Narrative, Site Plan, Photos

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2021-08-12)

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Dogtopia  
Use Permit Extension  
4901 S. Arizona Avenue, Suite 7 
Chandler, Arizona 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Case No. PLH20-0070 
2nd Submittal: June 29, 2021 
1st Submittal:   December 10, 2020

Use Permit Narrative 
 
 
A.  Project Overview 
 
Dogtopia is an existing dog daycare business within Suite 7 of the Shoppes at 
Chandler Heights shopping center (the “Site”), located at the northeast corner of 
Arizona Avenue and Chandler Heights Road, and otherwise commonly known as 
Maricopa County Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 303-53-778C. See Tab 1, 
Aerial Map and Tab 2, Site Plan. The Site is zoned PAD for C-2 uses, which 
permits the approximately 5,904 square foot indoor animal daycare, with or without 
overnight boarding, by-right.  
 
On December 12, 2019, a Use Permit (Case No. PLH19-0021) was approved by 
the City Council with conditions for a fenced outdoor play area behind the 
commercial shopping center. The approved +/- 1,000 square foot outdoor dog play 
area has been constructed and is utilized today consistent with the approved Use 
Permit (See Tab 3, context photos and Tab 4, PLH19-0021 conditions of 
approval). 
 
Since operation of the outdoor dog play area commenced in early August of 2020, 
Dogtopia has complied with the Use Permit conditions of approval, including sound 
mitigation and cleanliness measures, and limiting capacity and hours of use, 
among others. Further, Dogtopia has operated as a good neighbor and always 
responding to any neighbor concerns in good faith. 
 
One of the conditions of approval was a one-year time limitation to demonstrate 
the use can operate consistent with its conditions of approval.  The purpose of this 
application is to renew the use permit for one (1) years. 
 
B.  Request 
 
This application requests approval of a Use Permit Extension for one (1) year to 
allow for the continued operation of the outdoor dog play area, as well as minor 
relief from prior use restrictions, specifically related to hours of operation, which 
would  allow for some additional flexibility to accommodate an additional 30-minute 
window of time in the morning and afternoon, respectively, for improved playroom 
transitions. Please see Section C below for further detail. 
 
C.  Proposal 
 
Dogtopia is an existing dog daycare business that is franchised locally and 
employs approximately 20 staff members. An existing outdoor dog play space was 
approved in December 2019 and is located at the rear of the Dogtopia suite. It 
consists of +/- 1,000 sq. ft. of artificial turf area enclosed by an 8-foot-high opaque 
privacy fence. The dog play space is accessed directly from the interior of the

tenant space and an exterior swing gate is provided for emergency access. The 
dog play area contains dog play facilities and sunshade to provide relief from the 
elements. 
 
Below is a table of the approved business operations and proposed changes with 
this request. 
 
 
Approved Operational 
Characteristics 
Proposed Operational 
Characteristics 
Size of Outdoor 
Animal Play Area 
+/- 1,000 Square Feet 
No Change 
Days/Hours of 
Operation (Indoor) 
Seven 
Days 
a 
Week; 
Monday through Friday: 
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; 
and, Saturday to Sunday: 
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
No Change 
Days/Hours 
of Operation 
(Outdoor 
Animal Play 
Area) 
Six Days a Week; Monday 
through Friday: 9:00 a.m. 
to 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 
p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and, 
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 
noon.; 30-Minutes 
per 
Group 
Six Days a Week; Monday 
through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 
11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 
5:00 p.m.; and, Saturday 10:00 
a.m. to noon.; 30-Minutes per 
Group 
 
Proposed 
Occupancy 
(Outdoor Animal 
Play Area) 
Approximately Thirty-Nine 
(39) Small Breed Dogs; or, 
Thirty (30) Large Breed 
Dogs 
No Change 
Ratio of Staff 
Trainers to Dogs 
1 Staff Member for Every 
Twenty (20) Dogs 
No Change 
 
The modest request for an additional 30-minutes of outdoor play in the morning 
and afternoon, respectively, are extremely meaningful to Dogtopia, as it will allow 
for improved playroom transitions. More specifically, the actual use of the outdoor 
play area will not increase; rather, the additional time will serve as a buffer for 
playroom transitions. This request is appropriate at this time given that Dogtopia 
has proven to be a good operator and neighbor.  
 
D.  Use Permit Approval Criteria 
 
The Chandler Zoning Ordinance provides a set of criteria when examining a Use 
Permit request, where are addressed as follows: 
 
1. Consistency with General Plan

The use conforms to the General Plan and zoning code which allows this type of 
use in a commercial zoned area.  
 
2. Ingress and egress to property and proposed structures, pedestrian 
and vehicular circulation with particular reference to fire protection. 
Fully compliant. 
3. Off-street parking and loading. 
Fully compliant. 
4. General compatibility of use with adjacent property and property in the 
district. 
The use conforms to all rules and regulations prescribed by the Zoning Code and 
any other applicable local, State, or Federal requirements. The proposed use, as 
conditioned, will not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of nearby 
properties. The use is not detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of 
persons living or working in the vicinity.  The noise study provided with the original 
entitlement demonstrates it can operate compatibly at a level no greater than the 
ambient noise conditions.  The absence of formal complaints shows the use can 
co-exist next to residential homes. There are other louder ambient conditions such 
as the outdoor recess, outdoor band practice, railroad, overhead airplanes, and 
nearby traffic that create greater noise than the proposed outdoor use.  Lastly, the 
compatibility is further proven by the continuation of restricted hours of operation 
proposed by the applicant. This is a significant concession offered by the applicant 
for the neighbors’ benefit.   
5. Impact on public services, including schools, recreation and utilities. 
Zero impact. 
6. Screening and buffering of uses. 
Fully compliant. 
7. Signage. 
Fully compliant. 
8. Exterior lighting with reference to adjacent properties. 
Fully compliant. 
9. Stormwater retention and landscaping. 
Fully compliant. 
10. Site and building design for conformance with the general plan and 
policies and City standards

Fully compliant. 
Further, Ordinance Sec 35-305.(1).(c) provides that Use Permits may be granted 
by the City Council upon finding that the request: 
 
1) Is in conformance with the comprehensive plan and its policies; 
 
2) 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 with the conditions, 
requirements or standards prescribed by this Code or higher as may be 
deemed necessary by City Council in any one (1) situation.  
 
The “use” that is subject to this Use Permit extension request has already been 
found to be in conformance with the above criteria as evidenced by the original 
approval by the City Council in December 2019. The “use” continues to be in full 
compliance with the above provisions and is not detrimental to persons residing in 
the vicinity, to the neighborhood or to the public welfare in general as documented 
herein. 
 
E. Conclusion 
 
Dogtopia has complied with all of the original conditions of approval and has 
proven to be a good neighbor. This Use Permit extension request satisfies all the 
legal requirements outlined in the Zoning Ordinance and we respectfully request 
approval of this request.

Tab 1

TAB 1 – SITE AERIAL
Outdoor Dog 
Play Area
Suite 7

Tab 2

OVERALL SITE PLAN
NOT TO SCALE
TRUE NORTH
N
DOGTOPIA
E. CHANDLER HEIGHTS RD.
S. ARIZONA AVE.
ARCHITECTURAL EXTERIOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/32" = 1'
N
DOGTOPIA
5,904
LEASABLE SF
ADJACENT
TENANT
N.I.C.
ADJACENT
TENANT
N.I.C.
ADJACENT
TENANT
ENCLOSED
OUTDOOR
SPACE
N.I.C.
ADJACENT
TENANT
N.I.C.
100
101
102
103
104
104
104
104
105
TYP.
105
TYP.
105
TYP.
105
TYP.
106
107
108
109
110
110
105
TYP.
111
111
111
111
111
111
111
111
111
111
111
AS1-1
1
TYP.
50'-0"
ALIGN EDGE OF OUTDOOR
PLAY FOUNDATION AT 8'-0"
HIGH FENCE WITH EDGE OF
EXISTING CONCRETE CURB
NO CHANGE TO PARKING
APPROXIMATE LOCATION
OF EXISTING LOT LINE (AT
EXISTING SCREENING
FENCING)
2'-8"
112
113
114
115
115
115
115
116
12'-10"
7'-6"
±20'-0"
EXISTING ±42'-0" SETBACK
104
658.35'
GRAPHIC SCALE 
0'   5'   10'        20'        30'        40'        50'        60'       70'        80'        90'       100'
AS1-2
1
EXISTING - ±26'-0"
±77'-5"
117
100
1.
SITE MODIFICATIONS ARE LIMITED TO OUTDOOR PLAY.  NO OTHER EXTERIOR
WORK PROPOSED.
GENERAL NOTES
100. LOCATION OF LEASE LINE
101. REMOVE EXISTING LANDSCAPING AREA TO CREATE FENCED IN OUTDOOR PLAY
AREA WITH SYNTHETIC TURF, SEE DETAIL 3/AS1.0.  FENCING TO BE 8'-0" HIGH.
102. MAIN ENTRY DOORS.
103. ACCESSIBLE PATH OF TRAVEL.
104. EXISTING CONCRETE SIDEWALK.
105. EXISTING PARKING STRIPING.
106. ACCESSIBLE CONCRETE CURB RAMP (UNDER SEPARATE PERMIT).
107. EXISTING PRIVACY FENCING.
108. EXISTING ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER.
109. EXISTING ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
110. EXISTING TRASH ENCLOSURE.
111. EXISTING LANDSCAPE AREA.
112. EXISTING ADJACENT TENANT STORAGE AREA.  (CONTENTS UNKNOWN)
113. NEW GATE WITHIN FENCED AREA.
114. EXISTING UNDERGROUND UTILITY ACCESS.
115. EXISTING EXTERIOR LIGHT POLE.
116. EXISTING FIRE HYDRANT.
117. SHADE SAIL: 12' X 12' TENSHON SHADE SAIL STRUCTURE IN SEDONA FROM
TENSHON.COM
KEY NOTES
NEW SYNTHETIC
TURF
MATERIAL LEGEND
EXISTING
LANDSCAPE AREA
EXISTING TOTAL SITE AREA = +/- 30,000 sqft (PART OF AN EXISTING
SHOPPING CENTER)
EXISTING TOTAL BUILDING AREA = 5,904
%
OF TOTAL SITE AREA = +/-20%
ESITING LANDSCAPE = +/- 5,000 sqft (PART OF AN EXISTING
SHOPPING CENTER)
PROPOSED LANDSCAPE = +/- 4,392 sqft
PROJECT DATA
EXISTING NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES
PARKING CALCULATIONS
PARKING SPACES REMOVED
PROPOSED NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES
44
0
44
REQUIRED NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES =
SQ.FT. / 400  (5,904 / 400)
15
PARKING SPACES REQUIRED (15) < PARKING SPACES PROVIDED (44)
PARKING IS SHARED AMONGST THE CENTER, PARKING
COUNTS BELOW ARE ESTIMATES.
USE/OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION = B - BUSINESS 
ALLOWABLE AREA:
92,000 SQ. FT.
ALLOWABLE HEIGHT:
75'-0"
GROSS LEASED AREA:
5,904 SQ. FT.
ACTUAL HEIGHT:
+/- 24'-7"
AS1-0
17710 Detroit Avenue     Lakewood, Ohio  44107
Phone (216)  521-5134         Fax (216) 521-4824
www.adaarchitects.cc
ARCHITECTS, INC.
This document (“Instrument of Service”) was prepared by ADA Architects, Inc. (“ADA”) specifically for the referenced project and
is not intended for any other use. ADA retains all common law, statutory and other reserved rights, including copyrights. This
Instrument of Service shall not be used on other projects, for additions to this project or for completion of this project by others
without ADA's prior written consent. Any unauthorized use of this Instrument of Service shall be at the User's sole risk and without
liability to ADA. ADA makes no warranties, express or implied, of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose.
DOGTOPIA
LOCATION: 4901 SOUTH ARIZONA AVE. CHANDLER, AZ 85248
ADA JOB NO.: 19014
FRANCHISEE: DOGHOUSE GROUP, LLC.
DATE: 6/11/19
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
AS1-0 : MODIFIED SITE PLAN
AS1-1 : OUTDOOR PLAY AREA DETAILS
AS1-2 : MODIFIED EXTERIOR ELEVATION
AS1-3 : FLOOR PLAN (FOR REFERENCE)

Tab 3

Dogtopia – Photo Context Plan
1
2
3
4
5
6

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

Tab 4

DOGTOPIA PLH19-0021 APPROVED STIPULATIONS: