Tempe Development Review Commission Meeting – October 27, 2026

The Tempe Development Review Commission met on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, with Chair Andrew Johnson presiding, except for item 4D, when Commissioner Barbara Lloyd presided after Chair Johnson recused himself. The commission approved the October 13, 2026 meeting minutes, acted on two consent agendas, held public hearings on a wireless telecommunications facility relocation and a second-story residential addition, and set the next meeting for November 10, 2026. The transcript contains a verbal slip to 'October 2027' before settling on 2026; the agenda and supplied meeting date confirm the meeting was October 27, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the October 13, 2026 Development Review Commission study session and regular meeting minutes unanimously, on a motion by Commissioner Richter and a second by Commissioner Young.
• Approved the first consent agenda unanimously, on a motion by Commissioner Richter and a second by Commissioner Young, covering: item 4A, Maya Spa massage establishment at 218 West Southern Avenue; item 4B, Taylor Residence engineered shade structure over the driveway at 1224 East Loyola Drive; item 4E, Next Level Smoke and Vape tobacco retailer at 655 West Warner Road, Suites 120 and 121; item 4G, Level One Arcade Bar entertainment business at 4 East University Drive; and item 4H, Shadle Residence accessory RV garage over 15 feet in height plus a side-yard setback reduction from 9 feet to 8 feet at 2065 East Pebble Beach Drive.
• Approved the second consent agenda, item 4C, S Farmer Duplex, a use permit for two tandem parking spaces on the driveway for a new duplex at 1201 South Farmer Avenue, on a motion by Commissioner Richter and a second by Commissioner Lloyd. The vote was 6-0-1, with Commissioner Miller abstaining.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Heather Valdez, a Tempe resident in 85283, spoke in opposition to the Estrada Remodel second-story addition. She said the neighborhood has no other two-story single-family homes, and she was concerned about privacy, obstructed views, loss of the ranch-style large-lot feel, consistency with the neighborhood, possible precedent for investor-driven redevelopment, backyard privacy, and sunset views. She stated she was also speaking on behalf of several neighbors who could not attend.
• No other members of the public submitted comments on the remaining items.

Discussion Items

• Item 4D – Cross Cut WCF, 998 West Washington Street: The applicant, Linda Grice of Young Design Corp. on behalf of SRP, requested a use permit to replace and relocate a wireless telecommunications facility within SRP property. The existing tower is 65 feet tall and the new monopole would be 62 feet tall, with antennas bringing the total requested height to 69 feet. The new site would be set back about 250 feet from Washington Street compared with roughly 120 feet for the existing tower, making room for an SRP subdivision. The applicant stated that alternatives on other towers within about half a mile were not feasible. Staff reported no neighborhood meeting was required, no comments in opposition had been received, and the facility would be located behind walls/perimeter fencing with no change in traffic or nuisance impacts. Commissioner Young asked whether the city has criteria beyond federal requirements, noting concerns about wireless effects on pollinators, cactus, and agave; he said he would vote in favor. Commissioner Miller asked about the proposed perimeter fencing relative to the existing CMU wall. The commission approved the use permit unanimously, on a motion by Commissioner Richter and a second by Commissioner Spears.
• Item 4F – Estrada Remodel, 6720 South Towers Street: Applicant Vito Dascoli, representing the owner, requested a use permit for a second-story addition to an existing single-family residence. The plan added a second level with bedrooms and a den, a front portico, clerestory windows, and an opaque tempered glass railing on an open second-floor deck, which the applicant said would balance the existing tall RV garage while preserving neighbor privacy. Staff planner Whitney Mayfield stated the zoning and parking are adequate for the resulting five-bedroom home, the approval criteria were met, and no neighborhood meeting was required, although one comment in opposition had been received. Staff confirmed there were no other second-story additions in the subdivision. Commissioner Miller asked about the deck orientation and possible future solar-shading effects on neighbors; staff said the criteria apply to existing conditions and any shading would likely be minimal. Commissioner Lloyd noted that no landscape plan was included. The commission approved the use permit on a motion by Commissioner Spears and a second by Commissioner Redman, with Commissioner Lloyd opposed, resulting in a 6-1 vote.

Key Outcomes

• Approved meeting minutes for October 13, 2026 unanimously.
• Approved five use permits on the first consent agenda unanimously.
• Approved the S Farmer Duplex tandem parking use permit 6-0-1, with Commissioner Miller abstaining.
• Approved the Cross Cut WCF telecommunications facility relocation unanimously.
• Approved the Estrada Remodel second-story addition 6-1, with Commissioner Lloyd voting no.
• No general plan amendments, zoning map amendments, planned area development overlays, or code text amendments were on the agenda.
• The next scheduled Development Review Commission meeting is November 10, 2026; a study session is scheduled for the regular 5:30 p.m. time.