Attachment A- Sept. 16, 2020 LUL Minutes.pdf

Phoenix City Council 
Land Use and Livability Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 
City Council Chambers 
200 West Jefferson Street 
Phoenix, Arizona 
Subcommittee Members Present   
 Subcommittee Members Absent 
Councilwoman Debra Stark, Chair 
Councilmember Carlos Garcia 
Councilwoman Betty Guardado 
Councilwoman Thelda Williams 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairwoman Stark called the Land Use and Livability Subcommittee to order at 10:01 
a.m. with Councilmember Garcia, Vice Mayor Guardado and Councilwoman Williams
present via Webex.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
Elizabeth Venable, resident, wanted to know about how to submit citizen petitions. 
Deputy City Manager Toni Maccarone responded they can be submitted to the City 
Clerk’s Office. 
Elisha McKinley, resident, asked about lots where homeless people are living and 
wanted to know about the timeframe for how long they can be at Madison and 9th 
Avenue. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. For Approval or Correction, the Minutes of the Land Use and Livability
Subcommittee Meeting on May 20, 2020
Councilwoman Williams made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2020
Land Use and Livability Subcommittee. Vice Mayor Guardado seconded the motion
which passed unanimously, 4-0.
CONSENT ACTION (ITEMS 2-5) 
Items 2-5 were for consent action. No presentations were planned but staff was 
available to answer questions.  
Vice Mayor Guardado made a motion to approve consent items 2-5. Councilwoman 
Williams seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0.  
Attachment A

2. Authorization to Request a Carry Over of Head Start Birth to Five Grant Funds 
3. Request Approval to Apply for a head Start Birth to Five Non-Federal Share 
Waiver 
4. Request Approval to Apply for Head Start Birth to Five Fiscal Year 2019-2020 
Liquidation Extension 
5. Phoenix Public Library’s Annual Application for Arizona State Library’s State 
Grants-In-Aid Funds 
 
INFORMATION ONLY (ITEMS 6-7) 
6. Head Start Birth to Five Monthly Report – July 2020 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
7. National Endowment for the Arts CARES Act Grant 
Information only. No Councilmember requested additional information. 
 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION (ITEMS 8-10) 
8. Authorization to Enter into Contracts with Arizona Fresh Holdings, LLC. for the 
Redevelopment of the Del Rio Former Landfill at 1150 E. Elwood St. 
Deputy City Manager Toni Maccarone introduced Community and Economic 
Development Director Christine Mackay to present on the proposed redevelopment of 
the Del Rio Former Landfill and contract with Arizona Fresh Holdings, LLC. Ms. Mackay 
introduced Acting Parks and Recreation Director Tracee Hall and Assistant Public 
Works Director Joe Giudice to answer questions about Parks and Recreation and Solid 
Waste aspects of the development. 
 
Ms. Mackay presented an overview of the Del Rio site, community input for the plan, 
and the timeline of previous requests for proposals (RFPs) and redevelopment 
opportunities that led to the current redevelopment and lease opportunity made 
available in January 2020.  
 
She stated there were five responses received for redevelopment of the site, including a 
golf concept, an office research park, soccer fields and academy concept, and solar 
testing and research facilities. She explained Arizona Fresh Holdings, LLC was selected 
based on their unique offer to provide solutions in all areas of community interest.  
 
Ms. Mackay explained the redevelopment will occur in four phases, and the first phase 
will include a wholesale produce market, educational programs, and a pedestrian 
friendly community park on the site where there was formerly a park at the southeast 
corner. She explained the following phases will include an agri-food research center, 
test fields, a start-up incubator and conference center, and a multi-tenant development.

She provided an overview of plans and shared a rendering of the wholesale produce 
market. 
 
Ms. Mackay shared the Phase I community benefits including access to fresh produce 
through the wholesale produce market, education and research through collaborations 
with universities and test fields, and parks and recreation with 20 acres of parkland with 
an athletic field complex, playgrounds, open space, and connecting hiking trails. She 
stated the Parks and Recreation Department would take ownership of the community 
outreach and planning aspects of the on-site park. Ms. Mackay discussed the events 
and entertainment that would be offered by the development such as a public 
amphitheater, open space for concerts, festivals, and special events, and future 
restaurant and retail opportunities.  
 
Ms. Mackay shared an academic impact analysis by Elliott D. Pollack & Company 
projected approximately 1,500 jobs and $3.5 million in direct revenue.  
 
Ms. Mackay provided an update on the ongoing Geotech study undertaken for the 
landfill, through which the Public Works Department completes boring to understand the 
materials within the landfill and the thickness of the cover soil. She stated no chemicals, 
construction waste, or tires were found. She added use of the former landfill would be 
minimized in Phase I. 
 
Ms. Mackay shared information about the Arizona Fresh team, consisting of a group of 
master developer internal partners, as well as an external team of numerous 
organizations and corporations.  
 
Ms. Mackay provided an overview of community outreach, including notifications and 
community engagement with neighborhood associations and property owners 
surrounding the development and shared the timeline of community meetings that took 
place with the community, working groups, and committees in August 2020.  
 
She provided an overview of the proposed business terms including the developer’s 
construction of the phased, mixed-use project, the 100-year ground lease, the operation 
and maintenance of the park by the City, and the City’s continued maintenance of the 
landfill, methane gas, and water systems.  
 
She shared staff’s recommendation to request the Land Use and Livability 
subcommittee recommend City Council authorization to enter into a development 
agreement, ground lease, and any other necessary agreements with Arizona Fresh 
Holdings, LLC for the lease and redevelopment of the City-owned Del Rio landfill site 
located at 1150 E. Elwood St.  
 
Chairwoman Stark introduced Todd Hardy from the Arizona Fresh team. Mr. Hardy 
shared his role in the project and highlighted the benefits of the project in the 
community.

Councilmember Garcia commended staff and the Arizona Fresh team for their 
community outreach and expressed his support for the project.  
 
Vice Mayor Guardado expressed her support for the project, commended staff and 
congratulated Councilmember Garcia on the project. 
 
Councilwoman Williams made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation. 
Councilmember Garcia seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0.  
 
9. Request for Proposals for Downtown Redevelopment Area Plan Update 
Consulting Services 
Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay introduced Deputy 
Community and Economic Director Xandon Keating and Program Manager Gretchen 
Wolfe to present the request for proposals (RFP) for consulting services to update the 
Downtown Redevelopment Area Plan. 
 
Mr. Keating provided a background on the state law change and the recertification of 
the Downtown Phoenix boundaries by City Council in June 2020. He presented a map 
of the downtown redevelopment area boundaries which include various planning efforts 
such as the downtown strategic plan and the transit-oriented development plan.  
 
Mr. Keating stated that staff plans to bring in a consultant for the planning effort and 
described the tasks they would assist with, including preparing and maintaining the 
schedule, project-related meetings, management and supervision of the team, 
stakeholder outreach, and developing the final plan for City Council approval. He 
explained the revised plan would encompass development/improvement objectives, 
neighborhood specific objectives, the general land-use plan, and existing land reuse 
plans. Ms. Mackay pointed out staff intends to have the previous plans incorporated into 
the newly revised plan.  
 
Chairwoman Stark expressed her support of incorporating past plans in the revised 
plan. 
 
Ms. Wolfe presented the minimum qualifications for the RFP and the evaluation criteria. 
 
Chairwoman Stark requested clarification on the fees. Ms. Wolfe confirmed the fees 
refer to the cost of the project and explained this information is helpful to know that 
proposers have enough details for pricing. 
 
Mr. Keating outlined the next steps including the authorization to issue the RFP in 
October, the issuance of that RFP, and a contract award for contract approval in 2021.

Mr. Keating shared staff’s recommendation to request the Land Use and Livability 
Subcommittee recommend City Council authorization to issue a Request for Proposals 
for consultant services to update the Downtown Redevelopment Area Plan.  
 
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation. Vice Mayor 
Guardado seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
10. Economic Impact Study for Historic Preservation 
Planning and Economic Development Director Alan Stephenson introduced Historic 
Preservation Officer Michelle Dodds to present on the Economic Impact Study for 
Historic Preservation.  
 
Ms. Dodds explained the impact study is intended to measure the contributions of 
historic preservation and older housing stock, and aid in the development of information 
to demonstrate the value and contributions of historic preservation efforts. 
 
Ms. Dodds highlighted the work of consulting firm PlaceEconomics and founder 
Donovan Rypkema. She shared a similar study conducted in San Antonio, Texas, and 
explained how important it was to look at older housing stock and their contributions to 
affordable workforce housing.   
 
She provided information about the presentations planned and the groups that would be 
involved in the study. 
 
Mr. Stephenson shared staff’s recommendation to request the Subcommittee 
recommend City Council approval to enter into a contract with PlaceEconomics for a 
one-time purchase to provide the Planning and Development Department an economic 
study for historic preservation in the amount not to exceed $105,000. 
 
Vice Mayor Guardado made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation. 
Councilmember Garcia seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
CITIZEN PETITIONS (ITEMS 11-12) 
11. Consideration of Citizen Petition Requesting the Names of Indian School 
Road, Steele Indian School Park and Robert E. Lee Street Be Changed 
Planning and Development Director Alan Stephenson introduced the citizen petition 
requesting the names of Indian School Road, Steele Indian School Park and Robert E. 
Lee Street be changed.  
 
Mr. Stephenson stated the name change process for Robert E. Lee Street is currently 
underway. He described the history of Indian School Road, explaining that it was named 
for the historic Phoenix Indian School, developed with community input, and formally 
listed in City directories as early as 1919. Mr. Stephenson explained the Parks and 
Recreation Board has a process and oversight for potential name changes and shared 
staff is available to answer questions.

Suzann Steinberg, the petitioner, shared she believes changing the names of Indian 
School Road and Indian Steele Park would provide an opportunity for community 
healing and unity. 
 
Chairwoman Stark asked about community outreach conducted for Indian School Road. 
Mr. Stephenson stated the street name was discussed with Native American 
Connections and, because it has historical significance, was not considered as much of 
a concern as Squaw Peak Drive. 
 
Councilmember Garcia expressed his appreciation for holding this conversation and 
stated he believes the Native American community should lead the initiative to make 
changes to the street and park names.  
 
12. Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to Loose Railings 
Planning and Development Director Alan Stephenson introduced the citizen petition and 
provided a background on the current requirements for handrails.  
 
Mr. Stephenson discussed the structural loading requirements from the 2018 Phoenix 
Building Construction Code and explained the code is enforced and verified through the 
plan review and the building inspection process. He shared the current definition for 
Phoenix City Code section 39-6.F for outdoor stairs, porches, and railings.  
 
Mr. Stephenson explained the Neighborhood Services Department inspectors enforce 
the code on a complaint basis and provided the contact information for filing a 
complaint. 
 
Suzann Steinberg, the petitioner, stated she was told that the looseness of the rail is not 
part of the code and she had spoken to an inspector who said nothing could be done if 
the railing was loose.  
 
Chairwoman Stark stated the property owner is responsible for fixing a loose railing. Mr. 
Stephenson stated he can assist Ms. Steinberg with her particular issue. 
 
Chairwoman Stark stated items 13 and 14 were withdrawn and would be heard during a 
public hearing at the Oct. 7 Formal City Council meeting. 
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
Anoop Grimwald, resident and Arizona State University mechanical engineer, shared 
his grievance with delays and price in the permitting process and additional steps that 
would be taken for a residential project. He shared recommendations for efficiencies for 
the permitting process and offered his assistance. 
 
Chairwoman Stark stated she would like to meet with the resident and Planning and 
Development Director Alan Stephenson.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairwoman Stark adjourned the meeting at 11:07 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Adeoffer-Marie Rabusa 
Management Intern