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CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City of Phoenix. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting this email. Report Suspicious From: Laurie Pheil To: PDD Planning Commission; Racelle Escolar Cc: Samuel S Rogers; PDD South Mountain VPC Subject: Zoning Case Z-162-24-8 Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 6:01:44 PM Attachments: Z-162-24-8 Zoning support letter.pdf Good Morning, I’m Laurie Pheil, representative of the South Mountain Gateway Residents Association in the South Mountain Village. I am attaching my letter of support for the proposed zoning change after careful consideration and viewing the site myself. You are hearing this case on April 3, 2025, agenda item #5. I am requesting that this letter of support be read into the public record. Thank you for your time and consideration! Laurie Pheil Representative of the South Mountain Gateway Residents Association Laurie Pheil Phone: 602-696-3800 E-mail: creativebenefitcommunications@gmail.com ATTACHMENT E This letter is in support of Z-162-24-8, Rezoning of 3.38 acres located approximately 230 ft. east of the southeast corner of 7th Street and Elwood. My name is Laurie Pheil and I am a long time resident and representative of the South Mountain Gateway Residents Association. I live at 3940 E. Beverly Road in Phoenix. You can reach me by phone at 602-696-3800 or at creativebenefitcommunications@gmail.com. Area residents created this neighborhood association to give a voice to the area residents and constituents in the South Mountain Village. We have seen a lot of new development over the last 20 years in our Village, and we have worked hard with our Village Planning Committee to secure high-quality housing, retail and businesses within our community. I must say that I was deeply concerned that the Village Planning Committee voted unanimously to reject this rezoning case, with comments like “Stay in Scottsdale” “We don’t want you in our Village” and “We need housing, not more big box warehouses in our Village”. If they had seriously looked at the proposed site, or even listened intently to the presentation by Old World Granite’s founders, I think they would have come to a different conclusion. This is a family owned and operated business that would bring up to 50 manufacturing and supervisorial jobs to the community for generations. The site is adjacent to 7th street which is lined with commercial warehouse style buildings. Directly across the street is the parking area for an Amazon Warehouse facility and an adult County Probation Office. Having this level of heavy commercial with delivery trucks entering and exiting the parking area plus community services for individuals on probation within 50 feet of this property is not an appropriate use for family housing, especially for families with young children. Housing developers have already passed on this site because of those significant barriers. This project would bring jobs to the area, promote development in the Rio Salado corridor and be a new local source of retail for homeowners and contractors buying custom granite and manufacturing, keeping taxes here in Phoenix instead of sending them to the City of Scottsdale where they are currently located. There were no letters or personal opposition to this project at the Village meeting. I am asking this commission to consider the many letters of support from the community and residents of the South Mountain Village, and as a resident of the South Mountain Village for many years, I ask that you approve this rezoning request to allow a family-owned business to find a new home in our community. Thank you for your time and consideration. Laurie Pheil Representative of the South Mountain Gateway Representatives Association. 1 Mario Mangiamele From: Denise Brownell <denisetedbrownell@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, March 28, 2025 1:28 PM To: Mario Mangiamele Subject: Support of Z-162-24-8 Rezoning I am a 67 year old native Phoenician with ties to many communities in Phoenix. I have never lived any other place than metro Phoenix and have been a resident of District 8 since 2006. My husband and I are in total support of the Rezoning for a long established (46+ years) family owned company to come to South Phoenix and offer many stable jobs to the area. We need reputable businesses that will bring steady and good paying jobs to residents of District 8. With the additional Light Rail possibilities in South Phoenix, Old World Granite will be able to draw from a large job pool in District 8. How wonderful would this be for South Phoenix residents to have public transportation bringing them to their work destination enabling them to work at company that is in growth mode? We too need affordable housing for our residents that are in safe neighborhoods and aren’t on the same street with semi trucks and an adult County Probation Office. Our children deserve more. Please feel free to contact me at any time should you have any questions or require clarification on anything. Regards, Ted & Denise Brownell 2124 E Chanute Pass Phoenix, AZ 85040 480‐201‐0090 To: Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington: I am Herb Hayden, the owner of 749 E Elwood property. I am a long-time resident of Phoenix near South Mountain, born in Phoenix in the 50’s. Our family history goes back to South Phoenix in the 40s. I purchased the parcel in 2018 for potential future use and/or investment, because I saw potential for the in-fill location. The site was actually 3 lots at the time, with unplanned boundaries (“starred” lots, per Planning). I worked with the city to resolve that. The lot is already partially C-3, with C-3 small businesses on adjacent sides (W and S) that have been there for decades. A-1 is across the street to the north. It seems that the R-4 portion has always been logical to convert to C-3 for alignment. Based on my knowledge of the area I think the proposed business and C-3 rezone is an excellent use for the property. If I had the resources to develop it myself, I would have requested it to be fully C-3 rezoned, for small business use. The proposed use/rezone would put the C-3/R-4 boundary in alignment with those existing neighbors. It also would reduce to a minimum the C-3/R-4 interface footage. Currently the R-4 is sort of a peninsula extending into and surrounded by C-3/A-1. Residential neighbors have said that they do not want to see apartments there. This is the sentiment of the current business neighbors as well. From discussions with R-4 developers a multifamily project would also be smaller than typical. I believe the proposed business can operate as quietly and cleanly as the existing businesses, using the modern practices that have been committed to by Mr. Kern. While it is not for me to say about economic or employment potential, it seems that modern on-site and street development and business activity would help the area move forward in tandem with other area improvements. Thank you for considering these remarks. Herb Hayden Owner of 749E LLC 1 Racelle Escolar From: PDD Planning Commission Subject: FW: Item #5 and Zoning Case Z-162-24-8 From: Brett Ranta <brett.ranta@orionprop.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 12:45 PM To: PDD Planning Commission <pdd.planningcomm@phoenix.gov> Subject: Item #5 and Zoning Case Z-162-24-8 ZjQcmQRYFpfptBanner End Dear Planning Committee, I am writing to express my strong support for the rezoning request associated with Case Z-162-24-8. As the listing broker representing the seller, I have worked closely with all parties involved and have witnessed the buyer’s commitment to responsible development that aligns with the City’s vision, the character of the surrounding area, and the interests of the community. This rezoning request is a natural and necessary progression for the site, as it adheres to the Phoenix General Plan and is in harmony with existing adjacent land uses. The proposed development is well-suited for the area, ensuring a seamless transition between neighboring properties while promoting smart growth and responsible land use. Additionally, the applicant has taken significant steps to engage with the local community, particularly with the neighboring residential property owners. Recognizing their concerns regarding multifamily developments, the buyer has intentionally designed a project that reflects their input and avoids the high-density residential development that was previously opposed. This collaborative approach demonstrates a deep respect for community preferences and a willingness to create a project that enhances the neighborhood rather than disrupts it. Furthermore, from my direct experience marketing this site, I can confirm that multifamily developers have evaluated and ultimately passed on this parcel for apartment or single-family home development due to its small size. Given these limitations, the current R-4 zoning is unlikely to attract development in the foreseeable future, meaning the property could remain underutilized for years. The proposed rezoning presents a practical and viable solution that will activate this property in a manner that benefits both the community and the city’s broader development goals. Approving this rezoning request will allow for a thoughtful and compatible use of the property, one that respects both the City’s long-term planning objectives and the desires of the immediate stakeholders. It represents an opportunity to facilitate positive development while maintaining neighborhood harmony and supporting economic growth in the area. I respectfully urge the Planning Committee to approve this rezoning request and allow for a development that benefits the City of Phoenix and its residents. Thank you for your time and consideration. BRETT RANTA, Vice President ORION Investment Real Estate M: (602) 686-4049 | D: (480) 739-6945 brett.ranta@orionprop.com | ORION Website [orionprop.com] Scottsdale Fashion Square Office Building 7150 East Camelback Road, Suite 425 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 P: (480) 634-6934, Ext 134 CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City of Phoenix. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the sender and were expecting this email. Report Suspicious From: Herb Hayden To: PDD Planning Commission Subject: Application #: Z-162-24-8 Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 1:40:30 PM To: Planning Commission, and All Parties Based on my experience as the owner of 749 E Elwood since 2018, I think its proposed zoning and use for a small C-3 business is a rational and beneficial advancement for the area. The site is relatively small, surrounded on 3 sides with commercial/industrial (C-3 and A-1/Elwood). The site itself is partially already C-3, with a portion split of less than 2.5 acres as R-4. It would be inefficient for the R-4 portion to be developed as residential, unless a project was combined with neighboring lots (east or west) which of course are currently in well established use and not on the market. The commercial and residential neighbors have indicated that they do not want apartments. I think the proposed C-3 use can be a compatible neighbor to both, based on the modern plans proposed for indoor operations. The streets improvements proposed for the project would also help update the area overall, which is something that I think many are looking forward to. I hope the rezone and project are approved. Herb Hayden 749E LLC