Project New Hope behavioral health facility approved in Mesa

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

A behavioral health facility may be operated in a home within 1,200 feet of two existing similar facilities, the Mesa Board of Adjustment decided recently.

The board on Feb. 7 voted 5-2 to approve a special-use permit for the use of a home in the single residence-9 district south of McKellips Road and east of Mesa Drive for Project New Hope. Dissenting were board members Chris Jones and Heath Reed.

On Jan. 8, city of Mesa planning staff denied the registration application for a community residence — a behavioral health facility to be registered with the Arizona Department of Health Services — with a maximum of 10 adult residents, 18-55 years of age, on the grounds that it did not meet the separation requirement from an assisted living home and an assisted living center per the Mesa zoning ordinance, according to a written staff report from Planner Charlotte Bridges.

“One of the requirements from the zoning ordinance is that community residences must be separated 1,200 feet from the closest existing community residence, assisted living center or home. But the zoning ordinance also allows for an operator to request a reasonable accommodation if a community residence does not meet the spacing requirements; and that’s through the (special-use permit) process,” Bridges said during a study session prior to the meeting.

The proposed community residence is 287 feet, measured as the crow flies, and 1,457 feet ground distance from the closest existing assisted living home. It is also 724 feet, measured as the crow flies, and 1,574 feet ground distance from the closest existing assisted living center, she said.

Five residents who live near the planned facility spoke to the board during the meeting following the study session about a previous behavioral health facility at the site. One was in favor of the facility and four were against, with several stating the people residing there were not good neighbors.

“We agree that there is a need for legal rehabilitation centers. Drug and alcohol addiction is a major issue. Addiction affects everyone directly or indirectly. Overcoming an addiction is not an overnight process,” Rozanne Buck said to the board.

A business previously housed up to five individuals at the home, she recalled.

“We were disappointed and became concerned when the same home housed five-plus adults. Things started happening when they moved in that made us feel uncomfortable after all of the years we had been there in our own home such as arguments, fights, police, ambulances, trash over the fence... Conversations were heard with counselors on speakerphone, the lights in the backyard are on 24 hours a day, the motion lights surrounded the whole house, cameras,” Buck said. “I have a garden in the backyard and I caught them watching me garden, which was uncomfortable; discussions on how to jump the fence to get away were conversations my husband had heard; and many other issues. It felt as though we lived next to a prison.”

Mario Torrez of New Method Healing is the applicant. SSD Investments LLC is the owner.

The behavioral health facility with up to 10 residents is to have a supportive and inclusive living environment for individuals requiring specialized care, Torrez said in a written project narrative.

“The limited number of residents is a deliberate choice to maintain a high standard of care, allowing for individualized attention and fostering a sense of community among residents. Our project aligns with the principles of inclusivity and aims to provide a safe and nurturing space where residents can thrive,” he said.

The seven-member board conducts public meetings to hear and decide requests for variances, special-use permits and interpretations of the city of Mesa zoning ordinance and sign code. Members are appointed for staggered terms of three years, according to the city’s website.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

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.