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Redevelopment Commission approves deviation to allow three‑story Martenbeck residence in Heritage District
Summary
The Town of Gilbert Redevelopment Commission unanimously approved a deviation (DR25-172) allowing a three‑story custom home in the Lacey Tracts Heritage District after staff determined the design meets a Scandinavian‑farmhouse standard with limited exceptions; a neighbor raised sewer and drainage concerns at the hearing.
The Town of Gilbert Redevelopment Commission unanimously approved a deviation request (DR25-172) on Jan. 21 to permit a three‑story custom home, the Martenbeck Residence, in the Lacey Tracts portion of the Heritage District.
Staff planner Kristen, presenting the proposal, said the home sits on approximately 0.07 acres at the southeast corner of Ash and Park Avenue, has a roughly 1,570‑square‑foot footprint and about 3,220 square feet of total floor area, and reaches a maximum height of 35 feet, 4 inches (the district allows up to 36 feet). "The architecture of the proposed home is going to be Scandinavian farmhouse," Kristen said, listing primary materials as stucco, cement‑fiber siding, metal paneling and stone veneer and explaining why architecture and some roof elements require a commission deviation.
The commission’s discussion centered on architectural styling and roof treatment. Commissioner Christian Rabe focused on height, roof type and material deviations and noted staff’s prior study‑session suggestions. Kristen said the lighting was revised to be more consistent with farmhouse details and explained that several other suggested changes were not incorporated because of cost and design choices.
The applicant, speaking at the hearing, said the team had replaced the modern light fixture and did not adopt certain other suggested changes because they were judged unnecessary. The applicant asked commissioners for a favorable vote.
Neighbor Dan Engler, whose property is immediately north of the site, told the commission his sewer line "runs right through that lot somewhere between 8 and 12 feet from the east fence" and asked that the architect account for it. He also said the existing foundation and sidewalk elevations on his property retain water and urged care so the new construction would not push runoff onto neighboring yards.
After questions and discussion, Commissioner Rabe moved to approve DR25-172 and the motion was seconded. The commission approved the deviation by a 4‑0 vote. The commission and staff noted that standard permitting review will follow and that building permits and utility coordination will be handled in the next stage.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes from the regular meeting on Jan. 21, 2026 — motion passed 4‑0. - DR25-172 (Martenbeck Residence, deviation for architecture/roof materials) — approved 4‑0. - Motion to adjourn — approved; meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
The commission also heard a brief announcement from Council member Torgerson about a Heritage District open house scheduled for April 18 to review downtown capital and private projects.
