Attachment F - Opposition - GPA-SM-13-23-8.pdf

4/2/24, 11:34 AM
Mail - Samuel S Rogers - Outlook
Z-92-23-8 and GPA-SM-13-23 SEC Baseline and 19th Avenue
joannejensen@cox.net <joannejensen@cox.net>
Tue 3/26/2024 2:37 PM
To:​Council District 8 PCC <council.district.8@phoenix.gov>;​PDD South Mountain VPC <southmountainvpc@phoenix.gov>;​
support@phxazdistrict8.zendesk.com <support@phxazdistrict8.zendesk.com>​
Cc:​Samuel S Rogers <samuel.rogers@phoenix.gov>;​Christine Mackay <christine.mackay@phoenix.gov>;​'Kent Baker'
<kbaker@citytocitycre.com>;​'Rick Jellies' <rjellies@citytocitycre.com>​
Hello and good afternoon to all,
My name is JoAnne Jensen and I reside at 8303 S. 17th Drive, Phoenix AZ   85041.  Our home is one of
26 in Magdalena Estates, located on the southwest corner of the land under consideration for
development under the two case numbers, above.  Our cross streets are South Mountain and 19th
Avenue.
We have been working with Kent Baker and Rick Jellies, on behalf of the residents living in Magdalena
Estates and living on 15th Avenue with respect to their rezoning and general plan amendment proposal.
There has so far, been a single community meeting, although Mr. Jellies has indicated that another will
be scheduled soon – ideally, ahead of their presenting at the South Mountain VPC.
At this point, unless they have recently submitted, their proposal is light on the details which would allow
a meaningful response from the community.  The unfinished stipulations are unavailable for review at
this time.  Beyond that, there is no site plan, landscape plan, lighting plan, or signage plan.   There are
no elevations, no sense of the flavor or style of this area.  We understand that those plans would, when
available, be subject to SMVPC review and PHO approval.  However, that does not help us neighbors in
the immediate term.
The community is not opposed to development – we are not unrealistic.  We also understand that build
to rent does not automatically guarantee problem neighbors.  We recognize the need for housing here in
Phoenix.
We would, though, still like to retain the flavor of our small part of the world in which we are so invested. 
As a result, the largest concern regards the height of three stories for the multi-family units.  One thing
about this part of South Mountain is that we enjoy the perception of wide open space.  We can continue
that perception with building heights that do not exceed two stories.  Anyone familiar with Baseline –
both north and south – will know that there is no building along the road in this area that is three stories
tall.  Anything three stories will be completely out of character for this part of Phoenix.  (NOTA BENE: As
a counter-example, some will point to the three story apartments on Dobbins – which were built under
pre-existing entitlements; the proposal never went to the community for discussion or to the Laveen
VPC, and it does in no way reflect the spirit of that area.)
This is not an argument against density.  Two story attached townhomes, two story apartments – if
placed strategically toward the center of the property, with single story and proper setbacks around the
perimeter, are very workable and can be quite affordable as well as attractive.  We do have concerns
about 19th Avenue and the piecemeal development of city streets generally, however, that is not the
main issue at this point.
The request is for mindful development that respects history while looking toward the future.
Please consider this a request to meet with everyone involved in this project and its approval.
Thank you.
JoAnne Jensen
480-213-6499
ATTACHMENT F