A | Public Hearing, Consideration and Possible Adoption of Ordinance No. 2019-02: An ordinance amending the Flagstaff Zoning Map designation of approximately 14.51 acres of real property located at 825 and 829 E. Butler Ave. on parcel numbers 104-13-002B and 104-03-005B from Light Industrial (LI) and Heavy Industrial (HI) to 2.24 acres of Highway Commercial (HC) and 12.27 acres of High Density Residential (HR), for purposes of developing a multi-family residential and commercial project. (McGrath Partners Zoning Map Amendment request for property located at 825 and 829 E. Butler Ave.) | ||||||||||
Mayor Evans opened the public hearing. Planning Development Manager Elaine Averitt provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following: ZONING MAP AMENDMENT REQUEST LOCATION & SURROUNDING USES SUBJECT SITE – LOOKING SOUTHEAST REQUEST ZONING EXHIBIT RENDERED SITE PLAN ZONING CODE STANDARDS COMPARISON ARCHITECTURAL ELEVATIONS COMMERCIAL CORNER BUILDING RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS PUBLIC SYSTEMS IMPACT ANALYSIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR DISCUSSION – REVISED UNIT MIX Traffic Engineer Jeff Bauman continued the presentation. FOR DISCUSSION - TRANSPORTATION GOOGLE MAP – BUTLER AVE Mayor Evans asked about the entrance and exit off of Butler. Mr. Bauman offered that there was a vehicle count done over the course of several days and those counts are depicted in the documents included with the staff summary. He added that Prop. 419 and Prop 420 will be improving the intersection with dual turn lanes and that is scheduled for a few years out. There will also be a change in the striping on Lone Tree for a two stage left turn and that will be put into place when the project is built. Councilmember Whelan expressed concern with the right turn lane into the development and the need for greater deceleration opportunities. She also expressed concern about visibility for exiting along Butler. She indicated that safety should be the top priority. Councilmember Aslan asked about impacts the development would have on the public safety officers using Sawmill Road. Mr. Bauman explained that Sawmill is currently carrying 3,500 cars per day and in the future, the projections are 5,560 cars per day which will keep the service levels at A and B. Housing Director Sarah Darr continued the presentation. FOR DISCUSSION – AFFORDABLE HOUSING Mayor Evans stated that the reason many of the affordable units are smaller units is because that is what the greatest need is. Ms. Darr agreed stating that based on the waiting lists and industry trends smaller units are in highest demand. Vice Mayor Shimoni asked if Ms. Darr had any thoughts about families or older individuals wanting to live in a complex such as what is being proposed. Ms. Darr explained that they have heard from people that they need a place to live and while they have a choice to apply for east or west side housing, they can also apply for both which is the most common scenario. It generally does not matter much when housing is so desperately needed. When looking for projects that could provide affordable housing options, they look for central locations near transit connections. Ms. Darr added that they do not force people to live somewhere, they get to choose where they live. There are so many different situations and elements within the community and that is why there is so much effort put into integrate affordable housing throughout the community and make different types of housing available. Comprehensive Planning Manager Sara Dechter continued the presentation. FLAGSTAFF REGIONAL PLAN 2030 – FUTURE GROWTH ILLUSTRATION MAP FOR DISCUSSION – REGIONAL PLAN & EMPLOYMENT AREAS FOR DISCUSSION – REGIONAL PLAN HIGH OCCUPANCY HOUSING Vice Mayor Shimoni asked if student housing in the proposed area would reduce pressure elsewhere. Ms. Dechter explained that student housing was always part of the equation in the proposed area and the High Occupancy Housing Plan would encourage more density than what is currently proposed. All housing types were considered in the area however. Councilmember Aslan asked about the history of the industrial use of the site; when it stopped being used and how many applications were received for the parcel. Ms. Averitt introduced General Manager Dan Wendt who stated that the property had been in use by Jeldwen since 1969 and they closed after the sawmill closed in 1993. Councilmember Aslan asked if there were other kinds of light industrial uses proposed for the site. Mr. Wendt stated that the site has mainly been used for warehousing, there were some plans to try and develop the front of the property but it did not gain any traction. There is 120,000 square feet of space and finding people who need that kind of space has been a challenge. Walgreens and SCA Tissue both rented portions of the property at one time for warehousing. They have been trying to find other uses for the property over the last couple of years but have been unsuccessful. Ms. Averitt continued the presentation. RECOMMENDED ACTION Mark Lindley with McGrath Real Estate Partners addressed Council stating that one of the things that did not get discussed at the last meeting was the total number of jobs created; there would be the addition of 50-60 jobs for the development. Mr. Lindley stated that there was some discussion about the affordable unit mix and he understands the comments about desirability. He stated that the development agreement has some flexibility so if the Housing Department needs to make changes they can. The goal is to take 27 people and provide them with the great amenities, walkability, and central location offered to all the tenants of the property. They are willing to work with Housing staff and try to make sure they are happy with the location of those units. The following individuals addressed Council concerning the Zoning Map Amendment:
A break held from 8:30 p.m. through 8:43 p.m. Mayor Evans asked if there could be an amendment to the development agreement for there to be a right turn only out of the development and no left turn into the development from Butler except at Sawmill Road. Senior Assistant City Attorney Christina Rubalcava stated that it could be added as a condition of the ordinance. |
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Moved by Councilmember Jim McCarthy, seconded by Councilmember Regina Salas to read Ordinance No. 2019-02 and include a condition of a right turn only out of the development. | |||||||||||
Vote: 2 - 5 | |||||||||||
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