Plan Review Detail
Review Status: Approved
Review Details: ENTITLEMENT REVIEW v.1
Plan Number - TP-ENT-0725-00012
Review Name: ENTITLEMENT REVIEW v.1
Review Status: Approved
| Review Date | Reviewer's Name | Type of Review | Description | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation Landscape Review | APPROVED | ||||
| Historic | NOT REQUIRED | ||||
| Real Estate | NOT REQUIRED | Please contact the Real estate Division if any property rights or proposed improvements in the right of way need to be addressed. | |||
| Signs | NOT REQUIRED | ||||
| Streetcar Track Access Review | NOT REQUIRED | ||||
| Entitlement Review Coordinator Express | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| Entitlements | REVIEW COMPLETED | DATE: November 25, 2025 For December 18, 2025 Hearing TO: Linus Kafka FROM: Koren Manning, Director Zoning Examiner Planning & Development Services SUBJECT: SPECIAL EXCEPTION LAND USE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES REPORT TP-ENT-0725-00012 Desert Christian High School – 1300 N Prudence Rd, RX-1 Zoning (Ward 2) Issue – This is a special exception land use request in the RX-1 Residential zone by Lazarus & Silvyn, P.C., on behalf of the property owner, Desert Christian High School Inc., to extend hours of operation for the existing Education use beyond 7:00pm, and the installation of lighting to the existing football field and track. The subject location is located at the 7500 E Block of Speedway Blvd, approximately 600 feet north of the right-of-way (See Case Location Map). Educational – Elementary & Secondary use in the RX-1 zone is subject to Section 4.9.3.D of the Unified Development Code (UDC). Requesting an exception to 4.9.3.D.3 to extend hours of operation past 7:00pm requires approval through the Zoning Examiner Special Exception Procedure, Sec. 3.4.3. Planning and Development Services Recommendation – The Planning & Development Services Department recommends approval of the requested special exception, subject to the attached preliminary conditions. Background Information Existing Land Use: Education – Elementary & Secondary Existing Zoning Description: Residential Zone (RX-1) – This zone provides for suburban, low density, single-family, residential development, agriculture and other compatible neighborhood uses. Surrounding Zones and Land Uses: North – R-1 Residential Zone, Single-Family Residential East – R-2 Residential Zone, Condo Development South – O-3 Office Zone, School Building, Condo Development West – R-2 Residential Zone, Multifamily Development Previous Cases on the Property: There are no previous Special Exception cases on property. Related Cases: None Applicant’s Request – The applicant request is for special exception approval for extended hours of operation for the existing Education use, and the installation of sports field lighting to support the request. The proposed hours of operation require a Zoning Examiner Special Exception in the RX-1 zone. Planning Considerations – Land use policy direction for this area is provided by Plan Tucson and the Pantano East Area Plan. Plan Tucson: This location is within the Mixed-Use Corridors building block. This building block supports a mix of retail, housing, and employment centers, including mid- and high-rise multifamily and mixed-use multifamily development. Support lighting design that follows the Outdoor Lighting Code, minimizing disruptive light pollution to the surrounding environment while providing adequate light for users (PT, A.20). Support developments that are informed by engagement from surrounding communities PT, A.22). Invest in the maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of sports and recreational facilities, and outdoor gathering spaces, making them destination-worthy and reflective of Tucson’s cultural heritage and desert environment (PT, Chapter 3, Culture 8). Improve physical, mental, and social health outcomes for community members through parks and recreational activities, events and classes for all ages (PT, Chapter 3, Wellness 18). Pantano East Area Plan: This Plan provides guidelines for future growth, while protecting the existing development in the Pantano East Area. The Plan’s Parks, Recreation, and Open Space sub-goal is to provide for existing and future recreational open space in the area. Design Considerations Land Use Compatibility – The subject site is developed with Desert Christian Academy’s sports facilities. Previously, the site was a Tucson Fire Department station, which was granted to the school in a land swap with the City of Tucson in 2024. The sports facilities consist of a football, track and field on the west half of the former fire station site and a softball field in the northeast quarter, with the remaining southeast quarter containing three pickle-ball courts and parking. Vehicle and pedestrian access are provided from the school site located on the north side of Speedway Boulevard, with a secondary access through Fremming Ave, a public right-of-way extending from Speedway Boulevard to the southeast corner of the sports fields area. The proposed special exception will also allow indoor activities within the main school building and non-athletic facilities to occur on any day of the week, ending no later than 10:00pm. It would allow no more than five regular-season football games plus no more than two playoff games, if any, to conclude by 10:00pm. All other athletic field events would conclude by 8:00pm. The request also includes a proposal to install lighting around the football field and track to support the extended hours of operation during football games and other athletic field events. The proposed light poles are 90 feet in height, which allows the lights to be more downward-directed and shielded to minimize light trespass into adjacent properties. They will also be automated to ensure lighting is cut off when the athletic fields are not in use. Drainage/Grading – The property has already been graded in accordance with the approved development package for the athletic facilities, and drainage considerations were incorporated at the time of development. Road Improvements/Vehicular Access/Circulation – Site circulation will not change from the previously approved design package. During athletic events, Desert Christian High School will mitigate vehicular and pedestrian traffic impacts by requiring parking to be accessed from Speedway Blvd, primary parking to be in the main DCHS lot along Speedway Blvd, and closure of the gate at the end of Fremming Ave, which will be used only as a secondary or emergency access point. The easement area directly east of the athletic fields’ eastern wall will remain as a pedestrian area accessible by adjacent property owners, and DCHS will maintain and keep the easement area clean and free from trash. Use Specific Standards – Education – Elementary and Secondary projects requesting exemptions to UDC 4.9.3.D are allowed as a Special Exception in the RX-1 zone with approval through a Zoning Examiner Special Exception Procedure, in accordance with UDC Section 3.4.3. UDC 4.9.13.D.3. Educational Uses within Neighborhood Commercial (NC) or more restrictive zoning is limited in hours of operation to 6:00am to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday only. Staff finds the proposal to be in compliance with all other applicable UDC Use-Specific Standards. Conclusion –The proposal is consistent with policy direction in Plan Tucson and the Pantano East Area Plan, which support development designed to be compatible with and sensitive to surrounding land uses. A plan amendment is not required. Subject to compliance with the attached preliminary conditions, approval of the requested special exception is appropriate. |
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| External Reviewers - Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) | REVIEW COMPLETED | Thank you for the opportunity to review this New Special Exception. ADOT has no comments. Rick Freije, M.S.C.E., P.E. Assistant Regional Traffic Engineer SOUTHERN REGION TRAFFIC 1221 S 2nd Ave. Tucson, AZ 85713 Office: 520.388.4203 Mobile: 520.576.8614 | azdot.gov [azdot.gov] 7/30/25, 10:40 AM Mail - TucsonRezoning - Outlook |
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| External Reviewers - AZ State Land | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| External Reviewers - COT Environmental Services | REVIEW COMPLETED | ES has no objections to the special exception request for extended hours of operation. Andy Vera (520) 837-3798 Andy.Vera@tucsonaz.gov |
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| External Reviewers - COT Parks & Recreation | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| External Reviewers - Davis Monthan AFB | REVIEW COMPLETED | From CARTER, BONNIE K CIV USAF ACC 355 CES/CENPL <bonnie.carter@us.af.mil> Date Thu 7/31/2025 5:43 PM To TucsonRezoning <TucsonRezoning@tucsonaz.gov> Ma’am/Sir DMAFB Planning Staff has reviewed the Special Exception to allow extended hours of operation for Ed in RX-1 zone. We find this request shouldn’t impact our mission negative. Kacey V/r B. Kacey Carter, DAFC, USAF ≡✪≡ Installation Community Planner 355th Civil Engineer Squadron/CENPL Davis-Monthan AFB AZ ☎DSN: 312-3291 ☎Comm: 520-228-3291 bonnie.carter@us.af.mil |
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| External Reviewers - PC RFCD | REVIEW COMPLETED | The Regional Flood Control District has no objection to this special request. Patricia Gilbert Hydrologist III Floodplain Management Division Pima County Regional Flood Control District 201 North Stone Ave 9 th Floor Tucson, Arizona, 85701 Direct - 520.724.4606 7/30/25, 10:49 AM Mail - TucsonRezoning - Outlook https:// |
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| External Reviewers - Pima Association of Governments | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| External Reviewers - Pima County Addressing | REVIEW COMPLETED | From Nicholas Jordan <Nicholas.Jordan@pima.gov> Date Thu 7/31/2025 4:17 PM To TucsonRezoning <TucsonRezoning@tucsonaz.gov> Good afternoon, Pima County Addressing does not have comments on TP-ENT-0725-00012. Nicholas Jordan Site Review Project Manager II – Addressing Official Pima County Development Services Department 201 N Stone AV – 1st Floor Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 724-9623 |
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| External Reviewers - Pima County Assessor | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| External Reviewers - Pima County Development Services | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| External Reviewers - Pima County Natural Resources | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| External Reviewers - Pima County Transportation | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| External Reviewers - Pima County Wastewater (RWRD) | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| External Reviewers - Tohono Oodham | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| External Reviewers - Tucson Airport Authority | REVIEW COMPLETED | August 18, 2025 Gabriel Sleighter Public Works Building 1 st Floor 201 N. Stone Avenue Tucson, AZ. 85701 RE: TP-ENT-0725-00012 Desert Christian Academy – 1300 N Prudence Rd, Ward 2, Received July 23, 2025 Dear Mr. Sleighter, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on TP-ENT-0725-00012 – Desert Christian Academy – 1300 N Prudence Rd, a request by Lazarus and Silvyn for a special exception on approximately 15.52 acres to allow for school activities past 7pm and during the weekends for the entire site in Office 3 Zone (O-3) and Residence 1X Zone (R-1X). This use occupies a combined 15.52 ± acres and is located 50 feet southwest of intersection of North Prudence Road and East Speedway Boulevard. The Tucson Airport Authority approves the special exception request and does not have any additional comments to provide. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this comment letter. I may be reached by email at srobidoux@flytucson.com or by telephone at 520- 573-4811. Respectfully, Scott Robidoux, C.M. Manager of Planning cc file |
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| External Reviewers - Tucson Electric Power (TEP) | REVIEW COMPLETED | July 31, 2025 City of Tucson Gabriel Sleighter Entitlements Section RE: TP-ENT-0725-00012 Desert Christian Academy – 1300 N Prudence Dear Mr. Sleighter; On behalf of Tucson Electric Power (TEP), thank you for the opportunity to comment on this Special Exception memorandum. TEP has no objections to this memo. This property is located within TEP’s service territory and will require a new service application from the owner/developer to extend service to the new location. Please email me with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at Jenna.Reilly@tep.com, or by phone at (520) 734-5488. Respectfully, Jenna Reilly Environmental & Land Use Planner II Tucson Electric Power Company a UNS Energy Corporation |
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| External Reviewers - Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| Fire New Construction | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| IPC - Entitlements | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| IPC - Fire New Construction | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| IPC - Site Engineering | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| IPC - Site Zoning | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| IPC - Traffic Engineering | REVIEW COMPLETED | No comments or concerns regarding extended field hours from DTM Traffic Engineering Division. After consultation with Ward 2 office, we are adding No Parking signs on Fremming Ave in the narrow section north of Helen St to ensure safety and orderly operations in the area. | |||
| ROW Engineering Review | REVIEW COMPLETED | No comments | |||
| Site Engineering | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| Site Landscape | REVIEW COMPLETED | Site Landscape/NPPO Section Review Comments: 1. No comments or concerns with the extended hours of operation for activity lighting at Desert Christian High School. Thank you. Chad Keller, RLA chad.keller@tucsonaz.gov |
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| Site Zoning | REVIEW COMPLETED | Within the RX-1 portion of the lot, use-specific standard 4.9.13.I applied to projects requesting exemption from 4.9.3.D. | |||
| Sun Tran Review | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| Transportation - Bike/Ped | REVIEW COMPLETED | ||||
| Tucson Water New Area Development | REVIEW COMPLETED | Tucson water New Area Development has objection to this special request. |