Planning commission approves special use permit for window assembly at 16939 E. Colony Drive

The Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special use permit Feb. 9 to allow light assembly and storage for a window business at 16939 E. Colony Drive, Suite 4.

Development services staff told the commission the property is in a C-3 zoning district and that the proposed use is listed as permitted by special use permit under the code. Staff said the applicant’s site plan showed assembly occupying less than 50% of the business area and that the operation did not involve hazardous materials. "We identified it as a use that requires a special use permit, and staff supports a recommendation for approval of this SUP," the development services director said.

Applicant Adrian Ciavanita, identified as one of the business owners, described typical operations and hours: "we get there around 9 or 10 and we leave about 4, 5," he said, adding the team is sometimes offsite installing windows and that the shop is not open every weekday.

Commissioner Seale moved to approve the permit; a commissioner seconded the motion. Chair then reminded colleagues that C-3 is the town’s most intense zoning category and that some late-night industrial activity is permitted in the area. A roll-call vote recorded affirmative responses from the commissioners present, and the motion carried.

The permit authorizes the light assembly and storage use at the listed suite; staff noted there were no citizen participation objections from neighboring businesses. The commission did not add conditions beyond the SUP requirements described in the presentation.

The item was heard under the public hearing portion of the agenda; the commission moved on to a separate zoning-code discussion after the vote.