Redevelopment Commission

TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JULY 19, 2023, 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS 50 EAST CIVIC CENTER DRIVE GILBERT, ARIZONA 85296 COMMISSION PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Adam Baugh John Baird, Deputy Town Attorney TJ Claassen, Chair Amanda Elliott, Redevelopment Program Manager, Casey Kendel, Vice-Chair (via Teams) Office of Economic Development Cassandra Updike Sydney Bethel Price, Redevelopment Project Manager, Office of Economic Development COMMISSION ABSENT Jim Torgeson, Councilmember Boe Bigelow Dan Henderson, Economic Development Director PRESENTER Kristen Devine, Planner II, Development Services CALL TO ORDER OF THE STUDY SESSION Chair Claassen called the study session of the Redevelopment Commission to order at 6:02 p.m. 1. DR23-56 THE BRUNDRETT BUILDING: Site plan, landscaping, grading and drainage, elevations, floor plans, lighting, and colors and materials for approximately 0.365 acres, generally located at 226 North Gilbert Road, and zoned Heritage Village Center. Kristen Devine (480) 503-6742. Planner Devine reported that the proposed development is approximately 28,831 square feet and includes patios at the front and rear. Raised planters will act as buffers between the patios and roadways. There is a pedestrian walkway to the south. The second floor of the development includes balconies at the front and rear. Parking is proposed off-site, as well as a refuse container with a compactor located in the Norwood parking lot. The applicant is proposing several landscaping options not part of the Heritage District palette. Staff has expressed concern with the use of Indian Laurel trees on the rooftop, as they can grow from 50’ to 60’. The applicant is proposing a four-story mixed-use building that is 55’ tall. A mechanical component that is 5’ tall is proposed atop the building, which is permitted by the LDC. The ground floor will be a full- service restaurant, bar, or café; the second and third floors will be office space; and a rooftop patio and bar is anticipated. Primary materials are red brick with metal accents. Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting July 19, 2023 1 Commissioner Updike agreed with staff concerns on the 50’ to 60’ height of trees proposed on the roof at the 41’ by 41’ plane. Commissioner Updike asked about the height of adjacent buildings and Planner Devine responded that she would have to investigate the height, but they are single- story. Commissioner Updike asked how the rooftop trees would be maintained. The property owner Todd Brundrett responded that the olive tree may be a better choice, and the trees are going into a box to restrict their height. Commissioner Baugh stated that he appreciates the glazing on the south side of the building with the doors and windows, the ambient lighting, and the shade opportunities created by the balconies. He asked how the rooftop is enclosed during inclement weather. Planner Devine responded that the top enclosure covers 2/3 of the building and is sun-glazed glass. Commissioner Baugh asked if staff considered a different treatment of the north side of the building to break up the pattern as there are no windows. Planner Devine responded that staff considered the six recessed portions as breaking up the horizontal elevation. Commissioner Baugh noted that if olive trees are to be selected, the landscaping plan will have to be redone as they do not appear to be in the current package. He asked why trees that are not recommended in the area were selected. The applicant Nathan Moyers, Circle West Architects, responded that the north elevation is the zero-lot-line, so windows are not allowed, but brick detailing and metal accents were used to improve the look. Most of the landscaping fits within the guidelines for the area, but the trees that were selected were due to their ability to provide shade. Commissioner Updike noted that she would prefer the 60’ marrying of the landscaping maximum and the screen wall maximum. Chair Claassen asked how deep the box would be for the large trees on the rooftop. Nathan Moyers responded that it would be approximately 3.5 feet deep. Chair Claassen encouraged the landscape architect to study the approved trees for the Heritage District and consider having two smaller trees rather than one large tree for the purpose of shade. Commissioner Kendel stated that the building matches others in the area. He asked how it will be ensured that the Farmhouse Restaurant, which is adobe, will not fall., Nathan Moyers responded that the property line was set off by one foot to allow for more clearance. The structural engineer identified different footings that can be employed. There will be no stem wall against the property line. Commissioner Kendel asked about the anticipated start date, work hours, waste, and traffic concerns during construction. Nathan Moyers responded that the project was sent out to GCs to bid, and the timeframe for construction varies between 10 to 15 months, beginning in early-2024. In the parking lot of Norwood, there will be a large compactor where refuse would be shuttled. Commissioner Kendel asked, with the expected occupancy where waste would need to be shuttled several times per day if it will all be shuttled across that alley. Nathan Moyers responded affirmatively. Chair Claassen asked about the dark charcoal material on the front. Planner Devine responded that it is a black metal seam made of zinc paneling. Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting July 19, 2023 2 ADJOURN STUDY SESSION Chair Claassen adjourned the study session at 6:32 p.m. CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR MEETING Chair Claassen called the regular meeting of the Redevelopment Commission to order at 6:32 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 citizens in attendance wishing to speak. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 2. Meeting Minutes – Consider approval of minutes from the regular meeting held on April 19, 2023 MOTION: Commissioner Updike moved to approve the minutes of April 19, 2023, seconded by Vice-Chair Kendel. Motion passed 4-0 via roll call. 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. Council Liaison, Jim Torgeson, shared the following:  Gilbert recently partnered with Arizona-based muralists to create original, illustrative art on three prominent traffic signal cabinet spaces in the Heritage District.  On August 8, 2023, there will be a Heritage District meeting at Norwood at 3:30 p.m.  The Arizona Department of Revenue will be hosting two Business Sales Tax Workshops on August 2, 2023. Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting July 19, 2023 3   Gilbert will be hosting a blood drive with Vitalant on August 8, 2023, at the Southeast Regional Library in the Shakespeare Assembly Room. Redevelopment Program Manager, Amanda Elliott, shared the following:  A congratulations to Sydney Bethel Price on her five-year anniversary with the Town.  There are two new policies: the ethics handbook and the code of conduct, which will come into effect on August 21, 2023. ADJOURN REGULAR SESSION Chair Claassen adjourned the regular meeting at 6:38 p.m. __________________________________ TJ Claassen, Chairman Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting July 19, 2023 4