By Richard Dyer
Mail | Twitter: @RHDyer

A 372-unit apartment complex is planned on 18.6 acres east of Sossaman Road on the south side of Elliot Road in Mesa.

The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board recently voted unanimously in a consent agenda with other items to approve a site plan review for the development. Board member Shelly Allen was absent.

The multiple-residence development is in Hawes Crossing, Planner Sean Pesek said at a study session prior to the April 13 meeting.

“When we look at the site plan, you can see the buildings fronting Elliot and 79th Street are all pushed up toward the building setback line,” he said. “The applicant is proposing 782 parking stalls — 375 covered. There’s also a 30-foot-wide open space along the west side of the property with the meandering trail that is a requirement of the development agreement.”

Brian Andersen of BMA Architecture LLC is the applicant; Acero Hawes LLC is the owner.

The residential rental community will include a clubhouse with business and lounge area, swimming pool and spa, an outdoor lounge, barbecue areas, a fitness center and recreation area, according to a written project narrative.

“The project will appeal to working professionals, employees and young families that desire a unique, amenity rich and pedestrian friendly lifestyle near major employment hubs and distinctly local restaurants and retail. This project provides a needed housing option that is currently underserved in this area,” it states. “There are five dwelling unit types in the project. Two of the unit types have one bedroom, two of the unit types have two bedrooms and one of the unit types has three bedrooms. The development will include 150 one-bedroom units, 186 two-bedroom units and 36 three-bedroom units, for a total of 372 units provided.”

The seven-member Mesa Planning and Zoning Board conducts hearings and makes recommendations to council on requests for changes in zoning and on required site plans.

It also considers and recommends changes in the city’s long-range plans and in the municipal code concerning planning and zoning matters. Members are appointed for staggered terms of three years, according to the city’s website.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley
@RHDyer

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.