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ITEM 12 |
City Council Memorandum Development Services Memo No. 22-040
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Date: |
August 15, 2022 |
To: |
Mayor and Council |
Thru: |
Joshua H. Wright, City Manager Andy Bass, Deputy City Manager Derek D. Horn, Development Services Director |
From: |
Lauren Schumann, Planning Senior Program Manager |
Subject: |
PLH22-0014 Crossroads Nazarene Church Sports Fields |
Request: |
Preliminary Development Plan approval for multi-use sports fields at an existing church |
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Location: |
Northeast corner Ray and Price roads |
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Applicant: |
Sergio Oliden; Ethos Engineering, LLC |
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Proposed Motion: |
Move City Council approve Preliminary Development Plan PLH22-0014 Crossroads Nazarene Church Sports Fields for multi-use sports fields at an existing church, subject to the conditions as recommended by Planning and Zoning Commission. |
Background Data: |
- Subject site zoned Planned Area Development (PAD) for commercial uses; approved 1987
- PDP for church campus with worship center, ancillary buildings, and future parking lot under three phases on 16.5 acres; approved 1999
- Current campus contains a worship center, youth center, classrooms, and administrative office
- Request to amend PDP from future parking lot to multi-use sports fields with future field lights on approximately 4.11 acres located on the north portion of the campus; parking study provided to confirm adequate parking is provided
- Proposed area is currently vacant with gravel and perimeter landscaping
- Plans for a future worship center will be replaced with future gymnasium to be reviewed administratively
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Surrounding Land Use Data: |
North |
Mission Park Boulevard, then single-family subdivision |
South |
Ray Road, then shopping center |
East |
Single-family subdivision, assisted living facility, and offices |
West |
Price Road then Loop 101 Price Freeway |
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Proposed Development: |
Phase I
- Three multi-use turf sports fields primarily used for junior leagues on Saturdays
- 8 foot wide walking trail along perimeter with pedestrian lighting
- Replacement of missing trees in dissimilar landscape buffer along eastern property
- Retention basins and landscaping
Future Phase
- Shaded playground
- Seating areas with benches
- 70-foot tall sports lighting poles (5 to 10 years projected): all lights off by 9 p.m.
- Pad for live music to occur between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for special events
- Gymnasium in lieu of larger worship center to be reviewed administratively
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Review and Recommendation: |
In recent years, the church has experienced a decline in attendance for in-person worship due to offering virtual church services and increased interest in outdoor activities. The applicant has provided a parking study to confirm adequate parking is provided for the campus's levels of service and showing the future parking lot is not required for build-out of the facility. Per the study provided, the multi-use sports fields will not be utilized on days of worship services. The sports fields will be utilized on Saturdays for junior leagues and the fields will be open to the surrounding community. All proposed lighting will be positioned and designed as to not trespass off property and will be on no later than 9 p.m. The 70-foot light poles will be installed at later date once funding is available, anticipated in five to ten years. Future phasing plans include a concrete pad for live entertainment for special events; the church has provided hours of operation for entertainment, which are included as a stipulation. Planning staff has reviewed the request finding compatibility with the General Plan and commercial zoning. Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval, subject to conditions. |
Public / Neighborhood Notification |
- This request was noticed in accordance with the requirements of the Chandler Zoning Code.
- A neighborhood meeting sign was posted on the site and on social media via NextDoor.
- An in-person neighborhood meeting was held at the church on Monday, June 27, 2022. Three households attended the meeting with church staff, the applicant, and City staff. One neighbor directly to the north had concerns about on-street parking along Mission Park Boulevard. Church staff responded they would let families know parking shall occur on the church's lot and if guests were seen parking on-street, church staff will address the guest. A direct contact was given to the neighbor if they had any issues with church operations. Overall, all households in attendance were excited about the community improvements and stated they currently use the church's site for evening walks.
- As of the writing of this memo, Planning staff is aware of concerns from an adjacent resident abutting the property to the east. The resident spoke at Planning and Zoning Commission expressing concerns regarding noises from an outdoor basketball court on the church's property. Following the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, staff checked noise complaints for the church with the Police Department, finding one complaint for noise from the church was made in May 2020. After Planning and Zoning Commission, staff was contacted by two different residents who reside within 600 feet from the church's property, stating concerns regarding the phase two plans for light poles, future outdoor activities, and increased traffic within their neighborhood. Their emails are attached as an exhibit.
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Planning and Zoning Commission Vote Report |
Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of July 20, 2022 Motion to Approve In Favor: 6 Opposed: 0 Abstain: 1 (Velasquez) At the Planning and Zoning Commission Study Session meeting, Chair Heumann requested stipulation number twelve be added to further clarify the allowable noise level of live entertainment. During the Regular Meeting, an adjacent resident spoke of concerns and the item was moved from the consent agenda to the action agenda for discussion. The resident stated an existing outdoor basketball court was being used in the late evening hours by non-parishioners creating excessive noise. Commissioners asked that a sign stating "No Trespassing after 9 P.M." be installed to deter use of the facility after the stipulated time. The church has agreed and will provide a direct contact number for residents with concerns regarding uses within the church's property. |
Recommended Conditions of Approval |
Planning and Zoning Commission recommends the City Council approve the Preliminary Development Plan, subject to the following conditions:
- Development shall be in substantial conformance with the Development Booklet, entitled "Crossroad Nazarene Church Sports Fields" and kept on file in the City of Chandler Planning Division, in File No. PLH22-0014, modified by such conditions included at the time the Booklet was approved by the Chandler City Council and/or as thereafter amended, modified or supplemented by the Chandler City Council.
- The site shall be maintained in a clean and orderly manner.
- The landscaping shall be maintained at a level consistent with or better than at the time of planting.
- The landscaping in all rights-of-way shall be maintained by the adjacent property owner or property owners' association.
- Landscaping plans (including for open spaces, rights-of-way, and street medians) and perimeter walls shall be approved by the Planning Administrator.
- Fifty percent of the trees planted along the arterial streets shall be a minimum of 36-inch box and be a minimum of 12-feet in height at the time of planting.
- Live entertainment is permitted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for special events.
- All sports field lighting shall be prohibited after 9 p.m.
- The church shall provide a contact phone number of a responsible person to interested neighbors to resolve complaints quickly and directly.
- Future gymnasium will be reviewed by staff through an Administrative Design Review.
- Preliminary Development Plan approval does not constitute Final Development Plan approval; compliance with the details required by all applicable codes and conditions of the City of Chandler and this Preliminary Development Plan shall apply.
- No noise shall be emitted from outdoor speakers or live entertainment on the stage area in such a manner that exceeds the general level of noise emitted by uses outside the premises of the church and disturbs adjacent businesses and/or residential areas.
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