Tempe Board of Adjustment Variance Hearing for The Hub - July 22, 2020
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Tempe Board of Adjustment Variance Hearing for The Hub - July 22, 2020
The Tempe Board of Adjustment met via WebEx on July 22, 2020, to consider a variance request from the required street trees along Alameda Drive for The Hub redevelopment project. The board also approved minutes from the previous meeting.
Consent Calendar
- Meeting Minutes (April 22, 2020): Approved 6-0 with one abstention (Board Member Miller).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Staff received two public comments in opposition to the variance. One comment was submitted via Council Communicator and another via email from a neighbor who rode by the site. Both argued that trees are necessary along the sidewalk, especially given the area's designation as the Broadway Makers District and the goal of revitalizing the corridor. They suggested alternative tree planting methods (e.g., smaller caliper trees) but acknowledged the utility constraints.
Discussion Items
- Variance Request (PL200130): Applicant Michael Bronska of Hardy Tempe, LLC requested a variance to reduce the required street trees along Alameda Drive from 11 (one per 30 feet of frontage) to zero for The Hub at 2626 S Hardy Drive. The project involves redeveloping an abandoned warehouse into a 50,000 sq ft office building with a 14,000 sq ft solar-covered outdoor workspace, costing over $10 million.
- Justification: The site has multiple utility easements (30-inch irrigation line, 20-inch and 12-inch water lines, SRP electric lines, Cox fiber) covering almost the entire 25-foot setback along Alameda. SRP rejected an alternative plan to place trees in surface planters due to weight concerns over the irrigation line. The applicant also cited a 7-foot sunscreen cantilever and structural constraints from the building. They proposed a desert landscape with native plants instead.
- Staff Presentation: Robbie Aaron of Community Development noted that the neighborhood meeting requirement was waived due to no residential zones within 1/4 mile. He recommended approval, finding that the hardship was not self-imposed and met variance criteria.
- Board Questions: Vice Chair Frazy asked about existing trees on site; the applicant confirmed they were removed at SRP's request due to the easements. Frazy also noted no bus stop along that portion of Alameda. Chairman Lyon acknowledged the applicant's offer to donate trees to the city but clarified it could not be part of the motion; he encouraged private donation through staff.
- Board Deliberation: Board Member Kegey described the request as a "textbook case" for a variance due to circumstances beyond the applicant's control. Other members concurred.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to Approve: Made by Board Member Miller, seconded by Board Member Kegey. The variance was approved as presented by staff. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for August 26, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. (study session) and 6:00 p.m. (regular meeting) to consider a variance request for increased lot coverage at 1709 East Southern Avenue.
Meeting Transcript
We'll uh do what we can to sort of minimize it, uh, but we're just gonna have to accept that this is the situation right now and forward. So ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Board of Adjustments for July twenty second, twenty twenty. Thank you for joining us. We uh we didn't expect this much excitement this early, but uh we're off to roaring start start. So uh let's introduce our board for tonight. Um we have with us by way of web camera, board member Jim Johnfer, Vice Chair Jim Frazy, Board Member Ron Keege, Board Member Richard Watson, Board Member Robert Miller, and Board Member Whitney Baker. We are also joined in council chambers by uh Mr. Steve Abraham, Brittany Nelson. We have with us on the call Mr. Ryan Le Bake and Robbie Aaron, and I board uh I am chairman David Lyon. Um I'm losing my place here. We have uh uh one item of business on our agenda tonight. Oh, oh, oh, yeah. That's what I'm forgetting. You know, I can never there we go. I apologize, I seem to never be able to do a meeting without forgetting something. Uh yes, do you have to uh uh with you I'm gonna go to the right. Okay, okay, all right. All right, all right, all right. We are looking for our preamble text. Um there we are. Okay, so the uh let's let's this COVID message here because we haven't heard enough of those recently. Uh we are being Governor Ducy's social distancing requirements. We have a full forum with us via WebX. The public may go to the City of Tempe website, Board of Adjustment page, and fill out the comment card for their comments on today's meeting until public comments and team be closed. Uh so if you wish to make comment on our case tonight, uh go to that website. Uh the Tempe website, uh Board of Adjustment page, and there should be a button there that you can click to join us. Uh the city board of adjustment is authorized by the Arizona by statutes and the city of Tempe's ordinance. Its function is to grant relief for a literal enforcement of the zoning ordinance would result in an unnecessary property hardship to interpret provisions of the zoning ordinance for variances and to hear appeals from any person or city official aggrieved by the decision of a person responsible for the enforcement of the zoning ordinance, i.e. zoning administrator and hearing officer abatements. The board has the City of Tempe community development staff summary reports on the item being considered at this meeting, and we'll use this report in their deliberations. So let's see now. We've done our staff introduction. Indeed, indeed. All right, so our first item of business will be to address our meeting minutes from previous meeting. All board members have had an opportunity to review those meeting minutes, minute, minute uh so I will entertain information regarding the approval of said meeting minutes. Do I hear a motion regarding that approval, please? I'll make a motion to approve. All right, I believe that was uh vice chair Jim Frazy. Do I hear a second on the non-approval? I second the motion. Okay, and seconded by board member Baker. Uh we're gonna call down the line for your views. Board member Confur, how do you vote? So we were able to get him in my microphone right away. Can you give that to us one more time, Board Member Member Conference? We're not able to hear anything. I vote aye. Thank you, sir. Sir, sir, Vice Chair Fraser.
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