Title
Public Hearing and Resolution adopting Legal Finding for the 69th & Thomas Redevelopment Area (Resolution 22282) - District 7
Description
Public Hearing and adoption of Resolution 22282 finding the existence of a Redevelopment Area in the City of Phoenix and declaring the necessity of such area. The area is located at the southwest corner of 69th Avenue and Thomas Road.
Report
Summary
In February 2025, a third-party analysis of existing conditions, 69th & Thomas Redevelopment Report (the "Report") (Attachment B) prepared by ABLA, LLC (ABLA) was submitted to the Planning and Development Department. The Report proposes the creation of the 69th & Thomas Redevelopment Area for 9.94 acres of property near 69th Avenue and Thomas Road.
A Redevelopment Area designation aims to identify the presence of “Blighted” or “Slum Conditions” as defined by Arizona’s Redevelopment Statue, Arizona Revised Statue (ARS) 36-1471 et seq. (the “Act”). This analysis is crucial in determining whether the proposed site can be designated as a “Redevelopment Area.” The Redevelopment Area (subject site) consists of 5 parcels that will be combined into one approximately 10-acre parcel for redevelopment as part of a single project.
The NRP Group (the “Developer”) is in escrow to acquire the subject site and proposes to develop it with an affordable housing multi-family project pursuant to GPA-MV-1-24-7 and rezoning case Z-53-24-7. The subject site faces numerous physical and public safety challenges that have hindered its redevelopment. ABLA's Report states that the street right-of-way and adjacent sidewalks are inadequate and the subject site attracts crime and other unwanted activities. The Report concludes that the subject site is not suitable for development as envisioned without substantial financial investment to address these significant issues.
Creation of the 69th & Thomas Redevelopment Area will assist the Developer to create a new affordable housing development that will address the slum and blight conditions on the subject site and the adjacent street and sidewalk infrastructure. Designation as a "Redevelopment Area" allows for the City to continue working with the Developer to facilitate a variety of revitalization measures, which include blight elimination, special development funding mechanisms, and to work on a Redevelopment Area Plan for the subject site to provide for future revitalization efforts when the Developer builds the affordable housing project. A Redevelopment Area Plan adopted by City Council is required prior to condemnation of any private property for economic development purposes pursuant to state law; however, no condemnation action is proposed as part of this Redevelopment Area for the subject site.
In order to assess current conditions on the subject site, data was collected on the current land use, building and site conditions, neighborhood maintenance ordinance, and incidence of crime and fire for the subject site and larger area. After analysis of the Report, the Planning and Development Department concurs with the Report's conclusions that the following applies to the subject site:
1) There is defective or inadequate street layout;
2) There is faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness;
3) There is obsolete subdivision platting;
4) There is deterioration of the site and its improvements;
5) There are unsafe and unsanitary conditions that relate to the condition of the property; and,
6) There are conditions that endanger life or property by fire, criminal activity and other causes.
These factors impede the provision of affordable housing accommodations, constitute an economic and social liability, and negatively impact the public health, safety, morals, or welfare as present on the subject site. Individually or in combination, these conditions substantially impair or arrest the redevelopment of the subject site and sound growth of the City of Phoenix. These factors support the findings that one or more blighted conditions exist on the subject site and the redevelopment is in the interest of the public health, safety, morals, or welfare of the City.
The Planning and Development Department recommends that the City Council approve a resolution for the 69th & Thomas Redevelopment Area as proposed: declaring the findings as necessary for the Planning and Development Department to assist the Developer in writing a Redevelopment Area Plan to address development of the subject site. The planning process for the Redevelopment Area will include a public hearing as required by state law. All property owners within the Redevelopment Area will be notified of the hearing. After Council adoption of the Plan, the City may request authorization to issue a request for development proposals for the area.
Location
The area is located at the southwest corner of 69th Avenue and Thomas Road
Council District: 7
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.