Mesa zoning board approves recommendation of housing development rezoning

The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board voted 4-0 on Feb. 26 to recommend the city council rezone an area to make way for a multifamily housing development.

Vice Chair Jeff Pitcher, Boardmember Genessee Montes and Boardmember Chase Farnsworth were absent.

The 5-acre lot called Park North is 275 feet east of the northeast corner of South Power and East Guadalupe roads. The proposal, made by applicant Chris Webb on behalf of owner P & G Land Development LLC, is to change the type of planned-area development overlay on the land as well as a site plan review for a multiple-residence development totaling 120 units.

“This is a request to rebuild the subject from limited commercial with a planned area development to limited commercial with a new planned area development, council use permit and site plan,” Mesa Planner Charlotte Bridges said at a study session prior to the meeting.

The site plan is made up of two three-story apartment buildings with 36 units each, two three-story apartment buildings with 24 units each, a 4,053-square-foot clubhouse/leasing office, an outdoor pool, 252 parking spaces and more, according to city documents.

Per the resident participation plan, nearby property owners were notified. Two in-person meetings were held, and staff received 43 emails in opposition to the project with concerns about traffic congestion and use.

Mesa resident Bonnie Hickman shared her concerns at the Feb. 26 board meeting about the congestion issues as a result of more children in the area around the site.

“If you’re looking at 120 apartments we’re looking at a minimum of maybe 200 kids that are going to be moving into Superstition Elementary.” Hickman said. “I have some real concerns. I’ve lived in the area long enough to know that road is dangerous...even if you assume only one and a half cars per apartment, you’re looking at a minimum of 180 cars entering onto Guadalupe that is directly across the street from Highland Junior High as it is a ridiculously dangerous intersection.”

Webb said during the meeting that the goal for this development is to have something that fits within the local community and also adds kids in nearby schools.

“Ultimately the goal is to provide a good project that yields kids that are going to school with us, going to church with us, and integrating into the community,” Webb said.

The seven-member Planning and Zoning Board conducts hearings and makes recommendations to the city 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.