A Tempe resident recently sought the Tempe Development Commission’s approval for a second-story addition for an accessory dwelling unit at their property, increasing the building height from 15 to 24 feet.
The residence, at 2021 S. College Ave. in the Broadmor neighborhood, is owned by Mike Wolfe. Wolfe explained at the commission’s March 11 meeting that he has lived in Tempe for over 25 years, and he understands the privacy concerns that some neighbors have with his request.
Tempe staff received four emails and one phone call opposing the project prior to the meeting, citing privacy and neighborhood degradation concerns, according to a city staff report by city planner Lucas Jensen.
But Jensen wrote that based on the information from the applicant, the public input received and staff analysis, staff supported the approval of the use permits allowing for the second-story addition.
“This request meets the required criteria and will conform to the conditions,” Jensen stated.
At the meeting, Wolfe spoke about the project, going over the privacy, height and degradation concerns.
“We heard the neighbors, we heard the complaints, and we want them to know we addressed them all during the design process,” Wolfe said.
He said that they’ve made it so the windows that face other properties have been designed so that there is no view into the adjacent yard, addressing the privacy concerns that neighbors shared.
Additionally, Wolfe explained that the project is not a new development to the area as there are two-story ADUs in the neighborhood like the one requested. He said the precedent has already been set, and his project is not a new concept for the area, which is made up of mostly single-story residences.
“We want to pursue this project to create a structure that is in harmony with the existing structure and enhance the value of this neighborhood,” he said.
Several residents were also at the meeting to reiterate their concerns with the property, proposing alternate solutions like keeping the ADU at a single-story, but increasing the number of units to preserve the character of the neighborhood.
“I hope you consider these comments seriously — not just from the point of a developer, but from the point of the residents of this community, which is always a safe, very friendly and very affordable community at the present time,” resident Irene Vitullo said at the meeting.
Commissioner Barbara Lloyd shared that she is a resident of the Broadmor neighborhood as well and understands it’s not ideal going up to a second story, but the project is limited in terms of expanding at the first floor level.
She also noted that the way that the ADU’s windows are facing and sized, privacy concerns have been mitigated. Lloyd also said that as far as becoming a nuisance in the community, it’s only one-bedroom and should not cause a nuisance.
“As far as precedent, I think future cases will all be on a case by case basis, so at this point in time, I would likely support the project,” Lloyd said.
While the commissioners were sympathetic to the neighbors’ concerns, they ultimately voted to approve the permits, passing in a 6-0 vote.
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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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