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Commission approves general‑plan and zoning amendment for adaptive reuse of historic‑eligible garage on 8th Street
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a minor general‑plan amendment (Mixed Use High to Commercial) and a zoning map change (R‑4 TOD to CSS TOD) for an adaptive‑reuse plan for the historic‑eligible Marlatt Garage, allowing commercial uses including a potential restaurant and a proposed food‑truck plaza; staff recommended conditions for archaeological sensitivity and cultural‑sensitivity training.
The Development Review Commission on Jan. 13 approved a general‑plan projected land‑use amendment and a zoning map amendment to allow commercial redevelopment of the historic‑eligible garage building at the southwest corner of 8th Street and Dorsey Lane.
Derek Deschler of Motley Design Group, representing the property owners, said the adaptive‑reuse project centers on a garage building built in the early 1920s (referred to in materials as Marlatt’s or Marlitz Garage) and that the design intent is to preserve the building’s appearance while introducing commercial anchors such as an interior restaurant (applicant mentioned a pizza restaurant as an option) and an adjacent plaza for food trucks. Deschler said the trusses are in poor condition and will likely need replacement but will be designed to retain original shape and scale.
City staff explained the proposal requires changing the general‑plan projected land use from Mixed Use High (up to 65 dwelling units per acre) to Commercial because the current proposal is fully commercial. Staff said the site is four parcels, noted the building’s historic‑eligible status (not on the city or state register), and recommended approval subject to two nonstandard conditions: (1) protocols for archaeological sensitivity and reporting if artifacts are discovered during construction, and (2) evidence of successful completion of cultural sensitivity training provided by the Salt River Pima‑Maricopa Indian Community for project personnel working on the site and submittal of that evidence to the Community Development Department and the Historic Preservation Office.
Commissioners asked about parking and whether an interior restaurant would change parking calculations. Staff said required parking would be calculated based on the restaurant square‑footage and the city’s parking ratios, and that the development as proposed currently appears to provide sufficient parking for the size shown in the preliminary plan. Commissioners also emphasized the importance of activating the interior retail space rather than allowing the site to become primarily a parking area for food trucks.
Commissioner Stefan Richter moved to approve the amendments; Commissioner Linda Spears seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The approval does not itself permit food‑truck operations — staff said an outdoor retailing/use permit would be required when the formal site plan is submitted for development‑plan review.
