Tempe City Council Regular Meeting – September 18, 2025

The Tempe City Council convened on September 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included multiple proclamations, a lengthy public comment period, a quasi-judicial appeal regarding a two-story accessory dwelling unit (ADU), approval of a 26-story mixed-use development plan, first public hearings for several zoning and lease items, and final adoption of eight ordinances. Councilmember Adams participated virtually and was absent for some votes. The meeting adjourned at 9:49 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved City Council meeting minutes (April 24, 2025) and board/commission minutes (7 items) – passed 6-0 (Adams absent).
• Approved consent agenda items 7A1, 7A3-7A5, 7A7-7A11, 7B1-7B11 (except 7B4), and 7C2-7C7 – passed 7-0.
• Items pulled for separate consideration:
  • 7A2 (Open Streets Tempe 2026 sponsorship) – approved 7-0.
  • 7A6 (Series 6 liquor license for Castro’s on Baseline) – approved 6-0 (Councilmember Amberg recused).
  • 7B4 (landscaping contract renewals) – approved 7-0 after public comment.
  • 7C1 (Friendship Village bonds, $125M) – approved 6-0 (Mayor Woods recused).

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Appearances (Item 6):
  • Mario Martinez (Tempe resident) criticized Mayor Woods and city administration over the cancellation of an August 28 meeting, alleging improper targeting of those assisting unhoused individuals; stated that the administration has “incessantly weaseled” on this point.
  • Brian Hernandez (tempe resident) expressed support for keeping the Shalimar golf course and highlighted traffic concerns from proposed redevelopment; urged council to review the area.
  • Deborah Zayek (north Tempe resident) requested more transparency on city pay plans and improved recycling education; noted that salary asterisks lack a key on the city website.
  • Brooke St. George (Tempe resident) urged the city to better support older adults through hands-on training and improved digital accessibility; thanked Councilmembers Garland, Keating, and Amberg for creating an age-friendly subcommittee.
  • Bobby Nichols (Tempe resident, former arts commissioner) praised commission staffing and stressed the need for affordable housing and public spaces for artists.
• Public Testimony on Specific Items:
  • ADU Appeal (8A1): 12 speakers (including appellant Dawn Sinclair, neighbors, and a real estate broker) opposed the two-story ADU, citing deed restrictions, neighborhood character, property values, parking, and privacy concerns. One speaker (Elizabeth Stewart) argued the city should consider deed restrictions. The applicant’s representative countered that the design meets code and does not impact privacy.
  • Danelle Plaza (8B1): 7 speakers (including artists, historians, neighborhood leaders) expressed cautious support, emphasizing preservation of arts and music culture, need for affordable housing, and traffic considerations. Developer Rodney Guinn (Desert Viking) pledged to prioritize local businesses and maintain the site’s cultural role.
  • Hayden Lane Townhomes (8B3): One speaker (James Beach, adjacent property owner) opposed increased density, citing parking shortages and loss of privacy; requested reduction from six to three units.
  • Minima (8B2): No public testimony.
  • Other Items (8B4-8B6, 8C2-8C8): No public testimony.

Discussion Items

• Quasi-Judicial Appeal: ADU Build – Harvey Residence (8A1)
  • Appellant (Dawn Sinclair): Argued she has standing (citing collateral estoppel from Board of Adjustment) and that a two-story ADU is incompatible with the single-story character of the Broadmoor/New Vista neighborhood, violating city policy and the cultural resources area designation. Proposed a single-story alternative.
  • Applicant (3C Contracting, LLC): Contended the 18-foot height is well under the 30-foot limit, the structure has no second-floor windows, and the ADU will house the owner’s son without adding traffic or parking.
  • City Attorney: Clarified that state law (ARS 9-461.18) allows one detached ADU as a permissive use, precluding a use permit requirement for the structure itself, but the second-story height may still be subject to local regulations. Standing issue remains unresolved; Board of Adjustment did not definitively rule on standing.
  • Council Debate: Councilmember Amberg moved to deny the appeal (citing lack of standing); motion failed 2-5. Vice Mayor Garland moved to approve the appeal; before a vote, Councilmember Keating moved to continue the item for a formal zoning administrator opinion on legal authority. Motion to continue passed 7-0.
• First Public Hearing – Danelle Plaza Mixed Use (8B1)
  • Applicant (Gammage & Burnham) presented plans to rezone 14 acres from CSS to MU-4 to enable mixed-use with affordable housing, preservation of arts and music venues, and phased development. Community feedback was largely positive, with emphasis on cultural retention and local business support.
• First Public Hearing – Minima (8B2)
  • Applicant described a 72-unit workforce housing project with commercial space, two stories, increased landscaping, and minor deviations. Councilmembers noted the “workforce housing” designation and praised the design.
• First Public Hearing – Hayden Lane Townhomes (8B3)
  • Applicant proposed three townhomes with three ADUs (total 12 bedrooms), requesting reductions in landscape area, setbacks, and floor area ratio increase. Councilmember Amberg questioned parking adequacy; city staff noted code requires six spaces, applicant provides nine. Councilmembers complimented the architecture.
• First Public Hearings – Leases and Easement (8B4-8B6)
  • Items covered lease agreements for city-owned properties at 1519 East Apache Blvd and 525 South Mill Ave, and a waterline easement abandonment on University Drive. No public testimony or council discussion.
• Second Hearings & Final Adoption (8C2-8C8)
  • Items passed 6-0 (Adams absent): adaptive reuse code text amendment (O2025.31), floodplain management amendments (O2025.33), youth members on Human Relations Commission (O2025.34), budget transfers for solid waste (O2025.35, O2025.36), transit fund transfer (O2025.37), and waterline easement abandonment (O2025.38).
• Development Plan Review – 16 East University (8A2)
  • Approved 7-0 for a 26-story, 373-unit mixed-use development.
• Other Non-Consent Items (8A3-8A9)
  • Approved 7-0: contract increases for MRO supplies, data/telecom cabling contracts, Motorola radio contract, HP Enterprise contract renewal, fire engine pumper purchase, bus facility lease IGA, and bicycle/pedestrian improvements contract.

Key Outcomes

• Continued: The ADU appeal (item 8A1) was continued without a date certain, pending a formal opinion from the zoning administrator on the city’s legal authority to regulate second-story ADUs under state law.
• Adopted (Final): Eight ordinances (O2025.30-O2025.38) were given final adoption: Revelry parking modifications, adaptive reuse code, floodplain management, youth members on Human Relations Commission, three budget transfers (water/ wastewater to solid waste, solid waste CIP, transit to transit CIP), and two easement abandonments.
• First Hearings Set for Final Vote on October 16, 2025: Danelle Plaza zoning map amendment, Minima PAD overlay, Hayden Lane Townhomes PAD overlay, lease of 1519 E Apache Blvd, lease of 525 S Mill Ave, and waterline easement abandonment.
• Appointments: Ratified appointments to Commission on Disability Concerns, Family Justice Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and Human Relations Commission (item 7A1).