The projects listed below represent just some of the many cases in which the Firm was successful in obtaining the entitlements needed for development approval. Examples of significant projects include:
Health Care
The firm has represented several hospital systems in campus planning and design as well as medical office buildings, nursing homes and care centers throughout the Valley. Some of the issues addressed have included infill development and healthcare needs.
Camelback Behavioral Health Hospital Mr. Lazarus worked directly with Camelback Hospital, now a division of Banner Health, in government entitlements required for the operation of adult and adolescent treatment centers under a behavioral health format.
Camelback Hospital was the state’s premier mental health care center in the 1970’s and 1980’s located in the middle of a high-end neighborhood, just north of Camelback Road. Substantial neighborhood negotiations were required to expand the facility to meet the needs of the community.
Banner Health Care Systems – Banner Good Samaritan Hospital Lazarus and Associates represented Good Samaritan Hospital, Phoenix’ largest acute care hospital, in consolidating several zoning districts into one, creating a campus plan, and an appropriate signage package.
This organized the campus and positioned the hospital for future growth.
Ascend Behavioral Health Ascend Health Corporation, one of the top nationally recognized developers and operators of psychiatric facilities, turned to Lazarus and Associates to obtain entitlements for their newest facility.
A special permit was needed to redevelop a portion of the Kivel Campus of Care as a behavioral health facility at 28th Street, just north of Indian School Road. Psychiatric hospitals are often seen as an unwelcomed use, however, after the Firm spent much time and effort addressing concerns of nearby neighbors, the Camelback East Village Planning Committee unanimously approved the request, as did the Planning Commission, and the case was subsequently approved on the City Council’s consent agenda.
Assisted Living Alzheimer’s (Gilbert) The doors opened for a l12-bed Alzheimer patient facility in the Town of Gilbert, due in large part to efforts of the Firm, including processing of development entitlement approvals through the Planning Commission and Town Council, as well as design review approval.
Maryland Gardens Care Center/Assisted Living Facility The Firm obtained a Special Permit to allow for an expansion of an assisted living/ skilled nursing care facility located near the southwest corner of Central and Maryland Avenues.
A successful outcome required significant coordination with adjacent and surrounding property owners including, All Saints Episcopal Church, the North Central Homeowners Neighborhood Association and other neighbors.
Steingard Medical Center The Firm obtained approvals for annexation, a General Plan Amendment and rezoning for Dr. Paul Steingard and his group to develop a medical office project on 7 acres located on the east side of 19th Avenue, north of Happy Valley Road.
As a result of numerous meetings with the adjacent and surrounding homeowners, changes were made to the site plan to improve its compatibility with the residential use and rural character of the area. In fact, these site plan changes and other considerations were so significant that the neighbors signed support petitions and the Deer Valley Village Planning Committee recommended a nearly unanimous approval (13-1) of the rezoning request. In turn, the Phoenix Planning Commission and City Council both approved the project.
