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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.0202.TCWSM.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE WORK STUDY SESSION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TOWN COUNCIL FEBRUARY 2,1999 A public meeting of the Fountain Hills Town Council was convened and called to order by Mayor Morgan at 6:30 P.M.,Tuesday, February 2, 1999, in the Multi-Purpose Room of Four Peaks Elementary School, located at 17300 E.Calaveras,Fountain Hills,Arizona. Present were Mayor Sharon Morgan, Vice Mayor Al Poma (7:15) and Councilmembers John Wyman, Sharon Hutcheson, Sid Apps,Marianne Wiggishoff, and Penfield Mower. Also present were Town Manager Paul Nordin, Town Attorney Bill Farrell, Town Clerk Cassie Hansen, Town Engineer Randy Harrel, and Director of Community Development Jeff Valder. AGENDA ITEM#1 - DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED TARGET PROJECT TO BE LOCATED ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SHEA BOULEVARD AND SAGUARO BOULEVARD, IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE BANK OF ARIZONA. Mayor Morgan opened the meeting with a few brief comments and stated Town Manager Paul Nordin would be giving a presentation, a representative of the Barclay Group, Trey Eakin, was present to answer questions and that comments would be heard from anyone in the audience. She confirmed that this meeting was only for discussion and that no decisions would be made at this time. Approximately 150 citizens were in attendance. Mr.Nordin introduced members of the Town staff,Hank Lickman,MCO Properties, and Trey Eakin,a representative of the developer, the Barclay Group. He pointed out the location of the area to possibly be rezoned from Ind-1 to commercial. He stated that the location on Shea Boulevard directly west of the Bank of America was the only suitable location that Target was interested in for their project. Along with the Target store,Mr.Nordin mentioned that a grocery store, possibly Albertson's, as well as a fast food restaurant, specialty shops or a gas station had been proposed. A completion date of Thanksgiving Day in the year 2000 was estimated for the Target store. Mr.Nordin estimated that the sales tax revenues would increase from 12%-15% as a result of this commercial center and that approximately$450,000 in additional sales taxes might be recognized. He stated the downzoning of the property from an industrial use to a commercial use could be beneficial because the Town could incorporate certain guidelines under a planned unit development agreement. He pointed out the present uses that could be built on this industrial-zoned property and added that manufacturing, processing and storing of hazardous materials were also permitted uses upon approval of a special use permit. Mr. Nordin stated that no rezoning process had been started to date and that only an application had been received for a General Plan amendment which process he estimated could take up to four months to accomplish. He said the proposed property was being used for the disposal of effluent and alternate sites would need to be secured for the relocation of the effluent disposal. The Four Peaks Park site and the Desert Vista Park site were being considered as relocation sites. He estimated a cost of about $615,000 to move the effluent fields and stated it had not yet been determined at whose expense the relocation costs would be incurred. Mr. Nordin stated he had met with neighborhood groups such as homeowners in the Firerock area, Mirage Cove Homeowners Association and homeowners residing north of Shea Boulevard in an attempt to provide information and answer questions and concerns. In addition to pointing out the benefits of the Target project, Mr. Nordin related that obstruction of views, increased traffic, lighting and noise concerns,and a decrease in property values could be construed as opposing factors of the project. The Council then asked Mr. Nordin questions. Councilwoman Hutcheson asked if a C-1 usage with special uses could be considered as an alternate zoning district. Councilman Wyman wanted to know how many acres there were of the effluent site that needed to be relocated and asked questions about the hours of operation of lights. Director of Community Development Director Jeff Valder stated that the present zoning, Ind-1, did not contain language regarding f the enforcement of hours of operation but that lights and lighted signs could be restricted under a planned unit development agreement. Councilman Apps asked if a large commercial endeavor such as a Target store would Town Council Work Study Session 2/2/99 Page 1 of 2 adversely affect other businesses in the Town. Councilman Wyman stated he wanted the Chamber of Commerce to address this question. Mr. Trey Eakin, a representative of the Barclay Group, the developer of the project, was present to answer questions presented by the Council and the audience. He offered to attend another session and bring representatives of the Target and Albertson's stores. Speaking in favor of the project were Maida Davis,Linda Melucci,Frank Ferrara, Harry Grider,Virginia Henry,Phyllis Horan, Bob Jacobs, Sue Taylor, Dana Saar and David Nelson. The consensus of those speaking in favor of the project pointed out the increased revenue from sales taxes and building permits, a genuine need for a large department store, convenience factors,and an overall desire for the Target store itself. Speaking in opposition to the Target project were Pamela Curtis, Lawrence Meyers, Tom Schuelke, Cherie Ringer, Chris Brandt, Joe Huske, Richard Pilsner, Harry Meyers, Bill McGivern, Jodi Mann, Bill Caraway, Bob Tripp, Karen Huske,Judy Hill,James Ray, Henry Sherrill,Clyde Dahl, Natalie Lo,Jane Bell,Ted Bell,Frank Kovitz and Tim Niesz. The consensus of those objecting to the project were concerns about the hours of operation of not only the retail store but also the parking lot lights,increased traffic,pollution,destruction of the desert,increased policing costs,and taking away from the downtown development. Mayor Morgan thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and assured them that future meetings would be held and that the public would be notified. AGENDA ITEM#2 -ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Morgan adjourned the meeting at 8:47 p.m. TOWN OF FO NTAIN HIL S By: , yc----- l�f Sharon Morgan, ay r Y )JALA-40t."--- A'1"PEST: �Mti� Cassie B.Hansen,Town Clerk PREPARED BY: Linda D.Le n,Executive Assistant • CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Work Study Session Meeting held by the Town Council of Fountain Hills on the 2nd day of February, 1999. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 18th day of February, 1999. - Nair dit.44.4.L\6 f �P/tvL--i Cassie B. Hansen,Town Clerk Town Council Work Study Session 2/2/99 Page 2 of 2