August 26, 2025 Meeting Minutes
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Page 1 of 5 General Plan Resident Advisory Committee General Plan Resident Advisory Committee Regular Meeting August 26th, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. Chandler Airport 2380 S Stinson Way, Chandler, AZ 85286 Roll Call The meeting was called to Order by Chair Dunn 4:05 pm Committee Members In- Person Attendance: Chair Dunn Boyd Dunn, Vice Chair Jack Sellers, Lisa Grayer, Alison Garrard, Peppur Chambers, Lori Collins, Terri Kimble, Shannon Portillo, Rene Barrios, Shannon Portillo, Rick Heumann, Chris Dobson, Jess Lopez Committee Members Virtual Attendance: Jyoti Pathak, Garry Hayes, Michael Monteilh, Chrissy Rodriguez Excused Absent: Spike Lawrence, Michael Pollock, Crystal Blackwell, Micheal Underwood Other In-Person Attendance: Lauren Schumann, Kevin Mayo, Kevin Snyder, David de la Torre, Terri Hogan, Danielle Smee, Madison Macias Other Virtual Attendance: Chris Joannes, Rick Merrit Page 2 of 5 General Plan Resident Advisory Committee Consent Agenda 1. July 29th, 2025 General Plan Resident Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Move to approve minutes by Committee Member Ray. Seconded by Committee Member Portillo Motion passes 13*-0 *Committee Members Huemann and Collins abstain from voting on minutes due to absence from the previous meeting. Discussion 2. Economic Development Presentation by Micah Miranda, Economic Development • General Plan Amendments o No amendments have been made to the 2016 General Plan, indicating its enduring relevance. • Target Industries & Diversification o Concerns about over-reliance on high-tech industries (e.g., Intel, AI). o Discussion on the need to support skilled labor industries (HVAC, mechanics, welding). o M. Miranda provides clarification that Chandler proactively targets industries but does not exclude others. o Debate on whether Chandler is turning away non-target industries. o M. Miranda and Committee Member Pathak emphasize that Chandler is not destabilized by growth in the AI sector employment wise because it provides infrastructure supporting AI (data centers, microchips). o Comments on educational institutions supporting economic growth. Page 3 of 5 General Plan Resident Advisory Committee o Committee Member Ray expressed concern about too much focus on target industries and not enough focus on acquiring more skilled laborers and professions in Chandler. o Committee Member Lopez suggests that Chandler focuses on providing first and second office locations for AI and tech companies that are actually occupied by employees and not vacant due to remote work, as a way to support population diversity and employment goals. o Vice Chair Sellers suggests the idea of using a General Plan designation to ensure interested developers can actually implement mixed use employment and residential development in areas where it is being unnecessarily impeded. • Housing & Mixed Use o Vertical housing and mixed-use development are discussed as strategies for relevance. o Concerns about mixed-use being overly commercial and not industrial. o Debate on whether mixed-use is being implemented effectively. o General Plan amendments are seen as difficult and discouraging for developers. o Proactive on homes for the aging as the population ages; concerns with the population pyramid of Chandler, younger population decreasing. 3. 2016 Plan Audit Comments Presented by Lauren Schumann • Audit Feedback o Positive feedback on growth areas and redevelopment. o Comments about development around the municipal airport, the Airport Commission in 2020 requested residential uses eliminated to ensure current and future operations of the airport. o Downtown area plan updates underway with interest in increased density. 4. General Plan Update Process and Public Engagement Update by Terri Hogan • Vision Statement (VS) Refinement Page 4 of 5 General Plan Resident Advisory Committee o Final consensus: Keeping the W2 Vision Statement “Chandler is a welcoming and resilient city where families, businesses, and diverse communities grow together.” • Mixed-Use Place Type Models o Concerns about public expectation for vertical mixed-use designs due to the parcel specific place type models. o Clarification that place types are conceptual, not prescriptive. o Agreement to use general visual elements (e.g., pictures depicting the main elements of each place type such as bike racks or multi use paths) for conceptualization as opposed to 3D models of the building types. • Affordability & Demographics o High housing costs and mortgage rates affect affordability. o Downsizing is costly; smaller homes are not available or affordable. o S. Portillo suggests we prioritize how to make smaller homes more affordable for people to downsize when they want to. o L. Collins raises that a developer or local group dedicated to championing affordable housing, specifically for aging in place, could offer success as it has in other cities. o Only 1/3 of Intel employees live in Chandler due to housing options. o Lack of housing for entry-level professionals and aging populations. o T. Kimball asks if aiming for 14k more housing units is too aggressive of an approach. o T. Kimball asserts that multi-family housing will need to be done strategically since the current options are mostly luxury complexes or generally not affordable. • Growth Areas & Redevelopment o R. Heumann expresses concern over Alma School being considered for a growth corridor because it is mostly residential. o G. Hayes questioned the need for growth areas if area plans suffice. o The planning team and consultants reiterated the importance of parcel- level analysis for general infrastructure planning. Page 5 of 5 General Plan Resident Advisory Committee o Concerns about over-urbanization and maintaining Chandler’s character. o P. Chambers asks whether or not it’s actually appropriate to cater to NIMBYs while Chandler’s goal is to attract a younger demographic and maintain economic vitality. • General Plan Implementation o Need to balance innovation, resilience, and realistic development goals. o Agreement to schedule longer meetings to address unresolved issues. Calendar 5. The next Regular Meeting will be held on Tuesday September 16th, 2025 at 3:00 P.M.. at City Hall Training Room. Public Comment No public comments. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned by Chair Dunn at 6:35 p.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ Lauren Schumann, Secretary Boyd Dunn, Chair Prepared by: Economic Development Division Micah Miranda, Director Economic Update: August 26, 2025 General Plan Resident Advisory Committee Targeted Industries 4 Automotive Technology Aviation & Aerospace Advanced Business Svcs. High-Tech Manufacturing Healthcare IT & Software Chandler Update 2 chandleraz.gov/ed National Awards Chandler Update #5 Best City for Women in Tech #7 Best City to Find a Job #6 Best City for Families #17 Best City to Start a Business #8 Best Untapped City for Startups #11 Best City for First-Time Homebuyers Sources: SmartAsset, Opendoor, WalletHub, Fundera, B2B Reviews, FT-Nikkei Investing in America 3 chandleraz.gov/ed Chandler Stats Chandler Update 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 90,533 176,581 236,123 275,987 294,900 (proj.) Sources: ESRI Business Analyst (2025), U.S. Census Bureau, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, Maricopa Association of Governments, City of Chandler Population Growth % of Total Population Ages 15 - 24: 13% Ages 25 - 34: 15% Ages 35 - 44: 14% Ages 45 - 54: 14% Ages 55 - 64: 12% 38 Yrs Median Age Working Age Population 4 chandleraz.gov/ed Current estimate: 291,572 Chandler Stats Chandler Update 49% Chandler 34% Arizona 37% United States Data Source: ESRI Business Analyst (2025) Note: %Bachelor's Degree or Higher is for the population ages 25+ $116K United States $150K Chandler $115K Arizona %Bachelor's Degree or Higher Avg. Household Income 5 chandleraz.gov/ed Data Sources: MAG Employer Database and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Analysis based on "high-tech industries" per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. "East Valley" includes Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Tempe. Innovation Economy: % of Workers in High-Tech Industries 27% Chandler 15% East Valley 10% United States • Chandler has an innovation mindset and this is reflected in the companies located in our community. Ability to adapt to a changing global economy helps ensure long-term economic sustainability. Chandler Stats Chandler Update 6 chandleraz.gov/ed Target Industry Employment 7 • Chandler has experienced strong job growth while achieving a beneficial increase in diversification across key industries over the past 20 years. 14,210 4,710 1,780 3,520 19,900 14,660 5,700 6,440 27,230 15,210 12,510 13,300 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 High-Tech Manufacturing & Development Business Services Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate Health Care 2003 2013 2023 Data Source: MAG Employer Database Economic Development Update +5,690 +7,330 +9,950 +550 +3,920 +6,810 +2,920 +6,860 Data Source: MAG Employer Database Employment Base Top Industry Clusters by Employment: Chandler vs. MAG Region Industry 2003 2013 2023 Positive Trend? %Jobs in Chandler Location Quotient %Jobs in Chandler Location Quotient %Jobs in Chandler Location Quotient High Tech Manufacturing 22.2% 4.48 20.7% 4.38 20.0% 4.56 Business Services 7.3% 0.63 15.3% 1.29 11.2% 0.92 Consumer Services 8.2% 0.99 9.1% 0.97 10.6% 0.95 Retail 10.0% 0.89 13.0% 1.13 10.7% 0.94 Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate 2.8% 0.33 5.9% 0.66 9.2% 1.10 Healthcare 5.5% 0.73 6.7% 0.65 9.8% 0.79 Education 6.8% 0.99 6.5% 0.73 7.0% 0.95 Construction 10.0% 0.96 5.9% 0.74 4.5% 0.62 Transportation & Dist. 6.0% 0.81 5.2% 0.76 4.5% 0.65 8 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Economic Development Update Jobs to Households 9 Data Sources: MAG Employer Database (2021), ESRI Business Analyst (2021) Data Sources: MAG Employer Database, American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates 95,940 116,980 135,910 84,762 91,969 105,611 2013 2018 2023 Jobs Households 1.13 1.27 1.29 2013 2018 2023 Jobs vs. Households Jobs per Household • Balance: Chandler continues to add jobs as its population grows. Economic Development Update 39% 2013 49% 2023 Data Source: American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates %Bachelor's Degree or Higher (Population 25 years and over) Median Household Income (In 2023 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) Prosperous Community 10 Economic Development Update $93,579 $105,393 2013 2023 • Quality jobs bring educated residents and wealth to our community. Chandler Population Pyramids Chandler Update Source: U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates) 11 chandleraz.gov/ed 10% 5% 0% 5% 10% 0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85 and over Men 2022 Women 2010 • Chandler has been following national and state trends in that while the population is still growing (by attracting new residents), it has also continued to age. • These demographic shifts could have significant impacts on the city and our local economy. Potential Challenges for Chandler Chandler Update 12 chandleraz.gov/ed • Labor force availability • Consumer spending habits • School enrollment • Changing service expectations • Sustainability of revenue streams “Low fertility – and the aging population that it generates – implies fewer workers per capita and creates significant headwinds to economic growth, the fiscal sustainability of public benefit programs, and the trend of continuous improvement in living standards, as reflected in per capita incomes.” White House (May 23, 2024) Things to Think About 13 • Demographic shifts and community impacts • Housing turnover, vertical development opportunities with an emphasis on 55+ housing • Infrastructure Investment to facilitate private sector investment with ROI: • Water and sewer infrastructure • Electrical generation and transition • “Shovel ready sites” Economic Development Update Chandler Update 14 chandleraz.gov/ed Summary • Local economic trends are positive • Past infrastructure investments set stage for economic vitality • Chandler is well-positioned for future economic vitality, however: • Realization of demographic shifts • Addressing gaps in commercial real estate needs • Commitment to high-quality growth • Focused on the future Residential Advisory Committee (RAC) Chandler General Plan Update Tuesday, August 26, 2025 – Meeting #5 Meeting Agenda Plan Drafting Schedule Workshop 2 Update Workshop 2 Input & GPU Applications Upcoming Events Plan Drafting Schedule 8/29/25 - Working Drafts City Staff 8/29/25 – RAC Plan Audit Deadline 9/12/25 – 1st Draft (City Staff & RAC) 9/16/25 – RAC meeting #6 9/19/25 – 1st Draft Comments Deadline 10/1/25 – 60 Day Public Review Draft 12/16/25 – Final RAC Meeting 1st Draft – will be an internal only word document in Konveio similar to the Plan Audit platform. Acknowledgments CHAPTER 1 – CHANDLER ENVISIONS CHAPTER 2 – CHANDLER REIMAGINES CHAPTER 3 – CHANDLER CONNECTS CHAPTER 4 – CHANDLER SUSTAINS CHAPTER 5 – CHANDLER IMPLEMENTS Appendices Workshop 2: SCENARIOS Chandler Listens - Chandler Museum 75 participants in person! Virtual workshop 2: available online until August 31st Project website: Chandleraz.gov Interim W2 Results – Vision • Likes that its concise • Missing terms: Innovative, friendly, sustainable, fiscally responsible • Replace resilient with vibrant • Not sure what responsible development is Vision Statement Revision W2 Version: Chandler is a welcoming and resilient city where families, businesses, and diverse communities grow together. With a strong foundation in education, safety, and responsible development, prioritize quality of life and opportunity for all generations. Revised: Chandler is a welcoming and resilient city where families, businesses, and diverse communities grow together. With a strong foundation in education, safety, and responsible development, we are committed to preserving quality of life will continue to prioritize our quality of life and opportunities for all generations. RAC Discussion & Action Residential Mixed-Use Design Concept Models 1. Neighborhood - Residential Mixed Use Place Type - 20 units per acre 2. Regional Commercial - Residential Mixed Use Place Type – 45 units per acre 3. Employment – Residential Mixed Use Place Type - 65 units per acre Workshop 1 - Ideas Workshop 2 – Visual Concepts Neighborhood Residential Mixed Use Regional Commercial Residential Mixed Use Employment Residential Mixed Use General Plan Update - Application Revised 3D models will be used the Immersion Lab and in Land Use Categories to help conceptionally define the Future Land Use Categories Mixed Use Name Change: • Neighborhood Mixed Use Residential to Neighborhood Residential with Integrated Uses • Regional Commercial Mixed Use Residential to Regional Commercial Residential with Integrated Uses • Employment Mixed Use Residential to Employment Residential with Integrated Uses RAC Discussion & Input Total Housing Gap -Through 2040- 24,600 Units – Needed to meet Missing Middle housing demand Barrier: Lack of direction in the General Plan where missing middle housing may be an acceptable use. Areas of Change No Change Scenario – 13,462 housing units Medium Density – 27,809 housing units High Density – 56,129 housing units Interim W2 Results – Housing Scenarios General Plan Update Application 1 - Downtown Region 2 – North AZ Ave 3 – Airpark 4 - Price Road Corridor 5 – Medical / Regional Retail 6 – I-10 / Loop 202 7 – Alma School Corridor RAC Discussion & Input ChandlerTalks 2.0 Save the Date! Wednesday, October 15th 5:30 pm @ Chandler Center for the Arts Small Infill Housing Developers Moderated by Elliot D. Pollack & Company Mobile Immersion Lab – Virtual Reality Save the Date! Tuesday, October 28th 11 am – 7 pm @ SoHo63 63 E. Boston St. THANK YOU chandleraz.gov/generalplan LOOKING AHEAD: • Plan Audit Comments Due by 8/29 • Chandler Listens Workshop #2 Virtual Live until August 30th • Next RAC Meeting: September 16, 2025 – TBD