Planning and Zoning Commission Study Session Miniutes

Meeting Minutes
Planning and Zoning Commission
Study Session

September 3, 2025| 5:00 p.m.

Chandler City Council Chambers 6... CHANDLER
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88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ Community of innovation

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Koshiol at 5:01 p.m.

Roll Call
Commission Attendance Staff Attendance
Vice Chair Sherri Koshiol Kevin Mayo, Planning Administrator
Commissioner Michael Quinn David De La Torre, Planning Manager
Commissioner Kyle Barichello Lauren Schumann, Principal Planner
Commissioner Charlotte Golla Alisa Petterson, Senior Planner
Commissioner Ryan Schwarzer Thomas Allen, Assistant City Attorney
Commissioner Tom Bilsten Taylor Kosareff, Clerk

Danielle Smee, Clerk
Absent

Chairman Rick Heumann- Excused

Scheduled/Unscheduled Public Appearances

Members of the audience may address any item not on the agenda. State Statute prohibits the
Board or Commission from discussing an item that is not on the agenda, but the Board or
Commission does listen to your concerns and has staff follow up on any questions you raise.

Consent Agenda and Discussion
1. June 18, 2025, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes

Move Planning and Zoning Commission approve the meeting minutes of the Study Session and
Regular Meeting held June 18, 2025

VICE CHAIR KOSHIOL confirmed there were no questions or comments from Commission
members.

2. PLH24-0030 Downtown Region Area Plan Update

Request an adoption of the Downtown Region Area Plan to replace the Downtown-Southern
Arizona Corridor Area Plan, which consists of the Redevelopment Area Plan and the South Arizona
Avenue Entry Corridor Study, and the South Arizona Avenue Design Guidelines. The Downtown
Region Area Plan establishes future land uses, conceptual principal designs and other goals and
policies for an area generally bounded by Ray Road, McQueen Road, Santan 202 Freeway, and
Alma School Road.

ALISA PETTERSON, SENIOR PLANNER, presented the details of the proposed updates and specific
key points of the Downtown Region Area Plan, which covers 2.4 square miles and is sub-divided
into 5 districts. Ms. Petterson reviewed previous plans and documents that applied to the area,
community engagement and key priorities, as well as design principles and themes.

It is noted the boundaries have expanded to this area to include “gateway areas” that are
“inherently connected to the downtown.” Future land uses were identified after extensive
community input and consideration and include high density residential and integrated uses.

This new plan would provide guidance and vision for what the future of the downtown area would
look like. The key goals are to provide flexibility for development in the downtown region, create
a more dynamic downtown area, embrace the “downtown gateways” including safer passages for
pedestrians and cyclists and enhance downtown character. Per community input, people are
looking for “alley activation” and allowance for things like art exhibits and events in the area. It
was noted that there are reported sewer and water issues in the area and addressing those needs
is something that is an element to the plan.

MS. PETTERSON reports that community outreach to the public was provided with engagement
activities such as presentations, interviews, and a virtual workshop. Ms. Petterson reports staff
has had no reported opposition to the proposed plan at this time.

VICE CHAIR KOSHIOL inquired how this proposed area plan would interact with the upcoming
General Plan update. Ms. Petterson reports that the reason that this item was previously paused
from Commission review was so that it better integrated with the General Plan, noting that there
is crossover from the General Plan and that “they fold into each other.”

COMMISSIONER SCHWARZER asked about flexibility with the guidelines of the proposed area
plan. Ms. Petterson reports that there will be Objective Design Standards implemented in the

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future, and that this area plan would be held to those State requirements, but that otherwise this
area plan is general and open to suggestions or changes, if needed.

COMMISSIONER BILSTEN notes he is aware of the Washington Street Alignment project and
wanted more information on how non-profit organizations, such as the nearby Salvation Army
would fit into this proposed area plan. Commissioner Bilsten reports he does not want to make it
more challenging for places that benefit the community to exist in the area. Ms. Petterson reports
that the Neighborhood Residential land use category includes language that allows public
facilities, nonprofit organizations and institutional uses to be located within the neighborhoods.
This area plan is an “outlined path forward” and can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis as
needed. Additionally, Commissioner Bilsten asked about sustainability initiatives, inquiring if
something like solar panels would be a requirement for the area based on the photos in the
presentation. Commissioner Bilsten did not want to place “an undue burden” on the development
of the area with that expectation. Ms. Petterson reports there is no current requirement for
sustainable initiatives like solar panels, but is a potential vision for the area.

PLANNING ADMINSTRATOR, KEVIN MAYO addressed the Commissioners, stating there has been
a great effort that has gone into this project, including a lot of pivoting to recognize the Objective
Design Standards. Mr. Mayo recognized both Alisa Petterson and Teri Hogan from Logan Simpson
for their work on this project.

Calendar

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Work Session on September 17, 2025, at
4:00PM, followed by a Study Session at 5:00PM and a Regular Meeting at 5:30PM. The Work
Session will be held in the Council Chambers Conference Room and the Study Session and
Regular Meeting will be held in the Chandler City Council Chambers, located at 88 E. Chicago
Street, Chandler, Arizona.

Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 5:27 p.m.

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Kevin Nayo, Secretary Rick Heumann, Chairman

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