Tempe approves seven-story First and Farmer mixed-use project with 200 units, 20 affordable, despite density concerns

Downtown Density Showdown: Tempe Approves First and Farmer Mixed-Use Project Amid Neighborhood Backlash, Dwell Workforce Housing Deferred

On January 13, 2022, Tempe City Council voted to approve a controversial seven-story, 200-unit residential complex at First and Farmer Avenue after the developer agreed to sweeping neighborhood concessions including $100,000 for traffic-calming measures and restricted construction access to protect the adjacent Riverside neighborhood. The 6–1 vote—with Councilmember Arredondo Savage dissenting—came hours after the same council heard passionate testimony about a smaller, 129-unit workforce housing project that faced even steeper density objections, illustrating Tempe's struggle to balance housing supply, affordability, and neighborhood character preservation.

The meeting also produced a unanimous 7–0 approval of a city-initiated upzoning resolution that was swiftly amended to exclude all historic properties, approved a crisis intervention services partnership, and held first hearings on three other significant land-use items scheduled for February 10 final votes.

Key Speeches

On First and Farmer affordable housing:

"This is the kind of project that we want to see and it's kind of public engagement that you hope for with the developer. I have to salute you Darren and Sam; I know that sometimes the process was difficult because people care about their neighborhoods as they should, but you got involved very early in the process even I think before you approach community development to talk to the neighbors. While they didn't ultimately come and support and do a rah-rah support of the project, they negotiated with you in good faith and got some agreements and though they weren't able to come to endorse the project you honored those commitments which you didn't have to, but you honor those commitments." — Councilmember Arlene Chin

On density and housing shortage:

"For every one apartment that people are looking for in this state there are 20 people who are looking to apply to get into that apartment. We have more and more people living in apartments these days. There are more and more people frankly deferring buying a home. We have a major housing shortage frankly in this state, we have it in Tempe, we have it in the state. We need 11, 12 thousand more units of affordable housing by the time we get to 2040 just to keep pace with current demand." — Mayor Corey D Woods

On workforce housing by design:

"The missing middle problem is not just in downtown Tempe, it's really all across the valley. We can't do it all, and this missing middle problem is really all across the valley. My hope is Mayor that we do get the word out and that we only have 129 units here, it's a relatively small complex. I hope it does fill up with these sorts of folks and we get the opportunity to do a few more of these." — Steve Betts, Halualoa Companies

On neighborhood concerns:

"I don't want to do that over the promise that I believe has been made to the neighboring residents. The General Plan for 2040 which included a buffer zone to really kind of the stairstep down from the urban core the high density into medium density and then to low density into the neighborhood and that had always and as long as I've been on and been around and know this conversation it has really been all about west of Farmer. When we go from 25 dwelling units per acre which basically means has to do with you know the density the people that are inside and then going from 25 going to 63, I mean that's like more than double what I believe we've promised our residents and our adjacent neighborhood." — Councilmember Arredondo Savage, on Dwell project

Timeline

First and Farmer (Item 7C3)

• First hearing: December 9, 2021; second hearing January 13, 2022
• Developer presentation (Darren Center, Center Associates, 464 South Farmer Avenue): Seven-story mixed-use project, 200 residential units, 1,036 square feet commercial retail; designed with internal courtyards, shared spaces, and ground-floor retail; stepped design transitioning from four-story on Farmer Avenue to three-story on Fifth Street over parking
• Neighborhood stipulations added at developer initiative: $100,000 remitted to city prior to building permits for speed cushion placement in Riverside neighborhood (location and approval by neighborhood and city); $15,000 for residential permit parking program reimbursement; commercial retail artwork reflecting neighborhood history; lease language prohibiting resident and guest parking except on Farmer Avenue and dedicated bike lanes on redesigned Fifth and Farmer; construction access plan restricting large trucks and employee parking from residential streets, requiring use of major arterials (Farmer, Ash, First, Rio Salado); professional landscape maintenance requirement (added language per prior DRC request)
• Public comment: Four speakers submitted cards: Janet Darcy (resident objection on height and shadow impacts, claims broken campaign promises to protect neighborhood); Meryl Darcy (criticism of affordable housing component as insufficient "public benefit," claims project violates R3 standards, vacant retail precedent, and regional traffic saturation)
• Council discussion: Corey D Woods praised early neighborhood engagement by developer; emphasized 20 affordable units (30-year covenant, exceeding state-mandated 25-year GIBLET term) as significant social benefit and removal of stigma from affordable housing; noted job market at nearby Beam project and reduced traffic patterns from residential vs. office use; acknowledged Arredondo Savage's density concerns but argued contextual fit with approved Beam building height; Arlene Chin highlighted professional developer engagement with neighborhood months in advance rather than last-minute notification; Councilmember Cubie cited aesthetic merit, high-quality finishes, and developer's willingness to add stipulations beyond initial agreement
• Council opposition: Councilmember Arredondo Savage voted no on both general plan amendment and zoning/PAD approval, citing 130 DUA vs. promised 25 DUA in buffer zone as breach of resident-approved General Plan 2040 and precedent for "development creep"
• Vote on General Plan Density Map Amendment: Moved by Jennifer Adams, seconded by Councilmember Garland; result 6–1 (Arredondo Savage no)
• Vote on Zoning Map Amendment, PAD, and Development Plan Review: Moved by Councilmember Garland, seconded by Arlene Chin; result 6–1 (Arredondo Savage no)

Dwell Workforce Housing (Item 7B2)

• First hearing: January 13, 2022; second hearing scheduled February 10, 2022
• Applicant presentation (Darren Center, Center Associates, 464 South Farmer Avenue; Steve Betts, Halualoa Companies; John Kane, Palmer Architects): 129-unit mixed-use workforce housing at 430 South Farmer Avenue (northwest corner Fifth and Farmer); 63 DUA; studio, one-bedroom, and one-bedroom-with-office units; targeted at $80–120 area median income (AMI); units feature built-in work spaces (millwork, offices, zoom rooms); shared parking between office and residential (day/night distinction model); reduced parking requirement with $75 per-space monthly fee encouraging non-car-dependent lifestyle; no development agreement, no incentives requested, no deed restriction
• Project economics presented: Lowest rents "several hundred dollars below" comparables; performa modeled on actual salaries of downtown workers (graphic designers $53,900, claims specialists, police entry-level $61,300, teachers, librarians, etc.) to demonstrate affordability for "missing middle"; smaller units and eliminated premium amenities (pools, movie theaters, spas) vs. typical luxury apartments kept rents suppressed; workforce housing by design (intentional build-to-rent point rather than future rate escalation potential)
• Public comment: One commenter (Philip Yates, neighborhood resident) raised concerns about density, requested reduction to MU3 zoning, and questioned whether rents (starting at $1,400/month studios referenced) would exclude current low-income residents; noted existing neighborhood character of affordable single-family homes
• Council discussion: Councilmember Navarro praised market-driven, organic approach without federal/state incentive complexity; Councilmember Arredondo Savage expressed strong concern over 63 DUA vs. General Plan's promised 25 DUA buffer and requested developer consider adding two-bedroom units to reduce overall density while maintaining affordability; noted DRC staff recommendation of 45 DUA as compromise; questioned whether project justifies General Plan amendment; Councilmember Cubie noted reduced parking generates net density reduction through urban design practice; Corey D Woods discussed personal experience as 43-year-old homeowner unable to afford downtown Tempe purchase, advocating for rental diversity; acknowledged neighborhood concerns but expressed support for mixed housing stock
• Staff input: Deputy Human Services Director Lavon confirmed rents consistent with workforce housing rates (81–120 AMI) per 2020 income charts; affordable housing impact statement provided in attachments
• Status: Continued to February 10, 2022 for second hearing; no vote taken

City-Initiated Upzoning Resolution (Item 7A4)

• Public comment (first speakers): Karen Gitlis (historic preservation advocate, heard of item only 45 minutes prior, objected to lack of transparency and warning that over-the-counter upzoning sends "wrong message" to community overrun by development; concerned about loss of historic zoning rights since 1985 purchase); Philip Yates (fifth-generation Tempe resident, historic preservation advocate, requested council waive vote pending further study)
• Staff explanation by Ryan Levake (Deputy Director, Community Development/Planning Division): Resolution allows city as applicant to initiate rezoning process for areas with slum/blight concerns; does not allow blanket upzoning without public process; requires neighborhood meeting, planning commission hearing, two city council hearings, public justification for rezoning; targets specific sites in conversation with neighborhoods, not historic properties; similar to prior voluntary downzoning pilot program
• Council discussion and amendments: Councilmember Cuba moved amendment to exclude all historic properties (Tempe Historic Property Registered, Historic Eligible, National Register, National Register Eligible, Traditional Cultural Properties); seconded by Councilmember Garland; passed 7–0. Councilmember Cuba also moved time limit requiring council review by end of calendar year 2022 (sunset/review provision); seconded by Councilmember Garland; passed 7–0
• Vote: Main resolution approved 7–0 with both amendments
• Outcome: Approved with historic property exclusions and mandatory year-end 2022 review

Generations Medical Center PAD Amendment (Item 7C1)

• Applicant/Attorney: Mantra Lavos, Gammage & Burnham, PLC, on behalf of Generations Medical Center; 6301 South McClintock Drive medical office building (29,675 sq ft)
• Public comment: Muhammad Zubair (representing Generations Medical Center and adjacent mosque/community center) raised technical disputes over recorded plat (referencing TDMC Revision Plat vs. platting history 665417), claimed city letter from December 22, 2005 establishes property not divided, objected to use of unrecorded survey and variance appeals rather than legal council-approved plat, requested use of 665417 plat to establish correct lot line; requested council not approve pending resolution of title/lot line issues
• Staff response (City Attorney Judy Bauman): City obligated to reference most recently recorded plat; PAD amendment addresses only parking requirements and should not be interpreted as taking position on lot lines, platting disputes, or pending litigation
• Council action: Councilmember Cuba moved approval with explicit stipulation stating PAD approval impacts only parking requirements and does not impact subdivision plats, property ownership, lot lines, or litigation; seconded by Randy Keating; passed 6–0 (Randy Keating absent)
• Council statements on record: All speakers (Arredondo Savage, Navarro, Cuba) reiterated that approval does not sway pending litigation and praised staff efforts at neighborhood mediation; Councilmember Arredondo Savage indicated future willingness to dismiss variance appeal if parties reach resolution

Carvana Headquarters Development Agreement Amendment (Item 7C2)

• Attorney: Wendy Riddell, Riddell Law, on behalf of Verdi Opportunity Tempe LLC and Verdi Opportunity Heath LLC (Carvana's development entity); publicly traded company, $50 billion market cap, locally headquartered in Tempe
• Project scope: First Street realignment, water/sewer relocation, dedicated bike lanes, EV charging infrastructure (10 stations per parking garage, solar-ready design), professional landscape maintenance
• Community benefits: Street realignment moves access point from 505 feet (too close to Priest Drive for safe signalization) to quarter-mile mark; provides 25,000 sq ft of additional right-of-way for city to construct First Street; city substantiates and verifies construction costs; if costs less than purchase price, developer remits difference to city; no GIBLET subsidy
• Jennifer Adams questions and support: Confirmed EV charging pre-engineered in both garages (10 stations immediate, solar-ready for future); tree canopy and landscaping despite power line constraints; praised as multi-billion-dollar company commitment to EVs and sustainability; voted in support
• Councilmember Cuba amendment request: Moved (without second) to require solar deployment on 60% of roof surface area immediately, citing federal solar investment tax credit (26% accelerated over five years), innovative company and university partnership, gateway location visibility, and climate crisis urgency; motion died for lack of second
• Councilmember Garland comment: Requested indigenous artwork and shade structures on site's concrete plaza areas
• Vote: Approved 6–1 (Cuba voting no); passed 6–1

Crisis Intervention Services (Item 6C9)

• Agreement: Partnership with Crisis Response Network (Solari) for dispatch of mental health crisis response calls; replaces some police responses with trained crisis responders for mental health and welfare calls
• Council comments: Councilmember Navarro praised program as bold community outreach innovation consistent with police reimagining efforts; noted firsthand experience with Phoenix Fire Department 911 dispatch and importance of rapport-building; Councilmember Garland endorsed as innovative collaboration between police and human services departments; placed Tempe "at the front of the pack" for innovation and community responsiveness
• Vote: Approved 7–0

Emergency Non-Congregate Shelter (Item 6C10)

• Agreement: One-year contract with Super 8 Tempe ASU for 50 non-congregate shelter rooms at $120–140 per night; combined with existing 40 rooms at Roadway and 62 congregate beds through iHelp and New Leaf, totals 152 shelter units
• Staff: Lavon, Paul, Naomi (Human Services Department)
• Councilmember Garland praise: Thanked human services team (Lavon, Paul, Naomi) for significant progress on homelessness response; noted combined 90 non-congregate plus 62 congregate beds equals "huge leap" in capacity
• Vote: Approved 7–0

Opposition

Dwell Project (129-unit workforce housing):

Number of speakers against: 1 (Philip Yates, neighborhood resident)

Main concerns:

1. Density of 63 DUA more than double promised General Plan 25 DUA buffer zone
2. General Plan 2040 neighborhood-approved stair-stepping down from urban core violated
3. Existing affordable single-family housing stock will be displaced by higher rents
4. Development creep precedent into adjacent neighborhoods if exception granted
5. Request for mix adjustment (more 2-bedrooms) to reduce density while maintaining affordability
6. Project viability calculations and economic justification for higher density questioned

Most compelling argument: Councilmember Arredondo Savage's concern that residents voted on General Plan 2040 specifically to protect neighborhood character through density buffers; approving 63 DUA vs. 25 DUA promised sets precedent for future exceptions and breaks covenant with community

Organized groups: Riverside Neighborhood Association (implied; Arredondo Savage referenced neighbor discussions)

First and Farmer Project (200-unit mixed-use):

Number of speakers against: 2 (Janet Darcy and Meryl Darcy, Riverside neighborhood residents)

Main concerns:

1. Seven-story height overshadows and encroaches on smaller residential area
2. Project incompatible with neighborhood character despite "nice" design
3. Council campaign promises to protect neighborhoods allegedly broken
4. Loss of sunrise/sunset due to building mass and height
5. Insufficient affordable housing component (20 units only) does not justify zoning change and General Plan amendment
6. Public subsidies and GIBLET incentives (five 8-year abatements) unjustified for luxury development
7. Vacant retail precedent (existing mixed-use ground floors unoccupied) suggests commercial space unsustainable
8. Rents of $1,800–$2,000 for one-bedroom (2.50+ per sq ft) compared unfavorably to New York Central Park area despite Tempe's lower job market
9. Traffic and parking congestion unmanageable despite reduced parking requirements; surrounding four Farmer Arts projects and e-scooters compound pedestrian/motorist hazards
10. City should zone more land throughout city and lower permit costs to enable distributed affordable housing rather than concentrated density in buffer zone
11. Campaign promises questioned; threat of voter reprisal

Most compelling argument: Meryl Darcy's assertion that 20 affordable units (out of 200 total = 10%) does not constitute sufficient "public benefit" to justify three structural requirements (zoning change, general plan amendment, subsidies) and that developer is utilizing GIBLET incentives to make project economically viable—shifting tax burden to residents while capturing private profit

Organized groups: Coalition action (case action fund representative Josh Wells spoke against GIBLET subsidy during Item 7B4 public comment; no organized opposition testimony during First and Farmer hearing)

Support

Dwell Project:

Number of speakers in favor: 0 formal public comment (but internally expressed)

Key council supporters and arguments:

• Councilmember Navarro: Market-driven, organic, solves missing-middle problem without federal/state incentive complexity; downtown as natural amenity reduces need for expensive on-site amenities
• Corey D Woods: Personal experience unable to purchase downtown home at age 43 despite professional standing; advocates rental diversity; emphasized housing shortage (11,000–12,000 units needed by 2040 to meet demand); job market at nearby Beam justifies residential supply on same block
• Councilmember Cubie: Reduced parking requirement aligned with urban design best practices and climate sustainability; residents self-select for non-car-dependent lifestyle; urban scale appropriate to downtown context

First and Farmer Project:

Number of speakers in favor: 0 formal public comment opposing, though implicit in council votes

Key council supporters and arguments:

• Corey D Woods: Emphasized housing shortage, job market, rental diversity; switched from office to residential product smarter choice for workforce housing access; reduced traffic from apartment vs. commercial office use; aesthetically "truly beautiful project" distinct from run-of-mill national templates; 20 affordable units (even 10% of total) important for destigmatizing affordable housing by integration with market-rate units; 30-year affordability covenant exceeds state GIBLET 25-year requirement, indicating developer loss in that revenue stream; downtown amenities (restaurants, light rail, streetcar, bike routes, ZIP Car, EV charging) negate need for expensive on-site luxury amenities
• Arlene Chin: Developer engagement with neighborhood 6+ months in advance, negotiating in good faith, honoring agreed stipulations despite not requiring them—model for industry
• Councilmember Cuba: Contextual fit with approved Beam building (same height/massing as original office approval); affordable housing (60–80% AMI, high-quality finishes) distinct from low-cost housing; strong positive public engagement; developer responsiveness
• Councilmember Navarro: Appreciates aesthetics, landscaping effort (heat reduction, tree preservation), scale transition, and neighborhood-friendly design elements added through good-faith negotiation; validates developer and Yates family stewardship

Project Details

Dwell Mixed-Use Workforce Housing

• Case number: Not stated in transcript
• Applicant/Developer: Halualoa Companies (Steve Betts); owner/architect John Kane (Palmer Architects); development consultant Darren Center (Center Associates)
• Attorney: Not named in presentation
• Location/Address: 430 South Farmer Avenue, Tempe, AZ (northwest corner Fifth and Farmer)
• APN: Not stated in transcript
• Current zoning → Proposed zoning: R3 (multifamily residential) → MU4 (mixed-use); General Plan Land Use Map amendment from Residential to Mixed Use; General Plan Density Map amendment from Medium Density to High Density
• Density/Units/Square footage: 129 units on 2.06 acres = 63 dwelling units per acre (DUA); all studio and one-bedroom units; no square footage stated
• Unit mix: Urban studios (smaller), full studios, one-bedrooms, one-bedrooms with office, one-bedrooms with patio (ground level)
• Parking: Shared parking below and around blue buildings (residential); stabilized granite, park-like surface finish; reduced parking requirement with $75/month fee per space; day/night occupancy model (office users daytime, residential nighttime)
• Design/Amenities: Interior work spaces (built-in millwork, offices, cubicles in corner); Zoom rooms, meeting rooms, casual collision spaces (Starbucks-style indoor/outdoor work areas); fitness center, dog run, barbecue; landscape and tree preservation; no premium amenities (pools, movie theaters, spas, rock climbing walls)
• Affordability covenant: None; designed to market-rate by design (no deed restriction), targeting $80–120 AMI rents through unit efficiency and amenity design
• Changes from prior consideration: First hearing January 13, 2022; project deferred to February 10, 2022 for second hearing pending neighborhood density negotiation

First and Farmer Mixed-Use Development

• Case number: Item 7C3
• Applicant/Developer: Wexford Capital Partners (Sam Gordon); Center Associates (Darren Center); Palmer Architects (John Kane); identified as "Sender Associates Chartered" in agenda
• Attorney: Wendy Riddell (representing project in later agenda items, though not named as counsel for this project specifically)
• Location/Address: 206 South Farmer Avenue, Tempe, AZ (corner First and Farmer)
• APN: Not stated in transcript
• Current zoning → Proposed zoning: General Plan amendment from Medium Density (15 DUA) to High Density Urban Core; Zoning from R3 to MU4; Amended PAD overlay
• Density/Units/Square footage: 200 residential units (seven-story); 1,036 square feet of ground-floor commercial retail space
• Design: Stepped massing: four-story scale on Farmer Avenue (matching adjacent Beam building height including penthouses); three-story scale over parking on Fifth Street (pedestrian-scale transition); ground-floor retail with parking below; shared courtyards and outdoor spaces; mature tree preservation; color palette for identity; pocket park along Farmer Avenue; externalizing circulation for sustainability
• Parking: Reduced requirement; ground-level access; no parking included in residential leases; guests directed to 800-space garage across street and permit parking program
• Affordable housing component: 20 units (10% of total) at 60–80% AMI; 30-year affordability covenant (exceeds state-mandated 25-year GIBLET term); high-quality finishes (tile, granite-equivalent), not budget finishes
• Subsidies/Incentives: Five GIBLET (Government Incentive for Business Location and Economic Development) tax abatements (8-year term); no other incentives noted as requested
• Neighborhood stipulations added by developer:
  • $100,000 remitted prior to building permits for speed cushion placement in Riverside neighborhood (location and approval determined by neighborhood and city)
  • $15,000 for residential permit parking program reimbursement (allows existing and new residents free or subsidized permits)
  • Commercial retail artwork reflecting neighborhood history
  • Lease language prohibiting resident and guest parking except on Farmer Avenue
  • Restricted construction access: large trucks and employee parking prohibited from residential streets during construction; required use of major arterials (Farmer, Ash, First, Rio Salado)
  • Professional landscape maintenance requirement (per DRC request)

Generations Medical Center PAD Amendment

• Case number: Item 7C1
• Applicant: Generations Medical Center; represented by Mantra Lavos, Gammage & Burnham, PLC
• Location/Address: 6301 South McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ
• Current use: 29,675 sq ft medical office building (existing)
• Proposed change: Planned Area Development (PAD) amendment to reduce required parking from 189 spaces to 107 spaces; increase landscaping
• Surrounding context: Integrated PCC-1 zoning site with three co-owners including adjacent mosque/community center
• Disputed issues: Recorded plat (TDMC Revision Plat vs. historical 665417 plat); property lot lines; subdivision boundaries; pending litigation regarding shared property boundaries and parking allocation between medical office and mosque/community center
• Council stipulation: Approval relates solely to parking requirements and does not impact property subdivision plats, lot lines, property ownership, or pending litigation between parties

Carvana Headquarters Campus

• Case number: Item 7C2
• Applicant/Developer: Verdi Opportunity Tempe LLC and Verdi Opportunity Heath LLC (Carvana development entities)
• Attorney: Wendy Riddell, Riddell Law
• Location/Address: Southeast corner First Street and Rio Salado Parkway; specific parcel details not fully stated but five city-owned parcels involved
• Company: Carvana (publicly traded, $50 billion market cap, locally headquartered in Tempe; largest reseller of electric vehicles in U.S.)
• Project scope: First Street realignment (moving access point from 505 feet/too close to Priest Drive to approximately quarter-mile mark); water/sewer line relocation; dedicated bike lanes on both sides of First Street (compliance with bike master plan); EV charging infrastructure (10 stations per parking garage, pre-engineered for full buildout, solar-ready design); professional landscape maintenance; open plaza with community-activated space
• Community benefits: City constructs and owns First Street improvements with developer cost substantiation and verification; if construction costs less than purchase price, developer remits difference to city; eliminates unsafe signalization proximity; enables safe quarter-mile signal placement; enables gateway development area connectivity
• Subsidies/Incentives: No GIBLET subsidy (explicitly stated as not pursued, unlike original 2013 agreement contemplated GIBLET)
• Environmental features: Solar-ready infrastructure (deployment timeline TBD); EV charging pre-wired; tree canopy and landscaping (constrained by existing utility power lines along Rio Salado)

Vote Breakdown

Item 7A4 – City-Initiated Upzoning (with amendments):

• Final: 7–0
• Yes: All council members (Navarro, Garland, Randy Keating, Jennifer Adams, Arlene Chin, Cuba, Corey D Woods)
• Amendment 1 (historic property exclusion): 7–0
• Amendment 2 (year-end 2022 review date): 7–0

Item 6C9 – Crisis Intervention Services Agreement:

• Final: 7–0
• Yes: All council members
• Abstentions/Absences: None

Item 6C10 – Emergency Non-Congregate Shelter:

• Final: 7–0
• Yes: All council members
• Abstentions/Absences: None

Item 7C1 – Generations Medical Center PAD Amendment:

• Final: 6–0
• Yes: Navarro, Arlene Chin, Cuba, Arredondo Savage, Corey D Woods, Jennifer Adams
• Abstentions/Absences: Randy Keating (absent)

Item 7C2 – Carvana Development Agreement Amendment:

• Final: 6–1
• Yes: Navarro, Garland, Jennifer Adams, Arredondo Savage, Randy Keating, Corey D Woods
• No: Arlene Chin (solar deployment amendment motion failed; voted no on final project)
• Abstentions/Absences: None

Item 7C3 – First and Farmer General Plan Density Map Amendment:

• Final: 6–1
• Yes: Navarro, Garland, Arlene Chin, Jennifer Adams, Randy Keating, Corey D Woods
• No: Arredondo Savage
• Individual vote record: Navarro (aye), Garland (aye), Cuba (aye), Arredondo Savage (nay), Randy Keating (yes), Jennifer Adams (aye), Corey D Woods (aye)

Item 7C3 – First and Farmer Zoning Map Amendment, PAD, Development Plan Review:

• Final: 6–1
• Yes: Navarro, Garland, Arlene Chin, Jennifer Adams, Randy Keating, Corey D Woods
• No: Arredondo Savage
• Individual vote record: Navarro (aye), Garland (aye), Cuba (aye), Arredondo Savage (nay), Randy Keating (yes), Jennifer Adams (aye), Corey D Woods (aye)
• Note: Vote retaken to ensure stipulations (read into record by Darren Center) were formally recorded

Outcome & Next Steps

Item 7A4 (City-Initiated Upzoning): Approved 7–0 with two amendments: (1) exclusion of all historic properties (THPR, HE, NRHP, NRHE, TCP designations); (2) sunset/review provision requiring council reconsideration by end of calendar year 2022. City may now initiate rezoning for slum/blight remediation without property owner application, subject to full public process (neighborhood meeting, planning commission hearing, two council hearings).

Item 6C9 (Crisis Intervention Services): Approved 7–0. Effective immediately; partnership with Crisis Response Network (Solari) begins dispatch of crisis intervention responders for mental health and welfare calls, reducing police response burden. No implementation timeline stated.

Item 6C10 (Emergency Shelter): Approved 7–0. One-year agreement with Super 8 Tempe ASU effective immediately, providing 50 non-congregate beds. Combined with existing 40 Roadway beds and 62 congregate beds, totals 152 shelter units.

Item 7C1 (Generations Medical Center PAD Amendment): Approved 6–0 (Randy Keating absent). Effective immediately. Parking requirement reduced from 189 to 107 spaces. Council stipulation on record: approval impacts only parking, not lot lines, property ownership, or litigation. Variance appeal dismissal encouraged if parties reach settlement; no council action to force dismissal.

Item 7C2 (Carvana Development Agreement): Approved 6–1 (Cuba voting no). Effective upon execution. First Street realignment and improvements authorized; city to verify construction costs and receive refunds if costs less than purchase price. EV charging and solar-ready infrastructure to proceed per design; solar deployment timeline open. No firm deadline stated for solar deployment.

Item 7C3 (First and Farmer): Approved 6–1 on both votes (General Plan amendment and Zoning/PAD/DPR). Effective upon execution. Project may proceed to site plan and building permit phase following approval of stipulations: $100,000 speed cushion fund (remitted before permits), $15,000 permit parking fund, neighborhood-approved construction access plan, commercial artwork, landscape maintenance. No further city council approval required unless major modifications occur.

Item 7B2 (Dwell Workforce Housing): Continued to February 10, 2022 for second hearing and final vote. No decision made. Applicant and council agreed to explore density reduction options (two-bedroom unit mix) to bring DUA closer to General Plan 25 DUA target while maintaining affordability; outcome of