A self-storage facility is to be constructed east of Country Club Drive on the south side of Broadway Road in Mesa next to a home built in the 1930s.
The landscaping and look of the facility on 1.3 acres were discussed at the Oct. 11 meeting of the Mesa Design Review Board.
A service drive is planned for emergency vehicles, Staff Planner Josh Grandlienard said at the board meeting.
“It’s only for fire access. That is due to the height of the structure, just to make sure we have ample access on all four sides,” he said.
The business is adjacent on the west side to a legal nonconforming use — a home, Grandlienard said.
“Within (downtown-business zoning) DB-2, public self-storage is an allowed use while single-residence detached is not,” he said.
The home was built in 1935, according to the website of the Maricopa County assessor.
John Connor, who is living in the home, is against the development, according to a comment card read at the design review board meeting.
“We object to a huge three-story commercial building being built on next to our property. This is not appropriate for use or design nor encroachment nor easements nor planning nor zoning. Please do not allow them to take away our peace and our home,” it states.
When the home was constructed it was a legal use, Grandlienard said to the board.
“But since that, the code has changed over time; it is a legal nonconforming use so they’re allowed to maintain that use in the original capacity but if they were to expand or make any changes on-site they would have to bring that into conformance where that use itself would not be allowed,” he said.
James Hamilton is the applicant. B&T Lucas Family Trust is the owner.
A three-story, climate-controlled self-storage facility with approximately 78,800 gross square feet is planned, according to a written project narrative by Russell Grimes Cole Design Group.
“The building materials complement the existing buildings on West Broadway Road,” it states. “We have addressed the loading and unloading by providing a recessed loading zone at the rear of the facility which screen from public view. Public space has been provided at the intersection of West Broadway and South Morris with a planter that provides opportunities for outdoor seating and sun protection which complements the neighborhood. Current proposed landscaping provides a desirable and harmonious theme which will help blend the building into its surroundings.”
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 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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