Tempe City Council Meeting Summary: October 16, 2025

The Tempe City Council convened on October 16, 2025, to address the aftermath of a severe microburst storm, approve routine governance items, conduct public hearings on housing and liquor licensing, and finalize zoning changes for major developments. The meeting featured significant updates from staff and emergency management regarding community recovery efforts, alongside public testimony on local neighborhood concerns and development projects.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting Minutes: Approved City Council meeting minutes (Item 4A1) and Board/Commission/Committee meeting minutes (Items 4B1–4B7). Passed unanimously 7-0.
• Routine Items: Approved the full Consent Agenda (Items 7A1–7B12) unanimously, with the exception of Item 7A9, which was pulled for separate consideration due to protest letters.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shalomar Golf Course Rezoning:
  • William Herman (Resident) proposed reducing the proposed housing density and pricing homes at $1.4–$1.7 million to attract high-income residents to the Shalomar area.
  • Sudha Doshi (Resident and retired teacher) expressed firm opposition to rezoning, citing the loss of a vital green oasis, increased pollution, noise, and heat, noting that green spaces lower ambient temperatures by up to 12.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Noah James Markham (Resident) opposed the rezoning, urging the council to focus on new construction elsewhere rather than this specific site, and requested more accessibility features like T-coils and sign language interpreters.
  • Nori Muster (Resident) opposed rezoning to maintain the neighborhood's character, suggesting a limit of one house per commercial acre.
• Surveillance Technology:
  • Bobby Nichols (Private citizen) expressed strong opposition to the contract with FLOC, arguing that AI surveillance poses unreasonable risks to Hispanic and Latino residents and should be terminated immediately.
• Storm Recovery:
  • Philip Yates (President, Riverside Neighborhood Association) expressed gratitude for the city's response to the microburst, noting the ongoing devastation and debris removal efforts.
• Liquor License (Item 7A9):
  • James Benjamin Herlbu and Rick Hervig (Maple Ash Neighborhood Association) strongly urged the council to deny the license for King's Liquor, citing historical issues with the previous tenant (Circle K), high crime volume, and the availability of existing liquor stores nearby.
  • Karen Gittless (Resident) argued that a liquor store has no community purpose and that the neighborhood has a pub, making a liquor store redundant and antithetical to community building.
  • Applicants (Legacy Liquor LLC) stated they are a family business, argued they are unfairly carrying the stigma of the previous business, and noted no police incidents have occurred since they opened on an interim license.
• Middle Housing (Item 8B1):
  • Janilyn Greneo and Deon Romero expressed disappointment that the state legislation allows a "one-size-fits-all" solution, does not protect historic neighborhoods, and will likely be used by out-of-state developers rather than community residents.
  • Noah James Markham opposed the complaints against the legislation, urging the city to stop complaining and support the buildout.
• Marshall on Spence (Item 8C1):
  • The item was continued by unanimous vote (7-0) at the applicant's request to the December 11, 2025 meeting; no public testimony was taken as the comment period had closed previously.
• Danielle Plaza (Item 8C2):
  • Janilyn Greneo agreed with the mixed-use concept but opposed the 65 units per acre density, arguing it exceeds the General Plan's 45 units per acre, and called for professional facilitation in community engagement.
  • Robert Moore (Resident) saw the project as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to explore new redevelopment solutions and local business support.
  • Tristan Harp (Artist) expressed concern that high density might lose the unique artistic spirit of the plaza and called for more professional community meetings.
  • Noah James Markham expressed excitement for building and opposed complaints from long-term residents, stating the city needs to start building more.

Discussion Items

• Storm Recovery Update: Interim Fire Chief Daryl Duty and Interim Emergency Manager Monique Rodriguez reported that the storm occurred on Monday afternoon, triggering an emergency response. The EOC was activated virtually and then in-person.
  • Positions/Actions: Staff reported 170 fire/medical incidents (more than double the normal rate), with assistance from automatic aid partners (Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, etc.). A Red Cross shelter operated for 48 hours and is currently closed. Over 450 damage assessments were conducted, with 75 self-assessments received via a web portal. Mayor Woods and City Manager praised the "Herculean effort" and community spirit.
• Liquor License (Item 7A9): Staff provided a "no recommendation" status, noting they are still waiting on fingerprinting submittals despite a conditional approval from Police.
  • Positions: Councilmember Amberg and Councilmember Adams moved to transmit a recommendation of denial, citing sufficient density of existing licenses (Topps, Casey Moore's) and organized community opposition. Councilmember Keating dissented, arguing the business owners are unfairly stigmatized by the Circle K history and that the high call volume at convenience stores compared to liquor stores suggests the problem was the specific business, not alcohol. The motion to deny passed 6-1.
• Arizona Cycle Boats (Item 8A1): Robert Meyer presented a proposal to operate cycle boats on Tempe Town Lake, aiming to host 20,000 guests in the first year.
  • Positions: Councilmember Adams expressed strong support, calling it a dream realized after seven years of advocacy, and noted it would activate the lake and connect it to downtown dining and hotels. The contract was approved 7-0.
• Wastewater Equipment (Item 8A2): Approval was granted to increase the contract amount for a triple quadruple liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer. Passed 7-0.
• Construction Contracts (Items 8A3, 8A4): Approval was granted to Felix Construction Company for recharge wells and GMP transmission pipelines at Ken McDonald Golf Course. Passed 7-0 for both.
• Middle Housing Overlay (Item 8B1): Planner Jacob Payne presented the ordinance required to comply with state House Bill 2721, limiting the affected area to a one-mile radius of the Central Business District. Failure to adopt the local ordinance by January 1, 2026, would trigger the state mandate across the entire city.
  • Positions: Staff clarified that the overlay allows duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes, with height and setbacks matching underlying zoning. Council members noted the urgency of the January 1st deadline. The item was introduced and first hearing held; second hearing scheduled for November 6, 2025.
• Administrative Review (Item 8B2): Presentation made on changes mandated by House Bill 2447 to shift design review authority from the Development Review Commission (DRC) to the Community Development Director.
  • Positions: Staff and Council clarified that while design reviews become administrative, rezoning cases and appeals will still require public hearings. Councilmember Amberg expressed skepticism about the bill's long-term viability. Second hearing scheduled for November 6, 2025.
• Danielle Plaza Zoning (Item 8C2): Applicant representatives explained the vision for mixed-use development including workforce housing, arts, and entertainment, with a commitment to retaining the Yucca Tap Room.
  • Positions: Council addressed concerns about density, with staff clarifying the density is 45 units per acre (consistent with the General Plan). The development agreement provisions for retaining Yucca Tap Room and incorporating public art were read into the record. The ordinance was adopted 7-0.
• Minima Mixed-Use (Item 8C3): Approval granted for a new mixed-use development at 5454 South Beck Avenue. Passed 7-0.
• Hayden Lane Townhomes (Item 8C4): Approval granted for a three-unit townhome development with three ADUs. Passed 7-0.
• Land Lease (Item 8C6): Authorization granted to negotiate a lease for city-owned commercial property at 525 South Mill Avenue. Passed 7-0.
• Easement Abandonment (Item 8C7): Approval granted to abandon a water line easement at the south side of University Drive. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Storm Recovery: The City of Tempe declared a local disaster, and the County followed suit. The Red Cross shelter has closed, and damage assessment teams continue operations. A public portal (tempey.gov/tempe-storm) was established for residents to report damage.
• Liquor License 7A9: The Council voted 6-1 to transmit a recommendation of denial for the liquor license for King's Liquor at 119 West University Drive to the Arizona Department of Liquor License Control, citing neighborhood density concerns and community opposition.
• Zoning & Planning:
  • Approved the middle housing overlay district (first hearing only; final adoption pending Nov 6).
  • Approved the administrative review ordinance changes (first hearing only; final adoption pending Nov 6).
  • Approved zoning map amendments for Danielle Plaza (Mixed Use), Minima (Mixed Use), and Hayden Lane (Townhomes).
• Continuance: Item 8C1 (Marshall on Spence) was continued to the December 11, 2025 meeting.
• Adoption: All listed final adoption items (8C2, 8C3, 8C4, 8C6, 8C7) passed unanimously 7-0.
• Public Comment: No discussion or action was taken on items raised during the public appearances that were not on the agenda, as per Open Meeting Law.