Redevelopment Commission

TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Gilbert Municipal Center Council Chambers 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert, AZ February 21, 2024 COMMISSION PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Casey Kendel, Chair Jim Torgeson, Council Member Cassandra Updike, Vice Chair John Baird, Deputy Town Attorney Boe Bigelow Amanda Elliott, Redevelopment Program Manager, Office of Adam Baugh Economic Development TJ Claassen Sydney Bethel Price, Redevelopment Project Manager, Office of Economic Development PRESENTER: Kristen Devine, Planner II, Development Services CALL TO ORDER OF THE STUDY MEETING Chair Kendel called the Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Commission to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. DR24-02 BOWLING-RESTAURANT CONCEPT: Site plan, landscaping, grading and drainage, elevations, floor plans, lighting, and colors and materials for approximately .33 acres, generally located at the southeast corner of Gilbert Road and Hearne Way, and zoned Heritage Village Center. Kristen Devine (480) 503-6742. Planner Devine presented the site for the development, which is located at the southeast corner of Gilbert Road and Hearne Way. The proposed development includes a duck pin bowling arcade, a restaurant, and an outdoor seating area with canopies that encroach over the sidewalk. There will be primary pedestrian access from the northwest corner of the parcel, as well as an exterior entrance east of the building towards OHSO Park. Landscaping for the site will include planter boxes with annual flowers and various potted plants. The building design incorporates roll-up style garage doors along Gilbert Road and Hearne Way, providing an interactive pedestrian experience. It will be a one-story building designed to look like it has two stories, using materials such as brick veneer, precast concrete, aluminum accent screens, and metal canopies. Signage is not part of this review but would require approval later. COMMISSION QUESTIONS/COMMENTS Commissioner Baugh inquired about lighting mounted underneath the canopies that overhang the right-of-way sidewalk. Planner Devine confirmed that there will be lighting under those canopies (little circle lights that are not running LED strips but are periodically placed along the canopy). Planner Devine also explained that the site is located within the correct distance to not have to provide the refuse on-site. There are other sites in the district that are not within the correct distance of an available refuse location, so those sites had to provide their refuse on-site. Redevelopment Commission February 21, 2024 1 Commissioner Claassen asked whether the applicant was required to calculate the pre versus post and whether their engineers provided pre versus post on the water offset. Planner Devine noted that they are awaiting feedback from the engineers. Planner Devine provided information on the totem pole cactus, confirming it does not have spines. Permission for the applicant to proceed with CDs at-risk was requested and confirmed by Chair Kendel. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION Chair Kendel adjourned the study session at 6:13 p.m. CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR MEETING Chair Kendel called the Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Commission to order at 6:13 p.m. ROLL CALL Amanda Elliott, Redevelopment Program Manager, conducted a roll call, determined that four Commissioners were present, and quorum was confirmed. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS At this time, members of the public may comment on matters not on the agenda. The Commission's response is limited to responding to criticism, asking staff to review a matter commented upon, or asking that a matter be put on a future agenda. No requests for communication from citizens were put forward. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS Meeting Minutes: Consider approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 17, 2024. MOTION: Commissioner Updike moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Redevelopment Commission held on January 17, 2024, as presented, seconded by Commissioner Baugh. Motion passed 5-0. 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 support of or in opposition to an item. To comment on a Public Hearing Item, individuals must fill out a public comment form indicating the Item Number on which they wish to be heard. Once the hearing is closed, there will be no further public comment unless requested by a member of the Commission. After the Public Hearing, the Commission may act on all items not requiring additional staff, public, or Commission comment with a single vote. 2. DR23-136 BOTTLED BLONDE: Site plan, landscaping, grading and drainage, elevations, floor plans, lighting, and colors and materials for approximately 0.19 acres, generally located on the east side of Gilbert Redevelopment Commission February 21, 2024 2 Road between Vaughn Avenue and Page Avenue and zoned Heritage Village Center (HVC). Kristen Devine (480) 503-6742. Planner Devine presented details about the site location, building design, landscaping plans, and materials used. The proposed development is a new full-service bar and restaurant located southeast of Gilbert and Vaughn, with a 10-foot switchback ramp for queuing and minimal landscaping. The building is two stories tall at 42 feet and eight inches, primarily made of colored block and metal accents, with a 75% transparent first floor and potential mural locations on the south and north sides of the building. Planner Devine explained the mural on the south side of the building is intended to be movable to allow for construction materials to avoid getting caught in the paint. Staff recommended approval of the project with conditions, including establishing a speaker plan and limiting noise orientation. COMMISSION QUESTIONS/COMMENTS The applicant Lindsay Schube provided a brief overview of the project. Lindsay Schube addressed questions regarding features like the retractable roof. Lindsay Schube discussed the use of retractable glass partitions along the west facade of the building. She explained that the heritage village center requires ground-level transparency, but they have adjusted their original application based on feedback from a neighborhood meeting and staff. The glass windows are now only visible at eye level, allowing for booths to be added at ground level without visibility into the building. In addition, the glass windows can be closed or open and are slightly above the booth seating area. Vice Chair Updike inquired about the accessibility at the entrance ramp. Lindsay Schube confirmed that there is only one accessible ramp but believed that it would be sufficient. Commissioner Baugh asked about the durability of the shade screen material, with Lindsay Schube providing a combination of polyester and vinyl as the answer. Commissioner Baugh asked for clarification on the height of the building, and the architect responded that it was 42 feet tall. Resident Justine Louise Taylor expressed concern about noise from new developments in the historic neighborhood. The applicant noted that an acoustic engineer was brought in to mitigate noise concerns for construction. There was a security plan submitted in January 2024 to the police department, but they have not received any response back yet. The Historic Preservation group is working with the town to move the building to a new location, to preserve it for the community to enjoy. MOTION: Commissioner Baugh moved to approve DR23-136 Bottled Blonde with conditions one through five as stated, seconded by Commissioner Claassen. Motion passed 5-0. Commissioner Baugh returned to the meeting. 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. §38-431.03.A. REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL LIAISON ON CURRENT OR FUTURE EVENTS Redevelopment Commission February 21, 2024 3 Council member Torgeson reported that on February 28, 2024, a public meeting will be held at Stone Recreation Center in the assembly room for northwest Gilbert revitalization efforts. Members were urged to join the public and provide feedback on where Gilbert should focus its revitalization efforts and what outcomes they want to see from revitalization for the most mature area in the community. An online form will be available after the meeting at gilbertaz.gov. The Gilbert Feeding Families communitywide food drive will take place on February 25, 2024. The Gilbert Outdoors Expo will be held on February 24, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the repairing preserve, and more information on each of these items is available on the community calendar at gilbertaz.gov. Sydney Bethel Price provided a quarterly update on the Heritage District, highlighting 23% town-owned land and 5.5 million visits in 2023. Visitation trends show March 2023 as the highest month, with 1.6 million unique visits and 3.4 visits per visitor on average. Sydney Bethel Price highlighted consistently low vacancy rates in Heritage District, Gilbert, mentioning a 24% increase in value per acre from 2022 to 2023, with a $700,000 difference between the Heritage District and the surrounding area. The Heritage District accounts for at least 1.2% of total sales tax revenue collected for all of Gilbert, with a 512% increase in sales tax revenue since 2008. Sydney Bethel Price provided updates on ongoing and upcoming construction projects in the Heritage District, including a parking garage, medians along Gilbert Road, and a pedestrian path. Pre-design and design phases for additional projects are underway, including a concrete pipe rehab and improvements to the Western Power Line Trail. Sydney Bethel Price shared an update on active planning projects in the Heritage District, including the wayfinding signage system and the potential relocation of the park and ride. Businesses in the district are thriving, with two new consignment and thrift shops opening and other businesses in review or nearing opening. The Gilbert Heritage District is collecting responses to a Valentine's Day-themed heart ornament installation to gather feedback on what people love about the district and what they want to see in the future. The Gilbert Elementary Kindness and Service Club hung inspirational and fun signs in the district for Random Acts of Kindness Day, and the district is accepting applications for the military tribute banner program through March 31, 2024. ADJOURN REGULAR SESSION Chair Kendel adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m. _______________________________ Casey Kendel, Chair Redevelopment Commission February 21, 2024 4