2021 SOUTH MOUNTAIN VILLAGE ANNUAL REPORT

Planning and Development Department

SOUTH MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

From the ridgeline of South Mountain to farm fields and urban neighborhoods, the village offers a wide variety of living environments. The rural and open character of the village, enhanced by agricultural areas, citrus groves, open canal systems, and foothills, motivates development that enhances this rural atmosphere. Significant employment centers are located in the northeast portion of the village. This area is accessible from the Maricopa and Hohokam Freeways and is close to downtown and Sky Harbor International Airport. The intense development in the northeast portion of the village is balanced by quality residential developments near the foothills of South Mountain.

More information about the character of the South Mountain Village can be found   here  .

Mapping growth in the South Mountain Village: 2001 vs. 2021

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

South Central TOD Policy Plan

The City of Phoenix in collaboration with project partners, community stakeholders, and the Mayor and Council appointed Steering Committee, developed a TOD (transit-oriented development) policy plan specific to the South Central corridor. The plan is a living document, inspired by the hearts and voices of the community. It serves to attract, guide, and prioritize strategic investments in infrastructure, housing, economic development, and other areas to realize a shared community vision— to make South Central a world class destination in which current and future residents both share in the prosperity a walkable and transit-oriented community brings. This plan was adopted in March 2022.

MAPPING GROWTH

BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY

Approximately 516 building projects (valued at or above 50,000 dollars) were filed in the year 2021, contributing to a total estimated value of 445 million dollars of investment and growth.

Did you know?

A building permit is required for most non-residential construction, new homes, and when existing homes are remodeled or additions are made. The permit is issued when structures are designed in accordance with the building codes and all other applicable codes and ordinances, to ensure the safety of the structure. For more information visit  here .

REZONING ACTIVITY

This Village Planning Committee heard and took action on six (6) Rezoning requests, three (3) General Plan Amendment requests, and five (5) Planning Hearing Officer (PHO) requests during the year of 2021.

What is Rezoning?

Rezoning

For more information on Rezoning and Special Permit request please visit  here .

For more information on General Plan Amendments (GPAs) please visit  here .

For more information on Planning Hearing Officer (PHOs) please visit  here .

ZONING ADJUSTMENT ACTIVITY

This Village had approximately sixty (60) Zoning Adjustment (ZA) requests during the year of 2021.

What is a Zoning Adjustment?

Zoning Adjustments

For more information on Zoning Adjustments please visit  here .

TO DO LIST

Several Village "to do" items have been identified by this committee in alignment with the 2015 Phoenix General Plan's 7 strategic tools. This past year the committee had various opportunities to hear and discuss information items that further the committee's knowledge, partnerships, and collaboration towards accomplishing these "to do" items.

The following is a list of presentation and discussion topics were heard and discussed in 2021:

  • Area Plans and Overlay Districts within the Village
  • Update to City of Phoenix's Floodplain Management Plan
  • Water rate increases
  • Water management
  • South Central TOD Community Plan
  • Climate Action Plan
  • Street paving and maintenance operations
  • Drainage and flooding in the Village
  • Pedestrian and bicycle improvements along 3rd St and the Rio Salado
  • Development strategies to encourage walkable and pedestrian-centered projects
  • Creation of a subcommittee
  • My Community Map and MAG Mapping Tools
  • Multifamily projects within the Village
  • Landscape maintenance areas within the Village

Celebrating 2021

2021 Members

  • Tamala Daniels, Chair
  • Trent Marchuk, Vice Chair*
  • Edward Aldama*
  • Kassandra Alvarez
  • George Brooks
  • Greg Brownell
  • Marcia Busching
  • Lee Coleman
  • Ashley Hare*
  • Gene Holmerud
  • Twanna Ray
  • Fatima Muhammad Roque*
  • Fatima Said
  • Kay Shepard
  • Muriel Smith
  • Shelly Smith
  • Jennifer Tunning
  • Emma Viera*
  • AJ Greathouse*

*New 2021 VPC Members

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

  • Tamala Daniels, Chair
  • Edward Aldama
  • Marcia Busching
  • Kay Shepard
  • Patti Trites

VPC Planners

  • Staff Village Planning Committee meetings – ensuring the meeting stays on track and makes enforceable recommendations.
  • Write reports and staff recommendations for for rezoning and general plan amendment requests.
  • VPC Planners act as point of contact for citizens and applicants within the Village.

2021 South Mountain VPC Planner:

Enrique Bojorquez-Gaxiola

ROLE OF THE VPC

Village Planning Committees (VPC) are appointed by the Mayor & City Council and must either live or work within the Village boundary that they are serving. The VPCs provide guidance on a wide range of city-wide and local issues. Village Planning Committees hear and discuss rezoning cases, general plan amendments, and text amendments and provide recommendations on these items to the Planning Commission. For more information on the role of the VPC please visit  here .

VPC MEETINGS

The South Mountain Village Planning Committee generally meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. through a digital meeting platform via a Webex videoconferencing platform.

Please consult the  public meeting notices  page for the meeting agenda which contains instructions on how to access the meeting and to confirm that the meeting will occur.