Hundreds of homeowners in Phoenix’s Biltmore neighborhood are urging city leaders to block what they say is an illegal expansion of a local law firm’s office building, escalating a zoning dispute that is now headed to the Phoenix City Council.
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The controversy centers on an office complex owned by the Slavicek Law Firm near 24th Street and Missouri Avenue, south of Bethany Home Road. Residents say the firm received a city permit to repair its roof but instead moved forward with construction of a second story, which they claim violates long-standing zoning restrictions tied to the property.
Longtime resident Stevie Eller, 95, said neighbors quickly realized the work went far beyond what was approved.
“They built a second story when it was against the law,” Eller said. “They pay no attention to rules or laws or restrictions. They just do what they want.”
After noticing the additional construction, residents filed a complaint with the city, arguing that the expansion lacked proper permits and conflicted with zoning conditions established decades ago.
In response, the Phoenix Planning and Development Department issued a stop-work order halting all construction. Despite that action, neighbors say the property owner has continued efforts to complete the project by petitioning the city for approval after the fact.
In a statement, the city said enforcement and zoning decisions must follow a defined process.
“The applicant has been issued notices for non-permitted construction and, like all property owners, can attempt to come into compliance,” the city said in a statement. “The City cannot prevent anyone from petitioning the City Council to modify existing zoning stipulations.”
According to Phoenix attorney Paul Gilbert, who represents neighborhood residents, the property is subject to unique zoning conditions dating back to the 1980s. Those stipulations limit the structure to a single story, cap its height at 24 feet and restrict parking and future expansion.
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Gilbert questioned why the city would consider allowing changes after alleged violations had already occurred.
“Why would the city reward someone who has come in and violated stipulations, done construction without a permit, completely ignored stipulations and almost got away with it if neighbors had not caught him?” Gilbert said.
The Slavicek Law Firm did not respond to requests for comment made by phone and email.
The city of Phoenix said it is aware of residents’ concerns and confirmed that the Planning and Development Department is actively working with the applicant to ensure compliance with city codes and ordinances.
Opposition from the neighborhood continues to grow. More than 250 residents have signed a petition urging the City Council to deny any request that would allow the expansion to proceed.
Longtime Biltmore resident Susie Reis said she is troubled by what she sees as a willingness to reconsider zoning rules after construction has already taken place.
“How can you reward illegal behavior and what kind of precedent does that send to architects and contractors? That’s the biggest thing,” Reis said. “You can’t just arbitrarily decide I want a second floor without doing the groundwork and without doing your homework and that’s what happened.”
The Phoenix City Council is expected to take up the issue at its next meeting on Wednesday, where residents and city officials will debate whether the expansion can move forward or must be reversed.
Originally reported by Jason Barry in AZ Family.
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