Chandler planning panel backs duplex as resident warns of gentrification

The Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission approved its consent agenda, including a proposal for a duplex in the Pueblo Viejo neighborhood, after resident Juliet Spence told the panel the new building "towers over everything" and raised concerns about gentrification.

Spence, who gave her address as 220 South Dakota Street, Chandler, said she moved to Downtown Chandler to be part of a historic neighborhood and that recent development has "begun to change recently" and could be "the first stage of gentrification of all neighborhoods, Pueblo Viejo." Her remarks came during the public-comment portion of the commission's hearing on a consent-item duplex proposal.

The commission and staff discussed lot-coverage limits for the parcel. City planning staff said the proposed building would cover 47% of the lot and that staff recommended allowing a 50% maximum lot coverage so a future patio roof or other covered outdoor feature would not force a second variance or redesign. "Anything that's under a roof gets calculated towards that lot coverage," a city staff member, David, told commissioners. "That's why we gave them another 3% to go to 50% so that they could add that patio roof in the future if they wanted to."

Commissioner Gold asked whether covered parking spaces were counted in the lot-coverage total; David confirmed the 47% calculation included the two covered parking spaces and that the 50% figure was proposed to accommodate an optional covered patio. Chair Heumann said the site has a complicated zoning history — described in the hearing as having moved between an MF-2 designation and single-family zoning — and expressed concern about precedent if larger lot coverage allowances become common. "Don't let this set the precedence," Heumann said, warning that future projects might push lot coverage "52%, 54%, 58%." He also asked staff to ensure citizen emails related to applications appear on commissioners' dais materials.

A commissioner moved to approve the consent agenda items 1, 2 and 3 "as the stipulations are currently there," a motion that was seconded and approved by voice vote; the commission chair announced, "Motion carries." Commissioners noted that the commission is a recommending body and that the duplex proposal will go to the Chandler City Council on June 12, when residents can again address the council.

At the meeting staff also introduced Danielle Smee as the new management assistant who will help with clerking duties, and planning staff member Lauren briefed commissioners on outreach for the general plan update, including a Chandler Talks event and a "Chandler Listens" mapping exercise. Staff informed the commission that the downtown regional area plan is expected to come back before the commission on June 18.

The commission's action at this hearing was a recommendation to the City Council; no final land-use approvals were made by the council at that time.