Attachment C - VPC Summary - Z-36-20-2.pdf

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Village Planning Committee Meeting Summary 
Z-36-20-2 
Date of VPC Meeting 
August 3, 2020 
Request From 
C-2 (Pending C-2 SP) (Intermediate Commercial 
District, Pending Intermediate Commercial District, 
Special Permit) (2.45 acres) 
Request To 
C-2 SP HGT/WVR (Intermediate Commercial District, 
Special Permit, Height Waiver) (2.45 acres) 
Proposed Use 
Height Waiver for a self-service storage facility and all 
underlying C-2 uses. 
Location 
Northwest corner of 32nd Street and Paradise Lane 
VPC Recommendation 
Denial 
VPC Vote 
12-0 
VPC DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDATION: 
Mr. David Simmons, staff, provided a presentation for both cases as they are 
companion cases to one another and explained to the committee that each case 
will need a separate motion and vote. Mr. Simmons explained that the Special 
Permit is to allow a self-service storage facility in the C-2 District and the second 
case was requesting a height waiver due to the proposed building being here 
stories and 30 feet 9 inches where the code allows 2 stories and 30 feet. As a 
result of this a height waiver was triggered to accompany the special permit 
request. Mr. Simmons explained that the use was consistent with the 32nd Street 
Policy Plan but was not consistent with the General Plan Land Use Map 
designation. Mr. Simmons went over the proposed site plan and elevations and 
discussed the need for additional variances for reductions in setbacks upon 
approval of the rezoning cases. Mr. Simmons touched on the 15 stipulations 
proposed in the staff report and explained the rationale behind them.  
Ms. Abigail Ayala, with AKAA Architects, representing the applicant provided a 
presentation and went over the compatibility of the project with the 32nd St Policy 
Plan as well as the Tree and Shade Master Plan. She shared that the applicant is 
okay with all of staff’s proposed stipulations. She shared that the development 
team is aware of the need for variances after rezoning approval and they are 
prepared to move forward with those necessary submittals upon approval.  
Attachment C

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
Mr. Robert Goodhue asked what mitigating features go above and beyond 
traditional zoning standards for the buffer to residential to the west. Mr. Goodhue 
also voiced concern about the reduced setback on the west property boundary.  
 
Mr. Simmons shared that larger caliper tree sizes have been stipulated along 
the west property boundary in an effort to create a buffer to existing residential 
uses to the west. Mr. Simmons shared that the required setback along the west 
property boundary is 100 feet is the building is three stories and above 30 feet, 
which it is. However, the applicant knows a variance will be required here. He 
explained if the building were 2 stories and 30 feet a height waiver would not be 
required, and the setback requiem would be reduced to 50 feet on the west 
property boundary.  
 
Ms. Toby Gerst asked where the trash receptacles would be located on the site.  
 
Ms. Ayala shared that users will be restricted from throwing storage contents into 
onsite trash containers. They will be required to haul things off that are no longer 
wanted. The trash will be from the office use only.  
 
Mr. Alex Popovic voiced concerns that the request is not consistent with the 
General Plan Land Use Map designation on the site. However, wanted further 
clarification on how it is consistent with the 32nd Street Policy Plan.  
 
Ms. Ayala shared that the 32nd Street Policy Plan calls for more commercial 
uses at major intersections along the corridor, which this request fulfills. 
 
Mr. Bob Kubicek, representing the applicant, stated that they are okay with all of 
staff’s proposed stipulations except the detached sidewalk stipulation along 
Paradise due to utility conflicts. He also shared that users are not allowed to 
throw always their storage contents on site, they have to have things hauled 
away.  
 
Ms. Gerst asked how far the building is from neighboring residential.  
 
Ms. Ayala shared that the proposed structure is 52 feet away from the abutting 
residential to the west.  
 
Mr. Jay Cantor shared that he likes the proposal, thinks it is compatible with the 
area due to the U Haul truck rental facility located directly to the north of the site, 
but has concerns about the decreased setback on the west side abutting 
residential.  
 
Chairwoman Jennifer Hall shared that storage is not allowed in the C-2 District 
by right and that is why we are hearing this case in front of us today. She shared 
that it is the Village Planning Committees responsibility to protect our 
neighborhoods and make recommendations that make sense for specific areas. 
She asked the committee if this use is right for this intersection.  
 
Mr. Robert Goodhue has concerns about this being another storage facility and 
concerns about the reduced setbacks that will require further entitlements on the 
site.

City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
 
Ms. Katherine Belous shared that she was a player in the development of the 
North 32nd Street Policy Plan and this use does not meet the intent of the plan 
and does not fit into the plan to meet the goals of a walkable, pedestrian friendly 
commercial environment.  
 
Ms. Toby Gerst shared that this may be a good use, but we have a lot of these 
type of facilities in the area already. She shared that she doubts that this use is 
the highest and best use for this specific site.  
 
Mr. Bob Enright asked how long the site has been vacant and in this instance 
something on the site is better than an empty dirt lot for another 10 to 15 years.  
 
Mr. Goodhue feels that this project will set a precedent for the area and there is 
a height and setback issue that does not site well.  
 
Ms. Belous stated that this use does not serve the residence of the area. 
 
MOTION:  
 
Mr. Robert Goodhue made a motion to recommend denial for Case No. Z-36-
20-2.  
 
Mr. Jay Cantor seconded the motion.   
 
VOTE:   
12-0 with committee members Hall, Belous, Cantor, Enright, Gerst, Goodhue, 
Lesher, Popovic, Severs, Sparks, Stewart and Ulibarri in favor.  
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION: 
 
None