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Phoenix council approves District 5 grama project despite neighborhood safety concerns
Summary
Council approved Item 44 (District 5 grama project) unanimously, approving a rezoning and grama project after applicants and neighbors discussed intersection safety; the council and developer said traffic studies and stipulations will address concerns.
The Phoenix City Council voted 9-0 on Feb. 5 to approve Item 44, a grama project in District 5 that includes a rezoning and associated stipulations intended to support an affordable housing development.
Armando Felix, who identified himself as the owner/operator of Felix Plaza across the street, told the council he opposes the project because of long-standing traffic and safety problems at the intersection of 30 Ninth Avenue and Grand Avenue. "The reason I oppose this situation is because I own or operate and have managed for 30 years the shopping center across the street called Felix Plaza," Felix said. He described repeated collisions near his buildings and said the project materials did not account for a new bridge on 30 Fifth Avenue.
City planning staff and the applicant said the project will be subject to stipulations and additional traffic review before any site plan approval. Planning staff told the council that "there are several stipulations associated with this rezoning case that require traffic impact assessments prior to this project getting any type of preliminary approval from the city. That traffic impact assessment will have to be submitted" and will involve coordination with the Street Transportation Department and the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Ben Graff, representing UMOM (the applicant), said the developer is "fully committed to the safety of this site" and noted the site's access is designed to avoid direct entry from Grand Avenue. He said the access is via 30 Ninth Avenue and that the city's review has confirmed the access point is properly distanced from Grand Avenue.
Council members acknowledged safety concerns and pointed to grant-funded work and other planned improvements for Grand Avenue. Councilwoman Stark cited a stipulation (No. 18) that requires a traffic impact analysis with ADOT coordination "before a site plan is approved," telling Mr. Felix that the stipulation should provide comfort that traffic issues must be resolved before construction begins.
The council adopted the item after motions to approve the grama project and related rezoning, with the roll call recorded as a unanimous 9-0 vote. No site-level construction may begin until the traffic analyses and any required mitigation under the stipulations are completed and approved.
Votes at a glance: Item 44 (District 5 grama project) — Passed, roll call vote 9-0.
