Tempe Development Review Commission Meeting - June 24, 2025

The Development Review Commission met on June 24, 2025, at 2:15 PM (local time) to consider a use permit and development plan for a 20-unit townhome project and to receive an update on the Diablo Double Butte Character Area Plan. The meeting began with approval of the previous meeting minutes and a consent agenda covering multiple items, all passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of meeting minutes from June 10, 2025, was moved by Commissioner Tom, seconded by Commissioner Lloyd, and passed unanimously.
• Consent agenda items (3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G) were approved by a motion from Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner Richter, and passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Phil Amorosi (50-year Tempe resident, chair of Hudson Manor neighborhood) spoke in favor of replacing the required commercial space with a landscaped open space, noting the long vacancy of the site and the abundance of nearby retail. He stated the community would prefer a pocket park over another vacant commercial space.
• Matthew Salinger (30-year Tempe resident, co-chair of Citizens for Vibrant Apache Corridor) echoed support for the open space, emphasizing the need for shade and greenery along Apache Boulevard, and opposed additional commercial space given high vacancies nearby.
• Jonathan Cummings (Tempe resident, present for first time) also supported the park, citing the severe heat and lack of shade in the area, and argued that more commercial space is unnecessary.

Discussion Items

• Item 4C – Use Permit and Development Plan Review for 20-Unit Townhome Development

  • The applicant, Lance Baker of Synectic Design, proposed a 20-unit townhome development on a 0.89-acre site at the southwest corner of Apache and Oak. The site is zoned CSS with a TOD overlay requiring 60% ground-floor commercial frontage. The applicant initially included a small commercial space but, after neighborhood input, preferred to replace it with a landscaped open space (corner park) accessible only to residents.
  • Staff presentation by Robert Mansileo (planner) and Mike Di Domenico (Economic Development Director) explained that the commercial requirement could be reduced via a use permit. Di Domenico noted the difficulty of leasing small commercial spaces in the area, citing vacancies at adjacent properties (e.g., Apache Central project, city-owned Apache shopping center). He stated that economic development did not oppose removing the commercial space in this case, as it would create a more attractive project and improve quality of life for residents.
  • Commission discussion: Commissioner Richter supported the project regardless of commercial space. Commissioner Lloyd favored removing commercial. Commissioner Spears expressed concerns about the open space becoming an attractive nuisance and the potential for future owner-occupancy issues. Vice Chair Schwartz questioned whether a rezoning might have been more appropriate. Commissioner Tom supported the open space, noting the commercial space was not viable. Commissioner Miller moved to approve the project with removal of commercial and substitution of the open space as presented, with conditions (including an eight-foot steel picket fence and controlled access). The motion passed unanimously.

• Item 5A – Diablo Double Butte Character Area Plan Update

  • Jacob Payne, principal planner, presented the draft character area plan, which is the final of eight such plans for the city. The plan is non-regulatory and provides design principles and policy guidance. Public engagement included virtual and in-person meetings, surveys, and a dot-ocracy activity. Top themes from the community included extreme heat management, shade, connectivity, public health and safety, and streetscape enhancements. The plan includes a historic plant palette and an implementation rubric. Payne requested a recommendation from the commission to forward to city council for adoption.
  • Commission discussion: No questions. Commissioner Richter moved to approve the recommendation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tom and passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Item 4C: Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Miller, second by Commissioner Richter) with the following conditions: the use permit allows reduction/removal of ground-floor commercial; the development plan shall include a landscaped open space on the corner (with eight-foot steel picket fence, egress access, and controlled gates) as an amenity for residents only; updated site plans and elevations without the commercial building to be submitted to staff prior to building permits.
• Item 5A: The commission voted unanimously to recommend the Diablo Double Butte Character Area Plan to the city council for adoption. The council hearing is scheduled for July 1, 2025.
• The next regular meeting is set for July 22, 2025, with agenda to be published the week prior.