[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6477833,"mediaKeyId","5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda","parentId",5711196,"title","Votes at a glance — Fountain Hills Town Council, Sept. 9, 2025","audioSeconds",10573,"startMs",3477000,"endMs",14050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda&start=3477&end=14050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda/thumbnail_3477000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477833/Fountain-Hills/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Votes-at-a-glance-Fountain-Hills-Town-Council-Sept-9-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477833-0059aed625a740e07634f8c092e2cdf9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162879&Signature=ckru1xYA9Lau36UrZMHACvmEe~9K1h0e2ZPK-Tm7xw~6yvZXQmnkwEMhXHlBBBMGDp-5PIrWdKVdWmPY~0NHWPLZ1EnLPhYIexJ0WaCcYr5vM7-4gtxlCKMR52W6P2swMGNPPmE~-fGltizEn9bUxWbtLktmz~mo2wapRHl4JYRyV7BLbOE4UgfhNZY~GiwSGgZ26ZNPbNC7YTbEY56kQxGvdAIRadtjdca5H0bvsrwvYiulS-ekF0wA3p1OhqeMSB9ZNrWNPIKRsym5DrTrG2PLaHmFXczaBUagRD4ePgPYQzcDNf028seHMdNdIxyN7rPNk6eUa~g7A2ASY0~CcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Fountain Hills","date","2025-09-03T05:00:10Z","article","The Fountain Hills Town Council took the following formal actions at its Sept. 9, 2025 meeting (outcomes are taken from roll-call records recorded in the meeting transcript):

1) Consent agenda (Items a–c)
- Outcome: Approved (7–0)
- Notes: Routine consent items approved by roll call.

2) Ordinance: Downtown Overlay District (zoning)
- Outcome: Approved (5–2)
- Key details: New Downtown Overlay District adopted with ground-floor street-front restrictions; upper-floor residential density set at 35 units per acre within the overlay; removal of blanket SUP option for certain office uses. (See separate article for full debate.)

3) Park Place phases 2 & 3 — building permit extension and use of 2018 building code
- Outcome: Approved (6–1)
- Key details: Council authorized permits to be renewed under the 2018 code with a deadline of Dec. 31, 2025, contingent on resolution of outstanding development-agreement matters; staff to coordinate with legal and applicant.

4) Amendment / ratification: Town attorney contract
- Outcome: Ratified (5–2)
- Key details: Council ratified a contract for town legal services that staff executed after council direction in June. Two councilmembers voted against ratification and raised procurement and past-litigation concerns.

5) Ordinance: Sign code amendments (A-frame signs, small apartment signage, political yard signs)
- Outcome: Approved (5–2)
- Key details: Planning & Zoning recommended changes; council approved allowing two A-frame signs per business (with limits), permitting monument or wall signs for small apartment complexes (8–20 units), and increasing allowed yard signs during election periods (decision adjusted by council vote). See transcript for specifics.

6) Pavement management / FY26 streets plan
- Outcome: Approved (7–0)
- Key details: Council approved the FY26 pavement selections, directed staff to defer Fountain Hills Boulevard and Kingstree segments, and asked staff to pursue a Richwood chip-seal + cape option and return with cost estimates.

7) Golden Eagle impoundment (CIP authorization)
- Outcome: Approved (7–0)
- Key details: Council authorized the Golden Eagle impoundment CIP project; staff may use an available FY26 CIP placeholder to pay final invoices and complete phase 2 design work, including reimbursements tied to flood-control grant funds.

8) Wash maintenance contract amendment (Top Leaf Services)
- Outcome: Approved (7–0)
- Key details: Council authorized increasing the annual contract cap from $350,000 to $450,000 and aligning the contract term with the town’s fiscal year (July 1–June 30) so staff can deploy the full budgeted amount.

9) Travel policy (council travel reimbursement)
- Outcome: Approved with amendment (6–1)
- Key details: Council voted to adopt a travel policy for council members that permits reimbursement for lodging and mileage for travel outside Fountain Hills (town hall used as the standard point of departure for mileage reimbursement) and excludes reimbursement for spouses/companions; vote included one dissent.

How to find full details: The council’s full meeting transcript and staff reports include motions, roll-call votes and staff attachments (ordinance drafts, consultant pavement report, contract language) and should be consulted for complete legal and procedural context.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 2, 2025 Town Council Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal council votes taken at the Sept. 9, 2025 meeting: ordinances, contract ratifications and project authorizations, with outcomes and key details.","taxTitle","Fountain Hills, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",58389,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477838,"Council directs staff to proceed with FY26 pavement work, delays Fountain Hills Boulevard and Kingstree segments",2649,9820000,12469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda&start=9820&end=12469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda/thumbnail_9820000.jpg","/articles/6477838/Fountain-Hills/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-directs-staff-to-proceed-with-FY26-pavement-work-delays-Fountain-Hills-Boulevard-and-Kingstree-segments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477838-5f1c512bf82cb699f81aa45e6f5ac750/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162879&Signature=T-4j0bMh~mJGYOAM29FH5yPL0OCSMuZXnOAZ9TvaOYyp~kmPjTnC8xiqYW5oqete~KD7lMuNNYB7TQGHOeoxo2A~gtPVg-2yg9Zultcl15cqr4tKNBxYHIwDGlctDBY3MfPpymwRpzXuaHctjHplzPu3QA5IQ2nrg9mEr4sgrCfUwors5xJK43O3RYjYYdsMbrkiU1cVZVYbXiYdoHQCyy3qDEMM0IK8-07WI8h~f3lzXezmGG0r-2RMSZZCFO2QVUaK5PA2x7L3breqtOMmGAzqDGzOSqVH~H278WizfU90Txp7AAU-RBxl4YjN7jWVMAsZCyLJlLuuTr5CeVrKXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fountain Hills Town Council approved staff’s recommended pavement-management plan for fiscal year 2026 but asked staff to defer two large projects — a full segment of Fountain Hills Boulevard and a Kingstree segment — while redirecting funding to a proposed chip-seal with cape pilot on Richwood and several neighborhood super-segments.

Consultant Roadway Asset Services presented the town’s pavement condition index (PCI) based on a 2022 field survey and an aging model. The consultant reported a current network-average PCI of 66 with backlog (very poor/poor roads) just under 8%. The firm advised that steady-state funding of roughly $4.5 million annually is needed to maintain that average; about $8.3 million per year would be required to arrest backlog growth and raise the average condition substantially.

Council discussed tradeoffs between doing smaller preservation treatments across the network versus larger reconstruction projects on arterials. Director Justin Weldy recommended deferring the large, costly Fountain Hills Boulevard reconstruction and Kingstree segment so staff could plan a multi-year super-segment strategy and explore a chip-seal + cape approach on Richwood (between Golden Eagle Boulevard and Boulder) after limited repairs.

Action: The council voted unanimously (7–0) to proceed with the pavement program as presented, with the specific direction to delay/ defer the Fountain Hills Boulevard and Kingstree projects and to pursue a Richwood chip-seal/cape option and other local super-segments. Staff will return with budget numbers and a timeline for the Richwood option.

Public and council comments emphasized logistics (lane closures and contractor availability), the pilot chip-seal success on El Lago and Chama, and the need to balance visible short-term fixes with long-term reconstruction planning.

Ending: Staff was authorized to proceed with the FY26 pavement selections excluding the deferred segments and to return with cost estimates for the Richwood chip-seal/cape and for any changes required to sequencing and traffic-control planning.

","After an update from a pavement-management consultant, the council approved a multi-street preservation and paving plan while deferring two large arterial/collector segments to allow further study and budgeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":46,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477843,"Council ratifies new town attorney contract amid contentious debate",1210,12840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda&start=12840&end=14050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda/thumbnail_12840000.jpg","/articles/6477843/Fountain-Hills/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-ratifies-new-town-attorney-contract-amid-contentious-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477843-5b2482eeaef4fd111ed2c8279e3d7380/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162879&Signature=K2nIa~yhSjo~rP8iTmirBvpKx~v91C3DIIMiEPnaApKEYI6pHqsDLZzmDGcw35ZfBPCsoJPkHzCFs-HU-gmxVbzsUIfAiwXQIHRaF3t370eIeBNJg6U6V-NOPAfhPfk9KUoGM2-xF~b61xBkL2oIpJttM5aUHfXv9bRzrIttBshQ0z7--BQfaZ0m3Lse-SutZdXSA3XX8~A4XAOwHys2qcz8e7zqZ2846iFtFWI86Dxem3~bRCQPJqINoImpFTPVIvm95-Peyb83YFm2ouRcLXgezAZCAgewGVf9jf1AODzs5MaFHCj~6mdrtEgjS140i-ejNDdKEZTiQd~v77Amig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fountain Hills Town Council ratified a contract with a newly selected town attorney firm by a 5–2 vote after a contentious public and council discussion that raised procurement, prior litigation and process concerns.

Council ratified the contract that staff executed following the council’s June direction to negotiate a legal-services agreement. The vote authorized the ratification of the contract effective July 1, 2025. The motion passed 5–2; Councilmembers McMahon and Calavianakis voted no.

Several council members and residents criticized the process and the chosen firm’s past legal work. Councilmember McMahon outlined objections including (1) questions about the procurement process and whether interested firms were treated equally, (2) references to prior litigation the chosen attorney had been involved in, and (3) concerns about communications and perceived coordination before a formal RFP. Supporters said the formal procurement and interview process was followed and that the selected firm was qualified to serve town needs.

The town clerk reported there were two public speakers on this agenda item; one asked the council to ratify the new contract. Public comments included strong support for the hire as well as pointed criticism from others about the earlier transition from the prior firm.

Action: The council ratified the firm’s contract (simple majority). Staff said the agreement was signed within the authority given from Council in June and was before the council now for ratification only because its value exceeded the manager’s administrative limit.

Ending: Councilmembers who dissented said they would continue to monitor legal spending and process; the town attorney relationship and any related services will be conducted under the new contract going forward.

","The council ratified a contract with a new town attorney firm after heated public and council comment; the vote was 5–2 with two councilmembers dissenting over procurement and past litigation history of the chosen counsel.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477847,"Council approves short extension to allow Park Place Phase 2–3 permits under 2018 code pending resolution",4216,7200000,11416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda&start=7200&end=11416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/6477847/Fountain-Hills/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Council-approves-short-extension-to-allow-Park-Place-Phase-23-permits-under-2018-code-pending-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477847-059401a3027f552119adca76db9f7e91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162879&Signature=PGXDIIcI47wpMZYgHOA4h2KjGFwquGyIePbNFg2~a31HGXZqzVh55spfGdQGUViK~1vkMF9KnFUv57ltYREcdRsHqM6iTHyD0UlPE8Y-gn~Depdrw87qRHHdg0Ur1sMwxk5LlecjyR~W7wVS2vaqjibDCeh4uHcmtmvfQoFvcJh5GkEi9idGN01FOa~t9F3qQswOB4ayzMYCs5l0Px2DvJNgg~nFu8ArUJ1r0B8qVD3xSqLFDvzQynviruCxkQLlBcThJ6-T~z~VdIR-EQ5BI7dnTIRGtKWhHRO7FJplIjk3ClVl1oOAWxJuOt-CEMjygy1yRsKjJ7xjg7epJb2A-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fountain Hills Town Council voted 6–1 to allow Park Place phases 2 and 3 to proceed under the previously approved 2018 building code and extended the permit expiration to Dec. 31, 2025, subject to resolution of outstanding development-agreement items.

Park Place developer representatives urged council to approve the extension, saying re-submitting plans under the 2024 building code would cost time and money and likely delay the project for years. Several residents and business groups, including the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce, voiced support for completing the downtown development, saying it would boost the town’s economy and add housing.

Council members debated whether the extension should be unconditional. The final motion — approved after a friendly amendment — authorized staff to allow the permits to be renewed under the 2018 code on or before Dec. 31, 2025, provided the outstanding development-agreement issues are resolved (staff and legal counsel described the language change as allowing staff to proceed while ensuring contract questions are addressed). The vote was 6 in favor, 1 opposed.

Action details: The council did not appropriate new funds; the motion authorizes staff to issue the permits consistent with the 2018 code and to work with the applicant and town legal staff to resolve development-agreement items. Council expressed a preference for closing the matter quickly so construction can proceed; the developer said financing partners are in place.

Ending: Staff will return if the development-agreement items cannot be resolved before the Dec. 31 deadline. If the agreements remain unresolved, permits would be subject to current code and further council direction.

","The council authorized extension of building permits for Park Place phases 2 and 3 to allow issuance under the previously approved 2018 building code, while asking parties to resolve a development-agreement issue by year-end.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477852,"Fountain Hills council narrows downtown overlay, boosts allowable residential density to 35 units per acre",3275,3512000,6787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda&start=3512&end=6787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711196-40d757da3eb122fb32719c98b1a96dda/thumbnail_3512000.jpg","/articles/6477852/Fountain-Hills/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Fountain-Hills-council-narrows-downtown-overlay-boosts-allowable-residential-density-to-35-units-per-acre","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477852-21fb22527e4c442c7add111adc5e89d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162879&Signature=gR4cD8YQSkv~wdF~JksJPk9PtvvGWcgFDaHY1LyXey7InTmRi1rSa82wA9jQ93WGC7NfH~ntUYHfhhB~EMycVnrDL78GHMLCwdu8MqnZOUMQoXNtmag1wRZKxqsUpnhAQdEABFbjlcBX7G4LkY4cr5tH8OcKDFc2OQtMrVKlDOtV52Hqq7YVc-w-M14poNy1XKsJnGdFCxqfgT~FqJpNc616JjAwI0O86FdOiml17LJDg3dgDOmRoJRT8PH1KWwIzNPaunRKlhiJcHPAefa6QYgLat47idPEgTF~zn5rmqp6g-JpXs5JHwdohIGqPEw5d0HqOBviwWvAyVE09FlrXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fountain Hills Town Council on Tuesday approved an amendment to the town’s zoning ordinance establishing a new Downtown Overlay District that narrows allowable ground-floor uses and raises by-right upper-floor residential density to 35 units per acre.

The council voted 5–2 to adopt the overlay after public comment and extended discussion over whether to allow office/service uses on prime storefronts, how dense new housing should be, and how parking and noise would be handled. Vice Mayor Skilcorne moved the final version; Councilwoman McMahon seconded. Council members Calavianakis and McMahon voted no; the other five voted yes.

Supporters said the overlay is aimed at creating an “avenue” with active retail, restaurants and entertainment uses and more upper-floor housing to increase foot traffic and economic activity. Planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission drafted an overlay that divides downtown into three subdistricts — Avenue, Business and Innovation — and proposed higher residential density and mechanisms to encourage ground-floor retail and entertainment uses.

Council discussion centered on three persistent issues: whether to allow typical office- and service-type uses on ground floors near the street; how great an increase in residential density the town should allow; and whether special-use permits should remain available as a safety valve. Several council members, including Skilcorne and Councilwoman Larrabee, argued the town needed stronger, by-right limits on office uses within about 50 feet of the street to preserve retail and restaurant opportunities. Councilman Watts and others expressed concern about too much density and asked for clearer noise enforcement tools tied to objective decibel standards.

Planning Director John Wesley said the overlay as drafted would: preserve existing commercial zoning categories (C1, C2, CC, etc.); create a build-to line on Avenue parcels to bring buildings close to the street; increase residential density allowances (the code’s original 8 units per acre would be replaced by the new overlay’s higher allowances); permit pop-up and temporary uses on vacant parcels with simplified requirements; and leave parking requirements largely unchanged but keep the possibility of future special-use permits where appropriate.

Public commenters were split. Resident Larry Myers urged a stronger “fun zone” approach — loosening parking limitations and actively encouraging bars and restaurants — while former Planning & Zoning commissioner Cecil Yates urged the council to adopt the denser, retail-focused vision to create the population base for a vibrant downtown, noting that Park Place Phase 1 already approaches 50 units per acre.

Council action: The council approved the ordinance as amended to (a) limit permitted ground-floor uses within roughly 50 feet of right-of-way to active retail/entertainment/restaurant-type activities (as listed in the proposed ordinance), (b) set by-right upper-floor residential density to 35 units per acre within the overlay, and (c) remove the staff-proposed automatic special-use-permit (SUP) route for office uses at street-front storefronts (so those uses would not be allowed by-right in the 50-foot street frontage).

The ordinance replaces two older downtown overlays and establishes a three-subdistrict structure. Staff said selected parcels classified in Plat 208 would be subject to a build-to line and other urban-design measures.

Next steps: The ordinance takes effect according to the town’s ordinance schedule. Staff was directed to return any necessary clean-up language and prepare implementation materials, including design standards and public information for property owners.

Ending: Councilmembers emphasized they wanted to balance economic development with neighborhood character; those concerns informed the final compromise density and the specific ground-floor use restrictions.

","After hours of public comment and council debate, Fountain Hills approved changes to a proposed Downtown Overlay District that aim to promote ‘active’ ground-floor retail and raise residential density on upper floors to 35 units per acre.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance — Fountain Hills Town Council, Sept. 9, 2025

Council directs staff to proceed with FY26 pavement work, delays Fountain Hills Boulevard and Kingstree segments

Council ratifies new town attorney contract amid contentious debate

Council approves short extension to allow Park Place Phase 2–3 permits under 2018 code pending resolution

Fountain Hills council narrows downtown overlay, boosts allowable residential density to 35 units per acre