November 19, 2025 Transportation Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee Meeting

The Transportation Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee convened on November 19, 2025, to review the Planning and Development Department's annual process improvement report, consider a proposed increase to user fees to address a structural deficit, discuss a five-year strategy for high-visibility crosswalks, and receive public commentary regarding park safety. The meeting concluded with unanimous recommendations to forward the fee increase proposal to City Council and to adopt a prioritized, seven-year timeline for crosswalk upgrades.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously the minutes from the October 15, 2025, meeting.
• Passed unanimously items 2 through 7 on the consent calendar, which included routine approvals related to aviation and historic preservation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Baumer (NAAP Arizona): Expressed full support for the Planning Department's goal of becoming "best in class" and their process improvements, but stressed that any proposed fee increases must be paired with measurable commitments regarding staffing increases, consistent service levels, and transparency. The speaker emphasized the need for the city to clearly communicate how fee changes translate to faster reviews and better coordination.
• Council Member Stantley (acting as subcommittee chair): Expressed a position of support for the fee increase, noting the department's excellent outreach and the necessity of maintaining service quality. The speaker highlighted a specific concern for affordable housing and stated a position of exploring different fee structures specifically for low-income tax credit (LIHTC) projects to ensure their feasibility.
• Council Member Waring: Expressed skepticism regarding the durability and maintenance requirements of thermoplastic crosswalk materials (citing a five-year lifespan and high application complexity). The speaker requested further evaluation regarding the use of alternative materials, such as paint or specialized products, for lower-volume local and collector streets, noting that previous products were likely used historically.
• Nicole Rodriguez (Petitioner/Valley Urban Action Alliance): Expressed strong support for Option Three of the crosswalk plan. The speaker suggested that existing T2050 funds, rather than solely Vision Zero funds, could be utilized for the project. She emphasized that the primary driver for the crosswalks is life safety rather than convenience.
• Councilmember Hyde-Washington: Expressed full support for Option Three, characterizing it as the most prudent, strategic, and "life-saving" investment that balances urgency, equity, and fiscal responsibility.
• Jerry Van Gas (Public Watchdog): Expressed concern regarding the lack of recent updates from the Parks Department concerning the status of Camelback Mountain trails. The speaker demanded to see the official safety assessment behind the delays and criticized the Parks Department for not addressing public questions despite multiple meetings.

Discussion Items

• Process Improvement & Financial Status (Item 8): Director Bernarek presented a report on the Planning and Development Department's achievements over the past year, including the approval of the Phoenix General Plan, code overhauls, and improved turnaround times (98% within 24 hours). The speaker noted that while the department is an enterprise fund operating on permit revenue, fees have not increased since 2010. The speaker stated a position that the department faces a structural deficit that will drain the fund balance within 24 months without adjustment.
• Proposed Fee Increase (Item 9): Assistant Director Miller and Chief Chris Christ presented a recommendation for a 30% increase in hourly user fees (from $150 to $195) to achieve full cost recovery. The speakers outlined that fees for the Fire Department's Special Hazards Unit were last updated in 2003. The staff proposed specific increases for hazardous materials facilities (Group 1 through Group 5) and new permits for lithium-ion battery storage. The speakers noted that the proposed increase for a $700,000 residential permit would result in a fee increase of just under $1,500, positioning Phoenix competitively among neighboring cities.
• High Visibility Crosswalks & Stop Bars (Item 10): Staff presented a five-year plan evaluation for upgrading citywide crosswalks. The speakers detailed that a full citywide upgrade within five years was not viable due to a lack of resources, requiring an estimated $95 million and 20 additional staff. Staff presented three alternatives and recommended "Option Three": installing high-visibility crosswalks at 78% of crosswalks (including all mid-blocks, high-injury network locations, school zones, and transit corridors) over a seven-year period, with stop bars installed at all signalized intersections when replaced. Council Member Waring challenged the reliance on thermoplastic, questioning its invention date and performance compared to historical methods, prompting staff to agree to investigate paint or alternative products for lower-volume streets.

Key Outcomes

• Fee Increase Recommendation: The subcommittee unanimously moved to approve the proposed user fee increase per the staff recommendation, subject to City Council action on December 17, 2025, with an intended effective date of January 20, 2026.
• Crosswalk Strategy Adoption: The subcommittee unanimously adopted staff's recommendation (Option Three) to upgrade high-visibility crosswalks and install stop bars at a prioritized 78% of citywide locations over an estimated seven-year timeline.
• Future Actions: Staff agreed to investigate T2050 funding overlays for the crosswalk project and to explore alternative pavement marking materials for local streets. Council Member Hyde-Washington requested a stipulation for staff to report back on the crosswalk case implementation.
• Councilwoman Stark Birthday: A birthday wish was extended to the Chair during the adjournment period.