DRC_STAFF REPORT_GRINDEY RESIDENCE_062326.DOCX

PL260137 – GRINDEY RESIDENCE
Page 1
June 23, 2026
STAFF REPORT
GRINDEY RESIDENCE (PL260137)
PROJECT DATA:
Project Address
744 East Vista Del Cerro Drive
Property Owners
Rebecca Grindey
Applicant
Noah Steinman, Holtzman Construction
Zoning District
R1-6 (Single-Family Residential)
Gross Site Area
0.11 acres
Number of Units
1 units
Total Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Total Building Area
1,828 s.f. 
Suite Area
4,969 s.f. (excluding dedicated right of way along Rural Road)
Building Height(s) 
9’ (30’ maximum allowed) (attached residential addition)
Lot Coverage
37% (45% maximum allowed) (Right of way along Rural Road 
excluded)
Building Setbacks
25’ front, 15’ front open structure, 5’ west side, 8’ east street side, 
23’ rear 
(20’, 15’ 5’, 10’, 15’ min.)
Vehicle Parking
2 spaces (in driveway) (2 min. required)
Required Parking for Use
2 spaces (Single-Family Residential, 5 bedrooms or less)
COMMENTS:
This site is located on the north side of Vista Del Cerro Drive immediately west of Rural Road and four 
blocks north of Broadway Road on Lot 1 of the University Heights Subdivision. The property is zoned 
R1-6, Single-Family Residential, and contains an existing 3-bedroom home constructed in 1962. The 
property owner is proposing an attached sitting/family and laundry room addition to the home and will 
be removing the existing covered patio in the rear of the property. City records do not indicate that the 
original home was constructed with a garage or carport for required vehicle parking, and this addition 
does not increase the total number of bedrooms in the home. Due to these circumstances, no Use 
Permit for parking in the front yard setback is required.
Since the construction of the home in 1962, 15 feet of right of way have been dedicated on the east 
side of the property along Rural Road. Due to this dedication of right of way, the existing residence 
provides an east street side setback for the main residence of almost 0 feet. The proposed residential 
addition must conform to the current Zoning and Development Code street side yard setback of 10 
feet, and the property owner is requesting to reduce this by 20% via a Use Permit Standard.
Existing uses on the site include a single-family residence.
The applicant is requesting the Development Review Commission take action on:
ZUP260047
Use Permit Standard to reduce the required street side yard setback from 10 feet to 8 
feet for an attached residential addition
PUBLIC INPUT

Neighborhood meeting not required

Staff has not received any public input at the time of publishing this report
USE PERMIT STANDARD

PL260137 – GRINDEY RESIDENCE
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June 23, 2026
The proposed use requires a Use Permit Standard to reduce the street side yard setback from 10 feet 
to 8 feet in the R1-6 Zoning District for an attached residential addition.
Section 6-308 E Approval criteria for Use Permit (in italics):
1.
Any significant increase in vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The property is remaining a single-family 
use and this addition is not increasing the number of bedrooms in the home. This residential 
addition is not expected to increase traffic to and from the site.
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 property is remaining a single-family use and is not 
expected to create a nuisance beyond ambient conditions.
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 residential addition 
represents an investment in the property and is not expected to negatively impact property values 
and does not conflict with the stated goals of the city’s adopted plans.
4.
Compatibility with existing surrounding structures and uses. The residential addition in the rear of 
the property is not visible from the street and is consistent with typical single-family homes.
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 proposed addition is not expected to 
create a nuisance or other disruptive 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. 
Based on the information provided and the above analysis, staff recommends approval of the 
requested Use Permit Standard. 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 Standard 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 Standard 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.
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 Standard review did not include a comprehensive evaluation of the 
site for code compliance; the scope of approval is for the Use Permit Standard 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.

PL260137 – GRINDEY RESIDENCE
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June 23, 2026
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 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.
BASIS OF BUILDING HEIGHT: Measure height of buildings from top of curb at a point adjacent to the 
center of the front property line.
HISTORY & FACTS:
March 12, 1953
The property was annexed into the City of Tempe.  
1962
Single-family home was built.
2007
Historic Maricopa County aerial imagery first shows the attached patio in the 
rear.
June 23, 2026
Development Review Commission is scheduled to hear this item.
ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE REFERENCE:
Section 4-201(A), Use Permit Standard
Section 4-202, Development Standards for Residential Districts