Tempe Development Review Commission Meeting Summary – August 23, 2022
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Tempe Development Review Commission Meeting – August 23, 2022
The Development Review Commission held a public hearing on August 23, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. to consider several development applications, including a zoning amendment for the Butler Gray House and a Planned Area Development for Tempe Eleven. The meeting began with approval of minutes from August 9, 2022, and a consent agenda for two items.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The study session and regular meeting minutes from August 9, 2022, were approved 7-0, with one abstention from Commissioner Lloyd, who was not present for those meetings.
- Consent Agenda Items: Items 3 and 4 (The Dewitt at North Miller Road and the Butler Gray House zoning amendment) were approved as a single motion 7-0 after no public opposition was expressed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Butler Gray House (Item 5):
- Philip Yates, president of the Riverside Neighborhood Association, expressed concern that the five-year facade conservation easement could be modified after expiration, potentially leading to upzoning and loss of historic character. He urged the commission to consider long-term neighborhood impacts.
- David Sokolowski, a Tempe resident, supported the project, stating it provides an opportunity for new residents to live in a desirable neighborhood.
- Darlene Justice, representing the Tempe Women's Club, asked for clarification on the five-year conservation easement and expressed hope that the easement would prevent demolition for at least that period. She noted that the city might eventually acquire the property to preserve it.
- Tempe Eleven (Item 6):
- David Sokolowski again spoke in favor, citing the housing shortage and the need for diverse housing options.
- Philip Yates opposed the project, citing increased traffic, the loss of a historic adobe house (though it was not officially designated), and the neighborhood meeting scheduling issues. He argued the development is out of scale with the area.
- Commissioner Lloyd (who recused herself from voting but spoke as a neighbor) noted that the previous properties on the site were blighted and that the new development would be an improvement. She appreciated the two-story height and alley-loaded garages.
Discussion Items
- Butler Gray House (PL220161): Staff Ryan Levitt explained that the application was the result of a negotiated agreement with the property owner, who had initially sought a demolition permit. The city council approved a lot split and a five-year facade conservation easement on the historic structure (recorded June 2022). The current request was to remove the historic overlay designation from the rear lot (approx. 0.08 acres) to allow a new dwelling. Commissioners discussed the trade-off: the easement buys time for preservation, but the new lot could be developed without historic review. Commissioner Spears expressed unease, feeling the property owner had undue leverage, while Commissioner Forte noted that denial could lead to demolition within six months. The motion passed 6-1.
- Tempe Eleven (PL220110): Applicant Tom Gosicki presented a two-story, 11-unit single-family attached development on 0.59 acres at 408 South Roosevelt Street. The project requires a Planned Area Development (PAD) overlay to modify setbacks (front from 20 to 15 feet, sides from 10 to 6 and 5 feet, rear from 15 to 13 feet) and landscape area from 25% to 23%. All other standards (height, lot coverage, parking) comply with the R3 zoning. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including one ADA parking space. Commissioners discussed the adjacency to single-family homes, the use of front porches, and the absence of balconies. The project was approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
- Butler Gray House (PL220161): Approved 6-1, with Commissioner Spears dissenting.
- Tempe Eleven (PL220110): Approved unanimously (7-0).
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for September 13, 2022, to consider a White Castle drive-thru, a residential project on Bernardin Lane, and a school expansion at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
- Commissioner Announcements: Commissioner Lloyd promoted a Tempe Town Lake cleanup event on Saturday (7–9 a.m.) organized by Keep Tempe Beautiful.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the August 23rd, 2022 Development Review Commission hearing. The purpose of the Development Review Commission was 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 through the city for residents, businesses, 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. Appeals of the development review commission decision. Any person aggrieved by a final uh decision of the development review commission may file an appeal to the general council to the city council within 14 calendar days after the development review commission has rendered its decision. And if you don't know if you're aggrieved, see staff and they'll tell you whether you're aggrieved or not. The development review commission recommendations to the city council are not final decisions. From my right, Commissioners Michelle Schwartz and Don Cassano, Vice Chair Andrew Johnson, I'm I'm Chairman Mike D. Domenico, and from the far left, Commissioners Joe Forte, Linda Spears, and Barbara Lloyd. With us from staff uh this evening, uh Jeff Tamilevich, Ryan Levesque, uh, Steve Abrahamson, Separna Daskupta, Diana Kaminsky, Karen Stovall, Obenia Kingsby the second, Joanna Barry, and uh Eddie Garcia handling uh control of our media. Uh during tonight's public hearing, because it uh appears we have several members of the public public who have appeared and wish to be heard. Uh you'll be given up to three minutes to speak. Staff will assist through the uh little light bulb system up front uh in monitoring your time. Um please note that uh for those of joined us by WebEx chat. Uh the chat is not monitored or moderated. Uh it's just there for your viewing pleasure, but we cannot respond to messages you may wish to uh send, and uh you cannot use WebEx uh to participate uh and give your opinions during the meeting. Uh with that, uh during our study session, we went through uh tonight's agenda. And the first item of business is uh we have uh two sets of minutes, both uh for our meetings of August 9th, 2022. Uh I don't believe we had any edits or changes till we're going to be voting on those uh as drafted. And I will uh hear a motion for approval. Mr. Chairman. Mr. Cassano. I would make a motion for approval of the Development Review Commission study session minutes of August 9th, 2022 and the regular meeting of the commission August 9th, 2022. Do we have a second? Second. Uh it's been uh moved and seconded. Uh any discussion, hearing none. By show of hands, all those in favor and opposed and abstaining. One abstention. The record will show that Commissioner Lloyd uh was not present for that meeting. Uh those minutes are approved. In study session, uh, we discussed the uh four remaining uh items on our agenda, and it is the pleasure of the commission uh to have items three and four uh voted on in a single motion uh for approval uh as a part of our consent agenda. Is there anyone here opposed to those two cases who wishes to be heard? Get my attention. Okay, seeing none, we have no cards. Uh those two items uh will be voted on in a single motion uh as our consent agenda. Do I have a motion for approval of said agenda? I move for the approval of the consent agenda. Uh we have uh motion. Do we have a second? Second. All right. Commissioner Schwartz, thank you very much. All those in favor by a show of hands. Opposed. Motion carries consent agenda is approved seven to zero. Thank you very much, everyone.
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