Attachment B - Staff Report - Z-TA-6-24-7.pdf

Staff Report 
Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 
Z-TA-6-24-7 
November 27, 2024 
 
Application No. Z-TA-6-24-7: Amend Section 1202.C. (Downtown Code, Regulating 
Maps, Height Map) of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to amend the Downtown Code 
Height Map from a maximum height of 30 feet to a maximum height of 250 feet and 
amend Section 1202.D. (Downtown Code, Regulating Maps, Density Map) of the 
Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to amend the Downtown Code Density Map from 14.5 
maximum dwelling units per acre to 218 maximum dwelling units per acre, for an area 
bounded by Adams Street to the north, 7th Avenue to east, Jefferson Street to the 
south, and 8th Avenue to the west. 
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of Z-TA-6-24-7 as shown in the 
recommended text in Exhibit A. 
 
Background 
This request is to amend the regulating 
maps in the Downtown Code in the 
portion of the Business Core Character 
Area bounded by Adams Street to the 
north, 7th Avenue to east, Jefferson 
Street to the south, and 8th Avenue to 
the west as follows: 
• Amend the maximum height from 30 
feet to 250 feet. 
• Amend the maximum density from 
14.5 dwelling units per acre to 218 
dwelling units per acre. 
 
The Business Core Character Area is 
intended to function as a strong regional 
center for employment, entertainment, 
conventions, tourism, and cultural 
institutions, drawing visitors from around 
the country and attracting residents from  
 
Downtown Code Character Areas Map, 
Source: Planning and Development 
Department 
throughout the region. The greatest development intensity within the region should be 
located within this Character Area. New development should be innovative and 
 
 
ATTACHMENT B

Staff Report: Z-TA-6-24-7 
November 27, 2024 
Page 2 
 
incorporate small public spaces that promote pedestrian movement and comfort. The 
Business Core should have vibrant pedestrian activity and be served frequently by 
multiple modes of high quality public transit. 
 
The area affected by the proposed text amendment contains surface parking lots, 
vacant land, and a one-story building used by an auto repair business. The majority of 
the amendment area is owned by the City of Phoenix. The Planning Commission 
initiated this text amendment at the request of the Community and Economic 
Development Department to increase the height and density allowed within the area in 
order to prepare the sites for future development. There is no specific proposal at this 
time.  
 
The regulating maps of the Downtown Code currently permit a maximum height of 30 
feet and a maximum density of 14.5 dwelling units per acre within the amendment 
area, matching the allowance of the C-3 zoning that was on the site prior to the 
adoption of the Downtown Code. The maps below indicate the permitted height and 
density within the amendment area and the surrounding portions of the Downtown 
Code. West of the amendment area is property zoned C-3 and C-3 H-R allowing a 
maximum density of 14.5 dwelling units per acre and a maximum height of 30 feet and 
250 feet respectively.  
 
 
Downtown Code Maximum Density Map, 
Source: City of Phoenix 
 
 
Downtown Code Maximum Height Map, 
Source: City of Phoenix

Staff Report: Z-TA-6-24-7 
November 27, 2024 
Page 3 
 
Background: Reinvent Phoenix Transit Oriented Development Strategic Policy 
Framework 
 
The amendment area is located directly 
adjacent to the planned light rail stations 
at 7th Avenue / Washington Street / 
Jefferson Street. The station area is 
identified as a Medium Urban Center 
Place Type in the Reinvent Phoenix 
Transit Oriented Development Strategic 
Policy Framework. Companion case 
GPA-CC-2-24-7 proposes to modify the 
station area to a Downtown Core Place 
Type. 
 
 
 
TOD Strategic Policy Framework Placetypes, 
Source: City of Phoenix 
 
Background: Urban Form Project and the Downtown Code 
The Downtown Urban Form Project was initiated in 2006. The Downtown Phoenix Plan 
is a product of the Downtown Phoenix Urban Form Project and was prepared to provide 
direction for implementation of the community vision for an active, pedestrian-oriented 
and sustainable Downtown. The Downtown Phoenix Plan was adopted by City Council 
in 2008 and served as a precursor to the Downtown Code, adopted in 2010, which is 
now Chapter 12 of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance.  
The area affected by the proposed text 
amendment is within the Government 
Character Area in the Downtown 
Phoenix Plan. The plan states that the 
Government Character Area will 
continue to be an area of compatible 
agency campuses occupied by Federal, 
County, and City Governments. One of 
the challenges noted in the plan is a lack 
of services and amenities such as coffee 
shops and restaurants for workers and 
visitors. Policy 3-33 is to identify 
amenities and improvements that will 
help reinforce the civic identity of the 
Government Character Area (pg. 3-40). 
 
Downtown Phoenix Plan Character Area Map, 
Source: Planning and Development 
Department

Staff Report: Z-TA-6-24-7 
November 27, 2024 
Page 4 
 
Staff Analysis 
The proposal increases the intensity of future development directly adjacent to the 
planned light rail stations at 7th Avenue / Washington Street / Jefferson Street while 
providing a transition to lower intensity development west of downtown. The proposal 
acknowledges that this location is within the Business Core of downtown, which is 
envisioned as having the greatest development intensity in the region, and the proposal 
will help address the challenges identified in the Downtown Phoenix Plan, as well as 
Policy 3-33, by providing new opportunities for amenities for residents and workers in 
the area. 
Directly to the east of the amendment area is a portion of the Downtown Code that 
allows 310 and 600 feet in height, and a density 218 dwelling units per acre. Under this 
proposal, the amendment area would allow 250 feet in height and a density of 218 
dwelling units per acre. While the density matches the adjacent properties, the 
proposed height steps down and forms a transition to the lower height entitlements west 
of the area. 
The proposed height and density are consistent with the proposed station area Place 
Type of Downtown Core in the Reinvent Phoenix TOD Strategic Policy Framework 
(Companion Case GPA-CC-2-24-7).  
Conclusion 
Staff recommends approval of Z-TA-6-24-7 to amend the permitted height and density 
maps of the Downtown Code, as shown in Exhibit A of the staff report. The proposal will 
allow an appropriate scale of development within the amendment area, considering the 
excellent transit access and the location with the Business Core of Downtown Phoenix. 
Writer 
Anthony Grande 
November 27, 2024 
 
Team Leader 
Racelle Escolar 
 
Exhibits 
Exhibit A: Proposed Language 
Exhibit B: Sketch Maps

EXHIBIT A 
 
Proposed Language: 
 
Amend Chapter 12, Section 1202 (Regulating Maps) by removing the old maps, and 
inserting the new maps as follows: 
 
***

EXHIBIT A 
Z-TA-6-24-7 
Page 2 
 
 
C. 
The height for any property in the Downtown Area shall not exceed the following 
unless a height bonus is allowed by the Character Area and approved by Planning 
and Development Department staff, or an appeal is approved by the Design Review 
Committee (DRC). In no event can the height exceed the airport height limit: 
 
***

EXHIBIT A 
Z-TA-6-24-7 
Page 3 
 
***

EXHIBIT A 
Z-TA-6-24-7 
Page 4 
 
D.  
The density for any parcel in the Downtown Area shall not exceed the following 
unless a density bonus is allowed by the Character Area and approved by the 
Planning and Development Department staff or an appeal is approved by the 
Design Review Committee (DRC) pursuant to Section 1223 requirements: 
***

EXHIBIT A 
Z-TA-6-24-7 
Page 5 
 
 
***

APPLICATION NO:
VILLAGE:
APPLICANT:
COUNCIL DISTRICT:
ACRES:
EXISTING:
PROPOSED CHANGE:
Z-TA-6-24-7
 6.47 +/-
7
CITY OF PHOENIX
CENTRAL CITY
TEXT AMENDMENT
Maximum Height: 250' ( 6.47 +/- Acres)
X
X
X
X
X
CITY OF PHOENIX
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
200 W WASHINGTON ST
PHOENIX, AZ
85003
(602) 262-6882
Maximum Height 30' ( 6.47 +/- Acres)
9TH AVE
8TH AVE
7TH AVE
6TH AVE
WASHINGTON ST
ADAMS ST
JEFFERSON ST
9TH AVE
8TH AVE
7TH AVE
6TH AVE
WASHINGTON ST
ADAMS ST
JEFFERSON ST
Proposed Change Area
250'
REVISION DATE:
Proposed Change Area
Maximum Height
30'
48'
56'
190'
310'
575'
600'

APPLICATION NO:
VILLAGE:
APPLICANT:
COUNCIL DISTRICT:
ACRES:
EXISTING:
PROPOSED CHANGE:
Z-TA-6-24-7
 6.47 +/-
7
CITY OF PHOENIX
CENTRAL CITY
TEXT AMENDMENT
Maximum Density 218 du/ac ( 6.47 +/- Acres)
X
X
X
X
X
CITY OF PHOENIX
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
200 W WASHINGTON ST
PHOENIX, AZ
85003
(602) 262-6882
Maximum Density 14.5 du/ac ( 6.47 +/- Acres)
9TH AVE
8TH AVE
7TH AVE
6TH AVE
WASHINGTON ST
ADAMS ST
JEFFERSON ST
9TH AVE
8TH AVE
7TH AVE
6TH AVE
WASHINGTON ST
ADAMS ST
JEFFERSON ST
Proposed Change Area
218 du/ac
REVISION DATE:
Proposed Change Area
Maximum Density
14.5 du/ac
43.5 du/ac
218 du/ac