Attachment C - PC Summary - Z-TA-8-25-Y.pdf

REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION 
November 6, 2025 
ITEM NO: 3
DISTRICT NO.: Citywide 
SUBJECT:
Application #:
Z-TA-8-25-Y
Request: 
Text amendment to Section 1203 of the Zoning Ordinance to address 
recent changes to state statutes regarding design review based on 
objective standards (HB 2447/HB 2928). 
Location: 
Citywide
Applicant:
City of Phoenix, Planning Commission
Representative:
City of Phoenix, Planning and Development Department
ACTIONS: 
Staff Recommendation: Approval, per the language proposed in Exhibit A of the Staff Report. 
Village Planning Committee (VPC) Recommendation: N/A 
Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval, per the language proposed in Exhibit A of 
the Staff Report. 
Motion Discussion: N/A 
Motion details: Vice-Chairman Boyd made a MOTION to approve Z-TA-8-25-Y, per the 
language proposed in Exhibit A of the Staff Report. 
Maker: Boyd 
Second: James 
Vote: 8-0 
Absent: Gorraiz 
Opposition Present: No 
Findings: The proposal introduces an option for public utility buildings to be administratively 
approved if designed in compliance with development regulations of the Downtown Code 
applicable to any other type of building provided on the same site. The process for Design 
Review Committee approval would still remain as an option for appeal if the proposed facility 
cannot or will not comply with the otherwise-applicable development regulations. 
Proposed Language:
Land Use Matrix (Downtown Code) 
Amend Section 1203.  Land Use Matrix (Downtown Code) to read as follows:
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Section 1203. Land Use Matrix 
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ATTACHMENT C

D.
Land Use Conditions. The following shall apply to uses that are permitted with conditions 
(pc) OR USE PERMIT (up) as indicated with a number that corresponds with the Land 
Use Matrix in Section 1203.C:
 
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28.
Public utility buildings and facilities shall be fully screened and subject to the 
following: MUST COMPLY WITH ALL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 
APPLICABLE TO THE PROPOSED SITE AS SET FORTH IN THIS CHAPTER, 
UNLESS THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT THE DESIGN REVIEW 
COMMITTEE APPROVE A DESIGN ALTERNATIVE APPEAL PER THE 
PROVISIONS OF SECTION 1224.A AS MODIFIED IN (A) THROUGH (F) 
BELOW: 
 
a. 
Mixed use opportunities should be prioritized for locating utility buildings 
and facilities. The applicant shall submit a written analysis to the Planning 
and Development Director or his/her designee of possible mixed use 
opportunities to allow for an integrated development project that minimizes 
the visual impact of the proposed utility. (R*)
 
 
b. 
All public utility buildings and facilities AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE 
FULLY SCREENED FROM ABUTTING STREETS, WITH THE 
EXCEPTION OF REQUIRED UTILITY POLES subject to the provisions of 
this land use condition shall be reviewed and acted upon by the Design 
Review Committee as a design alternative appeal, per the provisions of 
Section 1224.A. (R*)
 
 
c.
The applicant must hold a public neighborhood meeting and send written 
notification of the public neighborhood meeting and the DRC hearing date 
to real property owners and to neighborhood associations registered with 
the City pursuant to the DRC process handout. 
 
 
d. 
The use cannot be located on a light rail street or adjoining Hance Park, or 
only separated by a street from Hance Park, unless the mixed use 
opportunity outlined in Section 1203.D.28.a is satisfied.
 
e. 
For the required street frontage(s), the Design Review Committee (DRC) 
may approve one of the following: 
 
 
(1)
A wall designed to mimic the frontage type which meets the intent 
of both the applicable character area and the streetscape 
standards, and that appears to be a conforming building as viewed 
from street. 
 
 
 
(2)
A creative use or frontage design alternative that surrounds the 
public utility building and facilities, as determined by the DRC as 
appropriate for scale of the area.
 
 
 
(3)
A micro-park, which shall include at least three of the following 
elements, as indicated below, and as determined by the DRC as 
appropriate for scale of the area:
 
 
 
A minimum of two of the following installations:

(a)
Recreational amenities such as but not limited to a single 
basketball hoop, swing, and/or climbing equipment.
 
 
(b)
Landscape areas designed to create outdoor rooms or 
useful spaces, which may include extensive hardscape, 
decorative paving and/or artificial turf.
 
 
 
(c) 
Shade trees or shade structures.
 
(d)
Lighting and seating designed to discourage camping. 
 
In addition, a minimum of one of the following more significant 
scale installations:
 
 
 
(e)
A local public art component and/or wall displays for local 
public arts organizations. 
 
 
 
(f)
An educational component that describes the history or 
setting. 
 
 
 
(g)
Facilities for pop-up retail, restaurant, farmers markets, 
and/or public events, which may include programming that 
changes seasonally, if permitted in the character area.
 
 
 
(h)
Facilities for pets, which may include water sources, 
enclosures for off-leash activity, and stations for pet 
washing.
 
 
 
f. 
When considering an alternative frontage proposal in accordance with 
Section 1203.D.28.e, the DRC is authorized to provide relief from other 
streetscape and frontage zone regulations, including those indicated as 
(R).  TECHNICAL APPEALS CANNOT BE APPROVED BY THE DRC. 
 
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This publication can be made available in alternate format upon request. Please contact 
Saneeya Mir at 602-686-6461, saneeya.mir@phoenix.gov, TTY: Use 7-1-1.