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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDApacket__02-08-21_1146_196       NOTICE OF MEETING REGULAR MEETING FOUNTAIN HILLS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION      Chairman Erik Hansen  Vice Chairman Peter Gray Commissioner Clayton Corey Commissioner Jessie Brunswig  Commissioner Susan Dempster Commissioner Dan Kovacevic Commissioner Scott Schlossberg      TIME:6:00 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING WHEN:MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021 WHERE:FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS 16705 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ Commissioners of the Town of Fountain Hills will attend either in person or by telephone conference call; a quorum of the Town’s Council, various Commission, Committee or Board members may be in attendance at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.    REQUEST TO COMMENT   Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Meetings of the Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission will be closed to the public until further notice. However, the public is invited to participate in these meetings through use of the following tool: TO COMMENT IN WRITING: Please visit http://www.fh.az.gov/publiccomment and SUBMIT a Public Comment Card by 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting. These comments will be shared with the Planning and Zoning Commission.   REGULAR MEETING    REGULAR MEETING        1.CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE – Chairman Hansen     2.ROLL CALL – Chairman Hansen     3.CALL TO THE PUBLIC Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT listed on the agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and (ii) is subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not discuss or take legal action on matters raised during Call to the Public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action. At the conclusion of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to review a matter, or (iii) ask that the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda.     4.CONSIDERATION OF approving the meeting minutes of the Joint Meeting with the Community Services Advisory Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission November 9, 2020, and the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission November 9, 2020.   APPROVED   5.HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER Ordinance 21-04, amending Zoning Ordinance Chapter 5, General Provisions, Section 5.09, Walls and Fences, subsection A. 2. regarding provisions for golf ball fences.  APPROVED   6.HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER Ordinance number 21-02, establishing section 2.08, Citizen Participation, in the Zoning Ordinance.  CONTINUED   7.COMMISSION DISCUSSION/REQUEST FOR RESEARCH to staff.    8.SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS from Development Services Director.    9.REPORT from Development Services Director.    10.ADJOURNMENT 6:21 PM      Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of February 8, 2021 2 of 3       CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF NOTICE The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of the foregoing notice was duly posted in accordance with the statement filed by the Planning and Zoning Commission with the Town Clerk. Dated this ______ day of ____________________, 2021. _____________________________________________  Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant   The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. Please call 480-816-5199 (voice) or 1-800-367-8939 (TDD) 48 hours prior to the meeting to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting or to obtain agenda information in large print format. Supporting documentation and staff reports furnished the Commission with this agenda are available for review in the Development Services' Office.    Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of February 8, 2021 3 of 3   ITEM 4. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT    Meeting Date: 02/08/2021 Meeting Type: Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Development Services Prepared by: Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant Staff Contact Information: John Wesley, Development Services Director Request to Planning and Zoning Commission (Agenda Language):  CONSIDERATION OF approving the meeting minutes of the Joint Meeting with the Community Services Advisory Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission November 9, 2020, and the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission November 9, 2020.   Staff Summary (Background) The intent of approving meeting minutes is to ensure an accurate account of the discussion and action that took place at the meeting for archival purposes. Approved minutes are placed on the Town's website and maintained as permanent records in compliance with state law. Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle N/A Risk Analysis N/A Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) N/A Staff Recommendation(s) Staff recommends approving the meeting minutes of the Joint Meeting with the Community Services Advisory Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission November 9, 2020, and the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission November 9, 2020.   SUGGESTED MOTION MOVE to approve the meeting minutes of the Joint Meeting with the Community Services Advisory Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission November 9, 2020, and the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission November 9, 2020.   Attachments Nov 9,2020 PZ MM Draft  Nov 9,2020 Joint PZ MM Draft  D R A F T TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 9, 2020            1.CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE – Chairman Hansen      Chairman Hansen called the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.   2.ROLL CALL – Chairman Hansen   Present: Commissioner Susan Dempster; Commissioner Jessie Brunswig; Commissioner Clayton Corey; Chairman Erik Hansen; Commissioner Scott Schlossberg  Absent: Vice Chairman Peter Gray; Commissioner Dan Kovacevic  Staff Present:Development Services Director John Wesley (telephonically) Senior Planner Farhad Tavassoli Executive Assistant Paula Woodward 3.CALL TO THE PUBLIC      None.   4.CONSIDERATION OF approval of meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission September 14, 2020.        Moved by Commissioner Susan Dempster, seconded by Commissioner Clayton Corey to approve the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission September 14, 2020.   Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously   5.HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER Ordinance #20-24, amending the official Zoning Maps of the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona by adding the Planned Shopping Plaza Overlay District to the area bounded on the south by East Avenue of the Fountains, on the west by North La Montana Drive, on the north by East Palisades Boulevard, and on the east by North Saguaro Boulevard. (Case #Z 2020-10)      (Case #Z 2020-10)    Chairman Hansen opened the public hearing. Farhad Tavassoli gave a brief review noting that on September 15, 2020, the Town Council adopted Ordinance 20-14 and amended the zoning Ordinance by adding Chapter 26, Planned Shopping Plaza Overlay.  He said that this would actually rezone this property to such designation.  He referred to the zoning map amendment exhibit. In response to Commissioner Dempster, Mr. Tavassoli said that there was no pushback from the public.  Development Services did not receive any comments or concerns from the public. Chairman Hansen closed the public hearing.      Moved by Commissioner Clayton Corey, seconded by Commissioner Susan Dempster to approve Ordinance #20-24, amending the official Zoning Maps of the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, by adding the Planned Shopping Overlay District to the area bounded on the south by East Avenue of the Fountains, on the west by North La Montana Drive, on the north by East Palisades Boulevard, and on the east by North Saguaro Boulevard.    Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously   6.COMMISSION DISCUSSION/REQUEST FOR RESEARCH to staff.     Commissioner Brunswig said that she would like to see bicycles permitted in Town.  Permitting bicycles would allow an opportunity to share bicycle and road safety with the public.   7.SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS from Development Services Director.     Mr. Wesley said that bicycle permits are not part of the Active Transportation Plan but would follow up with the Town regarding the details and history of bicycle permits in Fountain Hills.    8.REPORT from Development Services Director.     Mr. Wesley said that there will be a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in December to review vacation rentals and citizen participation regarding special use permits.  He said that since the General Plan 2020 was approved by the public, the implementation process will begin.         Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of November 9, 2020 2 of 3   9.ADJOURNMENT      Chairman Hansen adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.                                                                                                                        PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION                                                                                                                    _______________________________                                                                                                                    Erik Hansen, Chairman            ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: ______________________________  Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant CERTIFICATION I herby certify that the forgoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of Fountain Hills in the Town Hall Council Chambers on the 9th day of November 2020.  I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.  Dated this 8th day of December 2020. _____________________________________ Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant      Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of November 9, 2020 3 of 3   TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION AND PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 9, 2020            1.CALL TO ORDER     Chairman Erik Hansen called the Joint meeting with Community Services Advisory Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 5:30 p.m.   2.ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Amy Arnold; Vice Chairperson Natalie Varela; Commissioner Jerry Gorrell; Commissioner Sharron Grzybowski; Commissioner Ron Ruppert; Commissioner Rory Wilson; Youth Commissioner Jacelle Nicole Bautista  Staff Present: Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin; Development Services Director John Wesley*; Executive Assistant Jamie Salentine; Executive Assistant Paula Woodward  Attendees:P&Z Commission: Chairman Erik Hansen, Vice Chairman Peter Gray*, Commissioner Jessie Brunswig, Commissioner Clayton Corey, Commissioner Susan Dempster, Commissioner Scott Schlossberg   Absent:  P&Z Commissioner Dan Kovacevic Presenter:  Jeff Engelmann, Vice President/Principal Landscape Architect of J2 Engineering & Environmental Design *P&Z Vice Chairman Peter Gray and Development Services Director John Wesley participated in the meeting via telephone.   3.CALL TO THE PUBLIC There was no comments from the citizens present.   4.PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION on the Fountain Hills Active Transportation Plan 2021       Jeff Engelmann, Vice President/Principal Landscape Architect of J2 Engineering & Environmental Design, displayed and highlighted on the Fountain Hills Active Transportation Plan (ATP) 2021. (See Attachment 1) He pointed out that they will have a booth at the Fall Fountain Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts, November 13-15, 2020 to gather more public involvement/input.  He confirmed that the ATP is currently at the Preliminary part of the schedule.  (See Page 2 of Attachment 1) He emphasized that the focus is on walkers and bicyclists.   Mr. Engelmann clarified that the Public Involvement Input Summary pages are some results from the survey. (See Pages 4-10 of Attachment 1) He noted that the study will assist the Town on future Grants and funding opportunities through sources such as Arizona Town on future Grants and funding opportunities through sources such as Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG).  He added that the most notable bicycle safety issue is distracted drivers or lack of signage on the streets and that the Town is striving to have more adequate signed/striped bike lanes. (See Page 10 of Attachment 1)  Mr. Engelmann reviewed the upcoming schedules and noted that the next joint meeting with CSAC and P&Z Commission will be in Spring/Summer of 2021. (See Page 11 of Attachment 1) He reviewed the background research that was gathered for the ATP such as the Fountain Hills General Plan Update (2020), Transit Feasibility Study (2014), Schools, and Parks. (See Pages 12 and 13 of Attachment 1) In response to questions posed by P&Z Commissioner Dempster, Mr. Engelmann clarified that the majority of responses that made up the summaries came from the survey, in addition to some emails received by Development Services Director John Wesley.  He explained that the engagement with the public at the Festival includes input on sidewalk gaps, sidewalks to be improved, etc. CSAC Commissioner Gorrell suggested that risk assessments be completed in specific areas. Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin explained that the ATP which is being completed by the Development Services Department, that the plan will coincide with the Community Services Department's Master Plan to include items such as the accessibility and route plans to the parks from the ATP.   In response to a question from CSAC Commissioner Grzybowski, Mr. Engelmann responded that the amount of residents that attended the Zoom Public meeting is considered well attended and applauded the Town for the attendance.   In response to a question posed by CSAC Vice Chairperson Varela, Mr. Engelmann clarified that the public input at the fair will be providing more of an interactive response where they will place post-it notes on large maps (broken into quadrants) where they believe improved active transportation is needed, etc. no survey will be provided. In response to a question from P&Z Commissioner Schlossberg, Mr. Engelmann stated that the need for sidewalks throughout the town is an important need.  He pointed out that the town has wide streets which provides the town the area for adding sidewalks and at a more affordable cost.   In response to questions posed by P&Z Commissioner Corey, Mr. Engelmann reported that the plan includes mapping out where the sidewalks end and potentially need to be connected.  He noted that a sidewalk map would be updated with the most needed sidewalks first.  He confirmed that the study does not include photo metrics or lighting.   In response to a question from P&Z Commissioner Brunswig, Mr. Engelmann stated that providing education on rules/regulations specific to bicyclists and walkers is not included in the plan but potentially the Commission can look into.   In response to a question posed by P&Z Chairman Hansen, Mr. Engelmann confirmed that the study includes a 5, 10, and 15 year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) cost estimates for each stage.  He noted that each stage would be determined based upon feedback. In response to a question from P&Z Vice Chairman Grey, Mr. Wesley explained that items not specifically involved in the study such as subdivisions developments that effect the connectivity may need to be included after and would be addressed separately and updated within the Town's ordinances and/or polices.   Discussion ensued relative to specific types of crossings, signage, multi-use lanes, handouts such as reflective patches through Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), and colored bike lanes (ex: bright green). Mr. Engelmann emphasized that the commission should reach out to ADOT and schools to teach bike safety and driver education classes.  He noted that these suggestions are included in the ATP which include detailed resources.     P&Z Chairman Hansen thanked Mr. Engelmann for the presentation.   5.ADJOURNMENT    The Joint Meeting of the Community Services Advisory Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 6:08 p.m.     COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION ____________________________ Amy Arnold, Chairperson           OR PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION ____________________________ Erik Hansen, Chairman             ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: ______________________________  Jamie Salentine, Executive Assistant OR ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: ______________________________  Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant    CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Joint Meeting held by the Fountain Hills Community Services Advisory Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission in the Town Hall Council Chambers on the 9th day of November, 2020. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this ____ day of _______, 2020.                                                                                         _________________________________                                                                                          Jamie Salentine, Executive Assistant                                                                                         OR                                                                                         _________________________________                                                                                          Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant ITEM 5. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT    Meeting Date: 02/08/2021 Meeting Type: Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Development Services Prepared by: John Wesley, Development Services Director Staff Contact Information: John Wesley, Development Services Director Request to Planning and Zoning Commission (Agenda Language):  HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER Ordinance 21-04, amending Zoning Ordinance Chapter 5, General Provisions, Section 5.09, Walls and Fences, subsection A. 2. regarding provisions for golf ball fences.  Staff Summary (Background) Chapter 5 of the Zoning Ordinance provides regulations for several general topics within the ordinance.  Section 5.09 addresses walls and fences.  Under 5.09 A, which addresses the height of walls and fences, subsection 2 deals with some exceptions, one of which is for golf ball fences. Homeowners along a golf course can experience golf balls coming into their yards and striking their homes and other structures, and causing damage.  To address this, some homeowners choose to erect large nets along the rear of their property to block the balls.  These are referred to as golf ball fences. Section 5.09 A. 2. includes provisions allowing for the approval of these nets through a Special Use Permit (SUP) approved by Town Council. While the Town does not receive a lot of these requests, we have received enough over the years that we have become comfortable with the rules in place governing the typical installation of such a fence.  When Council considered the most recent request for a golf ball fence SUP last year, they asked staff to review and consider a text amendment to allow them to be approved administratively. Attached is the staff proposal for making this change to the Zoning Ordinance.  The proposed ordinance simply keeps the same standards but makes the review and approval an administrative action.  The ordinance includes, however, the allowance to still apply for the SUP should a request not comply with the standards or characteristics as provided in the ordinance. Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle Zoning Ordinance Section 5.09, Walls and Fences Risk Analysis N/A Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) N/A Staff Recommendation(s) Staff recommends approval of Ordinance 21-04. SUGGESTED MOTION MOVE to Ordinance 21-04. Attachments Ordinance 21-04  ORDINANCE NO. 21-04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS, ARIZONA, AMENDING THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS ZONING ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 5, GENERAL PROVISIONS, AMENDING SECTION 5.09, WALLS AND FENCES. RECITALS: WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Town of Fountain Hills (the “Town Council”) adopted Ordinance No. 93-22 on November 18, 1993, which adopted the Zoning Ordinance for the Town of Fountain Hills (the “Zoning Ordinance”); and WHEREAS, the Town Council desires to amend Chapter 5 of the Zoning Ordinance, General Provisions, to amend Section 5.09, Walls and Fences; and WHEREAS, in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance and pursuant to ARIZ. REV. STAT. § 9- 462.04, public hearings regarding this ordinance were advertised in the December 23, 2020 and December 30, 2020 editions of the Fountain Hills Times; and WHEREAS, public hearings were held by the Fountain Hills Planning & Zoning Commission on January 11, 2021 and by the Town Council on February 16, 2021. ENACTMENTS: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS as follows: SECTION 1. The recitals above are hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein. SECTION 2. The Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 5, General Provisions, Section 5.09, Walls and Fences, is hereby amended as follows: Section 5.09 Walls and Fences A. Height …. 2. Fences or hedges, which exceed the above heights, may be built around schools and other public or quasi-public institutions when necessary for the safety or restraint of the occupants thereof, within Industrial Zoning Districts, when a special use permit has been secured for such purposes. Except as otherwise provided, no nonretaining wall or fence shall exceed six (6) feet in height. Retaining wall heights and nonretaining walls on top of retaining walls with less than fifty (50) percent openness, shall follow the standards in Section 5.06 of the Town of Fountain Hills Subdivision Ordinance, however in no case shall the nonretaining wall exceed six (6) feet in height. These height regulations shall not apply when fences of greater height are required by the Planning and Zoning Commission or Town Council in order to provide adequate screening as required by this ordinance. Note: Those utility companies, which are regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission, may be allowed increased fence heights due to national, state or local standards. 3. Golf ball fences may be PERMITTEDdeveloped by ADMINISTRATIVE Special Use Permit if all of the following characteristics apply. REQUESTS THAT DO NOT MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE CONSIDERED BY THE COUNCIL THROUGH A SPECIAL USE PERMIT. a. Golf ball fences may only be developed on lots that directly abut a golf course or driving range, however, they may not be developed within any front or street-side yard setback. b. Golf ball fences should only be developed within SIX HUNDRED Six- Hundred (600) feet of the forward-most golf course tee box or driving range position. Golf course fences to protect against errant secondary golf shots may be approved due to unusual site or course layout circumstances. c. Golf ball fences shall be set back from any abutting residential property at a distance not less than the height of the fence. Golf ball fences may be located nearer to such a property line with the prior written consent of the abutting residential property owner. d. The maximum height of a golf ball fence shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet. e. Pole color must blend in with background features as viewed from neighboring properties to minimize its visibility. Net color shall be black. f. Landscaping should be used where appropriate to obscure the poles from neighboring properties. 43. Exceptions: When necessary to meet pool enclosure requirements, the height of a freestanding fence may exceed six (6) feet. a. This section shall only apply when all of the following conditions exist: (1). The exempted fence serves as a pool enclosure, and (2). The exempted fence intersects a retaining wall and such retaining wall is perpendicular to the exempted fence, and (3). The intersecting retaining wall exceeds eighteen (18) inches in height. b. If all of the conditions listed in subparagraph (a) above are present, the height of a freestanding fence may exceed six (6) feet by an amount to be determined as follows: (1). The maximum allowable height in excess of six feet shall be equal to the height of the lower side of the intersecting retaining wall plus five (5) feet. (2). The additional fence height as calculated in subparagraph (1) above shall not extend horizontally more than fifty-four (54) inches as measured from the point of intersection with the lower side of the retaining wall. (3). Any fence sections erected in excess of six (6) feet according to this section shall be constructed so there are no horizontal members between the top of the fence section and the bottom of the fence section. A minimum of fifty percent (50%) openness is not required in this fence section. … Section 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, this 16th day of February 2021. FOR THE TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS: ATTESTED TO: Ginny Dickey, Mayor Elizabeth A. Burke, Town Clerk REVIEWED BY: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Grady E. Miller, Town Manager Aaron D. Arnson, Town Attorney ITEM 6. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT    Meeting Date: 02/08/2021 Meeting Type: Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Development Services Prepared by: John Wesley, Development Services Director Staff Contact Information: John Wesley, Development Services Director Request to Planning and Zoning Commission (Agenda Language):  HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER Ordinance number 21-02, establishing section 2.08, Citizen Participation, in the Zoning Ordinance.  Staff Summary (Background) Development projects that include public hearings for rezoning and/or Special Use Permits, are processed in a manner to encourage and include input and participation by surrounding property owners.  This is done by notifying property owners within 300 feet of the site of the public hearing.  Notice is provided by mail, publication in the newspaper, and posting the property.  These surrounding property owners have a stake in the existing neighborhood and will be most impacted by the proposed changes and development. Each zoning district contains a number of uses permitted by right.  Most zoning districts also include uses or activities that can be allowed only through approval of a Special Use Permit by the Town Council following recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission.  When a property is rezoned, or a Special Use Permit is granted, it is important that the surrounding neighbors are involved in the decision-making process and have the opportunity to voice any concerns or objections.  Once either of these actions (rezoning or approving a SUP) is finalized there are generally no other opportunities for citizens to impact the design or development process. As a developer moves through the rezoning or SUP process they begin to layout the design of the property and buildings.  Early in the process it is generally easier to impact the design of the property and buildings before a lot of design decisions are made and costs are incurred in the design process.  Therefore, it is important and beneficial to receive citizen input and feedback as early as possible.  Often by the time an application gets to the public hearing stage, it is very difficult to make impactful changes or modifications to a proposal. To address this issue, many cities and towns include in their zoning ordinance a requirement for the applicant for land use cases to incorporate a citizen participation effort in their development process.  Citizen participation requirements differ from public hearing requirements in that they occur early in the process and have the objective of providing the opportunity for dialogue between the applicant and the developer. These citizen participation requirements mandate that the applicant take some steps prior to going to the public hearing to notify surrounding property owners about their proposed development and give them the opportunity to provide input.  The applicant is then required to submit a report stating what they did to provide the opportunity for input, what input was received, and how they responded to that input. The Fountain Hills zoning ordinance does not include a required citizen participation process.  It is proposed that such a requirement be added to our zoning ordinance.  The proposed new Section 2.08 of the zoning ordinance, as described below, is attached for your review.   Section A of the ordinance requires that the applicant submit a Citizen Participation Plan with their application.  The Plan needs to state who they are going to contact (at a minimum this is the property owners in the required public hearing notice area), a general description of how interested persons can obtain information about the proposed development, how the applicants plans to contact those on the contact list, a description of the schedule for implementation of the plan, and a statement as to how the applicant will keep the Town informed of comments received. Section B of the ordinance requires the applicant to file a Citizen Participation Report prior to the item going to its first public hearing.  The Report must describe any issues or concerns raised and how they were addressed (which can be a statement that they did not make any changes), include a list of people who made contact with the applicant through the citizen participation process, and provide a description of all input received from interested parties. Section C of the ordinance lists the type of information that needs to be supplied to the public when they are notified of the proposal to ensure they have a picture of what is being proposed. Section D of the ordinance states that if the Development Services Director determines the ordinance was not followed or the efforts to work with the public were insufficient to provide meaningful public input, that the application can be postponed, rescheduled, or denied. Section E of the ordinance makes it clear that the information and notices published regarding the Citizen Participation Ordinance are different from the public hearing notices that occur prior to a hearing. The goal of the ordinance is to ensure a person owning property near a proposed development has the opportunity to be informed about a proposed development and provide early comments without hamstringing the applicant into a specific method of providing the information and receiving the feedback.  Pre-pandemic the typical option would be to hold a public meeting.  This is not currently a viable option.  Therefore, the ordinance provides the opportunity to handle such issues virtually through emails, online meetings, websites, etc.  The ordinance also does not require the applicant to make changes to their project due to public input, only that they report on the input received and how they responded.  The hope is that an applicant would make reasonable changes to address concerns so those issues would not have to be addressed in a public meeting. Related Ordinance, Policy or Guiding Principle Zoning Ordinance Section 2.01 Amendments or Zone Changes Zoning Ordinance Section 2.02 Special Use Permits Risk Analysis N/A Recommendation(s) by Board(s) or Commission(s) N/A Staff Recommendation(s) Staff recommend approval of Ordinance 21-02. SUGGESTED MOTION MOVE to approve Ordinance 21-02.