The Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program applies to approximately 200 acres, as shown in Attachment B, and encompasses mixed-use industrial, commercial office, multi-family and single-family zoning designations. On October 8, 2007, the City Council adopted Ordinance 07-1091, conditionally rezoning approximately 243 acres to Preliminary Planned Area Development (PAD) for Airport Gateway at Goodyear. Approximately 25 acres was developed as the City of Hope medical facility; approximately 25.3 acres was rezoned with Ordinance No. 2023-1562, for commercial office and multi-family uses within the Celebration Plaza PAD; approximately 43.83 acres was rezoned with Ordinance No. 2023-1569 for business park-like uses within Urban Logistics (Formation 10), approximately 51 acres was rezoned with Ordinance No. 2024-1597 for light industrial and storage uses; and approximately 71.48 acres was rezoned with Ordinance No. 2024-1595 for light industrial with the option for additional commercial uses.
The first comprehensive sign program encompassing approximately 160 acres, titled Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program, was approved on November 06, 2008, by the Development Review Committee and was subsequently amended on November 28, 2019, by the City Council. In the first amended comprehensive sign program, an additional 40 acres located along Litchfield Road was added to the boundary of the comprehensive sign program along with additional signage standards for the large medical facility tenant. |
Current Policy:
All Planned Area Developments (PADs) are required to prepare and submit a comprehensive sign package (CSP) for review and approval prior to the issuance of individual sign permits. A CSP provides 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 established in Article 7, Sign Regulations, of the Goodyear Zoning Ordinance, may be appropriate within a CSP.
A CSP in compliance with the requirements in Article 7, may be approved by the Zoning Administrator after review and approval by the Development Review Committee. However, a CSP which proposes modifications to the requirements in Article 7, must be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved by the City Council.
The Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program requests modifications to the standards in Article 7 and therefore requires Planning and Zoning Commission review and City Council approval.
Details of the Request:
The request is to approve the Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program, which is limited to revising signs that are specifically required for the project labeled in the Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program as “Large Retail User with Gas Station” and conform to Ordinance 2024-1595. All requirements, regulations, specifications, and design parameters for all other users within the Airport Gateway at Goodyear development remain unchanged.
Per Zoning Ordinance 2024-1595, a maximum of two (2) pylon signs may be permitted on the northwestern 72 acres of property (within the Airport Gateway at Comprehensive Sign Program boundary) without obtaining a Use Permit, subject to the following: A single-user freeway pylon sign may be permitted in lieu of one of the two above-mentioned pylon signs if the single user is a retail store, convenience store, or other commercial development that exceeds 50,000 square feet in size, and no freeway pylon sign shall exceed 85 feet in height.
A brief description of the proposed amendments for the Large Retail User with Gas Station site is provided below:
1. Freeway Pylon Sign
The Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program proposes to replace the design of one (1) previously approved freeway pylon sign. The new design theme will create standards for a single-tenant freeway pylon sign that may be utilized by the Large Retail User with Gas Station. The height of the amended freeway pylon sign shall be no greater than 85 feet.
2. Wall Signage Requirements
The Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program proposes to provide wall signage for the Large Retail User with Gas Station that exceeds the wall signage standards provided in the Airport Gateway CSP.
3. Canopy Signage Requirements
The Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program proposes to provide canopy signage for the Large Retail User with Gas Station that exceeds the canopy signage standards provided in Article 7 Sign Standards of the Goodyear Zoning Ordinance.
Evaluation Criteria:
Per the city of Goodyear Zoning Ordinance, the city’s review and recommendation on a comprehensive sign package is to be guided by the following criteria:
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.
Given the intended building scale of the Large Retail User with Gas Station, which is unique and unlike any other development within the city, staff find the proposed sizes, heights, and configuration of the intended wall and canopy signage are appropriate and supportable. Also, the height of the freeway pylon sign for the Large Retail User with Gas does not exceed the max allowed 85 feet height; provided in Ordinance 2024-1595.
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 sign setbacks, separations, and locations are intended to provide for maximum visibility while also promoting pedestrian and vehicular safety. Therefore, staff find the proposal appropriate and supportable.
3. Design, Colors and Materials: Signs proposed under the comprehensive sign package shall be harmonious with and enhance the architecture and theme of the specific development in which the signs are located. Compatibility with specific development shall include the use of complementary colors, materials and architectural style.
The base of the single-tenant freeway pylon sign has been enhanced to incorporate materials and colors that are compatible with and compliment the overall development, while also preserving previously approved signage standards for all other users. Therefore, 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 comprehensive sign package 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.
Airport Gateway at Goodyear is a mixed-use area that includes commercial, industrial and residential development. The proposed signage within the second amendment to the Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program will not adversely impact surrounding areas given their size, location and orientation should match the intensity of these surrounding developments and their associated signage. As such, staff find the intended signage will not adversely affect any adjacent land uses and is therefore appropriate and supportable.
Staff Findings:
The Airport Gateway at Goodyear Comprehensive Sign Program meets the evaluation criteria for a CSP as set forth in Article 7, Sign Regulations, of the Zoning Ordinance, subject to the recommended stipulations of approval. |
