Planning and Zoning Meeting Minutes Signed

Meeting Minutes
Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting

January 21, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. oc

Chandler City Council Chambers Fae., CHANDLER
88 E Chicago St, Chandler Community of Innovation
Cail to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Heumann at 5:30 p.m.

Roll Call

Commission Attendance Staff Attendance

Chairman Rick Heumann David de la Torre, Acting Planning Admin.
Vice Chairman Sherri Kohshiol Lauren Schumann, Principal Planner
Commissioner Charlotte Golla Thomas Allen, Assistant City Attorney
Commissioner Michael Quinn Danielle Smee, Clerk

Commissioner Tom Bilsten
Commissioner Ryan Schwarzer
Commissioner Tracy DuCharme

Absent
N/A

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Heumann.

Scheduled and 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 items
1. December 17, 2025 and January 7, 2026, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes
Move Planning and Zoning Commission approve the meeting minutes from the Study
Session and Regular Session held on December 17, 2025, and the Special Session held
on January 7, 2026.

2. Notice of Cancellation of the February 4, 2026, Planning and Zoning Commission
Hearing
Move Planning and Zoning Commission cancel the February 4, 2026 Planning and
Zoning Commission Hearing as recommended by staff due to management of cases.

There were no questions or comments on the Consent Agenda items.

Action Items

3. General Plan Update, Chandler 2026 General Plan: evolving the Chandler way
As required by Arizona Revised Statute (9-461.06), the Planning and Zoning Commission
will hold two public hearings at different locations within the municipality to obtain
public input and promote citizen participation.

LAUREN SCHUMANN, PRINCIPAL PLANNER, presented PLH25-0010 General Plan Update 2026-
evolving the Chandler way. MS. SCHUMANN reminded the audience that this meeting is the
second Planning and Zoning Commission meeting involving the General Plan and thanked
everyone involved in this process, including the consultants, the public and staff.

MS. SCHUMANN provided information on what a General Plan is, noting it is the “blueprint” to for
the city over the next 10 years, but that it is also a broad document. MS. SCHUMANN reviewed
the timeline that occurred for constructing the 2026 General Plan, including meeting with
consultants, assembling and meeting with the Resident Advisory Committee and hosting events
held throughout the year to involve the public.

MS. SCHUMANN elaborated on the edits and changes that were made to the General Plan draft
thus far, including comments and updates made by consultants, the Resident Advisory Committee
and the public, all of which have been addressed.

MS. SCHUMANN followed up with a comment about transportation and density from
COMMISSIONER BILSTEN at the first Planning and Zoning Commission meeting about the General
Plan. MS. SCHUMANN reported that public transportation occurs on a fixed route, so it would not
be required to have a bus run through a new development to obtain their desired density. She

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reported that the General Plan is a “high level” plan and that in checking with the Traffic
Department, the majority of arterial roads are fully built out and able to handle most densities.

Additionally, MS. SCHUMANN reported that there was specification to the employment section of
the General Plan, calling out there is a welcome to employers in the following areas: high
technology companies, pioneering research and emerging technologies, knowledge-based
industries, next generation software engineering, advanced manufacturing and health care. MS.
SCHUMANN reviewed the policy about adding residential to employment areas and specified the
scenarios in which that would be appropriate.

BOYD DUNN, CHAIR OF RESIDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, spoke about his experience on the
General Plan Resident Advisory Committee and the process the committee went through to
approve the draft. MR. DUNN spoke positively of the General Plan draft, noting that with the city
approaching 100% build-out, the draft encouraged “unique development” opportunities. MR.
DUNN shared that he felt the plan protected existing neighborhoods and businesses and
emphasized the character of why people choose to live in Chandler. MR. DUNN complimented
staff and the consultants on the entire project.

MS. SCHUMANN reviewed the outcome from the last Resident Advisory Committee meeting,
including the desired change to the name of the Uptown Area to North Arizona Avenue.
Additionally, she discussed the change of removing the language in regard to a light rail system
from the entire plan. The Resident Advisory Committee voted unanimously to approve the
General Plan, with CHAIR HEUMANN (who was on the Resident Advisory Committee and Planning
and Zoning Commission) recusing from vote, so that he could vote with the Planning and Zoning
Commission.

MS. SHCUMANN recommended approval of PLH25-0010 General Plan Update 2026-evolving the
Chandler way, and opened the floor to questions and comments from Commissioners.

COMMISSIONER BILSTEN shared that the draft was comprehensive and exciting but inquired
about the amendment process, should something come forward for development that does not
fit within the General Plan. MS. SCHUMANN explained the process of amending the General Plan
and the timelines with that process.

Additionally, COMMISSIONER BILSTEN inquired about traffic, asking about a statement made in
the presentation about every street being at “full capacity.” COMMISSIONER BILSTEN wanted to
know about the remaining roads that are not at full capacity and what would “trigger the city to
get involved” with those streets.

MS. SCHUMANN shared that the Traffic and Transportation teams do have a master plan for traffic
and roads and that plan does get reviewed every five to ten years.

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CHAIR HEUMANN commented on the last bond election and stated there are plans to widen the
roads from that election, primarily in North Chandler.

MR. BILSTEN asked about affordable housing and where that is “called out” on the General Plan
draft.

MS. SCHUMANN reviewed the Middle Housing Bill that came through the Planning and Zoning
Commission last year involving the downtown area, including the plans for pre-approved floor
plans that people can utilize for more efficiency. MS. SCHUMANN also stated that a single-family
home within the Downtown Area Plan can build up to a fourplex by right. MS. SCHUMANN also
brought up the Villas on McQueen development, which will be replacing older public housing
establishments, those of which can also be revamped in the future.

MR. BILSTEN commented that with diverse housing comes a diverse community and he
appreciated the time staff has taken to think about that for Chandler.

CHAIR HEUMANN thanked everyone who participated in the Resident Advisory Committee. CHAIR
HEUMANN stated that the General Plan is just that, general. MR. HEUMANN noted that there was
thoughtfulness in items such as the water and infrastructure plans and a focus on good quality
jobs. MR. HEUMANN stated that “we are our enemy” when it came to affordable housing, stated
that Chandler provides good, high earning jobs which then impacts the housing marking as people
want to live close to their area of employment. MR. HEUMANN complimented staff on their
engagement with the community throughout this process.

Consent Agenda Motion and Vote

VICE CHAIR KOSHIOL motioned to approve consent items 1 and 2, seconded by COMMISIONER
GOLLA. Items 1 and 2 were approved (7-0)

Action Agenda Motion and Vote
COMMISIONER GOLLA motioned to approve Item 3, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHWARZER.
Iter 3 was approved (7-0)

Member Comments/Announcements

VICE CHAIR KOSHIOL invited everyone to attend Airport Day, located at Chandler Airport on
January 24", 2026,

Calendar

The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be held on February 18, 2026, at 5:30
PM in the Chandler City Council Chambers, located at 88 E Chicago Street, Chandler.

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Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 6:06 p.m.

\r

David de la Torre, Secretary

Rick Heumann, Chairman

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