DRC_STAFF REPORT_THE UNWINDING SPA LLC_051226.DOCX

PL260069 – THE UNWINDING SPACE LLC 
Page 1
March 26, 2026
STAFF REPORT
THE UNWINDING SPA LLC (PL260069)
PROJECT DATA: 
Project Address
4700 South McClintock Drive, Suite 190
Property Owner(s) Current / 
Future
PIF55 5,6,7,& 8 LLC
Applicant
Keri Trimble, The Unwinding Space, LLC
Zoning District 
(current/proposed)
R/O (Residential/Office)
Gross/Net Site Area
1.66 acres
Total Building Area 
23,060 s.f.
Suite Area
1,805 s.f.
Vehicle Parking
107 spaces (87 min. required)
Bicycle Parking
6 min provided (6 min. required)
Hours of Operation
Massage License #
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
MT-29792, MT-29793
COMMENTS:
This site is located less than a mile south of the U.S. Highway 60, north of Baseline Road, with 
residential uses directly adjacent in all directions. The property is zoned R/O, Residential Office, in the 
Kiwanis/The Lakes Character Area. The adjacent residences are zoned R1-6, Single-Family 
Residential. The subject is a professional office complex with 11 business suites, 10 of which are 
occupied. 
The subject massage establishment will have three private massage rooms, one group room that will 
be used for yoga, and will have two employees. The business is owned and operated by two of the 
massage therapists and operates strictly by appointment Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 
7:00 p.m. with limited morning hours on the weekends. Session typically will last 60-90 minutes in 
duration, with staggered arrivals to mitigate traffic into the site. The yoga classes are offered with a 
capacity of 15 participants. The site provides adequate parking as there are 87 required spaces with 
the existing business and this proposed new use, and 107 provided vehicle parking spaces. 
Existing uses on the site include: professional office complex 
The applicant is requesting the Development Review Commission take action on 
ZUP260028
Use Permit to allow a massage establishment in the R/O zoning district.
PUBLIC INPUT

Neighborhood meeting was not required

Staff has received no public comments to date. 
POLICE INPUT
The Police Department has completed the required fingerprinting and background check associated 
with the applicant’s regulatory license, which is processed through the City Tax and License Division. 
No concerns or issues were identified during the review. The Police Department has no objection to 
the approval of this application at this time.

PL260069 – THE UNWINDING SPACE LLC 
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March 26, 2026
USE PERMIT 
The proposed use requires a Use Permit, to allow a massage establishment in the R/O zoning district. 
Section 6-308 E Approval criteria for Use Permit (in italics): 
1.
Any significant increase in vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The proposed massage establishment is 
located within a multi‑tenant commercial center that provides 107 shared parking spaces. Based 
on the parking requirements for all uses, 87 spaces are required, demonstrating a surplus of 
available parking on-site. The proposed use operates by appointment only, resulting in staggered 
arrivals and departures and minimizing concentrated traffic flows. Given the scheduling model and 
existing parking capacity, any increase in vehicular or pedestrian traffic can be accommodated as 
there is adequate vehicle and bicycle parking available.
2.
Nuisance arising from the emission of odor, dust, gas, noise, vibration, smoke, heat or glare at a 
level exceeding that of ambient conditions. The proposed massage establishment does not 
produce odor, dust, gas, vibration, smoke, heat, or glare. All services occur indoors. Sound healing 
sessions will be conducted at controlled, therapeutic levels within enclosed rooms, and no 
amplified outdoor sound is proposed. The nature of massage and related wellness services is 
inherently quiet and low‑impact. Based on the applicant’s letter of explanation and the operational 
characteristics of the use, no nuisance conditions are anticipated.
3.
Contribution to the deterioration of the neighborhood or to the downgrading of property values, the 
proposed use is not in conflict with the goals objectives or policies for rehabilitation, redevelopment 
or conservation as set forth in the city’s adopted plans or General Plan. The business aligns with 
Tempe’s General Plan to foster wellness-oriented business by promoting relaxation and stress 
relief.
4.
Compatibility with existing surrounding structures and uses. The surrounding suites within the 
commercial center are occupied by a variety of commercial businesses, including health-oriented 
services. The proposed massage establishment is consistent with these existing uses and is 
compatible with the commercial character of the site. Wellness and relaxation-focused services are 
similar in intensity and customer patterns to other personal service uses already present.
5.
Adequate control of disruptive behavior both inside and outside the premises which may create a 
nuisance to the surrounding area or general public. A security plan is not required for this type of 
use, and the operational characteristics of the business indicate a low potential for disruptive 
behavior. All services occur indoors within private treatment rooms, which supports orderly 
conduct and minimizes activity visible from the exterior. Massage establishments are inherently 
quiet, appointment-based uses that do not typically generate disturbances to the surrounding area 
or general public. 
The manner of conduct and the building for the proposed use will not be detrimental to persons 
residing or working in the vicinity, to adjacent property, to the neighborhood, or to the public welfare in 
general, and that the use will be in full conformity to any conditions, requirements or standards 
prescribed therefore by this code. 
Based on the information provided and the above analysis, staff recommends approval of the 
requested Use Permit. This request meets the required criteria and will conform to the conditions.
USE PERMIT CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: (Non-standard conditions are identified in bold) 
EACH NUMBERED ITEM IS A CONDITION OF APPROVAL.  THE DECISION-MAKING BODY MAY MODIFY, DELETE OR 
ADD TO THESE CONDITIONS.

PL260069 – THE UNWINDING SPACE LLC 
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March 26, 2026
1.
The Use Permit is valid only after a Building Permit has been obtained, the required 
inspections have been completed and a Final Inspection has been passed. As part of the 
Building Permit process, on-site storm water retention may be required to be verified or 
accomplished on this Site. 
2.
The Use Permit is valid for the plans as submitted within this application. Any additions or 
modifications may be submitted for review during the building plan check process.
3.
All required permits and clearances shall be obtained from the Audit and Licensing Division of 
the City of Tempe prior to the Use Permit becoming effective. 
4.
Hours of operation to end no later than 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.
CODE/ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS: 
THE BULLETED ITEMS REFER TO EXISTING CODE OR ORDINANCES THAT PLANNING STAFF OBSERVES ARE 
PERTINENT TO THIS CASE.  THE BULLET ITEMS ARE INCLUDED TO ALERT THE DESIGN TEAM AND ASSIST IN 
OBTAINING A BUILDING PERMIT AND ARE NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST.
This approval for the Use Permit review did not include a comprehensive evaluation of the site for 
code compliance; the scope of approval is for the use permit only. The property owner should be 
aware of all city codes and zoning ordinances applicable to the property including maintenance and 
conformance with the codes. Below is a partial list of references provided to advise the owner of 
pertinent code requirements; this is not an exhaustive list. 
TEMPE CITY CODE: Specific requirements of the Tempe City Code are not listed but apply to any 
application. 
ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE: Specific requirements of the Zoning and Development Code 
(ZDC) are not listed as conditions of approval but apply to any application. To avoid unnecessary 
review time and reduce the potential for multiple plan check submittals, become familiar with the ZDC.
BUILDING & FIRE CODES: Any modifications to the buildings involving mechanical, electrical, 
plumbing or structural tenant improvements that would require a building permit must obtain required 
permits.
ENGINEERING CODES: Any site modifications affecting utilities, retention or engineering code 
requirements must obtain required permits.
USE PERMIT:

The Use Permit is valid for THE UNWINDING SPA LLC and may be transferable to successors in 
interest through an administrative review with the Community Development Director, or designee.

The Use Permit approval shall be void if the use is not commenced or if an application for a 
building permit has not been submitted, whichever is applicable, within twelve (12) months after 
the use permit is granted or within the time stipulated by the decision-making body.

Section 6-902.B. The decision-making body, upon finding that the applicant has not taken 
corrective actions to resolve issues related to the permit/approval and that a continuation of the 
permit/approval is not in the interest of the public health, safety and general welfare, can revoke 
the permit/approval after providing written notice of its intentions to the holder of the permit.

If there are any complaints arising from the Use Permit that are verified by a consensus of the 
complaining party and
the City Attorney’s office, the Use Permit will be reviewed by City staff to determine the need for a 
public hearing to reevaluate the appropriateness of the Use Permit, which may result in revocation

PL260069 – THE UNWINDING SPACE LLC 
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March 26, 2026
of the Use Permit.

Any intensification or expansion of use shall require a new Use Permit.

All required Federal, State, County, and Municipal permits, licenses, and clearances shall be 
obtained, or the Use Permit is void.
LANDSCAPE: All landscape shall be maintained per the approved landscape plan for the site. 
Property owners are responsible to replace dead or missing plant material and to maintain all parking 
landscape islands, street front trees and ground covers, and perimeter planting materials. Any 
changes to landscape on site would require a minor Development Plan Review.
SIGNS: Separate plan review process is required for signs in accordance with requirements of ZDC 
Part 4 Chapter 9 (Signs).   Refer to www.tempe.gov/signs.
HISTORY & FACTS:
December 27, 1967
The site was annexed into the City of Tempe. 
 
May 20, 1983 
The Tempe City Council approved the request for a zoning change from R1-6 to 
RO. 
July 11, 1986
The Building Safety Division issued building permits to construct the office 
complex
February 16, 1988
The Hearing Officer approved a variance to reduce the required number of off-
street parking from 115 spaces to 110 spaces. (HOA-88-2.13)
June 21, 2016
The Hearing Officer approved a Use Permit to allow massage therapy services 
in the R/O, Residential Office District. (PL160189)
April 28, 2026
The Development Review Commission scheduled public hearing for THE 
UNWINDING SPACE LLC. 
ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE REFERENCE: 
Section 3-202, Permitted Uses in Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts
Section 6-308, Use Permit