City Council Memorandum Development Services Memo No. 21-043
Date:
August 12, 2021
To:
Mayor and Council
Thru:
Joshua H. Wright, Acting City Manager Debra Stapleton, Assistant City Manager Derek D. Horn, Development Services Director
From:
Lauren Schumann, Planning Senior Program Manager
Subject:
PLH20-0072/PLT21-0016 Chandler Airpark Technology Center
Request:
Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) for site layout and building architecture for industrial buildings with office Preliminary Plat approval
Location:
Southwest corner Gilbert Road and Insight Way
Applicant:
John Mocarski; LGE Design Group
Proposed Motion:
Preliminary Development Plan Move City Council approve Preliminary Development Plan PLH21-0072 Chandler Airpark Technology Center, located at the southwest corner of Gilbert Road and Insight Way, subject to the conditions as recommended by Planning and Zoning Commission.
Preliminary Plat Move City Council approve Preliminary Plat PLT21-0016 Chandler Airpark Technology Center, located at the southwest corner of Gilbert Road and Insight Way, subject to the condition recommended by Planning and Zoning Commission.
Background Data:
This item was continued from the June 24, 2021, City Council meeting for the purpose of holding a Design Review Committee (DRC) as recommended by Planning and Zoning Commission
DRC meeting was held June 16, 2021, and the applicant has addressed all concerns from Planning and Zoning Commission
Approximately 26.2 acres
Subject site zoned Planned Area Development (PAD) for light industrial (I-1 uses), office, and showroom within the 80-acre Chandler Airport Business Park (CABP) Phase 2 in 2006
Separate PDP's are required for properties located along Gilbert Road
Project consists of two phases consisting of flex buildings allowing for a mix of light industrial uses and office
Phase 1, the south portion, will consist of two flex industrial buildings
Phase 2 will consist of either two additional flex industrial buildings or an office building with consistent architectural design; Phase 2 will be reviewed administratively by staff
Surrounding Land Use Data:
North
Insight Way then Watermark development (retail & office)
220,718 total square feet Building A (west) 126,049 square feet Building B (east) 94,319 square feet
Building Height
Maximum 45 feet; Provided 43 feet
Number of Dock Doors
Building A- 28 doors (6 at-grade & 23 dock) Building B- 29 dock doors (4 at-grade & 25 dock)
Parking Spaces Required
252 spaces
Parking Spaces Provided
305 spaces; allowing for approximately 20% office
Review and Recommendation:
The two proposed flex industrial buildings allow for a mix of uses including manufacturing, research and development, and office. Generally, ancillary uses such as office and retail showroom are limited to occupy ten percent of a building within industrial developments unless noted. The proposal requests up to 20 percent office and/or retail showroom accordingly to comply with available parking.
The request was reviewed for compliance with the design standards established within the CABP guidelines, including landscaping and signage. The alignment of the two buildings internalizes the dock doors and screening of the rear facades. An eight (8) foot wall will be provided between buildings to further screen the rear courts. The development doubled the amount of landscaping and building setback required along Gilbert Road to further buffer the site from Gilbert Road and residential developments east of Gilbert Road. A mix of material including glazed glass, metal panels, awnings, steel columns, and form liners are used to enhance the tilt-up walls. The color scheme of earth tones is proposed to be consistent with the CABP guidelines established in 2006. Under Phase 1, all landscaping will be installed along all property lines and at the intersection of Gilbert Road and Insight Way. A center identification sign will be constructed. Phase 2 will consist of either two additional flex industrial buildings or an office building depending on market demand and will be reviewed administratively by staff for consistency with the approved architectural design.
Planning and Zoning Commission finds the proposal to be consistent with the goals of the General Plan, CAAP, and CABP and recommends approval subject to conditions.
Public / Neighborhood Notification
This request was noticed in accordance with the requirements of the Chandler Zoning Code.
To comply with CDC social distancing guidelines, the applicant hosted a digital neighborhood meeting on May 4, 2021. The applicant's team, City staff, and five (5) households attended the virtual meeting. General questions about construction timelines and traffic patterns were asked from residents. No opposition was expressed.
As of the writing of this memo, Planning staff is not aware of any concerns or opposition to the request.
Planning and Zoning Commission Vote Report
Planning and Zoning Commission meeting July 21, 2021 Motion to Approve
In Favor: 5 Opposed: 0
Recommended Conditions of Approval
Preliminary Development Plan 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 "Chandler Airpark Technology Center" and kept on file in the City of Chandler Planning Division, in File No. PLH20-0072, 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.
Compliance with original conditions adopted by the City Council as Ordinance No. 3814 in case DVR06-0038 Chandler Airport Business Park Phase 2, except as modified by condition herein.
The landscaping shall be maintained at a level consistent with or better than at the time of planting.
Sign packages, including free-standing signs as well as wall-mounted signs, shall be designed in coordination with landscape plans, planting materials, storm water retention requirements, and utility pedestals, so as not to create problems with sign visibility or prompt the removal of required landscape materials.
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.
Phase 2 will be reviewed administratively by staff for consistency with the approved architectural design.
Landscaping improvements along the perimeter of the property and the center identification sign to be installed during the first phase of development.
All mechanical equipment, including HVAC, utility meters, etc. shall be screened from view by material(s) that are architecturally integrated and consistent with the proposed buildings.
Preliminary Plat Planning and Zoning Commission recommends the City Council approve the Preliminary Plat, subject to the following condition.
Approval by the City Engineer and Planning Administrator with regard to the details of all submittals required by code or condition.