Hugh M. Bigalk

The document outlines the 2026 Council Meeting Calendar, noting that all Council Meetings are generally scheduled for Mondays at 5:00 p.m., unless otherwise specified. Key scheduled events include a Work Session, Election Day, NLC/AZ League Conference, Council Recess, City Manager/City Attorney Annual Review, and a Council Retreat focusing on the budget. A tentative Special Meeting for Election Canvass is scheduled for August 4, 2026, and an Induction Ceremony is set for January 4, 2027. The calendar was last amended on March 6, 2026.

Key discussions during the forum included the upcoming retirement of the City Manager and the naming of an Interim City Manager, as well as the implementation of a road closure moratorium during Spring training. Staffing changes were announced, including a new Building Inspection Supervisor and a promoted Building Plans Examiner. An update on the Water Resource Allocation Policy noted that a draft ordinance notification would be sent in March, with City Council review scheduled for May. The State of the Department segment covered updated website review times and addressed questions regarding whether review times include holidays and if drive-thrus require a Conditional Use Permit. The Zoning Ordinance Update detailed upcoming work sessions in March concerning data centers, BESS facilities, and an arts district overlay, with a targeted Council adoption in June. Discussions on the International Building Code Update indicated it is in legal review with a tentative Council adoption in March, highlighting a key difference being required whole-home surge protection. Finally, the DSD Annual Customer Experience Survey timeline was provided, noting it is open until March 6th.

The Planning & Zoning Commission meeting addressed an amended request for the Celebration Plaza Planned Area Development (PAD), located at the northwest corner of West Celebrate Life Way and North Fitchfield Road, which encompasses 66.66 acres. Key discussion points revolved around proposed amendments from the applicant, Mark Ready, which included changing the drive-through restriction from one to a maximum of three (with one required to be an endcap), and a reduction in medical office parking requirements from one space per 150 square feet to one space per 200 square feet, citing examples from other jurisdictions. Staff presented three options for recommendation to the City Council: Option One (staff recommendation) is to approve the ordinance with stipulation 21 (retaining the one drive-through limit), Option Two is to approve the ordinance without stipulation 21 (allowing parking reduction and three drive-throughs), and Option Three is to deny the application. Concerns were raised regarding setting a precedent with the parking reduction and the implications of increasing drive-throughs, which was a concern for the City Council during the previous application withdrawal in March 2025. The commission also addressed procedural items, including member roll call, excusing Commissioner Booth, and approving the consent agenda items, which included minutes approval and the 2026 planning and zoning commission calendar. A farewell was noted for Vice Chair Maria Samito, who is relocating.

The meeting commenced with administrative announcements, including welcoming a new commissioner, Justin McClendon, and noting the absence of Commissioner Wang, followed by a successful vote to excuse their absence. The commission proceeded to approve the consent agenda, which included the approval of minutes. Key agenda items involved the election of a new chair and vice chair; Chairman Climber was renominated and accepted the position, and Commissioner Hegodus was elected as the new vice chair. A staff presentation provided an overview of the Development Services Department structure, which encompasses planning, permitting, building safety, civil engineering, and code compliance. The presentation detailed the city's guiding documents, including the Arizona State Constitution, city charter, city codes, and the zoning ordinance, all subordinate to the city's General Plan, which outlines the ten-year vision for growth and was ratified by voters in May 2024. The development review process was explained, detailing how projects move from initial concept through staff review, neighborhood meetings, formal submission, and final decision by the City Council, with public notification methods detailed. Finally, updates were given regarding upcoming bylaw updates for the Board of Adjustment and the Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as the expected arrival of another new commissioner.

The City Council Worksession convened to review the Goodyear AZTAP (Arizona Technical Assistance Panel) report. City management introduced guests affiliated with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Arizona District Council, who presented findings and recommendations stemming from an all-day panel meeting held on April 2, 2014. The discussion covered seven key areas including identity and vision, corridor connectivity (specifically Litchfield Road, Bullard, and Estrella Parkway), transportation, land use, tenant strategies, educational providers, and design guidelines for the approximately 3,700-acre study area intended to be Goodyear's premier employment area. The report structure, which includes an executive summary, background, strategies, and an implementation program, was detailed.