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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDApacket__04-11-22_0911_337       NOTICE OF MEETING REGULAR MEETING FOUNTAIN HILLS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION   Chairman Peter Gray  Vice Chairman Scott Schlossberg Commissioner VACANT Commissioner Clayton Corey Commissioner Susan Dempster Commissioner Dan Kovacevic Commissioner Rick Watts    TIME:6:00 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING WHEN:MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022 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 Commission meeting. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9, subject to certain specified statutory exceptions, parents have a right to consent before the State or any of its political subdivisions make a video or audio recording of a minor child. Meetings of the Commission are audio and/or video recorded and, as a result, proceedings in which children are present may be subject to such recording. Parents, in order to exercise their rights may either file written consent with the Town Clerk to such recording, or take personal action to ensure that their child or children are not present when a recording may be made. If a child is present at the time a recording is made, the Town will assume that the rights afforded parents pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9 have been waived.    REQUEST TO COMMENT   The public is welcome to participate in Commission meetings. TO SPEAK TO AN AGENDA ITEM, please complete a Request to Comment card, located in the back of the Council Chambers, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion of that item, if possible. Include the agenda item on which you wish to comment. Speakers will be allowed three contiguous minutes to address the Commission. Verbal comments should be directed through the Presiding Officer and not to individual Commissioners. TO COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM IN WRITING ONLY, please complete a Request to Comment card, indicating it is a written comment, and check the box on whether you are FOR or AGAINST and agenda item, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion, if possible.   REGULAR MEETING    REGULAR MEETING        1.CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE – Chairman Gray     2.ROLL CALL – Chairman Gray     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 AND POSSIBLE ACTION: approving the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 2022 and March 14, 2022.     5.REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON possible Zoning Ordinance text amendments to address drug and alcohol treatment centers and detoxification facilities.      6.COMMISSION DISCUSSION/REQUEST FOR RESEARCH to staff.    7.SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS from Development Services Director.    8.REPORT from Development Services Director.    9.ADJOURNMENT       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 ____________________, 2022. _____________________________________________  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 April 11, 2022 2 of 2 ITEM 4. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT    Meeting Date: 04/11/2022 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 AND POSSIBLE ACTION: approving the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 2022 and March 14, 2022. 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 regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 2022 and March 14, 2022.   SUGGESTED MOTION MOVE to approve the regular meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission February 14, 2022 and March 14, 2022. ITEM 5. TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS STAFF REPORT    Meeting Date: 04/11/2022 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):  REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON possible Zoning Ordinance text amendments to address drug and alcohol treatment centers and detoxification facilities.  Staff Summary (Background) The Commission began study of a possible text amendment at their meeting in March. At that meeting staff presented some basic background information on these types of uses, the primary zoning districts to be considered for these uses, and some existing similar uses in town. The discussion from staff also included some possible options that could be considered to help address compatibility or impact issues, such as limiting outdoor seating, requiring a good neighbor policy, and contact information. Discussion by the Commission focused mostly on consideration of separation requirements from other uses that might be negatively impacted. Alcohol and drug abuse is an issue that affects virtually all cities and towns. A 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that 5.3% of the U. S. population aged 12 and over suffers from Alcohol Use Disorder. If Fountain Hills follows the national trend, that means over 1,000 of our citizens struggle with this condition. Another study shows 11.7% of Americans 12 and older use illegal drugs. This translates into around 2,500 people in Fountain Hills. There has been some expression that the services provided by detoxification facilities and treatment centers are for people from outside of Fountain Hills. While it is likely that a number of people that participate in these programs are from out of the Town, particularly those who reside in a community residence while in treatment, there are local residents who need and use these services. This need is also shown in the fact there are 9 Alcoholics Anonymous groups that meet in Fountain Hills. The Town's zoning ordinance currently allows for a variety of medical services, many of which are currently provided in the community. Substance abuse treatment centers and detoxification facilities are types of medical services. To the degree they are the same as other medical uses they, should be treated in the same manner. If there are differences in land use impacts, then consideration can be given to addressing those impacts. consideration can be given to addressing those impacts. Treatment Centers The zoning ordinance defines treatment centers as: "Facilities providing lodging and meals and, primarily, treatment, training or education as a part of an alcoholism or drug addiction program." While the use is not specifically listed in any zoning district, Fountain Hills Recovery, a licensed business in Town providing these services, is located in a C-2 zoning district. That indicates that this use, when it does not contain an on-site living component, has been recognized as a use permitted in this zoning district. The primary characteristics of this land use are similar to other listed uses for this district (e.g. dentist, physicians, medical offices, counselors, etc.). Therefore, it seems appropriate to continue allowing this use, by right, in the C-2 and C-3 zoning districts. Through the discussion regarding community residences, particularly with regard to sober living homes, it was recognized there is a need to better address treatment centers that include lodging at the treatment center within our definitions and listed uses. Modifying the current definitions will provide clarity that such uses are different from a treatment center that does not provide housing and different than a transitional community residence. Because the focus in these facilities is on treatment, they do not have to be allowed in residential zoning districts. To address this, staff is considering the following changes in definitions:  SUBSTANCE ABUSE Treatment Center: Facilities providing OUTPATIENT lodging and meals and, primarily, treatment, training or education as a part of an alcoholism or drug addiction program WITHOUT ON-SITE LODGING. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT CENTER, LODGING: FACILITIES PROVIDING TREATMENT, TRAINING, OR EDUCATION AS PART OF AN ALCOHOLISM OR DRUG ADDICTION PROGRAM WHERE CLIENTS LODGE AT THE FACILITY AND RECEIVE MEALS, TYPICALLY FOR A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS TO 90 DAYS. With this definition for a center that includes lodging, the question then becomes what are the land use characteristics and impacts that help place it in the best zoning district(s) and establish any associated development standards. In many respects this use is very similar to any other medical office, except the patients stay at the facility and the medical staff come and go. It is also in operation 24/7, although any activity at night is typically limited. Given that the person desiring to go into treatment could possibly arrive at odd times and from a variety of means and, more importantly, could choose to leave at odd hours, it is appropriate to consider some policy or procedure requirements for how the facility will manage these transitions to ensure individuals coming or going will not be left to wonder through the surrounding neighborhood. Some regulations which may go along with this use could include: providing a written procedure for how they will assist arriving and departing patients to ensure they are not left to impact the surrounding neighborhood, a separation requirement of some distance from residential developments and parks, a not allowing outdoor seating areas in front of the building and/or requiring an indoor waiting area be provided. Detoxification Facilities Detoxification facilities are not currently defined in our zoning ordinance or listed as an Detoxification facilities are not currently defined in our zoning ordinance or listed as an allowed use. The use is, however, similar to other medical uses that are allowed in the zoning ordinance. In fact, any doctor could be assisting a patient through a detoxification process at any medical office. The focus of this regulation is for those facilities with the primary focus of providing detoxification services. As with the treatments centers, there are two basic levels of detoxification facilities - outpatient and inpatient. Possible definitions for these two types of facilities are: DETOXIFICATION FACILITY, OUTPATIENT: FACILITIES PROVIDING OUTPATIENT DRUG OR ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION SERVICES WITH OR WITHOUT ASSOCIATED TRAINING, EDUCATION, OR TREATMENT SERVICES AT THE SAME LOCATION. DETOXIFICATION FACILITY, INPATIENT: FACILITIES PROVIDING INPATIENT DRUG OR ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION SERVICES. When a person decides to stop using a drug or alcohol their body will go through withdrawal. Symptoms of withdrawal can be mild to severe and include things such as anxiety, depression, changes in blood pressure, sweating, hallucinations, and delirium tremens (a life-threatening condition). Medical staff in a detoxification facility work with the individual and tailor a detoxification program based on the individual needs. Services often include medications to help treat the symptoms. From what staff has learned some, maybe many, outpatient detoxification facilities also include treatment programs at the same location. Beginning treatment can help give the individual the tools to continue with the detoxification and withdrawal process. In many respects the characteristics of an outpatient detoxification facility are not much different than other medical office uses. Patients will come and go as they receive services. Staff has inspected several sites in surrounding communities which provide outpatient detoxification services. Most of these facilities are located in commercial shopping and office areas along with tenants of the other buildings. In most cases there was no observed difference or impact of the detoxification facility operation; in one case there was clear evidence as clients congregated outside the facility and on a nearby street corner. The detoxification uses could also have a requirement that the facility provide a good neighbor policy, a separation requirement from specific uses, and indoor waiting areas. The zoning ordinance currently includes separation requirements for adult uses and medical marijuana facilities. Those separation requirements are summarized in the following table.  Use Separation Distance from Given Use 2000'1000'500'300' Adult Use Churches, Schools, Similar Uses Bars, Parks Residential Medical Marijuana Schools, Child care, Similar Uses Library, Parks Churches Staff is preparing maps that show the impact of these separation distances on existing C-2 and C-3 zoned property. Those will be available for the P&Z meeting. While it could be appropriate to establish some separation requirements, the effect cannot be to totally eliminate the opportunity to provide the use in the Town. It is likely that the combination of these separation requirements will be too restrictive but they provide a place to start a discussion. 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) N/A SUGGESTED MOTION Staff will be looking for consensus direction on options for an ordinance but no motions will be made.