Redevelopment Commission

TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 16, 2022, 6:00 P.M. GILBERT POLICE DEPARTMENT AMPHITHEATRE 75 EAST CIVIC CENTER DRIVE GILBERT, ARIZONA 85296 COMMISSION PRESENT STAFF PRESENT TJ Claassen, Chair Amanda Elliott, Redevelopment Program Manger Casey Kendel, Vice-Chair Sydney Bethel Price, Redevelopment Specialist Cassandra Mehan Eva Cutro, Planning Manager Boe Bigelow Chris Payne, Town Attorney Jocelyn Smith, Administrative Assistant COUNCIL LIAISON Kathy Tilque, Councilmember CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR MEETING Chair Claassen called the regular meeting of the Redevelopment Commission to order at 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Amanda Elliott, Redevelopment Program Manager, called the roll and determined that a quorum was present. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS At this time, members of the public may comment on matters not on the agenda. Accordingly, the Commission’s response is limited to responding to criticism, asking staff to review a matter commented upon or putting a matter on a future agenda. There were no residents in attendance wishing to speak. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 1. Meeting Minutes – Consider approval of minutes from the regular meeting held on February 16, 2022 MOTION: Vice-Chair Kendel moved to approve the minutes of February 16, 2022, seconded by Commissioner Bigelow. Motion passed 4-0 via roll call. Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting March 16, 2022 1 PUBLIC HEARING Items will be heard at one Public Hearing, at which time anyone wishing to comment on a Public Hearing Item may do so. Comments will be heard from those in favor of or against an item. To comment on a Public Hearing Item, individuals must complete a public comment form, indicating the Item Number when they wish to be heard. Once the hearing is closed, there will be no further public comment unless requested by a Commission member. After the Public Hearing, the Commission may act on all items not requiring additional staff, public, or Commission comment with a single vote. 2. DR21-141 CIMMINO GELATO: Site plan, landscaping, grading and drainage, elevations, floor plans, lighting, and colors and materials for approximately 0.11 acres, generally located north of the northeast corner of Gilbert Road and Vaughn Avenue, and zoned Heritage Village Center (HVC). Eva Cutro (480) 503-6782. Chair Claassen opened the public hearing for Item DR21-141. Eva Cutro provided background on Item DR21-141. The applicant has scaled back the design since the Commission first approved it on February 19, 2020. The request is for exterior renovations, including paint, replacement of windows and doors, new mechanical equipment and screening, the addition of a fire riser room, patio enhancements with an awning, and lighting. There is enough parking, with 31 spots. There will be three-foot-high fencing surrounding the patio, with metal poles for string lights. The building is 17 feet tall. The application meets the five Findings of Fact; however, staff recommends the following seven conditions for approval: 1. Construction of the project shall conform to the exhibits approved by the Redevelopment Commission at the March 16, 2022, public hearing. 2. The construction site plan documents shall incorporate the Standard Commercial and Industrial Site Plan Notes adopted by the Design Review Board on March 11, 2004. 3. Signage is not included in this approval. Administrative Design Review approval is required before submitting for sign permits. 4. Trash transport from Gelato Cimmino to the shared trash compactor located on Vaughn Avenue shall be during DownTown Gilbert off-peak business hours. 5. The proposed street tree shall be a Chinese Pistache. 6. String lighting must be setback a minimum of 10’ (or the height of the fixture, whichever is greater) from all property lines. If the 10’ setback cannot be met, the lights must be fully shielded. Lights must also be mounted at 14’ in height or below, and all lighting must not exceed a 0.3-foot candle reading at the property lines. 7. The lighting fixtures and awning shall conform to the exhibits shown on the new material board and drawings revised March 16, 2022. Commissioner Bigelow referenced an issue with the Creamistry and the hookup for the applicant to back their trucks into two years ago. He asked if there was a plan for that. Ernie Valdez, Valwest Construction, responded that the petitioner has agreed to move it. Redevelopment Commission Regular Session March 16, 2022 2 Commissioner Bigelow asked where a sign would be put on the building once it is designed, as the fire riser could be a good location. Ernie Valdez responded that the applicant is okay to be told where to put it. Commissioner Mehan asked how old the roof is and why it would not be rated when it is less than five feet from the adjacent building. Ernie Valdez responded that the owner is trying to save money due to rising material costs during COVID-19. The property has been land-locked, and it will be expensive to hook up the water. Commissioner Mehan responded that finding a contractor to replace the shingles might be challenging, and it would not comply with life safety. The awning fabric does not seem rated. Ernie Valdez responded that the shingles could be removed and could all be a screen wall. Eva Cutro added that the awning is commercial grade and will be fire-rated. Commissioner Mehan asked if this approval includes material and what would happen if the plan reviewer had comments. Eva Cutro responded that approval includes materials; however, if a material change is stated as necessary by the building reviewer, it would come before Eva Cutro to determine substantial compliance. Vice-Chair Kendel asked if the sign on the adjacent building for O.H.S.O. and the Dog Spaw would remain. Eva Cutro responded that the sign would remain, but the umbrellas may block it when they are up. Vice-Chair Kendel asked if the driveway would be built for a curb. Eva Cutro responded that there is no driveway proposed. There is fencing. The Creamistry has been informed that they will need to relocate their valve and get deliveries on off-hours. Ernie Valdez added that the sidewalk has to be ripped up to allow for water access, and then it will be curbed. Vice-Chair Kendel asked if the Town was responsible for that. Eva Cutro responded that the builder would be responsible. Vice-Chair Kendel asked about colors for the awning. Debra Weisberg, Designlink Architects, responded that the applicant proposes a gray and white awning with dark trim on the windows and dark gray on the replacement shingles. Vice-Chair Kendel asked if the string lights would be attached to the building; Debra Weisberg replied that they would be linked. Vice-Chair Kendel asked if a misting system could be put in. Eva Cutro replied that the applicant does not currently have plans for that, but Ernie Valdez noted that a misting system could be installed. Chair Claassen asked if the diagonal portion of the roof is load-bearing. Debra Weisberg responded that it is a mansard roof with shingles to give the impression of a roof. Chair Claassen asked if it could theoretically be eliminated. Debra Weisberg answered that it could be a pony wall instead. Chair Claassen stated that he does not find the existing shingles attractive. Chair Claassen asked about the patio’s square footage; Eva Cutro replied roughly 1,700 square feet. Chair Claassen asked if the applicant would demolish the existing asphalt and lay down Redevelopment Commission Regular Session March 16, 2022 3 concrete. Debra Weisberg answered it would be scored and sealed concrete. Chair Claassen asked if other materials were explored. Debra Weisberg noted that large tiles could be grouted in. Chair Claassen stated he has concerns about the patio materials proposed, as the design guidelines call for properties on Gilbert Road to be iconic, friendly, interpretive, and welcoming. The applicant may be selling himself short on the potential of the project. A welcoming patio could be created with softscape landscaping to break up the concrete. Concrete is uninviting. Vice-Chair Kendel agreed that turf or plants could help break up the concrete. He stated that a three-foot wall along the front façade with a neon sign would look nice. The left side with the fire area could have a mural, which would be good advertising for the business. Ernie Valdez noted that a landscape plan could be submitted for the patio. Chair Claassen noted that the applicant could have gone through a Study Session to allow for more integration of notes from the Commission. Trees could provide natural structures for string lights rather than metal poles. Eva Cutro noted that lights could be strung from the trees as long as they are within the property and not on the Town’s property. Vice-Chair Kendel asked if the Commission could move forward if additional conditions need to be set out. Eva Cutro responded that the item could be continued or approved with conditions. Chair Claassen asked if any residents from the public wished to speak; Amanda Elliott responded that there were not. Chair Claassen closed the public hearing for Item DR21-141. Commissioner Mehan noted that she does not wish to disrupt the process for this applicant, but the design must be cohesive, and there are many proposed conditions. There must be a design review. Commissioner Bigelow asked how long it would take for the applicant to redesign the project and bring it before the Commission. Eva Cutro replied that there is a 15-day turnaround after receiving the submission because it must go back to fire, building, engineering, and planning. Eva Cutro asked Sydney Bethel Price the deadline of the next meeting for the package to go out. Sydney Bethel Price responded that the next meeting is on April 20, 2022. There could be a motion to continue. Then, the redesign must be submitted by March 30, 2022, to meet review times for the next meeting. Nusrat Jafar, Designlink Architects, asked if it would be alright to submit the revision with the patio and exterior elevation without the rendering. Commissioner Bigelow responded that a 2D version of one angle would be acceptable. Chair Claassen asked staff how specific the conditions can be. Eva Cutro responded that the conditions could be as detailed as is needed. Sydney Bethel Price drafted the following language for consideration of the Commission in the forthcoming motion: Redevelopment Commission Regular Session March 16, 2022 4   Prior to the submittal of construction documents, the applicant shall submit revised elevations and colors and material board to the Planning Division for staff approval. The modifications to the colors and materials, and elevation shall incorporate the redevelopment commission’s comments from the March 16, 2022 meeting.  Prior to the submittal of construction documents, the applicant shall submit a landscape plan to the Planning Division for staff review and approval. The concrete located on the patio shall incorporate some form of landscaping to soften the patio. MOTION: Chair Claassen moved to approve Item DR21-141 subject to Conditions 1 through 7 from staff and subject to the following conditions from the Commission: 1. That all or a large portion of the concrete be replaced with another material, including but not limited to pavers, grass, crushed granite, , landscaping, trees, and shrubs, in accordance with the Town’s landscaping pallet. 2. That the mansard roof be replaced with a parapet wall, which would also screen the mechanical equipment, so there would be no need for the faux chimney. 3. That there be some kind of artwork on the riser room wall. 4. That some sort of misting system be provided. 5. That the poles for the string lights at one side of the elevation be removed and replaced with trees to string the lights. 6. Prior to the submittal of construction documents, the above conditions must be approved by the Planning Manager. Seconded by Vice-Chair Kendel. Motion passed 3-1 via roll call. Commissioner Mehan against. COMMUNICATIONS Executive Session – The Public Body may convene into an executive session at one or more times during the meeting as needed to confer with the Town Attorney for legal advice regarding any of the items listed on the agenda as authorized by A.R.S. §38-43.03.A.3. Councilmember Kathy Tilque shared the following items:  The additional position on the Commission should be approved by the next meeting. Video interviews are ongoing.  Adjusted water and environment service rates will take effect on April 1, 2022.  A day-long financial retreat was undertaken in preparing the budget.  The community engagement task force has begun its work. Sydney Bethel Price shared a Heritage District Update:  The Heritage District accounted for 1% of the Town’s sales tax in 2021, at $1.2 million.  The estimated value per acre for the district is $1,559,562.  For every $1 publicly invested in the Heritage District, there is $1.47 of return.  The district is approximately 168 acres, and the Town currently owns 55.6 of those acres. 36.7 acres are vacant, but the Heritage North project will soon be underway. Redevelopment Commission Regular Session March 16, 2022 5   13 new businesses relocated to the district in 2021. There are already set to be six new businesses in 2022.  The following plans are underway for the district: parking master plan, master circulation plan, drainage/stormwater study, utility infrastructure study, redesign of water tower park, and the Paseo.  The following events are upcoming: Let the Good Times Roll, March 10-21, 2022; Water Tower Spring Concert Series, Wednesdays in March from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; The Gilbert Global Village Festival, March 25-26, 2022. ADJOURN REGULAR SESSION Chair Claassen adjourned the regular meeting at 7:16 PM. __________________________________ TJ Claassen, Chairman Redevelopment Commission Regular Session March 16, 2022 6