Attachment D - VPC Summary - Z-175-24-6.pdf

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
 
Village Planning Committee Meeting Summary 
Z-175-24-6 
 
 
 
Date of VPC Meeting 
April 9, 2025 
Request From 
C-2 
Request To 
C-2 HP 
Proposal 
Historic Preservation Overlay for Hansen Mortuary 
Location 
Northwest corner of 7th Street and Las Palmaritas 
Drive 
VPC Recommendation 
Approval, per the staff recommendation 
VPC Vote 
10-0 
 
 
VPC DISCUSSION: 
 
Two members of the public registered in support of this item, both wishing to speak. 
 
STAFF PRESENTATION 
Kevin Weight, staff, stated that he was presenting in his capacity as a staff member 
with the City’s Historic Preservation Office, and as a representative for the applicant, 
which in this case is the Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Weight oriented the 
Committee to the site and provided a brief background. Mr. Weight referenced a book 
titled Midcentury Marvels, which was published by the City in 2011 and included 
historically relevant sites dating from 1945 to 1975, including Hansen Mortuary. Mr. 
Weight stated that at the time of the book’s publication, Hansen Mortuary was 
identified as a potential historic property for both the Phoenix Register as well as the 
National Register. Mr. Weight stated there was no activity regarding the historic status 
of Hansen Mortuary until September of 2024, at which time the Sunnyslope Historical 
Society approached the City about placing a historical designation on the property. 
Mr. Weight stated that the property owner signed the necessary forms, including the 
Proposition 207 Waiver, allowing the Historic Preservation Commission to initiate the 
rezoning process on October 21, 2024. 
 
Mr. Weight displayed an image depicting the proposed zoning of the site stating that 
proposed zoning would only add the Historic Preservation Overlay to the site, and that 
the underlying C-2 zoning would remain intact. Mr. Weight stated that the site would 
be officially recognized on the Phoenix Register. Mr. Weight outlined the eligibility 
criteria needed to obtain the Historic Preservation Overlay, those being related to the 
site’s age, integrity, and significance, and discussed how the site met all of the 
ATTACHMENT D

North Mountain Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-175-25-6 
Page 2 of 4 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
criteria. Mr. Weight reiterated the site’s size, location, and historic significance, and 
stated staff is recommending approval with no stipulations. Mr. Weight stated the 
Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval on March 17, 2025, and 
referenced letters of support. 
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE 
Committee Member Gabriel Jaramillo asked if the pavement adjacent to the site 
was included in the evaluation of the site or its historic designation. Mr. Weight stated 
that even though the zoning boundary extends to the centerline of the street, the 
pavement was not a consideration. Mr. Weight stated that the evaluation of the 
property was typically limited to the building itself. 
 
Committee Member Steve Pamperin asked if there were any other historic buildings 
in Phoenix that were designed by the same architect as the one that designed the 
Hansen building. Mr. Weight stated that he had heard of the architect’s name before 
but was unaware if any of his buildings were currently included in the Register. Mr. 
Weight stated that the architect was active in the 1960’s and that the City is preparing 
a survey of other religious properties, and suspects the architect’s name would come 
up. 
 
Committee Member Massio Sommacampagna asked if the Historic Preservation 
Overlay protected any landscaping. Mr. Weight stated that it did not necessarily 
protect landscaping since the Historic Preservation Overlay was intended to look at 
the exterior of the building; however, they would consider it if the landscaping was 
historically significant. Mr. Weight stated they would encourage to the extent 
reasonable the preservation of historic landscaping. Committee Member 
Sommacampagna asked what would happen if there was an aged tree on the 
property. Mr. Weight stated they would work with the City’s Forestry Supervisor to try 
to protect the tree and gave examples of the Ash and Alder trees on Central Avenue 
and the large palm trees that line the streets in some of the older neighborhoods.  
 
Committee Member Patrick Edwards asked if there was ever an effort towards the 
restoration of historic properties. Mr. Weight stated that the Hansen building had not 
changed drastically over time and that the various additions that occurred had not 
affected the property’s historical integrity. Mr. Weight provided an example of a 
property on Van Buren Street where the owner approached the City about a Historic 
Overlay. Mr. Weight stated that the City did not realize the site was potentially historic 
since the façade had been covered over; however, the interior of the building was 
intact. Mr. Weight stated the City was able to provide grant money that allowed the 
owner to remove the stucco from the exterior and expose its original façade. 
 
PUBLIC COMMENT 
Bonnie Bartak stated that she was from the Stoney Mountain Neighborhood 
Association, which is approximately one mile from the site. Ms. Bartak stated that the 
Hansen family provided a presentation to the association and that the association 
prepared a statement, which Ms. Bartak read into the record as follows: “The Hansen 
Mortuary is located a few blocks from the Stoney Mountain Neighborhood

North Mountain Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-175-25-6 
Page 3 of 4 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Association, an area of about 400 residences, positioned between 14th Street, 
Highway 51, Northern Avenue, and Stoney Mountain. Our association has reviewed 
the proposed Hansen Mortuary application for Historic Preservation Overlay. We 
support the Hansen property application and believe it to meet the criteria for historic 
designation. We support this and the staff recommendation and analysis stating the 
property has unique architectural features, and the business and family have played a 
significant role in the growth and development of the Sunnyslope area for more than 
50 years. The Hansen family, as morticians, served the needs of many thousands of 
Phoenix families since the business was founded in the late 40’s, and the applicant 
operated there since the early 60’s. The family also contributed importantly to the 
charitable and ethical needs of the Sunnyslope community over the years. The 
mortuary chapel presents a fine example of mid-century modern architecture with its 
dramatic roofline, diamond-shaped windows, open block screening, and native rock 
façade. Altogether, the building is one of the very few architecturally unique structures 
in Sunnyslope, built more than 60 years ago. Hansen Mortuary is unique and has a 
location of north 7th Street and stands as something of a landmark on what is 
probably the most traveled street in Sunnyslope. For these reasons, the Stoney 
Mountain Neighborhood Association encourages the North Mountain Village Planning 
Committee to endorse the HP Overlay Zoning for the Hansen Mortuary.” Ms. Bartak 
further stated that she served on former Mayor Goddard’s staff when the idea for a 
historic preservation program was first being considered and that the program has 
since enjoyed great success. Ms. Bartak stated that she was pleased to see the 
Hansen property being considered for historic preservation. 
 
Julia Taggart stated that Hansen Mortuary has been a staple in the community for 
decades and has sponsored almost every Sunnyslope Highschool yearbook from 
1954 to present. Ms. Taggart stated that Hansen Mortuary supported SlopeFest, and 
there were many beautiful comments on social media regarding the site and how 
much the Hansen family means to the community. Ms. Taggart stated that Hansen 
Mortuary recently celebrated their 75th Anniversary and had remained family-owned 
for that entire time. Ms. Taggart stated that three mid-modern-century commercial 
properties remain in Sunnyslope and complimented the Hansen family for their efforts. 
 
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 
Committee Member Jaramillo asked again about the pavement adjacent to the site 
and asked if there could be a stipulation attached to the case that would protect the 
existing pavement. Mr. Weight stated that he would bring the matter to his superiors 
but it was unlikely that such a stipulation would be attached. 
 
Committee Member Bill Adams thanked the Hansen family for being present. 
 
Committee Member Massio Sommacampagna asked why the term “Prop 207” is 
still being used given subsequent propositions with the same name. Mr. Kuhfuss, 
staff, stated that the term stuck when the proposition first passed and that likely every 
jurisdiction, planner, and land use attorney in the state still uses that terminology.

North Mountain Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-175-25-6 
Page 4 of 4 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
MOTION: 
Committee Member Bill Adams motioned to recommend approval of Z-175-24-6 per 
the staff recommendation. Committee Member Gabriel Jaramillo seconded the 
motion. 
 
VOTE: 
10-0, motion to recommend approval of Z-175-24-6 per the staff recommendation 
passes with Committee Members Adams, Carmona, Edwards, Harris, Hepperle, 
Jaramillo, Pamperin, Sommacampagna, Matthews, and Fogelson in favor, and none 
opposed. 
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION: 
 
None