DRC_STAFF REPORT_LEADERSHIP SOCIETY OF ARIZONA_062326.DOCX

PL260133 – LEADERSHIP SOCIETY OF ARIZONA 
Page 1
June 23, 2026
STAFF REPORT
LEADERSHIP SOCIETY OF ARIZONA (PL260133)
PROJECT DATA: 
Project Address
3010 South Priest Drive
Property Owner
Leadership Society of Arizona 
Applicant
Emily Kutzler, FM Solutions Management LLC
Zoning District
CSS (Commercial Shopping and Services) 
Gross / Net Site Area
2.41 acres
Total Building Area
7,752 s.f. 
Building Height 
20’ (35’ maximum allowed) 
Lot Coverage
7% (50% maximum allowed) 
Building Setbacks
10’ front, 275’ rear, 212’ north side, 47.3’ south (0, 0, 0’, 10’ min.)
Vehicle Parking
32 spaces of 156 on site (27 spaces required)
Bicycle Parking
16 spaces (14 spaces required)
COMMENTS:
The subject site is building four within the Fairmont Business Center, located south and west of the 
intersection of Fairmont Drive and Priest Drive. The site is zoned Commercial Shopping and Services 
(CSS) and is in the Diablo/Double Butte Character area. The complex contains four single-story 
buildings with a mix of office users. The center holds parking, landscaping, and drives in common, but 
the buildings are owned independently via lots created with a condominium plat. Right of way access 
is available via two entrances on Fairmont Drive and one along Priest Drive. The applicant represents 
the owner of building four, located in the southeast corner of the site, where the private school is 
proposed.
Leadership Society of Arizona (LSA) is a Use Permit request to allow a private school for middle and 
high-school students within the existing building at 3010 South Priest Drive. LSA is a 501(c)(3) non-
profit education organization. If approved, the LSA school will accommodate 55 students and 17 staff 
members Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The school will operate out of the 
existing building at the subject address after the interior improvements have been reviewed and 
approved by the Tempe Building Safety Division. The building is within the Fairmont Business Center, 
and LSA is coordinating with the other owners and tenants to minimize impacts of the school 
operation. The site has adequate parking for all existing businesses and the new school operated by 
LSA.  
Existing uses on the site include: office and retail businesses.
The applicant is requesting the Development Review Commission take action on 
ZUP260043
Use Permit to allow a private school in the CSS zoning district.
For further processing, the applicant will need approval of a site modifications via a building 
development plan review application and a building permit for interior alterations. 
PUBLIC INPUT

Neighborhood meeting not required

Community Development staff have not received input from members of the public on this

PL260133 – LEADERSHIP SOCIETY OF ARIZONA 
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June 23, 2026
request.  
USE PERMIT
The proposed use requires a Use Permit, to allow a private school in the CSS Zoning District.
Section 6-308 E Approval criteria for Use Permit (in italics): 
1.
Any significant increase in vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The building is vacant, so any new 
tenancy would result in an increase in vehicle and pedestrian traffic, but the site is adequately 
parked for the new school of this size, and the applicant is working with the other operators to 
minimize any impact to existing businesses. LSA will have a small class size with an overall count 
of 55 students. Drop off and pick up times have been adjusted to be slightly outside of typical 
arrival times for other operators within Fairmont Business Center. The applicant does not expect 
large lines during drop off and pickup, but to prevent queuing in the right of way, parents will be 
required to enter off of Fairmont Drive and utilize circulation along the site’s west and southern 
drive aisles. LSA requires 27 spaces per the Zoning and Development Code, but 32 are allotted 
per private agreements with the other site owners. 
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 use does not create nuisance above 
ambient levels. The primary nuisances associated with schools are traffic and noise. The applicant 
has addressed minimizing potential nuisance created by traffic. As for noise, LSA is an indoor only 
school. Recreational areas are provided in the school’s interior, minimizing nuisance generated by 
students or attendees during operational hours. The nearest residential area to LSA is the 
Petersen Park neighborhood; however, the school building would be separated by distance and 
physical barriers (site walls). The south facing building wall is 47 feet from the masonry site wall, 
which is then further separated from Peterson Park by a twenty-foot-wide publicly dedicated alley. 
Due to the nature of this school model, the proposed use is expected to emit less noise than a 
traditional school site and should not emit odor, dust, gas, vibration, smoke, heat or glare. 
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 use may 
enhance the neighborhood by occupying a vacant office building, while providing a necessary 
service for nearby families. 
4.
Compatibility with existing surrounding structures and uses. The proposed school is compatible 
with other users of the site. The existing businesses include an educational consulting company, a 
financial firm, and a commercial medical supplier, all of which are expected to have fewer regular 
visitors than the new school. Despite this, LSA is coordinating with the other businesses to ensure 
minimal to no disruption of their day-to-day operations. When considering the area more broadly, a 
school is compatible with and beneficial to the nearby residential neighborhood. 
5.
Adequate control of disruptive behavior both inside and outside the premises which may create a 
nuisance to the surrounding area or general public. As described by the applicant’s letter of 
explanation, all activities are indoors, and the students are escorted into the building to meet the 
needs of the students. The high ratio of staff to students will provide support for appropriate 
student behavior.
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.

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June 23, 2026
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 only after a Building Permit has been obtained, the required inspections 
have been completed and a Final Inspection has been passed. 
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.
In accordance with the criteria, the Use Permit shall not generate significant pedestrian or 
vehicular traffic, shall not generate noise, odor, glare or nuisances in excess of the surrounding 
existing conditions, shall not contribute to the deterioration of the neighborhood, and shall remain 
compatible with existing surrounding structures and uses. If complaints arise related to the 
approval criteria, which are verified by the City Attorney’s office, the Use Permit will be subject to 
review and possible revocation.
5.
In accordance with the criteria, the operator shall maintain adequate control of behavior both inside 
and outside the premises and may not disrupt or create a nuisance to the surrounding area or 
general public; If complaints arise which are verified by the Police Department or Community 
Enhancement Division, 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.
6.
Replace bicycle parking racks per City of Tempe Public Works Department bicycle rack 
detail T-578 standard. Modifications to the site are required to be reviewed and approved 
via the Development Plan Review or Building – Development Plan Review process prior to 
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
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.

PL260133 – LEADERSHIP SOCIETY OF ARIZONA 
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June 23, 2026
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 Leadership Society of Arizona 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.
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.
BASIS OF BUILDING HEIGHT: Measure height of buildings from top of curb at a point adjacent to the 
center of the front property line.
WATER CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY: (Residential and parks are exempt, commercial and 
mixed use are not exempt). As required in Tempe City Code 33-140 - 142, all new non-residential 
development projects are required to submit a Water Conservation Report that details potential water 
use, for review and approval by the Municipal Utilities Department, prior to building permit issuance.  
For a report template and more information, visit the commercial water conservation webpage.
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:

Design site security lighting in accordance with requirements of ZDC Part 4 Chapter 8 (Lighting)

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June 23, 2026
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.
HISTORY & FACTS:
June 01, 1958
The site was annexed into the City of Tempe via Ordinance 283. 
January 08, 2004 
City Council approved a development plan for four office/warehouse buildings 
for Fairmont Business Center, creating the site as it exists today.
September 24, 2004 A subdivision and condo plat (horizontal regime) was recorded with Maricopa 
County under record number 2003-1338435 reflecting the buildings and 
property lines that exist today. 
April 20, 2026
The applicant submitted this request for a Use Permit for a private school at the 
subject site.  
June 23, 2026
This request is scheduled to be heard by the Development Review Commission.  
ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE REFERENCE: 
Section 3-202, Permitted Uses in Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts
Section 6-308, Use Permit