The rezoning request from C-2 (Commercial-2) to PUD (Planned Unit Development is proposed for the property on the Northeast corner of 7th Street and Colter. The proposed plan is to take existing 2 story office building (30’) and build a 5 story (60’) multifamily luxury apartment complex. The underlying zoning allows up to 17 units per acre. The proposed PUD is requesting 78.50 units per acre.
Several neighborhood leaders have met with the zoning attorney and developer’s team to discuss the design changes necessary for us to support this project. Unfortunately, after 2 meetings there has been no response from the developer to date They appear to be moving forward with this extremely inappropriate new development, in spite concerns from the surrounding neighborhood. Typically you see this type of high density multi-family project south of Camelback. Now the developers want to move this to our neighborhood.
We typically have great success collaborating with developers in the past. However, this out-of-state developer and their legal representative have ignored our feedback. It has been 8 months since they first met with the City and they have had plenty of opportunity to revise the design to be more in keeping with our beautiful North Central neighborhood.
As a result, the following letter has been drafted by the neighborhood associations most affected. We ask that you support our position of opposition unless the developer agrees to make changes to the height, density, setbacks and traffic concerns. Please note that the City’s Planning and Development Dept. shares the same concerns about this project.
There will be a virtual (even though we’ve asked for an in-person meeting) neighborhood meeting with their legal team at Snell & Wilmer on:
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
Direct Meeting Acesss: https://neighborhoods.azurewebsites.net/zola-north-central
Or to call-in to listen to the virtual meeting: Dial 602-753-0140. Enter Meeting ID 914 3491 4818, then Meeting Passcode 340737
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Dear Neighbor –
We hope this letter finds you well.
This letter concerns a proposal to build a 60 foot high, 200 unit apartment building on the north-east corner of 7th St and Colter. It is identified as Zola North Central, Zoning Case Z-27-22-6. We are residents in the area of the proposed development as well as neighborhood association leaders who are concerned with several aspects of the initial plans. We think you will share our concerns after reading this letter that explains our opposition.
You may have been visited in person by petition circulators hired by the developer’s legal counsel asking you to support the project. You need to have more information to be able to make an informed decision about supporting or opposing the development. Several neighborhood leaders have gathered information about the proposed project by:
· Meeting with the legal team representing the developer
· Attending the public neighborhood meeting
· Meeting with the developer’s architect and hired traffic study consultant
· Reading the narrative about the proposed project submitted to the City of Phoenix, as well as the notes written by the City’s Planning and Development staff
· Holding meetings with residents of the Windsor Square neighborhood immediately west of 7th St.
We expressed concerns about the proposed project, some of which were also stated as concerns by the Phoenix Planning and Development staff* and the Phoenix Streets Department+:
1. *Height (60’) and density (189 units on 2.55 acres with 80% lot coverage) is not aligned with the City’s General Plan (adopted in 2015) and is out of character with the surrounding neighborhood.
2. *Set-backs on 7th St. (20 feet), Colter (15 feet), and north and east property lines (0 feet), are not aligned with the City’s General Plan and are out of character with the surrounding neighborhood.
3. +Ingress/egress is on Colter rather than 7th St.
4. *Landscaping is not adequate to meet City standards.
5. Traffic will increase on Colter going east and going west through the existing Windsor Square neighborhood.
6. Units with patios/doors with direct access to Colter will encourage resident parking on Colter.
7. Inadequate guest parking on-site will force parking on Colter.
8. The 5-story parking garage will negatively impact the 2-story multi-family condominiums to the east.
9. The trash compound at the south-east corner of the property will negatively impact the multi-family apartments to the east.
10. A 60-foot tall building within 15 feet of 7th St will block the open view corridor that is typical on 7th St.
11. This type of development is incompatible with projects north of Camelback (uptown). It is more appropriate for development south of Camelback (downtown).
Please understand that the subject property’s current zoning allows multi-family housing. However, current zoning would not allow the height and number of units, among other restrictions, being proposed. Our goal is to require the developer, and the City, to adhere to what the current zoning would allow.
Your voice will be critical to achieving this goal. The following page lists how you can most effectively provide your input.
Thank you for reading this information and carefully considering what you believe to be in the best interest of the neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Windsor Square Special Planning District Murphy Trail Estates Neighborhood Association
North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association Phoenix Mid-Century Modern Neighborhood Association
the PEAK Neighborhood Association
Please do the following to oppose the Zola North Central PUD application:
Read the developer’s initial application on the City of Phoenix website. It provides the details of the proposed development as of July 22, 2022. The URL is:
https://www.phoenix.gov/pddsite/Documents/PZ/Z-27-22%20Zola%20North%20Central%20-%20PUD%20Development%20Narrative%203.30.22.pdf
By August 29th, email the Camelback East Village Planning Committee:
TO: sarah.stockham@phoenix.gov
CC: council.district.6@phoenix.gov
RE: Z-27-22-6 Zola North Central
Salutation: Dear Chairman Swart and Camelback East VPC Members
State your opposition to the rezoning of the property at 7th St and Colter from C-2 (Intermediate Commercial) to PUD (Planned Unit Development).
If you signed the petition, please state why you signed and are now opposing the proposed development.
Your statement could be something like: “After learning more about the proposed apartments I realize the petition circulators misrepresented the negative impact on my neighborhood.” Or, “I felt pressured into signing the petition.”
Include your name and physical address at the bottom.
Opposition to Zola North Central is supported by:
Windsor Square Special Planning District – Mike Freret, mikefreret@gmail.com
North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association – Mary Crozier, info@ncpha.org
Murphy Trail Estates Neighborhood Association – Jackie Rich
Phoenix Mid-Century Modern Neighborhood Association – Sandy Grunow, phxmidcenturymodernna@gmail.com 602-819-1482
the PEAK Neighborhood Association – Larry Whitesell, thepeakna@gmail.com 602-370-8453
Contact one of the neighborhood leaders listed above for more information about the proposed development.