TA2018002 BOS REPORT_PART2.PDF

Maricopa County — Formal (2020-12-09)

View PDF Item 13 Meeting page

Extracted text (via ocr_local) 26289 characters
ARTICLE 501.2. USE REGULATIONS: A building or premises shall be used only for the following
purposes:

f. ASML parking for the ereupi — shall be on site.

ncy of a Group Home, the owner, or.

TA2018002
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ARTICLE 601.2. USE REGULATIONS: A building or premises shall be used only for the following
purposes:

‘ Group homes for not more than ten persons, subject to the following

, for the use, proof of
© the Department of
established.

c. Resident _staff, if any, are not included with the ten-resident
limitation.

TA2018002
Page 3 of 6

indicating _use_of the subject site as Group Home. The Zoning
Administrator shall have 30 days from the date of submission of such
application to conduct a review of the application. Any Zoning
Certification not specifically denied, citing specific reasons for such
denial, in written notice to the applicant, shall be deemed granted.
If such application is timely denied, the applicant may correct any
deficiencies and resubmit same, subject to the review period set
forth above.

ARTICLE 702.2. Use Regulations: A building or premises shall be used only for the following
purposes:

5 Group homes for not more than ten persons subject to the following
performance criteria:
a. If licensing is required by the State of Arizona, for the use, proof of
such licensure shall be available to the Department of
Planning and Development prior to the use being established.

b. Resident_staff, if any, are not included with the ten-resident
limitation.

[oak If staff are not in residence, at least one staff member shall be on
duty at the group home at all times.

d. There shall be no sign or other exterior indication of a group home
visible from any public street.

e. All parking for the Group Home shall be on site.

al

Prior to occupancy of a Group Home, the owner, or owner's
representative, shall submit an application for zoning certification,
ona form provided by Maricopa County, accompanied by: a site
plan, a notarized statement detailing qualifications, copies of any
required state of Arizona licenses, and an affidavit of compliance
indicating use of the subject site as Group Home. The Zoning
Administrator shall have 30 days from the date of submission of such
application to conduct _a review of the application. Any Zoning
Certification not specifically denied, citing specific reasons for such
denial, in written notice to the applicant, shall be deemed granted.
If such application is timely denied, the applicant may correct any
deficiencies and resubmit same, subject to the review period set
forth above.

Discussion:

2. Major Ordinance changes proposed include:

TA2018002
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Public

" Changing the requirement in the “Group Home” Definition for length of required
stay from long-term (interpreted as a minimum of one year) to a minimum of 30

days.

" Removing the definition of “Handicapped” and adding a definition of “Person
with a Disability (Disabled Person)”.

" Changing the dispersal requirement to exclude a minimum separation distance

requirement when the proposed Group Home separated from an existing Group
Home by a utility right-of-way of at least 300’ or by a freeway.
" Allowing for adjudicated residents to reside in a Group Home.

Participation:

As part of the EROP process a stakeholder workshop was held on January 25, 2019,
however only one stakeholder attended the meeting. Therefore, the applicant
requested a second workshop which was held on April 12, 2019. The proposed text
amendment was also discussed at the May 30, 2019 ZIPPOR Meeting.

In addition to the two stakeholder workshops and ZIPPOR Meeting, to date staff has
received seven letters of opposition and/or suggested edits to the proposed text
amendment language (attached). The majority of comments to date address some the
following:

" Concern of adjudicated residents permitted by right in a group home.

" Definition of disability should include reference to Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and the Federal Fair Housing Act (FFHA).

" Spacing requirements, both in support of the change to the spacing requirement
and concerns it may be too excessive. (The current ordinance language is more
restrictive).

° Originally the proposal changed the definition of “Group Home” to include
“treatment.” However, in the latest draft the word “treatment” has been
removed.

Staff Analysis:

5.

The Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance defines “family” to include a household of five
or fewer persons. Therefore, there are no requirements associated with a group home of
five or fewer residents in any zoning district; including length of stay requirement. In
addition, treatment can be provided to residents of a group home with five or fewer
people. Group homes of 10 or fewer people are allowed by right in any zoning district
provided that there is no treatment on-site and residents are living in a long-term, family-
like environment, and meet the dispersal requirement.

The Department has determined that “long term” as used in the MCZO means one year
or longer and is specified in the Department Directive DD-2017-03 (attached). A family-
like environment cannot be transitory or short duration. Transient residential uses are not
harmonious with a single-family residential neighborhood and is counter to a chief
purpose of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance; to protect the character and the
stability of residential areas and to promote the public health, peace, safety, comfort,
convenience and general welfare of the same. An example would be when you live in
a single-family neighborhood and your child makes a friend next door at the age of 3,

TA2018002
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10.

the expectation is they will still be friends at the age of 8. That is one of the characteristics
of a single-family residential neighborhood and why families tend to choose to live there
as opposed to a multi-family district.

The Social Security Administration defines a disability as a condition that prevents a
person from engaging in any substantial gainful activity (work of a nature generally
performed for pay or profit whether or not profit is realized) because of a medically-
determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death, or that
has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. A
determination of 12 months as long term is reasonable and consistent with federal rules.

If a residential facility for group care does not qualify as a Group Home it is, by definition
considered a Group Care Facility. A Group Care Facility is not permitted by right in the
Rural and Single-Family Residential zoning districts. However, It is permitted in the C-2 and
C-3 commercial zoning districts (under the umbrella of hospital) or with legislative
approval of a Special Use Permit in any zoning district.

The following items proposed in the text amendment cause the staff concern:

" Staff has concerns with removing the prohibition disallowing adjudicated persons
from residing in group homes as of right in all residential and rural zoning districts.

" Staff has concerns with replacing the term “long-term” with “a minimum of 30
days.”

" Staff of a group home are currently not counted in the number of residents for a
group home.

. The applicant is directing planning and development staff to create a new

process for group home applications that do not fit within the current land use
application under which group homes are currently processed.

. New (highlighted in yellow) language places regulatory enforcement with a non-
governmental agency.

This matter was scheduled for discussion at the August 224 ZIPPOR but that meeting was
cancelled. The discussion was carried forward to the November 21% ZIPPOR. No new
information has been provided. The applicant has not provided staff with any new
materials since the July 25!» Commission hearing.

Recommendation:

11.

Staff agrees that revisions, such as updating the definition of “handicapped”, may be
needed to the MCZO. Due to the complex legal issues associated with the American with
Disabilities Act and the Federal Fair Housing Act, these revisions should be made through
a staff-driven text amendment process.

Reviewed by: Darren V. Gerard, AICP, Planning Manager

Attachments: Department Directive DD-2017-03 (2 pages)

5/30/2019 ZIPPOR Packet (33 pages)

TA2018002
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Maricopa County

Planning & Development Department
Department Directive

PURPOSE: To ensure consistent treatment of zoning entitlement and construction

Department
Directive:
DD-2017-03

permitting for group homes / group care facilities.

REFERENCE: Arizona Revised Statutes, § 36-582A

Supersedes:
DD-2015-05,
DD-2014-02 &
DD-2006-02

Effective: 8/14/17

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (MCZO), Articles 501.2.4,
601.2.3, 702.2.5, 804.2.22, 1301.1.8; Maricopa County Local
Additions and Addenda

Initiator: Darren Gerard - DG POLICY/PROCEDURE:

Director: Carol Johnson - CJ

The following types of group homes / group care facilities are permitted in
unincorporated Maricopa County: [Refer to the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance.]

A Residential Facility serving six or fewer persons with the development
disabilities of autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or cognitive disability (antiquated
ordinance language reads “mental retardation”) is considered the same as a
Single-Family Residence per ARS § 36-582A. Such facility shall be permitted as a
primary use in the Rural and Single-Family Residential zoning districts.

A Group Home serves ten or fewer minors/children, disabled (antiquated
ordinance language reads “handicapped”) or elderly persons living together as a
single housekeeping unit in a long term (at least one year), family-like
environment in which staff persons provide on-site care for the residents. Such
facility shall be permitted as a primary use in the Rural (MCZO, Art. 501.2.4),
Single-Family Residential (MCZO, Art. 601.2.3) and Multi-Family Residential
(MCZO, Art. 702.2.5) zoning districts with administrative approval of a Group
Home Permit, a Land Use (LU) application. The patient residents must be non-
adjudicated (meaning not actively on parole or probation and ordered by a Court
to reside at an address).

Elderly shall be considered to refer to patient residents of at least 55 years of age.
Handicapped is defined in the MCZO, Chapter 2. For further clarification of
“handicapped” the Department will refer to the meaning of “disabled” as set forth
in the federal Fair Housing Act which speaks to a person being disabled if s/he has
a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life
activities. To be substantially limited, the impairment must prevent or severely
restrict the person from activities that are centrally important to most people’s
lives, and it must be long term (at least one year).

© A Group Care Facility serves any other class of voluntary or court adjudicated
residents, or more than ten minors/children, disabled (antiquated ordinance
language reads “handicapped”) or elderly residents (MCZO, Art. 1301.1.8). These
may be permitted in any zoning district with legislative approval of a Special Use
Permit (SUP).

These facilities are also permitted in the C-2 & C-3 commercial zoning districts
where hospitals are permitted with administrative approval of a Plan of
Development.

Separate from the above types of zoning entitlement for group homes / group care
facilities there is a required occupancy load for building construction: [Refer to the
Maricopa County Local Additions and Addenda.]

¢ R3occupancy for 5 or fewer persons including patients, caretakers, residents,
etc.

e R4occupancy for 6 — 10 persons including patients, caretakers, residents, etc.

e Institution occupancy is for 11 or more persons including patients, caretakers,
residents, etc.

It is important to note that zoning entitlement may be approved for a facility to have
a certain number of patient residents which is consistent with State licensing, but
the building occupancy load will be for a greater number of persons based upon
caregivers and other persons who may be residing/occupying the building.

Any building to be permitted as a group home / group care facility with more than
eleven (11) bedrooms must meet Institution occupancy requirements. Additional
off-street parking may be required.

Any group home / group care facility for ten or fewer patient residents and with ten
or fewer bedrooms shall only be required to provide two (2) off-street parking
spaces, the same as for a single-family residence.

Report to the Planning and Zoning Commission
Prepared by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department

Case: TA2018002 — Group Homes

Meeting Date: May 30, 2019 (ZIPPOR)

Supervisor District: All

Applicant: Earl, Curley & Lagarde / Rod Jarvis & Greg Loper

Requests: Text Amendment to amend Chapter 2, Definitions; Section 501,

Article 501.2.4; Section 601, Article 601.2.3; and Section 702, Article
702.2.5 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (MCZO) relating
to Group Homes.

Support/Opposition: Seven letters of opposition/suggested changes to the proposed text.

Recommendation: N/A — Application is applicant driven, ZIPPOR meeting is for
discussion purposes only. Staff will provide a recommendation with
the staff report for the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing.

Proposed Text Amendment:

1 This item is being processed through the County's Enhanced Regulatory Outreach
Program (EROP). The proposed added language is underscored, and deleted language is
struck-through. Changes from the 4/12/19 Stakeholder Workshop are highlighted in yellow:

SECTION 201. DEFINITIONS
Group Home

A dwelling unit shared as their primary residence, for a minimum of 30 days, by no more than
ten minors, Randicapped-or elderly persons, or persons with a disability, who live together Ming
together as a single housekeeping unit, in etongt+ennfamit-tike an environment in which staff
persons provide on-site the unique care, training, freatment or support ferthe needed = each

individual residents. Without limitation and by way of example, such care, training,
and/or support may include individual or group sessions with a therapist or counselor for persons

with disability seeking recovery ta alcohel or other drug alii, Se eee roe eee

TA2018002
Page 1 of 5

AIVGEE TNs ‘Gp RecuDarictts.deutcing egpreneesine beseesdsenly Yontns iifeting
purposes:

TA2018002
Page 2 of 5

ARTICLE 601.2. USE REGULATIONS: A building or premises shall be used only for the following

3. Group homes for not more than ten persons, subject to the following
 siesilaniean criteria:

initafon.
id. If I shaft are mae in residence, at least one staff member shall be on

visib > ‘from any Buble: treet.
or the Grou Home shal be on sie. '

ARTICLE 702.2. Use Regulations: A building or premises shall be used only for the following
purposes:

5. Group homes for not more than ten persons subject to the following

» criteria:

TA2018002
Page 3 of 5

Discussion:

2.

a. If licensing is required by the State of Arizona for the use, proof of
such licensure shall be available to the Department of Planning and
Development prior to the use being established.

b: Resident_staff, if any, are not included with the ten-resident

limitation.

ce If staff_are not in residence, at least one staff member shall be on
duty at the group home at all times.

d. There shall be no sign or other exterior indication of a group home
visible from any public street.

e. All parking for the Group Home shall be on site.

f. Prior to occupancy of a Group Home, the owner, or owner's

representative, shall submit an application for zoning certification,
ona form provided by Maricopa County, accompanied by: a site
plan, a notarized statement detailing qualifications, copies of any
required state of Arizona licenses, and _an affidavit of compliance
indicating use _of the subject site as Group Home. The Zoning
Administrator shall have 30 days from the date of submission of such
application to conduct a review of the application. Any Zoning
Certification not specifically denied, citing specific reasons for such
denial, in written notice to the applicant, shall be deemed granted.
If such application is timely denied, the applicant may correct any
deficiencies and resubmit same, subject to the review period set
forth above.

As part of the EROP process a stakeholder workshop was held on January 25, 2019,
however only one stakeholder attended the meeting. Therefore, the applicant
requested a second workshop which was held on April 12, 2019.

Major Ordinance changes proposed include:

Changing the “Group Home" Definition from long-term (interpreted as a minimum
of one year) to a minimum of 30 days. ;

Removing the definition of “Handicapped” and adding a definition of “Person
with a Disability (Disabled Person)”.

Changing the dispersal requirement to not include a minimum separation
distance when seperated by a utility right-of-way of at least 300’ or by a freeway.
Allowing for adjudicated residents. ,

In addition to the two stakeholder workshops, to date staff has received seven letters of
opposition and/or suggested edits to the proposed text amendment language
(attached). The majority of comments to date address some the following:

Concern of adjudicated residents permitted by right in a group home.

Definition of disability should include reference to Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and the Federal Fair Housing Act (FFHA).

Spacing requirements, both in support of the change to the spacing requirement
and concerns it may be too excessive. (The current ordinance language is more
restrictive).

TA2018002
Page 4 of 5

. The definition of “Group Home" including treatment.
fo) However, in the latest draft the word “treatment” has been removed.

Because this is an applicant driven proposal it is their right to consider or not consider the
suggested changes.

Next Steps:

5. The tentative Commission hearing for recommendation to the BOS is scheduled for July
25, 2019. Staff will make a recommendation once all of the commenis/participation are
received and analyzed.

Prepared by: Jaclyn Sarnowski, Planner
Reviewed by: Darren V. Gerard, AICP, Planning Manager

Attachments: Comments received to date (12 pages)
4/12/19 EROP Stakeholder Meeting Sign-In Sheet (1 page)
1/25/19 EROP Stakeholder Meeting Sign-in Sheet (1 page)
12/3/18 EROP Step One Approval with Application Materials (14 pages)

TA2018002
Page 5 of 5

Jaclyn Sarnowski (PND) __ _

From: Caitlin Brady - MCDOTX <CaitlinBrady@mail.maricopa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 12:59 PM

To: Jaclyn Sarnowski (PND); Darren V. Gérard (PND)

Subject: FW: Online Form Submittal: Citizen Comments

From: noreply@civicplus.com [mailto:noreply@civicplus.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 12:57 PM

To: Regulatory <regulations@mail.maricopa.gov>

Subject: Online Form Submittal: Citizen Comments

Citizen Comments

Each Regulatory Department is committed to providing opportunities for
stakeholder input regarding the adoption and amendment of all regulatory
requirements. Your input will be collected and forwarded to the appropriate
department. You will receive a written response from the applicable department
within two business days. We appreciate your comments and your time.

Case Numbet/Rule
Department

I woul like to
First Name

Last Name

Organization

TA2018002 - Group Homes
Planning and Development
Other

Alan

Muller

NRDHCA-Planning & Zoning Committee

City New River

Zip 85087

Email Alan@NRDHCA.com

Phone Number 602-432-2800

Phone Type Mobile

Would you like someone Yes

to contact you?

Comments In order to verify that licensure is current please consider

inserting verbiage relating to annual confirmation of State

1

compliance. (Referenced: 501.2.2.B & G 601.2.3.B&G
702.2.5.A & F)

If applicable, attach Field not completed.
supporting documentation

associated with your

comment.

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RHA

ARIZONA RECOVERY HOUSING ASSOCIATION

April 18, 2019

Jaclyn Sarnowski

Maricopa County Planning and Development Department
501. N. 44" Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008

Dear Jaclyn,

The Arizona Recovery Housing Association (AzRHA) Is In receipt of the proposed Text Amendment and
recommend the following edits or clarifying points:

1. Definition of disability — Include reference to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Federal
Falr Housing Act (FFHA) in the definition.
2. Spacing requirement of 1320 feet.

a. Justification of spacing requirement: In order to justify that the 1,320 feet Is reasonable
and not excessive, provide the average block size In Maricopa County, Challenges to
spacing requirement will result if the average block size Is less than the requirement of
1,320 feet.

b, Strongly recommend outlining a reasonable accommodation pathway as to not run
afoul of FFHA when a group home Is within 1320 feet of another group home
understanding that normalization and integration Into the community can still be
achieved.

3. Reference to staff on property at all times. This ls excessive and should be modified,
4. Reference to parking. Parking requirement should reflect that of a single-family residence.

Thank you again for allowing AzRHA to be a part of the discussion and solution. If you have any
questions, please feel free to call Duane Mantey at 602.421.8066 or Jeff Taylor at 602.525.3555

Sincerely,

Michelle Siwe
AzRHA Representative

New River/Desert Hills Community Association, Inc.
PO Box 75068
New River, AZ 85087-1000
Website: www.NRDHCA.ORG
https://www.facebook.com/NRDHCA

NEW RIVER/
DESERT HILLS

April 12, 2019
Jaclyn Sarnowski, Planner
Maricopa County Planning and Development
501 North 44th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008

RE: TA2018002 Group Homes
Dear Jaclyn,
The New River/Desert Hills Community Association (NR/DHCA) board has a quorum for the following recommendation:
© CHAPTER 2 - ARTICLE 201 DEFINITIONS — revise to the following; it includes removal of the term “treatment”
A dwelling unit shared for a minimum of 30 days, by no more than ten minors, elderly persons, or persons witha
disability, who live together as a single housekeeping unit, in a residential neighborhood with a stable family
environment in which staff provide on-site the unique care, training, or support needed by each individual

resident.

e ARTICLE 501.2.4.a and ARTICLE 601.2.3.a
Delete: “arterial streets, railroads” in ARTICLE 501.2.4.a. . since they provide little separation.

e ARTICLE 501.2.4.d and Article 601.2.3.d USE REGULATION -
Change to “At least one staff member shall be on duty at the group home at all times”

Question: Will this need to also address ARS 36-897.02 which says that at least two adults shall be present
when minors are present as part of the group home?

We like that the TA says that “All parking for the Group Home shall be on site.” We trust that this is sufficient to keep
parking off the street and that the current parking regulations will provide sufficient guidance on the quantity of parking
spaces provided on site.

Regards,

Ann Hutchinson
Community Liaison
New River - Desert Hills Community Association

From: =

To: Jaclyn Sarnowski (PND); Darren V. Gérard (PND); Derek Scheerer (PND)
Subject: FW: Online Form Submittal: Citizen Comments
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2019 10:00:18 AM

From: noreply@civicplus.com [mailto:noreply@civicplus.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2019 9:59 AM

To: Regulatory <regulations@mail.maricopa.gov>

Subject: Online Form Submittal: Citizen Comments

Citizen Comments

Each Regulatory Department is committed to providing opportunities for
stakeholder input regarding the adoption and amendment of all regulatory
requirements. Your input will be collected and forwarded to the appropriate
department. You will receive a written response from the applicable department
within two business days. We appreciate your comments and your time.

Case Number/Rule
Department

I would like to
First Name
Last Name
Organization
City

Zip

Email

Phone Number
Phone Type

Would you like someone
to contact you?

Comments

If applicable, attach

TA2018002 - Group Homes

Planning and Development

Express support

Jose

Macias

City of El Mirage, Arizona

El Mirage

85335

623-876-2996

Work

Yes

We support the 1,320 feet separation of distance to preserve the
common wellbeing of the neighborhood.

Field not completed.

supporting documentation
associated with your
comment.

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser,

From:

To:

Subject:
Date:

Caitlin Brady - MCDOTX

Jaclyn Sarnowski; DARREN GERARD; Derek Scheerer

FW: Online Form Submittal: Citizen Comments
Monday, February 11, 2019 1:03:44 PM

Groups Homes comment

From: noreply@civicplus.com [mailto:noreply@civicplus.com]
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 12:35 PM

To: Regulatory <regulations@mail.maricopa.gov>

Subject: Online Form Submittal: Citizen Comments

Citizen Comments

Each Regulatory Department is committed to providing opportunities for
stakeholder input regarding the adoption and amendment of all regulatory
requirements. Your input will be collected and forwarded to the appropriate
department. You will receive a written response from the applicable department
within two business days. We appreciate your comments and your time.

Case Number/Rule
Department

I would like to
First Name
Last Name
Organization
City

Zip

Email

Phone Number
Phone Type

Would you like someone
to contact you?

Comments

TA2018002 - Group Homes
Planning and Development
Other
Catherine
Lorbeer
Town of Gilbert Planning Services
Gilbert
85296

her! pearl
4805036016
Work
Yes

With regards to the draft definition of "Group Home", the addition
of the word "treatment" does raise concerns because it would

allow activities that would be defined in Gilbert under "Medical
Offices and Clinics", which are not allowed in residential zoning
districts. So we would not want such activities occurring on
County islands. Please remove the word "treatment". Please
provide updates as the proposed amendments move forward in
the process. Thank you.

If applicable, attach Field not completed.
supporting documentation

associated with your

comment.

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