Tempe City Council denied an appeal of the Development Review Commission’s approval for a Tempe Community Action Agency project on Apache Boulevard and modified that approval to require an approved security plan with a public-outreach component.

The council’s action preserves the DRC decision to permit an institution providing temporary housing at the Apache Boulevard site but attaches a condition that the owner/operator maintain a security plan meeting the standards in the city code (Chapter 26, Article 5) and that the security plan include a city-approved public outreach element. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.

Why it matters: The decision clears the way for a multi-program TCAA facility—described by the agency as combining shelter, food pantry, case management and other services—while attempting to address neighborhood concerns about safety, property values and public notification. TCAA and its supporters said the center will provide wraparound services designed to shorten episodes of homelessness; opponents said the site is too close to residential streets and parks and questioned whether the small lot can support the proposed uses.

TCAA officials described the project and its aims. “This site will have space for seven human services programs on-site, of which shelter is one of those programs,” Deborah Arteaga, chief executive officer of Tempe Community Action Agency, told the council, outlining services that include a market-style food pantry, a commercial kitchen and housing navigation. TCAA’s shelter model is time-limited and oriented to rapid rehousing: Bob Brandstetter, senior manager for shelter services at TCAA, said clients are screened and receive housing-oriented case management and a 90-day program window in which staff help obtain documents, employment and housing supports.

Agency officials said the project brings outside funding and oversight: Arteaga told council members the site is paired with an approximately $8 million investment from the Arizona Department of Housing, the governor’s office and Maricopa County and that the plan has undergone multiple city reviews and a unanimous endorsement by the DRC in November.

Public testimony was extensive and sharply divided. Dozens of residents and stakeholders spoke during the hearing. Supporters included long-time TCAA board members and clients who said TCAA’s programs have successfully moved people into housing. “This project was highly vetted by our board,” Louis Silverman, a TCAA board member, said. “The fear that the homeless are a threat to the neighborhood ... is just really fear-based and not fact-based.” Several speakers who had used TCAA services described the program as life-changing.

Opponents, particularly from the adjacent Victory Acres neighborhood, urged relocation or additional safeguards. Appellant Albert Avelar, who said he owns property adjacent to the site, told the council he has fielded years of complaints from tenants about people crossing his property from the light rail and Square Park. Other residents raised concerns about drug use, property devaluation and the site’s proximity to homes and Esquire Park. Several speakers said they had not received clear notice of the project; city staff and TCAA representatives said TCAA held a voluntary neighborhood meeting in early November with about 22 attendees and that the meeting summary had been provided to staff but was not submitted in the formal “public involvement plan” format used for required neighborhood meetings.

Council discussion focused on two central points: holding the DRC decision and adding enforceable conditions to address security and community outreach. Council members and city staff outlined the mechanics of a security plan: Tempe Police would partner with the operator to tailor a site-specific plan that could include Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) recommendations, staffing and operational rules, cameras, and other measures. City Attorney and police staff confirmed a condition attaching the security plan to the use permit is administratively enforceable; community development staff will also monitor compliance as part of the use-permit conditions.

Vice Mayor Lauren Garland moved to deny the appeal but modify the DRC decision by adding the security-plan requirement; the motion was seconded and passed 7-0. The council directed that the security plan include a public outreach component and that it meet the criteria in Chapter 26, Article 5 of the Tempe City Code. City staff and TCAA said they will work with Tempe Police on a plan and with neighborhood representatives on outreach.

What remains: With the council’s action, the DRC’s use-permit approval stands but now includes the new conditions. City staff said any future deviations from the approved security plan or the use-permit conditions could trigger additional review. TCAA representatives said they will continue coordination with police and neighborhood stakeholders as the project proceeds.

Votes at a glance

- Appeal of DRC approval for East Valley Health, Housing and Human Services Center (use permit for an institution providing temporary housing at the Apache Boulevard site): Motion to deny the appeal and modify the DRC decision to require an approved security plan (Chapter 26, Article 5) that includes public outreach — Passed 7-0. (Mover: Vice Mayor Lauren Garland; second: recorded by council.)

- Resolution recognizing City participation in Sandy Hook Promise (item 7C4): Adopted unanimously, 7-0.

- Consent agenda and minutes (items 4A/4B and consent items listed at item 7): Approved as presented, votes recorded in meeting packet (consent approvals passed 7-0).

- Contracts and capital projects (selected nonconsent items): Sourcewell cooperative contract for on-site parts store (1-year) — approved 7-0; Award of construction-manager-at-risk contract to Core Construction for Municipal Complex improvements — approved 7-0; multiple capital improvement program transfers and ordinance adoptions (term-limits ordinance; transportation master plan funding; Broadway mill/overlay to bike/ped improvements; Envision Center interior/kitchen funding) — each approved 7-0. See official minutes/agenda packet for full list and ordinance text.

Context and clarifications

- Address and zoning: The appeal challenged the Development Review Commission’s approval to allow an institution providing temporary housing in the Commercial Shopping and Services (CSS) zoning district at the Apache Boulevard site identified in the agenda; the appeal and staff materials list the site address as shown in the meeting packet.

- Neighborhood engagement: City staff said a voluntary neighborhood meeting took place in November (Council member confirmation placed it on Nov. 9) and that the applicant reported about 22 attendees. Staff also noted the applicant did not submit the meeting materials in the same format required for mandatory neighborhood meetings, which affected the staff’s packet presentation.

- Program details provided on the record: TCAA said the campus will host multiple programs (shelter, market-style food pantry, commercial kitchen, case management and other supports). TCAA officials described screening procedures, a time-limited shelter model (90-day case-management window), background checks for shelter participants, 24/7 on-site staffing and partnerships with Tempe first responders and Care 7 services.

- Funding: TCAA said roughly $8 million in outside investment (state, governor’s office and Maricopa County sources) supports the project; the council did not adopt any city funding as part of the use-permit action at this hearing.

- Enforcement: Council and city staff explained that adding the security plan and outreach as use-permit conditions makes the requirements enforceable under city code; community development staff and police can require revisions if operations or calls for service indicate the need for changes.

The council’s modification leaves the DRC’s approval intact but makes security and community engagement explicit conditions of the permit. TCAA and city staff said they will return with a security plan and keep lines of communication open with the neighborhood as the project moves toward construction and operation.