Attachment D - VPC Summary - Z-TA-2-20-7.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-TA-20-7
Date of VPC Meeting 
September 14, 2020 
Request 
Amend Section 1202.C. (Regulating Maps, Height 
Map) of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to replace the 
Downtown Code Height Map to amend height 
provisions from a maximum height of 525 feet to a 
maximum height of 540 feet at approximately 200 feet 
south of the southeast corner of 2nd Avenue and 
Fillmore Street, and amend Section 1209.C.1.a. 
(Taylor Street Pedestrian Paseo Guidelines) to move 
the Taylor Street Pedestrian Paseo approximately 100 
feet north of the required alignment for a portion 
between 2nd Avenue and approximately 150 feet east 
of 2nd Avenue. 
VPC Recommendation 
Approval 
VPC Vote 
8-4
VPC DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDED STIPULATIONS:
Committee members Nate Sonoskey and Wayne Rainey rejoined the meeting and 
committee member Darlene Martine left the meeting during this item, bringing quorum 
to 12. Four speaker cards were submitted in favor wishing to speak, one speaker card 
was submitted in opposition wishing to speak, and two speaker cards were submitted 
wishing to speak.  
Sarah Stockham, staff, displayed an aerial map of the subject site, reviewed 
surrounding land uses, and elaborated on the request to update the height map and 
paseo map and ended her presentation by reviewing the schedule for the case for the 
remaining hearing bodies.  
Nick Wood, representing the applicant with Snell & Wilmer, displayed an aerial map, 
conceptual renderings and reviewed surrounding land uses. Mr. Wood displayed a 
conceptual site plan, an excerpt from the traffic impact analysis approval letter, and a 
reconfiguration of 2nd Avenue and Fillmore Street. Mr. Wood reviewed the 
development and parking standards table, a massing diagram, conceptual landscape 
rendering and a proposed rendering of 2nd Avenue, highlighting the locations of trees 
Attachment D

Central City Village Planning Committee 
Meeting Summary 
Z-TA-2-20-7 
September 14, 2020 
Page 2 
 
 
 
City of Phoenix • Planning & Development Department 
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor • Phoenix, Arizona  85003-1611 • (602) 262-6882 
and shade along the streetscape. Mr. Wood ended his presentation by reviewing the 
proposed request for 540 feet in height and location of the proposed paseo alignment.  
 
Eva Olivas asked if the paseo alignment was created with community input. Ms. 
Stockham replied that while she was not involved with the alignment creation, the 
paseo was included in the Urban Phoenix Project plan which was created with 
community input.  
 
Public Comment: 
Ryan Boyd, Urban Phoenix Project, shared concerns regarding the design that 
encourages vehicular use over pedestrians along 2nd Avenue, and that a design option 
could have been pursued that did not necessitate the expansion of 2nd Avenue.   
 
Bramley Paulin asked that the GPLET be denied.   
 
Andie Abkarian, Downtown Voices Inc and Roosevelt Action Association, shared 
concerns with the proposed height and the paseo alignment in relation to the entire 
alignment, the burden the development will have on 2nd Avenue, and that the needs of 
the Fire Department be addressed differently rather than expanding 2nd Avenue.  
 
Mr. Wood responded that the proposal is only for 15 more feet of height and there is a 
lot of new development in the area. He continued that the widening is vital to fire life 
safety, and the design of the building is superior to surrounding developments.  
 
Motion:  
Patrick Panetta motioned to recommend approval per the staff recommendation. Nate 
Sonoskey seconded the motion.  
 
Discussion: 
Nate Sonoskey shared that projects like this are kick starters to redevelopment in an 
area, and that the request is a minor change.  
 
Vote: 
8-4, Motion to approve passed, with committee members R. Johnson, Burns, Johnson, 
Langley, Lockhart, Panetta, Rainey, and Sonoskey in favor and committee members 
Starks, Dubasik, Olivas, and Uss opposed. 
 
 
 
 
STAFF COMMENTS REGARDING VPC RECOMMENDATION & STIPULATIONS: 
None.