Peoria commission approves Bell Road pawnshop conditional use permit with 12‑month review

The City of Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 21 approved a conditional use permit for Bell Road Pawn (CU25‑11), allowing a roughly 1,550‑square‑foot tenant improvement in a multi‑tenant building at the northeast corner of Bell Road and 80th Avenue, subject to the conditions in Exhibit 1 and a stipulation that the applicant submit a report within 12 months of opening showing the business is in good standing with city and state authorities.

Staff said the proposal involves no exterior changes and that the site meets spacing requirements for pawnshops under the city code. "The request is gonna be for a portion of that building, suite, about 1,550 square feet in size for a pawnshop," city planning staff member Elias Valencia said during the presentation. Valencia told commissioners that notifications were mailed and posted and that staff received no opposition during the notice period.

The commission’s action followed questions from several commissioners about signage, state oversight, and whether the use would include title‑loan services. Planning staff said signage would be handled through a separate building/sign permit and that certain nonbank financial activities (for example, title loans) are treated as non‑chartered financial institutions in the zoning code and therefore are reviewed as part of the holistic operation proposed. "When there is a cause for concern with the establishment, we always go with an education first approach and we ask for compliance," planning staff member Deaver said, adding that the city’s compliance rate is over 90% for code enforcement visits.

Representing the applicant, architect Ed Galindo said the operators plan to focus on higher‑end merchandise rather than low‑end goods, and co‑owner Derek, representing the proposed operator, said the company already runs multiple stores in the Phoenix metro area. "This would be my eleventh store that's within the Phoenix Metro Area," Derek said. He also said the operator holds a Maricopa County license and uses a database to report incoming merchandise to law enforcement; staff described a one‑day hold period for items flagged by law enforcement.

Commissioners debated whether the commission should require a formal follow‑up; Commissioner Gaynor moved approval subject to city conditions and a 12‑month report after opening, and Commissioner Feider seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Key operational details disclosed at the hearing: hours of operation proposed are Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; no exterior site modifications were proposed; and there was no public opposition during the notification period. The applicant and staff will provide the required 12‑month report to the commission showing the business’ standing with city and state regulators.

The conditional use permit approval allows the pawnshop to operate under the indicated conditions but preserves the commission’s ability to re‑hear or revoke the permit if the use becomes a nuisance or fails to comply with conditions.