Special permit recommended for large retail development
Request could amend Phoenix zoning ordinance
by Ambria Hammel

NORTH VALLEY – Members of the Desert View Village Planning Committee unanimously recommended approval of a text amendment to the City of Phoenix zoning ordinance which would require large‑scale retail developers to obtain a special permit during the application process.

“Large scale commercial retail” is defined in the ordinance as development with primary building(s) greater than 100,000 square feet, but the amendment would only affect retail establishments 130,000 square feet or greater.

The amendment would also require on‑site posting of rezoning stipulations and the submission of a reuse plan (in case the property should be vacated) with the special permit application. Such development is currently permitted with specific requirements in areas zoned for light industrial and general and intermediate commercial uses.

“The point here is to address the noise, the traffic and other negative impacts that come with large commercial development,” Village Planner Jacob Zonn told the committee during its June 6 meeting. He later confirmed for member Lynn Pleskoff that the amendment is aimed at big box stores such as a Wal‑Mart Supercenter, but could not vouch whether the average square footage of a Supercenter would exceed the proposed minimum.

According to Walmartfacts.com, however, the national average store size for a Supercenter is 185,000 square feet and 130,000 square feet for a Sam’s Club. An average‑sized discount store or neighborhood market would not be effected.

The amendment was initiated by the Phoenix Planning Commission in March after seven months of meetings by one of its subcommittees who, through research and discussion, felt the impacts of very large retail centers warranted additional review to ensure negative impacts are addressed. Once all 14 city villages have reviewed the amendment, it will return to the Planning Commission and then be voted on by Phoenix City Council. A specific time line was not available.

Reach the reporter at ambria@thedesertadvocate.com