A multiple-residence development to be known as “Pi” won’t be at 3142 but rather at 4140 E. Main Street, the Mesa Design Review Board was told recently.
The landscaping and look of the 4-acre development were discussed at the Feb. 14 meeting of the board.
Pi refers to the symbol π denoting the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. At 22 divided by seven, the number would be 3.142 but that site was not available, the developer said.
A rezoning has been requested for the property from limited commercial to multiple residence 4 with a planned area development overlay, Staff Planner Charlotte Bridges said at the Feb. 14 meeting.
“The site plans shows 80 multiple-residence (units). There’s 12 two-story, three-bedroom units and 68 three-story, three-bedroom units. The buildings around the perimeter are the three-story units,” she said.
Tim Boyle of Atmosphere Architects is the applicant. Dolly Varden LLC is the owner.
Taking cues from Japanese minimalist home design, the architect has created a community that will have a unique sense of place and offer a new design element to the Main Street facade, according to a written project narrative from Atmosphere Architects.
“Pi will be made up of a mix of two- and three-story attached townhomes with attached garages, a housing option not currently offered in this area,” it states. “Pi also brings in additional residents to support the area’s various commercial offerings, which include a grocery store, various businesses and restaurants, many within walking distance.”
All units will have attached two-car garages at the Mesa required dimensions of 22 feet long and 20 feet wide, according to the narrative.
“Consistent with the General plan, Pi provides a desired housing option for young couples, young families, working professionals and empty nesters who do not want yard maintenance responsibilities, but want a single-family home feel in a community with a sense of place provided with a well-appointed common area. Rental townhomes provide for longer-term occupancies that allow for stronger and safer communities,” it states.
The all-volunteer Mesa Design Review Board is unique in that its composition is set by the zoning ordinance to include two architects; two from other design professions such as landscape architecture, engineering, urban planning, interior design or other design-related background; one contractor or developer; and two residents, according to the city’s website.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Richard Dyer Managing Editor | East Valley @RHDyer
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.
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