Attachment D - Opposition - Z-6-20-2.pdf

City of Phoenix — Planning Commission (2020-11-05)

View PDF Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 4136 characters
Heidi Brake Smith 
7120 E Kierland Blvd, Unit 708 
Scottsdale, AZ 85254 
203-253-4944 
 
 
1
Delivered – Via Email  
 
October 2, 2020 
 
David Simmons, David.simmons@phoenix.gov 
 
Paradise Valley Staff Planner & Committee 
Paradise Valley VPC, ParadiseValleyVPC@phoenix.gov 
 
City of Phoenix Planning and Zoning Department 
 
Re:   
Application – Z-6-20-2, 15615 
 
Dear David and the Paradise Valley Council,  
 
 
The Applicant for Z-6-20-2 will be presenting on October 5th, 2020.  In light of no Master 
Plan for this area and no massing for the two applications currently going through this 
process this year, I would like to point out the following prior to the presentation:   
 
• Density – Please review and understand the density calculated in the applications 
between 2014 and today.  As you can see, the density increases over the past six 
years.   
 
Table 1  
71st Street – Scottsdale Road Area 
Acreage, Residential Units, and Density 
Year 
 
Application 
AKA  
Acreage 
Res. Units Density (Calc) 
2014 
B 
Z-22-14 
Optima Kierland 
9.42 *** 
796 
87.6 
2016 
B 
Z-10-16-2 
Overture 
2.45 
171 
69.8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 
A 
Z-12-18-2 
LMC 
4.17 
299 
71.7 
2018 
A 
Z-91-18 
LCG 
2.1 
220 
99.5 
2019 
A 
Z-61-19-2 
Embrey 
2.41 
285 
118.3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020 
P 
Z-6-20-2 
Optima 15615 
1.51 
170 
112.6 
2020 
P 
Z-33-20-2n 
Optima Phase II 
2.28 
228 
126.3 
*** - Original 2014 PUD states 9.09, Phase II states 9.42.   
B = Built, A = Approved, P = Pending.  Acreage and Residential Unit Data from PUD Applications. 
 
• Setbacks - Setbacks are important in creating a pedestrian street culture and a 
community.  Multi-family buildings tower over the street and/or neighboring 
properties; decreasing setbacks magnify the size and therefore, the impact.  As the

Heidi Brake Smith 
7120 E Kierland Blvd, Unit 708 
Scottsdale, AZ 85254 
203-253-4944 
 
 
2
building rises in height, greater setbacks should be required.  Zero (0) setbacks 
provide no functional benefit for the resident and create future challenges for 
adjacent parcels.    
 
Table 2 
71st Street – Scottsdale Road Area 
Building Setbacks (in Feet) 
Year 
 
Application AKA  
Frontage 
North 
West 
South 
East 
2014 B 
Z-22-14 
Optima Kierland 
South and West 
0 
25 
25 
60 
2016 B 
Z-10-16-2 
Overture 
South and West 
8 
8 
8 
10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 A 
Z-12-18-2 
LMC 
West 
20 
10 
15 
20 
2018 A 
Z-91-18 
LCG 
North and West 
10 
11 
10.5 
4 
2019 A 
Z-61-19-2 
Embrey 
East 
20 
20 
10 
15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020 P 
Z-6-20-2 
Optima 15615 
West and South 
10.5 
10 
40** 
0 
2020 P 
Z-33-20-2n 
Optima Phase II 
East 
20 
25 
0 
55 
B = Built, A = Approved, P = Pending 
** Alley and Easement on site.  Setback Data from PUD Applications. 
 
• Contextual Review – This application should not be viewed in a vacuum.  Attached 
you will find a layout of the Optima Kierland, Optima 15615 and Optima Phase II.  
This gives you a limited 2D view of what is at stake in a subsection of this area.  
Sadly, a master plan has not been completed and there appears little incentive for 
the developers to create a massing.   
 
The PUD process gives the developer the opportunity to develop a parcel without the 
boundaries of traditional zoning.  This opportunity should demand better design, better 
building standards, and a focus on creating community through design.  What we are seeing 
in these 2 tables are decreasing setbacks and increasing density.  The success of Optima 
Kierland’s original application encouraged greater development between 71st street and 
Scottsdale Road.  To maintain the original design standards and concepts promoted in the 
vision, the PVVPC needs to be mindful of the development patterns shown above.           
 
Sincerely,  
Heidi Brake Smith 
Heidi Brake Smith 
Owner – 7120 Kierland, Unit 708

712071
7190
7180
7140
7120
7160
15615
Scottsdale Road
71st Street
Kierland Blvd
Current Optima Kierland Bldgs shown with new applications
Requested Distances (A,B,C,D,E,F) -
Optima Kierland Center
Phase II - Z-33-20
(aka 7190)
15615 Application - Z-6-20
NORTH
B
A
C
D
E
F
NTS
Prepared by HBS 9/17/20