Nova Tempe, a proposed 20-story mixed-use development, has its second and final public hearing for a zoning map amendment and planned development overlay at Tempe City Council’s Dec. 19 regular meeting.
Located at 835 S. Rural Road, the development consists of 950 dwelling units and 13,260 square feet of commercial space on 3.61 acres, according to a city staff report by senior planner Karen Stovall.
“While this ordinance change does not directly impact revenue, the planned development will result in collection of the standard development fees, calculated according to the approved fee structure at the time of permit issuance,” Stovall stated.
The first public hearing on the ordinance for the zoning map amendment and planned development overlay was held at council’s Nov. 21 meeting. No public comment was received at the meeting.
Tempe Development Review Commission discussed the item during its Nov. 12 meeting, prior to being sent to council, where some commissioners shared some concerns about the project.
As previously reported by the Independent, Vice Chair Michelle Schwartz and Commissioner Linda Spears voted against the commission recommending council approval. Schwartz and Spears both had questions about the fact Nova Tempe requested this zoning map amendment without having processed the development plan review for the project yet.
The property for Nova Tempe is owned by several different owners — Dowdell Holdings, DLA 6 Properties, Tempe Towne Associates and Tempe Towne Holding Co. In total, there are eight lots that will be combined into one for the project.
The applicant representing the owners, Nick Wood of Snell & Wilmer, explained at the Nov. 12 commission meeting that the zoning amendment was a priority as one of the property owners insisted that their property be purchased by the end of the year.
Ultimately, the commission made its recommendation of approval, passing in a 5-2 vote.
Stovall’s report noted staff also recommended council’s approval of the zoning map amendment and planned development overlay, along with the approval of the development plan review.
“For further processing, the applicant will need approval of a development plan review and subdivision plat to combine the eight lots into one,” Stovall wrote.
Renderings and an illustrative site plan were included with her report, but actual design details will be determined by the development plan review once it has been approved.
Council’s meeting takes place at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers at Tempe City Hall, 31 E. Fifth Street. Meetings can also be watched on Tempe 11 on Cox cable and at www.tempe.gov/tempe11.
Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Caroline Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.
Community: She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French.
Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years.
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