Chairman Schoeppach called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

 

PRESENT:

Michael Schoeppach, Chairman Eugene Wowk, Vice Chair Richard Luckett, Member Dennis Ottley, Member Ray Shelton, Member

Chairman Schoeppach led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Bill Adler, OV resident pointed out items in the Oro Valley Zoning Code Revised.  Mr. Adler stated, "There was a development plan, the Miller Ranch property that came before the Development Review Board (DRB) where a code provision directly applied.  This code was overlooked and set aside.  The results were that the neighbors were denied due process.  Please do not assume that you will be told that a provision of the code is not in compliance or if a policy in the General Plan is not in compliance.  The only way you can be prepared, is to read the code.  If you want the DRB to be a respected citizen oversight body, you need to be in compliance.  Please understand that I take these matters seriously and expect you do the same."

 

Chairman Schoeppach acknowledged that Councilmember Soloman had joined the meeting. 

Before proceeding with the Consent Agenda, Chairman Schoeppach stated that by request, he would hear item 2 as 1 and item 1 as 2 on the Regular Agenda.

 

Member Luckett excused himself for a conflict with Item C on the Consent Agenda.

 

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Ottley and seconded by Member Shelton to approve the Consent Agenda.

 

MOTION carried, 4-0

 

Paul Oland, a non resident representing the applicant, presented the proposal and reviewed the following:

Site Plan
 - Mr. Oland stated an alternative parking analysis had been provided by the applicant in the packet information.  Mr. Oland reviewed drainage and showed retaining walls and vegetation.

Landscape plan
 - Mr. Oland said the traffic impact is very low due to the residents not having their own vehicle and the operators having vans that would transport the residents.  Mr. Oland said they have been working on the access points for the site and are working with the fire station to have a left entrance but, not a left exit.

Member Ottley asked for clarification on the access.  Mr. Oland said the only access out will be from Lambert Lane going east.

Karen Berchtold, OV Senior Planner, presented the staff report and reviewed the following:

 - Neighborhood context to the north is the Highlands East Rivers Edge, south CDO Wash and Lambert Acres to the west is vacant
 - Zoning and development standards
 - Code change and Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
 - R-4 Townhouse residential district
 - Name change from adult living quarters to independent living facility
 - Site Concept
 - Alternative parking proposal
 - Parking detail
 - Landscape plan for cottages
 - Landscape for the main building
 - Neighborhood Outreach

Ms. Berchtold said staff recommended approval with the conditions in Exhibit A.

Chairman Schoeppach asked for clarification of R-4 designation on the code book.  Chairman Schoeppach said the code reads R-4 in townhouses and one would question how a building could be viewed as a townhouse.  

David Williams, OV Interim Planning Division Manager, said the standard does not apply.

Joe Andrews, OV Chief Civil Deputy Town Attorney, said initially the code was meant for townhouses but was later amended to allow various uses.  As it stood at that time, this facility would not have been allowed at the site and it required an amendment to the code that required the CUP. 

 

Mr. Adler said his concerns are addressed to the direct attention to numbers four and six.  A 100k square foot building does not exist anywhere on Lambert Lane.  It is not in harmony and is larger, taller and imposing on the right of way.  Mr. Adler said it is inconsistent with the values that we have tried to maintain on our scenic corridor.  Mr. Adler said he felt this could be solved and it is a matter of design.  This proposal does not match the design guidelines or meet the code and we should not have language in the code if we do not intend to enforce it.  Mr. Adler said he believes there is enough inconsistency to force a change in the design.

 

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Shelton and seconded by Member Ottley to approve OV1208-12, applicant's request for a development plan for an independent living facility located at the northeast corner of Lambert Lane and Highlands Drive, with conditions in Exhibit A.

 

Member Ottley said the stipulation from the residents in Highlands is that the main artery and other conditions have been set aside.  The neighbors have approved this plan.

Vice Chair Wowk said directly across the street there is another large continuous building.  I do not agree that the building is a hindrance to the corridor.

Member Luckett said he liked that OV allows other parking.  There is not enough breaking up of the elevation to make this look any different.  He is not happy with what he sees professionally.

Chairman Schoeppach said he was concerned with the R-4 designation on the other hand it is very hard for him to simply deny it based on criteria in number 4.  He is frustrated with the lack of specificity with respect to that kind of language.  It makes our task very difficult in our view.  I am not going to use that criteria as the basis for not voting to approve it. 

 

MOTION carried, 4-1 with Member Luckett opposed

 

Member Luckett said his reason for voting no is that the structure is massive, not in the scale of the community and does not fit and follow the guidelines.

 

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Ottley and seconded by Member Shelton to approve OV1208-12, applicants requests for landscape plan for an independent living facility located at the northeast corner of Lambert Lane and Highlands Drive, with conditions in Exhibit A. 

 

MOTION carried, 5-0

 

Ron Jackson, non-resident, presented and reviewed the following:

Floor plans
Color Board
Exterior photos
Design elevation for cottages
Out buildings
Site sections
View from Matterhorn Street
View from Lambert Lane
Overall view from the top

Member Luckett asked where the mechanical units would be.  Mr. Jackson responded that two units are located on the roof that will heat and cool the common areas.  Mr. Jackson said our residential units will have PTAC units to help with the heating and cooling.

Karen Berchtold presented the staff report and reviewed the following:

Main building
Style is Pueblo elements
The individual units are much more differentiated which mitigates the impact to neighbors.
Cottages
Section
Staff recommended approval with conditions in Exhibit A.

Bill Adler, OV resident.  I think what the DRB does is all subjective.  I believe that is what makes your job such a challenge.  There is not a two story building on Lambert Lane only a single story shopping center.  The imposition of a two story building of this mass on Lambert Lane is incredible and you will not be happy with the results.  What you need is to be guided by the surrounding neighborhood.  If it is inappropriate it is because of its mass.  A continuous building is not going to be broken up by balconies.  I have some issue regarding sleeping units.  I am not denying the project but a building of that size was not anticipated and will not only be unattractive but an eyesore.

 

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Ottley and seconded by Vice Chair Wowk to approve OV1309-19 approval of architectural elevations for a proposed independent living facility, located at the northeast corner of Lambert Lane and Highlands Drive, subject to Exhibit A attachments.

 

Vice Chair Wowk said this is zoned for Townhomes.  If a home builder came in, they would want to build a continuous building with small casitas.  It is one building plus the casitas broken up by elevation.  That is my reasoning for approving this.

Member Ottley said when you are going along that Lambert Lane corridor, you do not see a cookie cutter neighborhood with the same housing.  I personally think it is going to be a nice facility.  It should be a nice project and part of the diversity of Lambert Lane.

 

MOTION carried, 4-1 with Member Luckett opposed

 

Member Luckett said he was opposed to this, due to the site being narrow and long and is not the right scale for that part of Lambert Lane.

 

David Ronquillo, OV Senior Planner, gave an update on Planning & Zoning related items for future Town Council meetings:

-Joint Study Session to review the Environomentally Sensitive Land Ordinance
-Request for approval of a Condition of Use Permit for Panda Express
-DESCO SW requests approval of a master development plan
-Final plan for Lot 10 of Foothills Business park
-No Town Council meetings in the month of August

 

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Ottley and seconded by Member Luckett to adjourn the DRB meeting at 7:05 p.m.

 

MOTION carried, 5-0