Surprise City Council Regular Meeting – November 5, 2025

The Surprise City Council convened on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 (continuing into the early hours of November 5) to address a full agenda including consent items, liquor license recommendations, zoning text amendments, a presentation on the Grand Avenue Corridor study, and the appointment of a new city manager. The meeting also featured a public comment period where a resident voiced strong opposition to a proposed industrial project near residential neighborhoods.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: All 10 consent agenda items (routine approvals and actions).

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Epcor Water Proclamation: The city recognized Epcor Water for obtaining a 100-year assured water supply designation for its Agua Fria district, the first new 100-year designation in the Phoenix Active Management Area in 25 years. The proclamation highlighted Epcor's partnership with the city and its commitment to sustainable water management.
• Youth Council Introductions: Brayden Aftanski (Paradise Honors junior) and Emma Chan (Paradise Honors freshman) spoke about the Surprise Youth Council's activities, including planning events at the senior center, an open invitation for youth to attend meetings, and participation in Veterans Day festivities. They also mentioned a November 14 event with the police department.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Roy Dunbar (Project Bacara opposition group member): On behalf of over 1,200 members and 2,800 petition signers, Dunbar expressed strong opposition to Project Bacara—a proposed 160-acre industrial complex including a 2 million square foot data center and a 760 MW power generation facility with 18 natural gas turbines. He noted the site is within 0.5 miles of Surprise neighborhoods (Rancho Gabriela, Greer Farms, Marley Park, Copper Canyon, etc.) and requested the city: (1) submit a notice of intent to become a party to Arizona Corporation Commission proceedings by November 20; (2) have city engineers review the applicant's environmental compatibility study; (3) send letters to affected constituents; (4) appoint a point of contact for the opposition group; and (5) issue a resolution opposing the project. He emphasized that the project would have detrimental environmental impacts and reduce property values.

Discussion Items

• Liquor License Applications (Items 11-12): Both applications (Headwright Brewing Co. and El Red de los Postionis) were approved unanimously after brief public hearings. The applicant for El Red de los Postionis stated it is a family-owned business with 18 years of operation, seeking to create a family-friendly environment at a new location.
• Zoning Text Amendments (Items 13-15): City staff (Trevor) presented three amendments to comply with recent state legislation:
  • HB 2447 (Administrative Approvals): Updates to streamline plan review, including mandatory expedited plan review for compliant applicants. Staff proposed doubling the standard plan review fee ($1,000 minimum) and an additional 20% fee for reviews beyond the third.
  • HB 2721 (Middle Housing): Requires cities to allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes as permitted uses on specified lots. Since Surprise lacks a central business district, the amendment applies only to areas outside the vicinity of Luke Air Force Base (approximately 22% of the city). Restrictions include no more than one off-street parking space per unit and no requirement for owner occupancy.
  • SB 1182 (Construction Times): Prohibits cities from restricting construction between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. from May 1 to October 15, and allows concrete pouring one hour earlier. Surprise's code already permits construction from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the amendment aligns noise standards with state language.
  • Councilmembers expressed support, noting that the city works well with the community on construction notifications. All three amendments were approved unanimously.
• Applicant-Driven Zoning Text Amendment (Item 16): Presented by Trevor and applicant Jeff Blyley. This amendment modifies residential development standards in R1, R2, R3, Surprise Heritage District overlay, and TND to increase housing variety (townhomes, cluster homes, alley-loaded products). Key changes include:
  • Clarifying definitions and use categories for townhomes.
  • In R1, allowing increased lot coverage (from 45% to 55%) if an RV garage is provided.
  • In R2, reducing side setbacks from 5+7 feet to 5+5 feet on the smallest lots to accommodate narrower home products.
  • Allowing for-sale townhomes (previously only rental was possible).
  • Councilmembers praised the amendment for promoting homeownership and affordability. Approved unanimously.
• Grand Avenue Corridor Study (Item 17): Presentation by John Bullen (MAG interim executive director) and Bradley Williams (principal planner). Key findings:
  • Population in the study area expected to increase from 47,000 (2023) to over 200,000 by 2050.
  • Severe congestion at the Loop 303/US 60 interchange due to limited access; only one interchange (US 60) serves a 9-mile stretch of the 303.
  • Recommended three-phase plan: (1) small improvements (many completed or underway); (2) construction of a new interchange at 155th Avenue (design start early 2026, construction 2028); (3) major upgrades at the 303/163rd Ave interchange and 163rd Ave intersection with elevated flyovers and traffic signals to separate key movements.
  • 155th Ave interchange will provide alternative access and remove thousands of cars from 163rd Ave.
  • Calls for protecting eight corridor crossing opportunities and implementing an access management plan on US 60 north of Patton Road to maintain rural highway speeds (65 mph) and address safety issues from growing truck traffic.
  • Funding dependent on Prop 479; major upgrades programmed for 2031-2035, but staff will seek to accelerate.
  • Councilmembers expressed urgency, with several noting the need for immediate policy actions to protect planned improvements and address constituent concerns about traffic and safety.
• Drainage Easements and Warranty Deed (Items 18-20): Three items related to 163rd Avenue and Joe Max Road improvements (drainage easements and a deed) were approved unanimously.
• Appointment of City Manager (Item 21): The council unanimously approved an employment agreement with Andrea Davis, appointing her city manager effective November 29, 2025. Councilmembers praised her long tenure, institutional knowledge, and leadership. Davis expressed gratitude and commitment to serving residents and city staff.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals:
  • Consent agenda (10 items) – unanimous.
  • Liquor licenses for Headwright Brewing Co. (Item 11) and El Red de los Postionis (Item 12) – unanimous recommendations to the state.
  • Zoning text amendments for administrative approvals (Ordinance 2025-21), middle housing (Ordinance 2025-18), and construction start times (Ordinance 2025-17) – unanimous.
  • Residential development standards amendment (Ordinance 2025-19) – unanimous.
  • Drainage easements and warranty deed (Items 18-20) – unanimous.
  • City manager employment agreement for Andrea Davis (Item 21) – unanimous.
• Public Input: Roy Dunbar formally requested city action on Project Bacara. The mayor directed staff to follow up with him.
• Future Agenda Items: Councilmember discussed aligning the process for adding items to the agenda and requested research on an existing policy for awards and recognitions.
• Next Steps on Grand Avenue: The final public meeting for the corridor study is scheduled for November 13, 2025, at Asante Preparatory School. The final report is expected in January/February 2026. Councilmembers emphasized protecting corridor crossing opportunities and exploring ways to accelerate funding for major upgrades.