The Glendale Planning Commission on May 22 recommended that City Council rezone a roughly 3-acre property off West Camelback Road from M2 heavy industrial to a Planned Area Development (PAD) to permit self-storage by right and establish tailored development standards.

Planning staff presenter Mr. Martinez told commissioners the property contains an existing self-storage facility that became a legal nonconforming use after the city adopted a new Unified Development Code that no longer permits self-storage in the M2 district. Martinez said the PAD would make the longstanding facility a legal conforming use and include development standards to accommodate the site’s unique T shape and narrow entry from West Camelback Road.

“This PAD proposes development standards that will bring legal nonconforming characteristics into a legal conforming status,” Martinez said. He said the subject property is about 2 miles southeast of City Hall and sits on the north side of West Camelback Road; residential uses lie about 120 feet to the south across the street.

Martinez said the applicant followed the city’s public-notification procedures and staff received no public responses. The PAD narrative date‑stamped April 16, 2025, titled the Advanced West PAD, is the document staff recommended be used as the controlling development narrative if the council approves the rezoning.

Applicant attorney Rick Torres, of the law firm Earl and Curley, told the commission he supported the staff recommendation and said the applicant agreed with the stipulated narrative and findings. There were no public speakers on the item.

Commissioner Gears moved to recommend approval of ZON25-02 subject to the staff stipulation; Commissioner Tom Cole seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with four ayes and three commissioners absent. Mr. Gruber said the commission’s action is a recommendation and that the recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.