Grover Thompson’s artistic endeavor continues to capture the hearts and imagination of Sunnyslope neighbors and out-of-town visitors alike (photo by Kathryn M. Miller).
Residents who have been following the progress of the Sunnyslope (Thompson) Rock Garden as its owner, Marion Blake, seeks Historic Preservation Overlay Zoning will have two more public meeting opportunities to weigh in. Located at 10023 N. 13th Place in Sunnyslope, the process will place the property on the Phoenix Historic Property Registry. Blake will also pursue National Register status.
The Historic Preservation Commission heard the case Monday, Sept. 16, and unanimously voted to move the project forward, and the North Mountain Village Planning Committee heard the case Wednesday, Oct. 16. They, too, voted unanimously to recommend the case for approval. The Planning Commission will hear the case Thursday, Nov. 7; and the case will be presented to Phoenix City Council Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Once rezoning is complete, the property will be formally protected through a special permit review process administered by the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office. These types of properties also are eligible for financial incentives offered by the city of Phoenix. Properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places are not rezoned and have no formal protection, but they are eligible for incentives administered by the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service. The same eligibility criteria are used for both historic registers.
Those who would like to weigh in on the garden’s application are invited to attend the meetings. Agendas, which will include meeting times and locations, will be posted closer to the event date at www.phoenix.gov/cityclerk/publicmeetings/notices.
