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Commission approves BrakeMasters auto service at Sonoran Creek center; staff praises landscaping and design
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a development review permit for a 5,400‑square‑foot BrakeMasters auto service facility on a 6.6‑acre pad at the Sonoran Creek (Snore Creek) center, with staff noting the applicant exceeds landscaping standards and has revised elevations and access to align with the master plan.
Monday, Nov. 9 — The Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission approved Development Review Permit DRP 20‑11 for a 5,400‑square‑foot BrakeMasters auto service facility located west of the southwest corner of Edison Road and John Wayne Parkway in the Sonoran Creek center.
Planning staff said the project sits on a roughly 6.6‑acre pad within the previously approved Sonoran Creek Center and is already designated Commercial with General Business zoning and a Mixed‑Use Heritage overlay. "Staff recommends approval of DRP twenty‑eleven subject to the conditions stated in the staff report," the presenter told commissioners.
Staff highlighted several design changes negotiated with the applicant: extension of a median to calm turning movements at the Culver's driveway, additional parapet articulation and materials on the building elevations to improve compatibility with the Heritage District and neighboring Culver's, decorative lighting and a photometric plan that meets code, and a landscape plan that covers roughly 24% of the site versus the 10% minimum. Staff also said exterior equipment will be painted to blend with building walls.
Commissioners raised two substantive issues. Commissioner Irving asked about market saturation — noting there are several auto‑repair shops within a short distance — and whether adding another shop was compatible with the neighborhood. Jim Egan of Heights Properties, representing BrakeMasters, said the threshold for new BrakeMasters sites is roughly a 100,000‑person trade area and that the company had watched the market for five years; he said the arrival of Sprouts and other retailers prompted the location decision. "The demographics for new store construction is about 100,000 people," Egan said.
Vice Chair Sharp and staff discussed access changes for the adjacent Culver's. The plan closes an existing right‑turn access used by Culver's from Edison and realigns access to the west; staff said the alignment is part of a larger master plan for Snore/Sonoran Creek and will be coordinated so Culver's has temporary access while permanent improvements are constructed. Staff said the reconfiguration is intended to better align with Ancon Avenue in the nearby Acacia Crossings development and to reduce awkward turning movements.
After discussion, the commission moved, seconded and approved DRP 20‑11. Staff recommended standard conditions, and the approval was granted "subject to the conditions stated in the staff report," according to staff remarks.
The approval allows the applicant to proceed to permit and construction review, with final site work, access and utility sequencing to be coordinated with city engineering and the master developer.
