Redevelopment Commission

TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JUNE 15, 2022, 6:00 P.M. GILBERT POLICE DEPARTMENT AMPHITHEATRE 75 EAST CIVIC CENTER DRIVE GILBERT, ARIZONA 85296 COMMISSION PRESENT STAFF PRESENT TJ Claassen, Chair Dan Henderson, Director, Office of Economic Casey Kendel, Vice-Chair Development (via teleconference) Cassandra Updike Ashlee MacDonald, Principal Planner, Development Boe Bigelow Services Department Adam Baugh Sydney Bethel Price, Redevelopment Specialist Chris Payne, Town Attorney Jocelyn Smith, Administrative Assistant COUNCIL LIAISON ABSENT Kathy Tilque, Councilmember CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR MEETING Chair Claassen called the regular meeting of the Redevelopment Commission to order at 6:03 P.M. OATH OF OFFICE – SWEAR IN ADAM BAUGH AS APPOINTED COMMISSIONER Adam Baugh was sworn in as a Commissioner on the Redevelopment Commission. ROLL CALL Sydney Bethel Price, Redevelopment Specialist, 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 Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting June 15, 2022 1 1. Meeting Minutes – Consider approval of minutes from the regular meeting held on March 16, 2022 MOTION: Commissioner Bigelow moved to approve the minutes of March 16, 2022, seconded by Vice-Chair Kendel. Motion passed 4-0 via roll call. Commissioner Baugh abstained. 2. Planning Case Types Overview Ashlee MacDonald presented on Planning Case Types. There are 11 staff members under Eva Cutro and Ashlee MacDonald. There is one vacant Senior Planner position. On average, 40 to 60 new projects are reviewed monthly. The General Plan and Redevelopment Plan are high-level documents that set the framework for the vision of Gilbert. Every 10 years the General Plan is updated, and an update is due in 2030. There are several tools utilized for implementation standards: the Land Development Code, HD Design Guidelines, and Code of Gilbert (Municode). The Capital Improvement Plan and Infrastructure Improvement Plan and Current and Future Studies/Plans are also used. The role of the RDC is to encourage development and redevelopment in the Heritage District Overlay and other redevelopment areas designated by the Town Council, consistent with any adopted redevelopment plan and other applicable requirements. The RDC is the approving body for Design Reviews and Heritage Sign Plans. The RDC makes recommendations on General Plan Amendments, Rezonings, and Use Permits. Many application types require neighborhood meetings before staff are approached. Conditional use permits are sometimes required so that applicants understand concerns of the neighborhood before they speak with staff. Staff attends the neighborhood meetings. A pre-application meeting is the first time staff looks at a project; initial review includes planning, engineering, traffic, building/fire, and others as needed. RDC study sessions are incorporated as staff performs reviews. Design reviews consider site plans, landscape plans, grading & drainage, lighting, elevations, colors & materials. These do not require neighborhood meetings. The RDC can comment on architecture, layout, landscape palette, colors & materials, and site details. However, the RDC cannot prohibit any specific use. Commissioner Bigelow asked about parking ratios. Ashlee MacDonald responded that the RDC cannot comment on parking ratios but can comment on site circulation. An application could be denied by the RDC if the applicant is not in compliance with design guidelines and unwilling to change. In the Heritage District, Heritage Sign Plans (HSPs) are required for nearly every application type, to ensure sign design is consistent. HSPs are an RDC decision but can also be approved administratively. RDC reviews HSPs that are not consistent with Redevelopment Commission Regular Session June 15, 2022 11 Permanent Sign Standards. The applicant can resubmit their applications if their initial application is denied. The RDC serves as a recommending body for Rezonings and GP Amendments. These cases are requests to change from one Land Use Designation to another and/or one zoning district to another. When someone is requesting a rezoning, it has to be consistent with the general plan. This allows for different land uses. The RDC should consider if the land use makes sense in the location and will negatively impact the surrounding property owners. Through a straight rezoning, the uses cannot be limited and development standards cannot be modified. PADs are a tool to modify regulations and standards to achieve outstanding development that provides a unique product benefitting the community. For example, setbacks may be decreased to allow for greater open space. This is a rezoning application but has the overlay district which allows for the modification of standards. The applicant must clearly demonstrate the benefit to Gilbert. The development standards can be conditioned. Land uses, parking ratios, and sign/wall regulations cannot be modified through PADs. Conditional Use Permits are applications that are required for uses that need special consideration, such as when there could be a significant impact to surrounding property owners. Depending on the use, staff may ask the applicant to hold a neighborhood meeting. Conditional Use Permits can be revoked if the applicant fails to meet conditions. Whether the use meets the Redevelopment Plan is also a consideration. Preliminary Plats are not likely to be seen by the RDC. They are the first process that allow for the division of land into five or more lots for residential. These applications require pre- application meetings and staff review of landscaping, grading & drainage, setbacks, lot dimensions, and traffic. The RDC serves as a recommending body to the Planning Commission on these bodies. There are times where a project will be approved and it will look different in construction, because of administrative review processes. Applicants often have to revise their design review when they are preparing for construction. If the plan is modified in a significant way, it can be brought back to the RDC. Admin Use Permits are required for shared parking, deferred parking, off-site parking, and incidental dwelling units. These require a study by a traffic engineer. Incidental dwelling units are dwellings which do not include kitchens, such as guest houses. Applicants must notify homeowners within 300 feet, who can contact staff if they have questions. Decisions of the RDC can be appealed to Town Council by staff, the applicant, or any person aggrieved by the decision-making body. That individual can be a person or a business. There is a 10-day appeal window after the decision is issued. The appeal hearing must be set within 60 days of filing. Redevelopment Commission Regular Session June 15, 2022 11  After a project is approved, construction documents are submitted and building permits are issued. Construction begins and properties are inspected throughout the process. Before a building can be occupied, a Certificate of Occupancy must be issued. Commissioner Updike asked if it is the applicant’s or Town’s decision whether there is a study session or just a vote. Ashlee MacDonald responded that it is the Town’s decision. 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. Commissioners shared the following:  Commissioners congratulated Commissioner Updike on her marriage.  Chair Claassen congratulated Commissioner Baugh and welcomed him to the RDC. Sydney Bethel Price shared the following:  This is the first time there has been a full Commission in four months; welcome Commissioner Baugh.  Three restaurants have been announced in the last month which will be joining the Heritage District: Not Your Typical Deli, Prep and Pastry, and Big Chicken.  The fourth-floor improvements for the University of Arizona are expected to be completed by the end of July, 2022. Estimated enrollment is 750 students in the building.  The passenger loading zones in the Heritage District have been repainted.  The first of three construction document submittals have been received for the Heritage Park Project. The Burger King will be demolished in September, 2022, and the construction of the site is expected to take two years. ADJOURN REGULAR SESSION Chair Claassen adjourned the regular meeting at 6:51 PM. __________________________________ TJ Claassen, Chairman Redevelopment Commission Regular Session June 15, 2022 11