DRC_STAFF REPORT_FUMCPARKING_060926_REVISED.DOCX

PL260079 – AIRGARAGE - FUMC OF TEMPE PARKING 
Page 1
June 9, 2026
STAFF REPORT
AIRGARAGE - FUMC OF TEMPE PARKING (PL260079)
PROJECT DATA: 
Project Address
213 East University Drive
Property Owner
First United Methodist Church of Tempe
Applicant
AirGarage
Zoning District 
CC (City Center)
Site Area
1.45 acres 
Total Building Area
33,507 s.f. 
Lot Coverage
35.39% (No Standard)
Landscape Area
10.93% (No Standard)
Vehicle Parking
80 69 total (69 surface spaces, 11 street parking spaces on Forest 
Avenue) (187 required by Code; 177 provided by ASU on 
Sundays) 
Required Parking for Use
9 required for office uses (M-F, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
55 spaces (to be leased as commercial spaces 24/7 M-Sat and 
2:00 p.m. – midnight on Sundays)
COMMENTS:
The subject site is located at the southeast corner of East University Drive and South Forest Avenue. 
Surrounding uses include restaurants, retail, residential, and church uses to the north across 
University Drive, and Arizona State University (ASU) properties to the east, south, and west. The site 
is located within the City Center zoning district and is also within the Transportation Overlay District 
(TOD). Although commercial parking is prohibited as a principal use in the Transportation Overlay 
District (TOD), it is allowed with a Use Permit when ancillary to a primary use – in this case, the 
primary use is the church. 
The site is currently owned and occupied by the First United Methodist Church. Uses present on the 
site include religious worship activities (Sundays only), administrative offices, classrooms, and 
miscellaneous activity rooms for mid-week programming. The church maintains an agreement with 
ASU allowing overflow parking to utilize ASU parking garages on Sundays. Additionally, the church 
owns and maintains 11 on-street parking spaces on the east side of Forest Drive, which was formerly 
right of way that was abandoned to ASU, then deeded to the Church with a covenant that the spaces 
be leased to ASU. ASU has since ceased utilizing those spaces, per the applicant. Per the applicant’s 
letter of explanation, the site has been used for commercial parking for many years without a Use 
Permit, and Google Streetview imagery shows AirGarage signage on the subject property from 
February 2019 through October 2025. A Correction Notice was issued by Code Compliance in late 
2025, and the commercial use ceased accordingly.
Nine (9) off-street parking spaces are required for the church’s office use during business hours, and 
no spaces can be leased during services on Sundays. The applicant is proposing to lease 55 spaces 
commercially on a 24/7 basis from Monday through Saturday, and from 2:00 p.m. to midnight on 
Sundays. 
The applicant is requesting the Development Review Commission take action on 
ZUP260025
Use Permit to allow commercial parking within the City Center (CC) zoning district.
PUBLIC INPUT

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June 9, 2026

Neighborhood meeting was not required

Staff has received one (1) letter of support regarding this request. 
PROJECT ANALYSIS 
USE PERMIT 
The proposed use requires a Use Permit to allow commercial parking in the CC zoning district. 
Specifically, the applicant is proposing to lease 55 of the 69 80 spaces adjacent to the First United 
Methodist Church, which will be managed by AirGarage. The commercial component of the lot will 
operate from 2:00 p.m. to midnight on Sundays and 24/7 Monday through Saturday. The commercial 
parking use will be suspended during church services and during special events. 
Section 6-308 E Approval criteria for Use Permit (in italics): 
1.
Any significant increase in vehicular or pedestrian traffic. While commercial lots are typically 
anticipated to generate some additional vehicular traffic, the lot in question has been operating in a 
commercial capacity for approximately seven years without issue prior to a Code Enforcement 
notification, which was itself not a result of a traffic-related complaint. As such, the resultant 
increase in vehicular traffic is not anticipated to be significant. 
2.
Nuisance arising from the emission of odor, dust, gas, noise, vibration, smoke, heat or glare at a 
level exceeding that of ambient conditions. Because the parking lot is an existing condition, 
additional nuisances are not anticipated as a result of the proposed Use Permit. 
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 proposed commercial 
parking area will support existing operations and services at the church site, which was 
constructed in 1965 and has operated since. The commercial parking area is not anticipated to 
result in a deterioration of the surrounding area. 
4.
Compatibility with existing surrounding structures and uses. Surface parking areas are present to 
the northwest and west along University Drive. The commercial parking area also is compatible 
with surrounding worshipping and educational uses.
5.
Adequate control of disruptive behavior both inside and outside the premises which may create a 
nuisance to the surrounding area or general public. The Church will partner with AirGarage to 
ensure disruptive behavior is controlled within the commercial portion of the parking area. 
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.  
1.
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.

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June 9, 2026
2.
Within 6 months of the approval of this Use Permit, the applicant / property owner shall 
provide documentation from Arizona State University regarding the status of the 
University’s right to, and continued or discontinued use of, 11 parking spaces located on 
Forest Avenue. 
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.
USE PERMIT:

The Use Permit is valid for AirGarage 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.

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.
LIGHTING: Site security lighting shall comply with requirements of ZDC Part 4 Chapter 8 (Lighting) 
and ZDC Appendix E (Photometric Plan). Avoid conflicts between lights and trees or other site 
features in order to maintain illumination levels for exterior lighting. Make sure that light fixtures do not 
create glare and are full-cutoff fixtures. Any changes to lighting would require a minor Development 
Plan Review.
POLICE DEPARTMENT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: 

Refer to Tempe City Code Section 26-70 Security Plans.

If the development includes a use listed in City Code Section 26-70(c), the Owner is required to 
prepare a security plan with the Police Department. The architect should be involved to verify any 
modification that would require design revisions. To avoid revisions to permitted construction

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June 9, 2026
documents, initial meetings with the Police Department regarding the security plan are 
recommended before building permits are issued. At a minimum, the Owner shall contact the 
Police Department to begin security plan process approximately eight weeks prior to receipt of 
certificate of occupancy.
PARKING SPACES:

Verify conformance of accessible vehicle parking to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 
Code of Federal Regulations Implementing the Act.  Refer to Building Safety ADA Accessible 
Parking Spaces Marking/Signage on Private Development details.

At parking areas, provide demarcated accessible aisle for disabled parking.  

Distribute bike parking areas nearest to main entrance(s).  Provide parking loop/rack per standard 
detail T-578.  Provide 15” by 6’-0” individual bicycle parking spaces.  One loop may be used to 
separate two bike parking spaces. Provide clearance between bike spaces and adjacent walkway 
to allow bike maneuvering in and out of space without interfering with pedestrians, landscape 
materials or vehicles nearby.
LIGHTING:

Plans shall include the nearest adjacent street lights to the development. Streetlights shall conform 
to the City of Tempe Public Works Standard Details and the Engineering Design Criteria Manual 
contained in the Comprehensive Transportation Plan

Design site security lighting in accordance with requirements of ZDC Part 4 Chapter 8 (Lighting) 
and ZDC Appendix E (Photometric Plan).

Indicate the location of all exterior light fixtures on the site, landscape and photometric plans.  
Avoid conflicts between lights and trees or other site features in order to maintain illumination 
levels for exterior lighting.
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.
DUST CONTROL: Any operation capable of generating dust, include, but not limited to, land clearing, 
earth moving, excavating, construction, demolition and other similar operations, that disturbs 0.10 
acres (4,356 square feet) or more shall require a dust control permit from the Maricopa County Air 
Quality Department (MCAQD).  Contact MCAQD at http://www.maricopa.gov/aq/. 
HISTORY & FACTS:
March 1909
Block 24, Lots 3-8 of the Gage Addition are recorded. 
 
April 11, 2005
The Tempe Design Review approved a 1,250 square foot sanctuary addition for 
the First United Methodist Church, including a shared parking agreement with 
Arizona State University, which provided 530 off-site conditional parking spaces.
September 28, 2010 The Development Review Commission approved a request by VALLEY 
WESLEY RESIDENCE HALL for the demolition of an existing building and for 
the construction of a new 5-story residence hall with 57 bedrooms. This was not 
constructed. 
December 11, 2025
The Code Compliance Division issues a Correction Notice instructing the 
property owner to cease all parking transactions for commercial purposes. 
January 14, 2026
The Code Compliance Division issues a Final Correction Notice instructing the 
property owner to cease all parking transactions for commercial purposes.

PL260079 – AIRGARAGE - FUMC OF TEMPE PARKING 
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June 9, 2026
June 9, 2026
Development Review Commission scheduled public hearing for a Use Permit to 
allow Commercial Parking for AIRGARAGE - FUMC OF TEMPE PARKING.
ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE REFERENCE: 
Section 3-202, Permitted Uses in Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts
Section 6-308, Use Permit