HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-21 City Council Regular Minutes City of Apache Junction, Arizona
gAGt1f Meeting location:
'• p, City Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes at City Hall
300 E.Superstition Blvd
�Qrza Apache Junction,AZ
City Council Meeting 85119
apachejunctionaz.gov
Ph:(480)982-8002
Doors are open to the public at least 15 minutes prior to the
posted meeting start time.
Tuesday,May 21,2024 7:00 PM City Council Chambers
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m
B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Soller gave the invocation and Councilmember Johnson led the meeting
attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
Present: 7- Mayor Wilson
Vice Mayor Schroeder
Councilmember Nesser
Councilmember Heck
Councilmember Johnson
Councilmember Cross
Councilmember Soller
Staff in Attendance:
Bryant Powell, City Manager
Matt Busby, Assistant City Manager
Joel Stern, City Attorney
Michael Pooley, Police Chief
Kayla Fulmer, Marketing &Communications Director
Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director
Ted Wolff, Public Works Director
Liz Langenbach, Parks& Recreation Director
Evie McKinney, Deputy City Clerk
Sidney Urias, Interim Planning Manager
Kelsey Schattnik, Planner
Misty Moseley-Helber, Grants and Community Development Administrator
D. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Heck moved,seconded by Councilmember Nesser to approve the Consent
Agenda.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
City of Apache Junction,Arizona page 1
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
1. 24-341 Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. 24-419 Consideration of approval of minutes of the special meeting of May 6,
2024.
3. 24-342 Consideration of approval of minutes of the regular meeting of May 7,
2024.
4. 24-410 Consideration of approval of the second amendment to the professional
services agreement between City of Apache Junction and Central
Arizona Council on Developmental Disabilities.
5. 24-416 Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 24-20, authorizing the City of
Apache Junction to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with
Apache Junction Unified School District#43 for grant-funded School
Resource Officers.
6. 24-432 Consideration of approval of Resolution 24-21, adopting the budget for
Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for Streetlight Improvement District No. 2021-02
Coyote Crossing subdivision.
7. 24-433 Consideration of approval of Public Works Capital Improvement Plan for
Fiscal Years 2025 through 2029.
E. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
F. REGIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATES
8. 24-343 Brief summary of intergovernmental updates from mayor and
councilmembers.
Councilmember Soller shared photos of an annual event he recently attended in Washington
D.C., as he represented Arizona's fallen law enforcement officers. He gave recognition to an
officer from Tucson killed in the line of duty this year, whose name will be engraved on the
memorial next year. This year, Arizona only had a historical name mentioned during the
ceremony, Russel Duncan, who died during a training accident in 1983. Mr. Soller presented
Chief Pooley with a memorial coin and an etching of Officer Duncan's name from the memorial
wall.
Mayor Wilson, along with 2 other Councilmembers, attended a presentation held at Earth Heart
Park, where the local Fry's Food and Drug Store gave funds for the community garden to be
expanded, and the area enhanced. He also attended an event and shared photos of the new
development of the additional gates at Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport. There are now 11
operational gates on the north side of the airport. Mayor Wilson also mentioned the"Best of
Arizona Award"was awarded to the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport from the Arizona
Association for Economic Development, recognizing it for unequal dedication to economic
development in the state of Arizona. The Airport was also recognized for outstanding growth.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
G. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
9. 24-344 City Manager's Report.
City Manager Bryant Powell shared photos of the successful Open House regarding the
downtown master strategy planning process, where over 100 were in attendance. He also
thanked the Mayor, City Councilmembers and the community for their participation.
Mr. Powell introduced Kayla Fulmer, Director of Marketing &Communications.
Ms. Fulmer shared she has been a lifelong Arizona resident and has worked in this Pinal County
region most of her career life. She is very excited to be here, and is ready to amplify the Apache
Junction story by showcasing the bright future for the City.
10. 24-437 Announcement of Current Events.
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby shared the following events:
•Coffee With A Cop- May 22, 2024, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Gravity Coffee,
1525 W. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ
*Summer Kick Off Pool Party- May 24th, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.,
1091 W. Southern Avenue, Apache Junction, AZ
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11. 24-420 Conduct a public hearing to receive input and discuss potential projects
for the utilization of Fiscal Year 2024 ("FY24") Community Development
Block Grant ("CDBG") Regional Account ("RA") funds and State Special
Project ("SSP") funds.
Grants Administrator Misty Moseley presented the objectives of the Community Development
Block Grant, (CDBG) and requested input from the public for potential projects these funds
could be used to address. She shared project examples of eligible funding uses, and recapped
past projects completed by use of these funds. Current funding and past awards of funding
were shared, and the current funding to be allocated is a total of$169,215.00, which is split with
a partnership with Gila County, making the total to each entity$84,607.00
State Special Project Funding is an additional grant that the City can apply for up to
$750,000.00. This application is due August 20, 2024, and is only available to smaller
communities such as Apache Junction. Various project ideas were shared from staff.
Ms. Moseley concluded her presentation with the timeline of the grant process, and offered the
Grievance Procedure for ADA Accessibility& Civil Rights Complaints procedure and policy,
which is listed on the city website.
Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing.
Steven Harshman, Apache Junction, suggested using these funds for infrastructure along East
Junction Street, that would benefit senior residents as well as new residents coming to the
surrounding development.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
Sheryl Bigelow, 2200 N. Delaware Drive, Apache Junction, shared a brief description of the
CDBG Entitlement Program, and offered her suggestions to using these funds for a safe
overnight parking lot or a temporary shelter for the unsheltered.
Mayor Wilson closed the Public Hearing.
12. 24-421 Presentation, discussion, public hearing and consideration of Resolution
No. 24-09 (case P-23-64-GPA), requested by Jason Barney and John
Hartman with Olsen Recker/Guadalupe Properties LLC, and represented
by Greg Davis with (plan Consulting for a proposed major general plan
land use map amendment to redesignate 18 acres at the southeast
corner of US-60 and Goldfield Road from Commercial to High Density
Residential. (This is the companion case to Rezoning Case
P-23-63-PZ).
Councilmember Johnson moved,seconded by Vice Mayor Schroeder that Resolution No.24-09,
amending the Major General Plan be denied,due to the fact the current zoning was voted on and
approved by the citizens,and should only change if the voters are given a choice in this matter.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
Mayor Wilson announced agenda items 12, 13 and 14 all relate to the same topic, Silveray
Development. After staff presentation is complete, the Public Hearing will be opened for all
three items, but each item will require a separate motion.
Senior Planner Kelsey Schattnik recapped a previously shared presentation for this proposed
development, which includes a major General Plan Amendment, a rezoning request and a
re-plat of existing commercial subdivison.
She summarized P-23-63-PZ is a Planned Development(PD) Rezoning request by Greg Davis
with (plan Consulting, representing the property owner, Jason Barney with Olsen
Recker/Guadalupe Properties LLC, to rezone approximately 18 acres from General Commercial
by Planned Development("B-1/PD") (Ordinance No. 1144) and B-1/PD (Ordinance No. 1146)to
High Density Multiple-Family Residential by Planned Development("RM-2/PD") near the
southeast corner of the US-60 and Goldfield Road. The subject site is proposed to be developed
with approximately 271 rental units to be known as Silveray on Goldfield.
P-23-64-GPA is a proposed Major General Plan Amendment of APNs 103-01-0110,
103-01-0130, 103-01-0140, 103-01-0150, 103-01-0160, 103-01-0170 and 103-01-0180, located
near the southeast corner of Goldfield Rd. and US-60, from Commercial to High Density
Residential (40 du/ac).
Planning &Zoning Commission Hearing and Recommendation:
Due to the requirements for a Major General Plan Amendment, the Planning and Zoning
Commission held two (2) public hearings for these cases. The General Plan requires that these
meetings be held in two(2) different locations.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
The Planning and Zoning Commission held the first public hearing for P-23-63-PZ &
P-23-64-GPA on March 26, 2024, in the Superstition Fire and Medical District's Board Room,
located at 565 N. Idaho Road, Apache Junction, AZ. At this meeting, Staff made a presentation
and introduced the preliminary recommended conditions of approval for the Planned
Development Rezoning and Major General Plan Amendment. The applicant also made a
presentation and answered questions asked by the Commission.
Eight(8) residents of Golden Vista Resort spoke during this meeting. Their primary concerns
included:
1. The two-story height of the development
2. Water pressure concerns
3. Increased density
4. Property value concerns
5. Maintaining commercial land
6. Increased traffic
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a second public hearing for P-23-63-PZ&
P-23-64-GPA on April 23, 2024. Both Staff and the applicant gave a presentation.
Five (5) residents spoke during this meeting. Their primary concerns included:
1. The two-story height of the development
2. The desire for commercial development at this site.
3. Increased density.
Ultimately, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-3 to recommend approval of
P-23-63-PZ& P-23-64-GPA, subject to the conditions of approval that were recommended in
the Staff Report, dated April 23, 2024, with the elimination of Project Specific Condition Numbers
1 &2.
Project Specific Condition No. 1 would have required the developer to reserve 5 acres on the
north side of Resort Boulevard to remain commercial. Project Specific Condition No. 2 provided
a list of General Commercial Uses that would not be permitted.
The commissioners who voted in favor of the proposed development discussed the following:
1. The benefit of developing a historically vacant property.
2. The benefit of adding additional rooftops.
3. Whether this site is viable for commercial use and noted that the approved development
plan has been in existence for 20+years and has yet to be developed.
4. Recent trends of commercial development.
5. Not wanting to keep commercial property that may never develop.
The commission members who voted against the proposal discussed:
1. The desire of an ownership product at this site as opposed to a rental product.
2. The lack of desire to continue changing the voter approved General Plan.
3. The concern of changing commercial to residential.
4. Concerns regarding the lack of affordability with market rate housing.
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 5
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
Staff Recommendation:
Staff is recommending approval of cases P-23-63-PZ and P-23-64-GPA subject to the full list of
conditions found within the Planning and Zoning Commission staff report, including Project
Specific Conditions 1 and 2, which are described below:
1) Lot Numbers 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the existing Superstition Falls Subdivision shall remain zoned
General Commercial by Planned Development("B-1/PD").
2)The permitted uses in the B-1 zoning district shall be those which are permitted by Zoning
Ordinance, Article 1-5, § 1-5-3: Non-Residential Use Regulations, except that the following uses
shall not be permitted herein:
Motor vehicle dealer(new or used vehicles; and similar uses);
Thrift store/used merchandise sales;
Medical marijuana facilities and dual licensees;
Swap meets;
Tattoo and/or piercing services;
Death care services/funeral homes;
Commercial parking lots and garages;
Check cashing stores;
Psychiatric and substance abuse facilities;
Nursing and residential care facilities;
Homeless shelter;
Community food and relief services;
Commercial equestrian boarding, rentals, arenas and academies;
Cemeteries/mausoleum;
Scenic and sightseeing terminal/parking;
Assisted living facility;
Group care home;
Multi-family residential (including apartments, condominiums or townhouses);
Similar uses designated by the Development Services Director not conducive to the City's and
community's goals and objectives for successful community commercial development.
Recap of City Council Work Session -May 6 2024:
On May 6, 2024, the City Council reviewed cases P-23-63-PZ and P-23-64-GPA at a work
session. This item was for presentation and discussion only. The Council primarily had
questions regarding the proposed size and location of commercial zoning being recommended
by Staff, why Pinal County was opposed to the General Plan Amendment, and details as to why
surrounding residents were opposed to the project.
There are three primary options for this Site based on Staff recommendation:
1. Approval of General Plan Amendment and Rezoning as proposed by the developer and
recommended by Planning Commission (entire property rezoned to residential)
2. Approval of General Plan Amendment and Rezoning as recommended by Staff
(preserve 5 acres for commercial use)
3. Denial of General Plan Amendment and Rezoning (current zoning would remain in place)
Ordinance Nos. 1144 and 1146 remain active.
Proposal that meets the intent of the approved Ordinance may be allowed to develop
without public process. Proposals that divert from the approved Ordinances may require
public process.
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 6
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
Major General Plan Amendment:
A Major General Plan Amendment requires a 2/3 majority vote(5 out of 7) of the Council for
approval. If the general plan amendment is not approved, the rezoning case cannot be
approved.
Ms. Schattnik thanked the developer and team for their partnership through this process, and
commended them for their work on the project over the past few years. She shared they have
been great to work with and they have worked hard to produce the best project for this area.
She then invited Developer Jason Barney to share his presentation.
Jason Barney with Olsen Recker/Guadalupe Properties LLC presented the following:
Purpose of Request:
This narrative accompanies a request for formal application review of a Major General Plan
Amendment(GPA) and a Planned Development (PD) rezoning for approximately 18 acres of
vacant land located on the east side of Goldfield Road, immediately south of US60 within the
City of Apache Junction. The property has an existing General Plan land use classification of
Commercial and a zoning designation of B-1/PD which is proposed to be changed respectively
to a classification of High Density Residential (HDR) and zoning designation of RM-2/PD
(multi-unit residential)for the purpose of replacing the current PD development plan of a hospital
complex along with offices, hotels, and restaurants, with a proposal for an approximately 15
DU/acre rental home residential neighborhood of 271 units (Site Plan currently shows 269 units
but site can accommodate up to 271 units subject to an easement abandonment which is
currently underway).
Description of Proposal:
The intent of this proposal is to both activate this otherwise overlooked and underdeveloped
parcel and to bring a unique housing product to the City of Apache Junction that is needed.
Currently, the City's housing stock is comprised of either single family homes or traditional
apartments. The dearth of other housing types creates a lack of diversity in both lifestyle and
income levels. The proposed Silveray product helps address that issue by introducing a new
product type into the community that will fill an existing need for residents that want the lifestyle
akin to that of a single-family home or townhome but not the long-term time/cost commitment or
maintenance that comes with it. Residents also benefit from the resort level amenities and
lock/leave ability that this product and project provides. This will be a market-rate,
non-age-restricted project that can serve all members of the community.
Conclusion:
This property is unique as it is close to a major transportation corridor, but is somewhat isolated
by the lack of transportation network to the south or east. For those reasons, the current
entitlement failed to become viable. The property ownership has analyzed this site and larger
context and believe this infill property's highest and best use is as a multi-family development.
Even so, it is important to take the adjacent mobile home park and RV park communities into
account and develop a project that is compatible both in land use and design. We are proposing
a lower intensity product type that we believe is compatible to the adjacent communities due to
its lower height buildings and single family livability. Furthermore, this product is designed to
attract working professionals that need to be a short drive into the regional employment areas,
but desire a more single family like lifestyle combined with no maintenance responsibilities and
resort like amenities which make this a complimentary development for both the adjacent
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
neighbors and the City as a whole.
Within the Phoenix metropolitan area, the shortage of housing quantity and variety is having a
significant detrimental impact on communities' ability to grow in an economically viable fashion
due to a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the inability of employers to find quality
housing for new employees relocating to the Valley. If a community wants to develop in a smart
and sustainable way, they need to have a range of housing to address affordability and lifestyle
choices. This project will help achieve that goal for Apache Junction.
Council voiced the following concerns: the amount of Apache Junction residents currently
contributing to the commercial and retail to the west, lack of Gold Canyon residents included in
traffic study, future intentions of developer if proposal is denied, future options for this site,
design of ingress/egress for development.
Mayor Wilson called a recess of the meeting at 9:04 p.m.
Mayor Wilson called to reconvene the meeting at 9:12 p.m.
Planning Manager Sidney Urias explained to the Mayor and Council that they could request a
continuance of this item at a future meeting. The Public Hearing would remain on tonight's
agenda.
Council cited concerns about potential loss of commercially zoned areas, as well as optimism
for future viability of that site for commercial use as reasons for denying the re-zoning request.
Mayor Wilson opened the Public Hearing.
Connie Wigley, Golden Vista Resort,Apache Junction, voiced her concerns regarding the type
of zoning being requested by the developer.
Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, commented on her disapproval of this
project.
R. W. Daniel, Golden Vista Resort, Apache Junction, commented with various reason of his
disapproval of the project.
Tom Lang, Golden Vista Resort,Apache Junction, voiced concerns for the type of rezoning
requested and his disapproval.
Katherine Meek, Belair Road,Apache Junction, due to technical sound difficulties, it was unclear
of her comments.
Andre Meek, Belair Road, Apache Junction, spoke on the absence of sustainable products
included in this development, and offered other comments requesting the Mayor and City
Council to consider for this project.
Sammy Green, Golden Vista Resort, Apache Junction, expressed his disapproval of
commercial development in this area, and stated it should be residential single dwelling homes.
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City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
Peter Costantino, 3010 S. Goldfield Road,Apache Junction, commented this area should
remain commercial.
Russ Waller, Golden Vista Resort,Apache Junction, supports other uses such as assisted
living or immediate care facility, and would like to see the"hometown feel' remain.
Bill Olson, Apache Junction land owner, requested the Mayor and Council to grant a
continuance on this agenda item, for further consideration and discussion.
Mayor Wilson closed the Public Hearing.
13. 24-422 Presentation, discussion, public hearing and consideration of Ordinance
No. 1547 (case P-23-63-PZ), requested by Jason Barney and John
Hartman with Olsen Recker/Guadalupe Properties LLC, and represented
by Greg Davis with Iplan Consulting for a proposed planned development
rezoning of 18 acres located at the southeast corner of US-60 and
Goldfield Road from General Commercial by Planned Development
("B-1/PD") and B-1/PD to High Density Multiple-Family Residential by
Planned Development ("RM-2/PD"). (This is the companion case to
Major General Plan Amendment Case P-23-64-GPA).
Due to denial of Resolution No. 24-09, this item was dismissed.
14. 24-423 Presentation, discussion, public hearing and consideration of Resolution
No. 24-08, declaring as a public record that certain document filed with
the City Clerk and entitled "Legal Descriptions and Zoning Conditions of
Case No. P-23-63-PZ;" repealing any conflicting provisions and
providing for severability.
Due to denial of Resolution No. 24-09, this item was dismissed.
I. OLD BUSINESS
J. NEW BUSINESS
15. 24-434 Presentation, discussion, and possible adoption of the Rodeo Grounds
Event Center Master Plan.
Councilmember Cross moved,seconded by Councilmember Soller that the adoption of the Rodeo
Grounds Event Center Master Plan be approved.
Yes: 7- Mayor Wilson, Vice Mayor Schroeder, Councilmember Nesser, Councilmember
Heck, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Cross and Councilmember
Soller
No: 0
Mayor Wilson called attention to this item for presentation, discussion, and possible adoption
before opening the Public Hearing Item No.s 12, 13 and 14, listed on the agenda.
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 9
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
Parks and Recreation Director Liz Langenbach recapped previous master plan updates for the
Rodeo Grounds. She shared a timeline on how the City purchased the 20 acres property, and
events leading up to the final draft of the master plan presented to council on April 15, 2024.
Prospector Park remains on a separate existing lease.This master plan is conceptual, and
improvements will be done in phases. Total cost is approximately$23 million, but will be
completed in phases as funds become available. Some of the areas of improvements and
amenities will include several covered shade features, expanding the bleachers, more ADA
accessibility and walkways, and portable covered stalls.
Ms. Langenbach concluded her presentation with staff recommending council adoption of the
final Rodeo Event Center Master Plan concept. Upon adoption, staff will work with city
management and city council to determine phasing of all projects based on funding.
Council comments: current use of mobile stage, possibility of holding the July 4th event at this
facility, interest from outside parties to use the event center, clarification on the goal of this event
center is to be the main hub and center of attraction for Apache Junction.
K. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF
L. SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
M. CALL TO PUBLIC
Sheryl Bigelow, no longer present at the meeting.
Donna Carr, 2178 W. Virginia Street, Apache Junction, commented on the decision made by
Mayor and City Council regarding Resolution No. 24-09.
N. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 9:42 p.m.
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 10
City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 21,2024
G
ACCEPTED THIS DAY OF Jk 0 e , 2024, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
1,
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS �,r DAY OF J Lf�� , 2024.
)4VA "( i)e
`(/ ,
WALTER"CHIP"WItSON
Mayor
ATTEST:
4EINNIFER OENA
City Clerk �i����r�
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the
regular m eting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, held on the
11-91 day of /4 cl 2024. 1 further certify that the meeting was duly
called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this "7 day of 2024.
4itN-
NIFER P NA
y Clerk
City of Apache Junction,Arizona Page 11