139-Minute City of Mesa Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Wed 16 May 2018

The PZ Board meets every third Wednesday of each month. (See link below)
The seven members conduct hearings and make recommendations to the City Council on requests for changes in zoning and on required site plans. They also consider and recommend changes in the City's long-range plans and in the Municipal Code concerning planning and zoning matters.
http://www.mesaaz.gov/city-hall/advisory-boards-committees/planning-zoning-board

Members are appointed for staggered terms of three years.
Board Members:
Michael Clement (Chair)

Michelle Dahlke (Vice Chair)

Dane Astle

Shelly Allen

Jessica Sarkissian

Jennifer Duff

Tim Boyle

 

Staff Contact: John Wesley
480-644-2181 john.wesley@mesaaz.gov
City of Mesa Planning Division
55 N. Center Street
P.O. Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211-1466
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HERE'S THE ENTIRE AGENDA SO YOU CAN FOLLOW ON WHAT ITEMS ARE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION:

Meeting Name:

Planning and Zoning Board - Public Hearing

Agenda status:

Final

Meeting date/time:

5/16/2018 4:00 PM

Minutes status:

Draft

Meeting location:

Council Chambers - Upper Level

Published agenda:

Agenda

Published minutes:

Minutes

Meeting video:

Not available

Attachments:

• Meeting Items (19)

19 records Group Clear sorting Clear grouping Group by Type Group by Result Export Export to Excel Export to PDF Export to Word Show: Legislation only Legislation only All agenda items

File # Agenda # Type Title Action Result Action Details PZ 18054 2-a PZ Minutes Minutes from the April 17, 2018 and April 18, 2018 study sessions and regular hearing.     Not available PZ 18060 3-a PZ Zoning - Action ZON18-00096 District 1. The 1000 through 1100 blocks of North Mesa Drive (west side) and the 300 block of East Brown Road (south side). Located at the southwest corner of Mesa Drive and Brown Road. (1± acres). Site Plan Modification. This request will allow for the development of a restaurant with drive-thru. Eric Gerster, Sustainability Engineering Group, applicant; Fitch Plaza Partners, LLC, owner. Planner: Cassidy Welch Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18055 3-b PZ Zoning - Action ZON18-00102 District 6. The 1200 block of South Crismon Road (east side). Located south of Southern Avenue on the east side of Crismon Road. (0.7± acres). Site Plan Modification. This request will allow for the development of a multi-tenant commercial building with an associated drive-thru. Chris Cooper, Arizado, applicant; Litchfield Exchange and Holdings, LLC, owner. Planner: Evan Balmer Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18056 3-c PZ Zoning - Action ZON18-00137 District 3. 1754 West Southern Avenue. Located on the north side of Southern Avenue east of Dobson Road. (0.2± acres). Site Plan Review. This will allow for the development of a restaurant with drive-thru in front of the existing commercial building. Michael Fries, FM Group, Inc., applicant; BW Bowling Properties, LP., owner. Planner: Evan Balmer Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18057 4-a PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON17-00335 District 5. The 1300 to 1400 blocks of North Power Road (east side). Located on the east side of Power Road and the north side and south side of Halifax Drive. (2.3± acres). Rezoning from OC to ID-1; and Site Plan Review. This request will allow for the development of a mini-storage facility. Sean Lake, Pew and Lake, PLC, applicant; David Darling, LLC, owner. (Continued from March 21, 2018) Planner: Kim Steadman Continuance to July 18, 2018     Not available PZ 18058 4-b PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON17-00461 District 1. The 100 block of West 8th Place and West 9th Street (both sides). (6± acres). Located southeast of Brown Road and Country Club Drive. Rezone from RS-6 to RS-6-HD to establish the Flying Acres Historic District. Amy Mahoney and other property owners of the proposed Flying Acres Historic District, applicant. Planner: Kim Steadman Staff Recommendation: Approval Historic Preservation Board Recommendation: Approval     Not available PZ 18069 4-c PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON17-00532 District 3. The 1600 through 2000 blocks of West Southern Avenue (south side) and the 1200 through 1500 blocks of South Dobson Road (east side) and the 1400 through 1500 blocks of South Longmore (west side). Located on the southeast corner of Southern Avenue and Dobson Road, (The Mesa Community College Campus). (145± acres). Rezoning from PS, LC and GC to GC-PAD. This request will allow for private development within the Mesa Community College campus. W. Ralph Pew, Pew and Lake, PLC, applicant; Maricopa County Community College District, owner. (Continued from April 18, 2018) Planner: Lesley Davis Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18059 4-d PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON18-00065 District 6. The 8900 block of East Germann Road (north side). Located on the north side of Germann Road west of Ellsworth Road. (4± acres). Site Plan Review and Council Use Permit. This request will allow for the development of an indoor recreation facility. Andrew Greybar, LGE Design Group, applicant; ETP Funding, LLC., owner. Planner: Ryan McCann Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18070 4-e PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON18-00066 District 3. The 1000 through 1100 blocks of South Alma School Road (west side) and the 1200 through 1300 blocks of West Southern Avenue (north side). Located at the northwest corner of Alma School Road and Southern Avenue. (16± acres). Rezoning from LC to RM-5 PAD for 10.5± acres, Rezoning from LC to LC-PAD for 5.5± acres; and Site Plan Review for 16± acres. This request will allow for development of multi-residential and commercial uses. Adam Baugh, Withey Morris, PLC, applicant; WM Grace Development Co., ETAL, owner. (Companion Case to preliminary plat “Fiesta Village”, associated with item *5-a) (Continued from April 18, 2018) Planner: Lesley Davis Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18061 4-f PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON18-00118 District 5. The 7500 block of East Billings Street (south side) and the 100 to 200 block of North Sossaman Road (west side). (3.4± acres). Located on the west side of Sossaman Road north of Main Street. Rezoning from RM-2-PAD to RM-2-PAD; and Site Plan Review. This request will allow for the development of a townhome subdivision. Reese Anderson, Pew & Lake, PLC, applicant; Byron Allen, American Savings Life Insurance Company, owner. (Companion Case to preliminary plat “Aspire at Sun Valley”, associated with item *5-b) Planner: Wahid Alam Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18062 4-g PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON18-00121 District 6. The 3600 to 5200 blocks of South Ellsworth Road (east side), the 9200 to 10800 blocks of East Elliot Road (south side), and the 3600 to 6000 blocks of the South Signal Butte Road alignment (west side). Located south of Elliot Road between Ellsworth Road and Signal Butte Road (3200± acres). Major Amendment to the Eastmark Community Plan. This request will make changes that impact Development Units (“DUs”) 1, 2, 3, and 4 related to Land Use Groups, the Land Use Budget, refinements to the DU character descriptions, and corresponding modifications to various sections of the Community Plan. DMB Mesa Providng Grounds, LLC, applicant; DMB Mesa Proving Grounds, LLC, owner. Planner: Tom Ellsworth Continuance to June 20, 2018     Not available PZ 18063 4-h PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON18-00132 District 4. 324 North Country Club Drive. Located south of University Drive on the west side of Country Club Drive. (1± acres). Rezoning from DB-1 to DB-2; Site Plan Review and Special Use Permit. This request will allow modifications to an existing carwash. Michael Scarbrough, 3K1 Consulting Services, Inc., applicant; Bajo Enterprises, Paul Crandall Jr. Trust and Joyce Bond, owner. Planner: Cassidy Welch Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18053 8-a PZ General Plan ZON18-00181 District 6. The 9500 to 9800 block of East Hampton Avenue (south side). Located north of the US-60 at the west side of Crismon Road. (32.2± acres). Minor General Plan amendment to change the Character Type from Employment to Neighborhood. This request will allow for a small-lot single-residence subdivision and multi-residence development. Reese Anderson, Pew & Lake, PLC, applicant; Crismon BFC, LLC, owner. (Companion Case to ZON18-00067 and Preliminary Plat “Bella Encanta”, associated with items 8-b and 9-a) Staff Planner: Lisa Davis Continuance requested by applicant to June 20, 2018     Not available PZ 18071 5-a PZ Preliminary Plat "Fiesta Village" District 3. The 1000 through 1100 blocks of South Alma School Road (west side) and the 1200 through 1300 blocks of West Southern Avenue (north side). Located at the northwest corner of Alma School Road and Southern Avenue. (16± acres). Preliminary Plat. Adam Baugh, Withey Morris, PLC, applicant; WM Grace Development Co., ETAL, owner. (Companion Case to ZON18-00066, associated with item *4-e) Planner: Lesley Davis Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18064 5-b PZ Preliminary Plat “Aspire at Sun Valley” District 5. The 7500 block of East Billings Street (south side) and the 100 to 200 block of North Sossaman Road (west side). (3.4± acres). Located on the west side of Sossaman Road north of Main Street. Preliminary Plat. Reese Anderson, Pew & Lake, PLC, applicant; American Savings Life Insurance Company, owner. (Companion Case to ZON18-00118, associated with item *4-f) Planner: Wahid Alam Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18065 6-a PZ City Code Amending Chapters 66, 67, 69, 71, 74, and 77 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance; Title 11 of the Mesa City Code. (Citywide) (ZON17-00603) The amendments include clarification of authority and duties of the Zoning Administrator, Planning Hearing Officer, Design Review Board, and Board of Adjustment; modifications and clarifications to application requirements, public notice, expirations and extensions of approved requests, and the appeals process. Planner: Lisa Davis Staff Recommendation: Approval     Not available PZ 18068 7-a PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON17-00507 District 5 The 1200 block of North Ellsworth Road (west side) and the 9100 block of East Glencove Avenue (south side). Located north of Brown Road on the west side of Ellsworth Road. (1.8± acres). Site Plan Modification. This request will allow for the development of an enclosed RV storage facility in the LC zoning district. Dorothy Shupe, Sketch Architecture Company., applicant; Broc Hiatt, owner. (Continued from April 18, 2018) Planner: Cassidy Welch Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions     Not available PZ 18066 8-b PZ Zoning - Discuss and Recommend ZON18-00067 District 6. The 9500 to 9800 block of East Hampton Avenue (south side). Located north of the US-60 at the west side of Crismon Road. (32.2± acres). Rezoning from NC-BIZ and PEP-PAD-CUP to RSL-2.5-PAD and RM-3-PAD; and Site Plan Review. This request will allow for a small-lot single-residence subdivision and multi-residence development. Reese Anderson, Pew & Lake, PLC, applicant; Crismon BFC, LLC, owner. (Companion Case to ZON18-00181 and Preliminary Plat “Bella Encanta”, associated with items 8-a and 9-a) Planner: Lisa Davis Continuance requested by applicant to June 20, 2018     Not available PZ 18067 9-a PZ Preliminary Plat “Bella Encanta” District 6. The 9500 to 9800 block of East Hampton Avenue (south side). Located north of the US-60 at the west side of Crismon Road. (32.2± acres). Preliminary Plat. Reese Anderson, Pew & Lake, PLC, applicant; Crismon BFC, LLC, owner. (Companion Case to ZON18-00181 and ZON18-00067, associated with items 8-a and 8-b) Planner: Lisa Davis Continuance requested by applicant to June 20, 2018     Not available

Mesa #4 Best City To Be Making The Minimum Wage

Good stuff to know
Reality Check: This Is What You Can Actually Afford on Minimum Wage
Some interesting and potentially unexpected results ended up bubbling to the surface. The best regions to live are certainly clear: the West, Midwest and the Southwest. About half of the top 25 cities are in the West or Southwest regions, with all six of the top six being in either California or Arizona
Tucson. Mesa and Phoenix got ranked in the top five  of the best and worst cities to be making minimum wage:
1. Bakersfield, Calif.
2. Fresno, Calif.
3. Tucson, Ariz.
4. Mesa, Ariz.
5. Phoenix
Methodology: GOBankingRates compiled the list of cities based on the 100 most populous U.S. cities, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Cities were analyzed based on the following factors:
(1) housing, using the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in each city, sourced from Zillow’s December 2017 rental index
(2) groceries, using the recommended amount reported by cost-of-living database Numbeo.com for each city
(3) utilities in each city, according to cost estimates from Numbeo.com
(4) transportation cost based on the price of a monthly pass for public transportation, according to cost estimates from Numbeo.com.
Monthly costs were totaled and multiplied by 12 to get the annual cost of necessities in each city. To get yearly salaries, the minimum wage was multiplied by 40 hours a week and by 52 weeks in a year. Each city was also given a livability score (sourced from AreaVibes). They were then ranked to produce a list of the best and worst cities to be making minimum wage.
https://www.gobankingrates.com/making-money/economy/best-worst-cities-minimum-wage-workers/
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Mesa, Ariz.

Yearly minimum wage: $21,840
Total annual necessities: $15,545

 

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2016: 16.8%
(10.1% for White Non-Hispanic residents,

27.4% for Black residents,

28.8% for Hispanic or Latino residents,

25.2% for American Indian residents,

14.6% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents,

23.1% for other race residents,

18.8% for two or more races residents)

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Mesa-Arizona.html#ixzz5FnE1Yben

 

Stats + Data from City Data

Median gross rent in 2016: $960.

Daytime population change due to commuting: -52,909 (-10.9%)
Workers who live and work in this city: 84,979 (37.6%)

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Property values in Mesa, AZ

Leaflet | Data, imagery and map information provided by CartoDB, OpenStreetMap and contributors, CC-BY-SA

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Mesa-Arizona.html#ixzz5Fn8vTYma

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Mesa-Arizona.html#ixzz5Fn7RHj2q

Here Are the Best and Worst Cities to Be a Minimum Wage Earner
Cities with the highest minimum wage aren't always the best.

by Joel Anderson March 5, 2018

 

Excellent Investigative Report From Lily Altavena

Is Mesa Mayor John Giles still as goofy as he looked two years ago when he asks this question in an article that appeared online just yesterday?
"Why would we ask again when the voters said, no I’m not interested in raising my sales tax?" 
WHY WOULD THEY ASK AGAIN?
Hey! They've had two years or more to 'set-the-stage' for another chance to hit up Mesa taxpayers to pay for their ill-begotten ASU schemes on the backs of more debt burdens.

What does this all boil-down to?
Tricky plans to transform downtown Mesa based on TRANSIENT STUDENTS? 
...and exactly as your MesaZona blogger stated two years ago, it's all based on private profits for the close cohorts of the closely-connected cadres of the Friends of Giles - the FOG - for their own wealth-creation to push for unsolicited developer proposals dependent on attracting transient students to create a boom in student housing construction in an historic district along the line of light rail service. 
Back in 2012 the city lured five out-of-state colleges to move to create "a college town" in The Old Donut-Hole" - one stayed and it took five years to struggle to reach an enrollment of 500 part-time and full-time students. One historic building was adapted as a residence hall that now houses 50 students who move-in and move-out every semester.  
It is now unclear how city officials will pay for their estate speculation schemes all wrapped-up badly in another trick involving ASU and The FOG. The re-jiggered the numbers - instead of the $200-Million debt that taxpauers REJECTED in 2016, The $70 million is an estimate to construct one building . . .
GETTING DOWN TO THE NITTY-GRITTY Here's the story from yesterday

ASU proposal for downtown Mesa is projected to cost city $70M

Lily Altavena, The Republic | azcentral.com Published 10:52 a.m. MT May 15, 2018        

"The (estimated) taxpayer cost to build a proposed Arizona State University development in downtown Mesa is estimated to start at $70 million. 

That is about $100 million less than a similar proposal Mesa voters shot down in 2016, according to the city. 

The deal is not expected to go to voters this time. That's because city leaders would identify other revenue to pay for the project instead of the sales-tax hike voters rejected. 

The Mesa City Council could vote on a preliminary lease agreement with ASU June 4. The $70 million figure is an estimate; the finalized budget has not been set. . .

Blogger Note: City Manager Chris cannot escape 'the heat' for his bogus replies and assertions made in response to the robust questions asked:

"City Manager Christopher Brady told council members May 10 that while the city is only committing to one, $70 million phase of development, he envisions eventually committing to the full 2016 proposal. . .

Blogger Note: IT IS BECOMING VERY CLEAR

WHAT CITY MANAGER CHRIS BRADY HAS BEEN DOING

FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS AND SIX MONTHS:

" . . . It's unclear how costs would stack up. 

"It would just be later on than what we originally anticipated," Brady said. 

If his 'special-interest' undisclosed associations can't get any more tax increases, he'll get it from hikes any way he can in 'adjustments' in utilities fees and charges.

Blogger Note: Mebbe City Manager Chris Brady can get a calling to look for a new job!

READ THE ENTIRE REPORTING > https://www.azcentral.com

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The mayor and some other council members said the investment would bring increased economic activity, including big-name developments that hinge on the university's presence. 

Whittaker disagreed and proposed again taking the issue to the voters through a sales- tax hike, separate from the public safety measure council already agreed to place on the November ballot. 

"What’s the next corporation that comes to us and says, 'I’m going to bring so much economic growth to your city but I’m only going to do it if you speculate with your utility rate payers’ dollars,'" Whittaker said. "I just want to say, I find that appalling." 

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Residents, too, have spoken up against the proposal during heated council meetings

_________________________________________________________________________Reach reporter Lily Altavena at laltavena@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8927.
Follow her on Twitter: @lilyalta.

 

O Yes, Jon Talton > The Answer Does Matter

Thanks for asking the question in this article you posted on May 11, 2018, bit ain't it kinda interesting to you that GCU had to abandon plans here in Mesa when city officials demanded a $100 Million investment for a Red Mountain campus and it didn't happen?
Fine and dandy.
Now the City of Mesa wants taxpayers to finance $75,000,000 in public debt for ASU. Both are money-pits

What is Grand Canyon University?
It's just a step-back and not a mystery at all. Not even a convenient fiction - and it's far to often the way things work:
Separate profit from non-profit via third-party provider of services.
". . . I'm sure this carries benefits for investors, especially in the age of Trump. And it's part of the alternative education infrastructure that's been erected by the right, which claims to despise higher education . . .And GCU is part of this new firmament. But is it what Americans historically considered a real university? I think the answer matters."
FACTOID OR NOT: Parent Grand Canyon Education Inc. trades on the Nasdaq, share prices doubling since 2016. If I understand the deal, it would separate the main GCU from the parent, with the parent acting "as a third-party provider of services to Grand Canyon University."
The Source > http://www.roguecolumnist.com/rogue_columnist/2018/05/what-is-grand-canyon-university.html#more

Today's 17 May 2018 Mesa City Council Study Session - Only One Item???

Huh? Smack dab in the middle of major issues hitting citizens and taxpayers here in the City of Mesa we get this:

a very strange "study session" ahead of a very important City Council Regular Session on Monday 21 May 2018 
NOTABLE ABSENCES Councilmember Mark Freeman and Mayor John Giles are absent. Whereabouts unkown.
Kevin Thompson also absent with what looks a somewhat tense gathering of city government: take a look and see for yourself - it's done and over  in a fast ten minutes

Vice-Mayor David Luna is immediately interrupted by City
Manager Chris Brady to have a presentation about the City's Development Services. . . with everything else on the agenda why this now? ....adding what they call COLLABORATIVE SPACES for staff to resolve challenges.
There is only meeting item that's in meeting details and it's the following while the "Study Session" is also supposed to review the agenda for Monday's very important regular meeting - What do the 3 councilmembers and Vice-Mayor Luna have to say about any questions?
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Meeting Name:

City Council Study Session

Agenda status:

Final

Meeting date/time:

5/17/2018 7:30 AM

Minutes status:

Draft

Meeting location:

Council Chambers - Lower Level

Published agenda:

Agenda

Published minutes:

Not available

Meeting video:

Not available

Attachments:

• Meeting Items (1)

1 record Group Clear sorting Clear grouping Group by Type Group by Result Export Export to Excel Export to PDF Export to Word Show: Legislation only Legislation only All agenda items

File # Agenda # Type Title Action Result Action Details 18-0640 2-a Minutes Judicial Advisory Board meetings held on March 26, 2018 and May 7, 2018     Not available

 
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Here's the 10-minute streaming video of the "Study Session" where the bulk of the time is taken up by some planned changes at Development Services office space. HUH? 

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A NOTHING BURGER mebbe all wrapped-up real nice with what? Stuff from two months ago! WTFu*#@! is going on here with trying to take the focus off all the million$$$$$$$ in the city's budget for the next fiscal year???? 
The Mesa City Council is supposed to be reviewing ALL THE NUMBERS 
at tomorrow's  'Study Session'
(or so they said just last week)
,,,must be a change in plans, huh?

BTW: THERE'S A VERY IMPORTANT PLANNING & ZONING PUBLIC HEARING TODAY where there are some huge plans for developments on the agenda (See below) 
3,200-acre expansion of Eastmark
145-acre private developer plans for MCCC
WM Grace Plans for 'Fiesta Village'
. . . and a whole lot more!

Source: County, Board & Committee Research Center

_________________________________________________________________________________ File #: 18-0640    Type: Minutes Status: Agenda Ready In control: City Council Study Session On agenda: 5/17/2018 Title: Judicial Advisory Board meetings held on March 26, 2018 and May 7, 2018 Attachments: 1. March 26, 2018 Judicial Advisory Board, 2. May 7, 2018 Judicial Advisory Board _________________________________________________________________________________ Judicial Advisory Board "This seven-member board recommends to the City Council the best qualified persons to become City magistrates, and evaluates the performance of appointed magistrates and advises the City Council about retaining them. The board meets as needed in the Council Chambers, 57 E. First Street. The board consists of the Presiding Judge of the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County, or designee; one Arizona Appellate Court Judge to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court one active member of the State Bar of Arizona who resides in Mesa one member of the Maricopa County Bar Association who resides in Mesa three Mesa electors who are not City employees, judges in any official capacity, retired judges nor members of the State Bar of Arizona. Members are appointed for staggered terms of three years. Call (480) 644-2382 for information. http://www.mesaaz.gov/city-hall/advisory-boards-committees/judicial-advisory-board _________________________________________________________________________________ This is a 130-Minute of last Thursday's City Council Study Session with Candace Cannistraro taking the entire budget discussions way off-track: talking about Open Budget Transparency?? _________________________________________________________________________________