| ITEM #: 12. DATE: 02/24/2025 AI #:2461 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PACKAGE FOR VANTAGE DATA CENTERS |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Kyle Abbott, Senior Planner |
SUMMARY
Request for approval to amend the Vantage Data Centers Comprehensive Sign Package. The amended sign package will allow for the addition of a monument sign at the southeast corner of W. Van Buren Street and N. Bullard Avenue and adjustments to quantities, locations, and types of signs within the property.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
Approve the amended Vantage Data Centers AZ Campus Comprehensive Sign Package dated November 19, 2024, subject to stipulations. (Kyle Abbott, Senior Planner)
STIPULATIONS
- All signs shall be in conformance with the Vantage Data Centers AZ Campus Comprehensive Sign Package dated November 19, 2024; and,
- Off-site signage is prohibited; and,
- Any sign types not addressed within the AZ Campus Comprehensive Sign Package dated November 19, 2024 shall comply with Article 7 (Sign Regulations) of the City of Goodyear Zoning Ordinance; and,
- No signage shall be placed within city right-of-way.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct budget impact associated with the approval of the amendment to the Vantage Data Centers Comprehensive Sign Package.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
The property (Attachment A) which is subject to the Vantage Data Centers Comprehensive Sign Package is zoned I-1 (Light Industrial Park). The I-1 (Light Industrial Park) zoning was approved through two zoning actions; the first of those actions took place on August 20, 2018, with the adoption of Ordinance No. 2018-1402, and the second of those actions on August 28, 2023, with the adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-1581.
Site plans for Vantage Data Centers were approved on both September 28, 2020 and March 29, 2024. The site plans collectively include the development of multiple data center buildings.
The Vantage Data Centers Comprehensive Sign Package was originally approved by the City Council on February 28, 2022. At the time, the city had contemplated the purchase of a portion of the southeast corner of W. Van Buren Street and N. Bullard Avenue to provide a gateway entry monument for the larger Bullard Tech Corridor. Since that time, the city decided not to pursue the public development of a Bullard Tech Corridor Gateway entry monument.
The Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission considered this item at its regular meeting held on February 12, 2025. P&Z Commissioners voted (7-0) to forward a recommendation of approval the City Council.
Site plans for Vantage Data Centers were approved on both September 28, 2020 and March 29, 2024. The site plans collectively include the development of multiple data center buildings.
The Vantage Data Centers Comprehensive Sign Package was originally approved by the City Council on February 28, 2022. At the time, the city had contemplated the purchase of a portion of the southeast corner of W. Van Buren Street and N. Bullard Avenue to provide a gateway entry monument for the larger Bullard Tech Corridor. Since that time, the city decided not to pursue the public development of a Bullard Tech Corridor Gateway entry monument.
The Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission considered this item at its regular meeting held on February 12, 2025. P&Z Commissioners voted (7-0) to forward a recommendation of approval the City Council.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Current Policy
The purpose of a Comprehensive Sign Package (CSP) is to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the design of signage that exhibits superior quality and effective messaging. In recognition of the benefits of cohesive and comprehensive sign design, modifications to the signage requirements as established in the city of Goodyear Zoning Ordinance may be appropriate within a CSP.
A minor amendment to an approved CSP, in compliance with the requirements provided in Article 7 (Sign Regulations) of the Goodyear Zoning Ordinance, may be approved by the Zoning Administrator after review and approval by the Development Review Committee. A major amendment to an approved CSP, that proposes an increase in the number of signs, an increase to the size or height of any sign beyond what was approved under the original CSP, or modifications to the requirements provided in Article 7 shall be reviewed by the P&Z Commission and approved by the City Council. This request is a major amendment, and therefore requires P&Z Commission and Council review and approval.
Details of the Request
The request is for the approval to amend the original Vantage Data Centers CSP dated January 18, 2022 (the "2022 Vantage Data Centers CSP") and replace it with the Vantage Data Centers AZ Campus Comprehensive Sign Package dated November 19, 2024 (Attachment B). A brief description of the proposed amendment is provided below:
Evaluation Criteria
Article 7-10 Special Sign Areas of the Zoning Ordinance establishes the criteria for the evaluation of a CSP. The criteria and accompanying staff analysis (italics) are provided below:
The application indicates the intent of the CSP is to provide signage to meet the operational needs of the data center campus, which consists of two large buildings and up to five individual users. Size and height have been established to provide visibility from the adjacent arterial streets and to assist in wayfinding once inside the campus. Staff finds the proposed sizes, heights and configuration of the intended signage, and the requested deviations, are appropriate and supportable for a data center campus of the intended size, at this location.
2. Location and Orientation: Signs should be located and oriented to allow sufficient visibility and legibility for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Factors that may be considered in reviewing the appropriateness of the sign location and orientation may include, but are not limited to, location relative to the surrounding streets and land uses, traffic volumes and access points, visibility angles and topographic features.
The application indicates that signage is intended to be visible to customers and operational staff from Van Buren Street and Bullard Avenue, which are both arterials with higher traffic volumes and vehicular speeds. Building identification signs are designed to take advantage of these frontages and then oriented throughout the site to assist with building identification and wayfinding.
3. Design, Colors and Materials: Signs proposed under the CSP shall be harmonious with and enhance the architecture and theme of the specific development in which the signs are located. Compatibility with the specific development shall include the use of complementary colors, materials and architectural style.
As established in the CSP, the signage will have a design theme consistent with the approved design of the buildings. As such, the intended design elements are considered appropriate and supportable.
4. Surrounding Land Uses: Signs shall not adversely impact adjacent land uses, especially adjacent residential land uses. The CSP shall demonstrate the measures that will be taken to ensure the proposed signage will not adversely impact adjacent land uses in terms of lighting, size, location and orientation.
The property is located within an established light industrial and technology corridor developed with data centers and several warehousing/distribution facilities. The size, type and number of proposed signs are consistent with other similar developments within this corridor and elsewhere within the city. As such, staff finds the intended signage will not adversely affect any adjacent land uses and is therefore appropriate and supportable.
The P&Z Commission considered this item at its regular meeting on February 12, 2025. At the meeting, City staff provided a presentation to the P&Z Commission. No speaker cards were submitted at the public hearing. No residents spoke at the public hearing. At the conclusion of the presentation, the P&Z Commissioners voted (7-0) to forward a recommendation of approval the City Council. The copy of the Vantage Data Centers AZ Campus CSP presented to the P&Z Commission and being presented to City Council is a restatement of the 2022 Vantage Data Centers CSP with the proposed amendments added to the document.
The purpose of a Comprehensive Sign Package (CSP) is to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the design of signage that exhibits superior quality and effective messaging. In recognition of the benefits of cohesive and comprehensive sign design, modifications to the signage requirements as established in the city of Goodyear Zoning Ordinance may be appropriate within a CSP.
A minor amendment to an approved CSP, in compliance with the requirements provided in Article 7 (Sign Regulations) of the Goodyear Zoning Ordinance, may be approved by the Zoning Administrator after review and approval by the Development Review Committee. A major amendment to an approved CSP, that proposes an increase in the number of signs, an increase to the size or height of any sign beyond what was approved under the original CSP, or modifications to the requirements provided in Article 7 shall be reviewed by the P&Z Commission and approved by the City Council. This request is a major amendment, and therefore requires P&Z Commission and Council review and approval.
Details of the Request
The request is for the approval to amend the original Vantage Data Centers CSP dated January 18, 2022 (the "2022 Vantage Data Centers CSP") and replace it with the Vantage Data Centers AZ Campus Comprehensive Sign Package dated November 19, 2024 (Attachment B). A brief description of the proposed amendment is provided below:
1. The addition of a monument sign at the southeast corner of W. Van Buren Street and N. Bullard Avenue - The city is no longer pursuing the purchase of the corner lot at the southeast corner of W. Van Buren Street and N. Bullard Avenue to provide a gateway entry monument for the Bullard Tech Corridor. With that decision, the applicant would like to place a monument sign on the corner. This CSP amendment will allow the applicant to place a monument sign that serves to identify the entire Vantage Data Centers campus, not a specific point or building on the campus.
2. Align the quantities and locations of signs with the final approved site plan - The originally approved site plan from September 2020 envisioned a total of three buildings across the Vantage Data Centers campus. The final approved site plan, which was approved in March 2024, reduces the total number of buildings to two buildings. This CSP amendment will clarify the count and location of signs based on the newly approved site plan building configurations.
3. Enhancements for public safety - This CSP amendment adds addressing on entry driveway monument signs and additional building identification wall signage to aid in wayfinding within the property for both visitors and public safety personnel.
2. Align the quantities and locations of signs with the final approved site plan - The originally approved site plan from September 2020 envisioned a total of three buildings across the Vantage Data Centers campus. The final approved site plan, which was approved in March 2024, reduces the total number of buildings to two buildings. This CSP amendment will clarify the count and location of signs based on the newly approved site plan building configurations.
3. Enhancements for public safety - This CSP amendment adds addressing on entry driveway monument signs and additional building identification wall signage to aid in wayfinding within the property for both visitors and public safety personnel.
Evaluation Criteria
Article 7-10 Special Sign Areas of the Zoning Ordinance establishes the criteria for the evaluation of a CSP. The criteria and accompanying staff analysis (italics) are provided below:
1. Size and Height: The comprehensive sign package shall demonstrate that all proposed signage is no larger than necessary for sufficient visibility and legibility. Factors to be considered in determining allowed size and height may include, but are not limited to, topography, traffic volumes, traffic speeds, visibility ranges, copy size and impact on adjacent property.
The application indicates the intent of the CSP is to provide signage to meet the operational needs of the data center campus, which consists of two large buildings and up to five individual users. Size and height have been established to provide visibility from the adjacent arterial streets and to assist in wayfinding once inside the campus. Staff finds the proposed sizes, heights and configuration of the intended signage, and the requested deviations, are appropriate and supportable for a data center campus of the intended size, at this location.
2. Location and Orientation: Signs should be located and oriented to allow sufficient visibility and legibility for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Factors that may be considered in reviewing the appropriateness of the sign location and orientation may include, but are not limited to, location relative to the surrounding streets and land uses, traffic volumes and access points, visibility angles and topographic features.
The application indicates that signage is intended to be visible to customers and operational staff from Van Buren Street and Bullard Avenue, which are both arterials with higher traffic volumes and vehicular speeds. Building identification signs are designed to take advantage of these frontages and then oriented throughout the site to assist with building identification and wayfinding.
3. Design, Colors and Materials: Signs proposed under the CSP shall be harmonious with and enhance the architecture and theme of the specific development in which the signs are located. Compatibility with the specific development shall include the use of complementary colors, materials and architectural style.
As established in the CSP, the signage will have a design theme consistent with the approved design of the buildings. As such, the intended design elements are considered appropriate and supportable.
4. Surrounding Land Uses: Signs shall not adversely impact adjacent land uses, especially adjacent residential land uses. The CSP shall demonstrate the measures that will be taken to ensure the proposed signage will not adversely impact adjacent land uses in terms of lighting, size, location and orientation.
The property is located within an established light industrial and technology corridor developed with data centers and several warehousing/distribution facilities. The size, type and number of proposed signs are consistent with other similar developments within this corridor and elsewhere within the city. As such, staff finds the intended signage will not adversely affect any adjacent land uses and is therefore appropriate and supportable.
The P&Z Commission considered this item at its regular meeting on February 12, 2025. At the meeting, City staff provided a presentation to the P&Z Commission. No speaker cards were submitted at the public hearing. No residents spoke at the public hearing. At the conclusion of the presentation, the P&Z Commissioners voted (7-0) to forward a recommendation of approval the City Council. The copy of the Vantage Data Centers AZ Campus CSP presented to the P&Z Commission and being presented to City Council is a restatement of the 2022 Vantage Data Centers CSP with the proposed amendments added to the document.
Attachments
- Attachment A - Aerial Photo
- Attachment B - Vantage Data Centers AZ Campus Comprehensive Sign Package dated November 19, 2024
- Staff Presentation