Redevelopment Commission

TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Gilbert Municipal Center Council Chambers 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert, AZ April 17, 2024 COMMISSION PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Casey Kendel, Chair Jim Torgeson, Council Member Cassandra Updike, Vice Chair Alena Jorquez, Assistant Town Attorney Boe Bigelow Amanda Elliott, Redevelopment Program Manager, Office of Adam Baugh Economic Development TJ Claassen (virtually) Sydney Bethel Price, Redevelopment Project Manager, Office of Economic Development PRESENTER: Kristen Devine, Senior Planner, Development Services CALL TO ORDER OF THE REGULAR MEETING Chair Kendel called the Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Commission to order at 6:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Amanda Elliott, Redevelopment Program Manager, conducted a roll call. All 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 February 21, 2024. MOTION: Commissioner Baugh moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Redevelopment Commission held on February 21, 2024, as presented, seconded by Commissioner Bigelow. Motion passed 5-0. PUBLIC HEARING Redevelopment Commission April 17, 2024 1 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 that do not require additional staff, public, or Commission comments with a single vote. 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 redevelopment site located at the southeast corner of Gilbert Road and Hearne Way. The site is approximately 0.33 acres, zoned Heritage Village Center (HVC), and includes an existing building that will be incorporated into the development of the new building. The proposed building will be 6600 square feet, including approximately 3800 square feet as a full-service restaurant and approximately 2800 square feet as indoor entertainment to include duck pin bowling and an arcade area. Planner Devine described the proposed development, including site location, building design, including primary and secondary entrances, emergency exits, windows, building materials and colors, landscaping plans, and a proposed easement on the southern edge of the property. Planner Devine also provided some examples of the colors and materials to be used in the development, along with a brief overview of the proposed floor plan. Planner Devine noted that the design includes canopies that will encroach on the sidewalk and will require an encroachment permit to be addressed after the design review is approved. The proposed inclusion of a totem pole cactus in planters at the building entrance will require approval as this type of plant is not part of the approved Heritage District Design Guidelines. Planner Devine also noted that the signage that appears in the presented renderings is not part of the current request and will require approval for a future Heritage Sign Plan review. In conclusion, Planner Devine reported that staff recommended the approval of this proposal. Redevelopment Commission April 17, 2024 2 COMMISSION QUESTIONS/COMMENTS Commissioner Baugh asked whether totem cactus has been used in any other projects in the Heritage District and he wondered why this plant was chosen for this project. Planner Devine replied that totem cactus may have been used in one previous project and it has not been included in any of the recent projects brought before the Redevelopment Commission. Commissioner Baugh sought clarification on the proposed use of the east side entrance, near the bicycle racks. Planner Devine confirmed that it is a public entrance. Commissioner Bigelow requested additional samples of the aluminum to be used on the side of the building and wondered if the material to be used behind the bowling pin sign would be like the storefront edging (i.e., similar look and feel, with a different design). Chair Kendel sought clarification on the proposed signage. Planner Devine confirmed that the bowling pin sign is considered to be part of the proposed signage, along with two additional signs on the corner of the building. The total allowable signage will be approximately 180 square feet, and the face of the bowling pin is approximately 90 square feet. Chair Kendel asked whether the gopher mural at Joe’s Topo was considered to be a sign or art. Planner Devine clarified that it is art because it does not advertise the business whereas the bowling pin is signage because it advertises the building’s functionality. The design of the proposed murals has not been determined to date. Chair Kendel noted that a DJ booth is included in the floor plan and asked whether any sound testing has been completed. Planner Devine replied that most of the concept is enclosed so the sound is unlikely to carry to the street. Robert Barberio, architect, representing Brian Roerich, owner of OHSO, responded to some of the Commissioner’s questions. Regarding the totem cactus: Robert Barberio noted that a vertical plant is needed and indicated that a different, tall plant from the approved plant list can be used instead of the proposed cactus. Commissioner Baugh stated that a totem cactus could be acceptable and encouraged consideration of direct and reflected heat levels when the plants for the site are chosen. Regarding the east entrance: Robert Barberio confirmed that this entrance is a secondary entrance to be used by people coming to and from OHSO Park. It has been designed to draw people into the site from OHSO park. This entrance is also one of three emergency exits. Commissioner Baugh emphasized the need to make the entrance attractive and inviting to pedestrians so that there is a clear and intentional link to OHSO Park. Regarding the use of aluminum on the building’s exterior: Robert Barberio pointed out that a masonry element was initially proposed but it was changed to a glass window box with interior lighting due to concerns about nesting birds. The face of the window box will be an aluminum screen to match the storefront or will have laminated elements in the glass. Redevelopment Commission April 17, 2024 3 Robert Barberio also confirmed that the proposed murals have not been designed and will be designed by the artist who created the mural on OHSO Brewery. Commissioner Bigelow asked whether the Gilbert Road entrance will be open to the public. Robert Barberio replied that this is an emergency exit only. Commissioner Bigelow also asked how the flow of pedestrians coming to the secondary entrance would be managed. Robert Barberio mentioned that a hostess station will be included at the main entrance and a smaller station, with a point-of-sale system, will be included by the side entrance. Individuals who enter at this entrance will be directed to the main door for seating and to purchase entertainment. Families will be able to use the arcade or bowl while they wait for restaurant seating. Chair Kendel asked whether any members of the public requested to speak. Amanda Elliott reported that no requests to speak were received from the public. MOTION: Commissioner Baugh moved to approve DR24-02 Bowling Restaurant Concept as presented (subject to conditions 1-4), seconded by Vice-Chair Updike. Motion passed 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL LIAISON ON CURRENT OR FUTURE EVENTS Council member Torgeson reported that the public art installation, Slip into Spring, continues until May 2, 2024. The banana-themed rest stop includes a modular banana that is 8 feet tall and 13 feet wide. In addition, two new public art pieces have been unveiled in the Heritage District as part of the ongoing effort to enhance and beautify downtown Gilbert’s corridors and pathways. The first installation is located in the Ash Street parking garage at 72 West Vaughn Avenue. It features an 84-inch-tall vinyl wrap on the north door (facing the Western Power Line Trail). This art piece is titled Gilbert Deconstructed and was created by artist Liz Taylor. The second installation is located on the north door of the Hearne Way parking garage. This vinyl wrap piece is 94 inches tall and was created by Rosa Cruz to commemorate the past of Native American settlers. Council member Torgeson reported that a Council Study Session was held on April 16, 2024, to discuss northwest Gilbert revitalization efforts. He reported that any members of the public who were unable to attend the study session can access the session recording at gilbertaz.gov/NWGilbert. A feedback form is also available for members of the public to complete. REPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS ON CURRENT OR FUTURE EVENTS Chair Kendel has partnered with HD South and Denise Lopez, the director of HD South, to help save Clare Home (also known as the Bergies Coffee Roast House) from demolition. The building is scheduled for demolition on May 15, 2024, as part of the Bottled Blonde site redevelopment. Clare Home was built in 1918 and is approximately 900 square feet. The plan is to move the building to a new location to create a permanent exhibit and museum destination. A public awareness campaign and fundraiser is underway to raise $135,000. Tax- deductible donations can be made at hdsouth.org. Redevelopment Commission April 17, 2024 4 ADJOURN REGULAR SESSION Chair Kendel adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m. _______________________________ Casey Kendel, Chair Redevelopment Commission April 17, 2024 5