A new single-family housing development in Tempe is requesting approval of several proposals from the Tempe Development Review Commission for setback distance reductions as well as a height increase to the fence height in the project’s front yard setback.
Lofts on Hayden, 1877 E. Hayden Lane, is a proposed single-family development that consists of four buildings containing 31 townhomes equipped with a two-car garage, living area on the first floor and three bedrooms on the second floor, according to a staff report by Karen Stovall, senior city planner.
All units are a minimum of two-stories and have the option for a rooftop deck.
Tempe Development Review Commission will vote on awarding one use permit, two use permit standards and approving the development plan review for the project during its April 8 meeting.
The use permit standards and use permit up for consideration would:
Reduce the minimum front yard setback from 20 feet to 16 feet;
Reduce the minimum front open structure setback from 15 feet to 12 feet; and
Increase the maximum fence height in the front yard building setback from four feet to six feet.
City staff had provided feedback to the applicant after conducting two preliminary and two formal site plan reviews, according to Stovall’s report. Several comments were given to the applicant regarding concerns they had, resulting in the use permit requests.
“The proposed setback reductions will allow increased variation in the building wall planes as well as the provision of 4-foot-deep covered patios at front homes entrances,” Stovall wrote. “The 6-foot-high wall will better-secure the community.”
Staff recommended the applicant eliminate the fence parallel to Hayden, adding that if it remains, the barrier should provide variation in its height instead of a straight barrier, according to Stovall.
She noted in the report that the applicant chose to keep the barrier and is using 6-foot high view fencing for increased visibility.
As for the setback reductions, staff asked the applicant to provide front porches at the primary entrances and greater variation in the wall plane within each building along Hayden. Stovall’s report stated the applicant increased its wall plane variation from 1 foot to 2 feet, six inches, and they also included canopy-covered porches.
Stovall wrote that based on staff’s analysis and the project information provided, they recommend the commission’s approval of the permits. The project meets the site’s general plan projected land use and residential density and meets the approval criteria for use permits and development plan review.
“With approval of the use permit standards and use permit, the project will meet the development standards required under the zoning and development code,” Stovall stated.
The Tempe Development Review Commission will vote on this project’s requests at its April 8 meeting at Tempe City Hall at 6 p.m. The meeting can be watched on Cox Cable Channel 11 and at www.tempe.gov/tempe11.
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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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