 North 43rd Avenue, Suite 101, and in the Cactus District. Presented by: Christina LaVelle, Planner The applicant gave a presentation. Chairperson Crow received five speaker cards opposing the application. Two of them expressed concerns about a third smoke and vape shop in the area. Commissioner Geurs asked the applicant if they had conducted a market study before choosing the location and whether they have other operating locations. The applicant explained why they selected this location and confirmed that two other locations are in operation. Commissioner Geurs asked staff if there were regulations setting distance requirements or limiting the number of smoke and vape shops. Interim Deputy Director Hoskins informed that there were none. Commissioner Arellano asked staff if this exemption is unique to this type of business. The Interim Deputy Director indicated the adoption of the UDC, placing the conditional use permit requirement within a C-2 (General Commercial) zone. Commissioner Crow reminded commissioners of the city and the commissioner's role in the process. Chairperson Crow closed the public hearing for CUP25-13 and called for a motion. Motioned by Commissioner John Geurs, seconded by Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg to approve CUP25-13. NAY: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Other: Commissioner Tom Cole (ABSENT) Failed Chief Deputy City Attorney Gruber's actions for denial are final for CUP25-13, subject to an appeal being filed within 15 days. 5. ZTA25-02, a request by the City of Glendale Planning Commission to amend the Unified Development Code (UDC) through Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA25-02) by amending Section 35.3.204.A, Accessory Use Conditions pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) standards. Presented by: Sydney Tirella, Senior Planner, on behalf of Phil Martinez, Senior Planner With no comments or questions, Chairperson Crow closed the public hearing for ZTA25-02 and called for a motion. Motioned by Commissioner Sergio Arellano, seconded by Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg to recommend approval of ZTA25-02. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Other: Commissioner Tom Cole (ABSENT) Passed Chief Deputy, City Attorney Gruber's recommendation for approval of ZTA25-02 will be forwarded to City Council for final action. 6. ZTA25-03, a request by the City of Glendale Planning Commission to amend the Unified Development Code (UDC) through Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA25-03) by adding Section 35.2.1011 “Central Business District,” to address Middle Housing on lot zoned for single-family residential use within one mile of the Central Business Distrct, and at least twenty percent of any new development of more than ten contiguous acres. The draft Text Amendment will align with the Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 9-462.13 enacted through House Bill 2721. Presented by: Alex Lerma, Senior Planner With no comments or questions, Chairperson Crow closed the public hearing for ZTA25-03 and called for a motion. Motioned by Commissioner John Crow, seconded by Commissioner John Geurs to recommend approval of ZTA25-03. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Other: Commissioner Tom Cole (ABSENT) Passed Chief Deputy, City Attorney Gruber's recommendation for approval of ZTA25-03 will be forwarded to City Council for final action. 7. PLANNING STAFF REPORT a. Interim Deputy Director Hoskins redirected the Commissioners back to agenda item five to address the 2026 Goals and Public Hearing Calendar. 8. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Commissioner Crow brought up a discussion on training and the annual report. Commissioners talked about holding training sessions twice a year or once every quarter, as well as presenting the Annual Report. Interim Deputy Director Hoskins stated that the training could be scheduled, and the Annual Report would be available in January 2026. 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were none. 10. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for November 13th 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 Commissioner John Geurs, seconded by Commissioner John Crow to adjourn the meeting. AYE: Chair Vern Crow Vice Chair Edwin Nyberg Commissioner John Crow Commissioner Sergio Arellano Commissioner Bryan Hooper Commissioner John Geurs Other: Commissioner Tom Cole (ABSENT) Passed The Planning Commission meeting minutes of October 23, 2025, were submitted and approved on the 13th day of November, 2025. ____________________________________ Tawanda Walker-Hall Recording Secretary