8 Dec 4th-Dec 10th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | The Joey Biltmore restaurant, which would be the 36th in the company’s port- folio, would serve modern American food with a large drink menu and options for private events. It would be open seven days a week, typically from 11:00 a.m. to midnight during the week and until 1 a.m. on weekends. “Every restaurant we open is unique to its community, and we see this corner of Camelback as the perfect place to build something special that will meet and flow with the established character of the neighborhood,” Jonathan Pedlow, who’s responsible for overseeing the Joey Restaurant Group’s real estate portfolio, told Phoenix New Times in an email. “We’ve fallen in love with Phoenix’s dining culture and our hope is that Joey Biltmore becomes a place where locals feel proud to gather and connect.” Where will the cars go? That gathering is exactly what concerns many residents of Brentwood Estates. While a few neighbors told New Times that the development is to be expected when living off one of the main arteries of a growing city, many more view the restaurant as an intrusion on their quiet enclave. Kaitlyn Sabrowsky and her husband moved into the first home on the block in 2023. From the 32-year-old’s backyard, a thick line of trees blocks most of the office building and dampens some of the sound. But a wall is the only separation between them and the potential Joey Biltmore development. “Saying it’s in the backyard is not an exaggeration,” she said. The proposed restaurant’s entrance would be about 100 feet from her door, and a popular restau- rant that close means lots of traffic, noise and the potential for shenanigans from overserved patrons. “We bought this house two years ago, planning to be in it for a while and have a family,” Sabrowsky said. “We’ve been lucky to build it here, and still continue to build it. And now I feel like that is in jeopardy.” One sticking point for Brentwood Estates residents is parking. The proposed Joey Biltmore lot is currently zoned as a commercial office district with fewer than 100 parking spaces on-site. Out of these, 11 will be reserved for bank parking other than on weekends and after 5 p.m. weekdays, according to the restau- rant’s zoning proposal. For high-demand areas, such as restau- rants and other drinking establishments, city standards require one parking space per 50 square feet (including outdoor dining areas) and one space per 200 square feet of outdoor recreational space. The Joey Biltmore project proposal is for one space per 105 square feet, which would amount to only 98 parking spots. That doesn’t mean the rezoning request will be denied; applicants can propose changes to city zoning standards, which are considered on a case-by-case basis. The restaurant group has said its design would meet the parking demands comfortably. It has also suggested that nearby commercial partnerships could provide extra parking, with potential options for valet and ride- share drop-off and pick-up. But to residents, only 98 parking spaces is a math problem with an obvious result — more cars parking in the neighborhood instead of at the restaurant. “They’re 56 short of the city’s 146-space requirement,” said Resch-Geretti. “Even if every homeowner parked one car in front of their house, that still would not be enough for the 56 cars they’re short of.” “Everyone is going to be affected by the parking issue,” added Sabrowsky. “But we are also concerned about drunk driving, people leaving really late at night. I mean, noise is one thing, but we are more worried about people being belligerent.” Echoes of Donovan’s Steakhouse To longtime Brentwood Estates residents, the potential encroachment of a high-end restaurant feels familiar. Sharon Bitsoi has lived in the neighbor- hood for 30 years, long enough to remember when the area was less devel- oped and she didn’t have to worry Brentwood Estates is located just off 31st Street and Camelback Road. (Cheyla Daverman) Not Welcome from p 6 >> p10
