Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - August 7, 2024
Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - August 7, 2024
The Planning and Zoning Commission met on August 7, 2024, at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, a public hearing on a Parking-In-Common Masterplan amendment for a proposed drive-thru at 25 & 33 Acoma Boulevard N, and public comment regarding development in the Foothills. The Commission voted 6-1 to approve the amendment with conditions.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes (ID 24-4419): The Commission unanimously approved the minutes from the July 17, 2024 regular meeting. Motion by Commissioner Diaz, seconded by Commissioner Ballard; passed 7-0 (Commissioner Harris absent).
Announcements
- Development Services Director Jeff Thuneman introduced newly appointed Alternate Commissioner Mary Costa.
- The public hearings for the Bahama Avenue Major General Plan Amendment and Planned Development/Rezone, previously scheduled for the August 13, 2024 City Council meeting, have been postponed at the applicant’s request. A new date has not been set; the City will notify residents of rescheduled hearings.
Public Hearing – ID 24-4404: Amendment to Parking-In-Common Masterplan for 25 & 33 Acoma Boulevard N
Staff Presentation: City Planner Trevor Kearns presented the request to amend the 1995 Parking-In-Common (PIC) Masterplan to allow a drive-thru on Lot 7 and a new entrance from Acoma Boulevard N. The property is zoned Mixed Use – Uptown McCulloch Main Street District. Staff recommended five conditions, including a concrete median on Acoma Boulevard N and restricting Birch Square to right-in/right-out access. No objections were received from reviewing agencies.
Applicant Presentation: Samir Slatewala of Architecture All & Associates (representing the applicant, Riliberto’s Mexican Restaurant) attended virtually. He stated the applicant has purchased the existing BBQ restaurant building and adjacent vacant lot. They commissioned a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) and reached out to all eight property owners in the block; seven of eight approved (meeting the 75% requirement). The only non-responding owner is of a small vacant lot.
Commission Discussion:
- Commissioner Diaz asked who pays for the median; Mr. Kearns confirmed the applicant.
- Commissioner Dzuro asked about median design; Mr. Kearns said the City Engineer will approve final design.
- Commissioner Ballard confirmed the drive-thru will replace the current tenant with a Riliberto’s Mexican restaurant.
- Commissioner Stevenson expressed concerns about drive-thru overflow onto Acoma Boulevard N, citing issues at Habit Burger and Starbucks. He noted the short distance from menu board to window and asked if the Development Code had been amended after the Starbucks issues. Mr. Kearns replied the code requires three stacking spaces, but Engineering can impose additional conditions. The applicant stated that their data and TIA show no spillover, and a second lane provides overflow space.
Public Testimony: Vice Chair Wilson opened the public hearing; no comments were received.
Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions:
- Development shall substantially match the Site Plan/New PIC Masterplan.
- Design review required for compliance with city codes.
- Any deed restrictions amended must be recorded with Mohave County.
- Driveway must exit to Alley 30.
- Concrete median on Acoma Boulevard N; Birch Square limited to right-in/right-out.
Motion: Commissioner Ballard moved to approve the resolution with staff conditions; seconded by Commissioner Lehr.
Vote: 6-1 (Commissioner Stevenson voted nay). Passed.
Public Comments & Testimony (Call to Public)
- Emiliano Torres (resident) observed new landscaping in the Foothills beyond Cherry Tree Blvd. He expressed concern that the area is approaching its maximum approved build-out (he referenced "697 or 597 maximum lots") and asked the Commission to monitor development closely.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Resolution No. 24-09 (ID 24-4404) amending the Parking-In-Common Masterplan for 25 & 33 Acoma Boulevard N, with conditions. Vote: 6-1.
- Approved: Minutes of July 17, 2024 (ID 24-4419). Vote: 7-0.
- Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 9:00 AM. The regular meeting of September 4, 2024 has been cancelled.
Meeting Transcript
It's a really beautiful city. There's a lake like literally five minutes down. The lake is a huge effect on the community. It's definitely the selling point of this entire area. There's the hiking in Sarah Park, there's canoeing, paddle boards, anything you can think of outdoors. They have. Commissioner Susanna Ballard. Rosen. Commissioner Joan DeZero. Here. Commissioner Paul Lair. Vice Chair Tiffany Wilson. Here. Commissioner Lonnie Stevenson. Here. Commissioner JP Thornton. Chair Jim Harris. Commissioner Gabrielle Medley. Here. Commissioner David Diaz. Here. Commissioner Mary Costa. Seeing as we have one vacant seat, Mr. Stevenson, would you please join us? Correspondence and announcements. Mr. Tuniman. Thank you, Ms. Chair. I would like to just recognize Mary Costa. She's our newly appointed alternate. She is with us today. So I'd like to just recognize her. Yeah, thank you. Our last meeting, we um heard a major general plan amendment and a rezone over on the Bahama project and was scheduled to go to the city council on the next meeting, 813. Um that the group has decided to um postpone that hearing. Um they're going to kind of relook at the plan and see if they can address any of the concerns they heard in those hearings. Um, and then possibly come back in the first meeting in September, is what it looks like they might be doing. So I just wanted to give you uh that information, and um that's all I have. Thank you. Yeah. Uh minutes to the last meeting. Are there any additions, deletions, or corrections to the minutes as presented? Vice Chair. Yes. To make a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Uh Mr. Diaz makes a motion. I'll second it. Mr.
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