A five-year permit recently was approved for the Sanctum of Horror temporary entertainment venue to exceed the maximum number of days allowed for a special event in Mesa.
The Mesa Board of Adjustment voted 5-0 June 4 as part of a consent agenda with other items to approve a special-use permit for the 6-acre site at Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E. Southern Ave. Boardmembers Nicole Lynam and Gerson Barrera were absent.
The Mesa zoning ordinance limits a special event to a maximum of four days but the maximum number of days may be exceeded with the approval of a special-use permit.
Construction will begin in August and the event is September through Nov. 1. The structures will be removed by mid-November, Staff Planner Kwasi Abebrese said during a study session prior to the meeting.
“The proposed haunted house attraction is ... two open-air mazes totaling approximately 6,700 square feet,” he said. “Generally they operate for a maximum of 20 days over a six-week period usually during the weekends.”
Sanctum of Horror LLC is the applicant. East Mesa Mall LLC is the owner.
From August to November, Sanctum of Horror will be the only event in the parking lot area of Superstition Springs Center, according to a written project narrative.
“We are an exciting and unique form of entertainment that brings people from all around the Valley and even from out of state. We provide additional business and publicity to Superstition Springs Center during the Halloween season,” it states.
The seven-member Board of Adjustment 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.
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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