Tempe Development Review Commission Meeting - October 27, 2020
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Tempe Development Review Commission Meeting - October 27, 2020
The Tempe Development Review Commission (DRC) held a public meeting on October 27, 2020, from approximately 2:00 PM onward. The commission approved minutes from previous meetings, a consent calendar, and three major items: a large mixed-use development preserving a historic train depot, a residential project on a county island, and a code text amendment allowing barber shops and beauty salons as home occupations. All motions passed unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Wroble Residence (PL200179): Approved a use permit to increase accessory building height from 15 to 18 feet at 1225 East Warner Road, Unit 6.
- Believe I Can Academy (PL200183): Approved a use permit for an instructional school at 2120 South Rural Road.
- Kyrene & Guadalupe (PL200217): Approved a use permit for a restaurant with a drive-through at 6375 South Kyrene Road in the General Industrial District.
All three items were approved without public comment or further hearing.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Banyan North Tempe: A single public comment was read into the record from Sandra Gonzalez, a property owner in the county island, who opposed the project, stating it would cause problems for existing businesses and that current zoning should be respected.
- All other items: No public testimony was offered.
Discussion Items
Tempe Depot (PL190330)
- Proposal: A PAD, use permit for tandem parking, and development plan review for a 2.52-acre site at 300 South Ash Avenue. The project includes a 17-story office tower (approx. 300,000 sq ft), an 18-story hotel tower (280 rooms, Hilton brand), 9,400 sq ft of hotel meeting space, 23,970 sq ft of indoor retail, 4,600 sq ft of outdoor dining, and a 22,650 sq ft public plaza. The 1924 train depot will be preserved and rehabilitated. Parking: a 7-level above-grade structure with 156 valet tandem spaces.
- Key speakers: Applicant Manjula Vaz (law firm Gammage & Burnham) and architect John Tran (SmithGroup) presented. Staff planner Lee Jimenez recommended approval.
- Positions: Chairman David Lyon expressed concern that the depot could feel like "back of house" and urged activation of the plaza. The applicant noted plans for events, ice skating rink, farmers markets, and the depot as a coffee shop/restaurant. Commissioner Cassano supported the project, noting the depot would be more visible than before.
- Outcome: Approved 7-0 with conditions (including DPR condition #8 as modified).
Banyan North Tempe (PL200128)
- Proposal: A General Plan Density Map Amendment (up to 45 du/ac), Zoning Map Amendment (AG to MU-4), PAD, use permit for tandem parking, and DPR for a 4-5 story residential development with 651 dwelling units and 5 live-work units at 1255 East Curry Road. The site is in a county island and subject to annexation.
- Key speakers: Applicant Charles Huellmantel presented, noting the project will connect to existing Tempe neighborhoods and address crime/safety issues. Staff planner Obina Kingsby recommended approval.
- Positions: Commissioner Amarosi asked about a cell tower parcel not included; Huellmantel explained the owner refused to sell. Commissioner Cassano supported, citing long-standing city goals for the area.
- Outcome: Approved 7-0 with conditions (including dedication of future Scovill Street and architectural integration of drainage).
Code Text Amendment – Home Occupations (PL200216)
- Proposal: Amend the Zoning and Development Code to allow barber shops and beauty salons as home occupations, with up to 2 stylist chairs. The first chair is allowed by right; a use permit is required for a second chair. Definitions updated and added to allowed uses list.
- Key speakers: Senior planner Diana Kaminsky presented. The Tempe Neighborhood Advisory Commission voted 9-2 in support.
- Positions: Commissioner Amorosi raised concerns about parking and front-yard improvements; Kaminsky explained the use permit process and nuisance code limits. Commissioner Bauer initially struggled but supported, noting changing times and the importance of checking HOAs. Vice Chair Dominico echoed HOA concerns.
- Outcome: Approved 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approval: September 8, 2020 (study session and regular meeting) approved 5-0 with two abstentions; September 22, 2020 (study session and regular meeting) approved 7-0.
- Consent Calendar: Approved 7-0.
- Tempe Depot: Approved 7-0 with conditions.
- Banyan North Tempe: Approved 7-0 with conditions.
- Home Occupation Code Text Amendment: Approved 7-0.
- Next Meeting: November 10, 2020, which will include the continued U-Hall project and the DRC annual report.
Meeting Transcript
All right, ladies and gentlemen, let's get started. I'd like to welcome you to Development Review Commission for October 27, 2020. The development and review commission is created to hold public meetings and hearings to provide analysis and recommendations to the city council regarding general land use policies and applications where the commission has recommendatory power and to render final decisions on specified applications where the commission has final decision making power, including but not limited to all aspects of a proposed and future development. The development review commission recognizes that the creation of a desirable environment throughout the city for residents, business, and industry is a prime requisite for the interdependence of land values, aesthetics, and good site planning by promoting harmonious, safe, attractive, and compatible development that is therefore considered to be in the best interest of public health safety and general welfare. Any person aggrieved by a final decision of the development review commission may feel may file an appeal to the city council within 14 calendar days after the development review commission has rendered its decision. Having commenced with our opening statement, folks, I'd like to um inform you of who we have with us here tonight on our uh commission with us tonight. We have Commissioner Andy Johnson, Commissioner Don Cassano, Vice Chair Mike Dominico, Commissioner Michelle Schwartz joining us. We have Commissioner Phil Amarosi, Commissioner Sumners, Commissioner Stephen Bauer, and I am Chairman David Lyon. We're also graced tonight by the presence of Ms. Parna Deskupta, Joanna Berry, Steve Abramson, and via WebEx, we have with us Ryan Levake, Lee Jimenez, Diana Kaminsky, Lee Jimenez is on the list twice, apparently. Welcome Lee twice. We also have Robbie Aaron and Dalton Guerrett joining us. Now, folks, we have uh a few items on our agenda tonight. Um first thing is gonna be a review of uh our uh meeting minutes for two meetings, our September 8th meeting and our September 22nd meeting. We've reviewed the meeting minutes, both study session and regular meeting for both dates and have found no corrections to be made. Um having said that, Commissioner I'd like to hear a motion regarding the approval of those meeting minutes. Do I hear such a motion? Mr. Chairman, this is Don Cassano. I would make a motion for approval of the study session September 8th, 2020. Regular meeting, September 8th, 2020. Study session, uh September 22nd, 2020, and the regular meeting of September 22nd, 2020. Okay. Uh I apologize. Um, I need to a refresher in my memory. Um did we have different attendance on those two meetings? We may want to break those up separately. If so, let you know let's just do it as two motions just to make it simple. Okay. Would you amend your motion on the yes, Mr. Chairman? I will amend my motion and just be amended to dropping a study session and regular meeting of September 22nd from the uh uh from the uh request. Perfect, thank you, sir. Do I hear a second, please? Second. Okay. All right, so motion to approve the September 8th meeting minutes from Commissioner Cassano and seconded by Vice Chair Domenico. Commissioner Bauer, how do you vote? Aye. Commissioner Cassano. Aye. Vice Chair D Dominico. Aye. I vote aye as well. Commissioner Sumner's aye. Commissioner Amarosi. Aye. And Commissioner Johnson. Abstain. Okay.
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