9-unit shipping container apartments complex planned in Mesa

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

A nine-unit housing development constructed with shipping containers planned near Country Club Drive and First Avenue in Mesa received a variance this week to proceed.

The Mesa Board of Adjustment voted 6-0 Dec. 4 to approve the variance for the two-story development from the form-based code’s building form standards to allow for a multiple residence development in the transect 3 neighborhood district. Vice Chair Shelly Allen was absent.

The site previously was developed as a single-family residence until its demolition in 2022, Planner Kwasi Abebrese said during a study session prior to the meeting.

“The proposed site plan shows the development of a two-story building. The first floor is comprised of a parking area, a living area as well as a refuse enclosure. The second story is comprised of eight residential units. A total of nine residential units are proposed,” he said. “Vehicle access to the site is provided from Morris ... on the west side of the project site.”

The requested variances would allow for a reduction to the required minimum rear setback for buildings and the minimum front setback for parking spaces as well as an increase in the maximum width of parking access drives required in the district, according to a written staff report.

During the meeting, Brandon Sheldon of the 100 block of South Robson expressed concerns over privacy having a two-story building near one-story homes.

“With apartments already put in ... I have second- and third-story-floor apartments staring into my backyard currently, and with this being a two-story structure, there’s clear privacy concerns that I can see looking into houses to the south of where this proposed development is. That would be my major concern,” he said.

Small windows are planned at the development, Richard Norris of Norris Architects Inc. said.

“The building is as centrally located on that property — north and south — as possible. The windows are also as small as we can have them for egress purposes and any other light considerations, so we did obviously think about that in the design because whenever you propose any kind of multifamily you want to make sure that it fits in the fabric of the neighborhood,” he said. “But I do appreciate your concern. We will review this project as well after this meeting and if there is anything else that we can reduce we will do so as well.”

Two Mesa Board of Adjustment members said it isn’t within the purview of the board to consider how many stories the development has.

“The fact that it is two-story; that is beyond our scope and so I am in favor of voting to approve,” Boardmember Troy Glover said.

“I agree with Boardmember Glover. I’m not sure that we can require it to be one-story. It’s outside of our purview,” Boardmember Todd Trendler said.

Norris of Norris Architects Inc. is the applicant. Phoenix Vintage LLC is the owner.

Structures at 143 S. Morris remained abandoned following a 2008 fire that scorched the rear of a home and destroyed an automotive repair shop attached to the single family residence. The below-market-rate housing intends to target primarily students and early career individuals, according to a written narrative from Norris Architects Inc.

“Residents will enjoy a number of amenities, including a barbecue and relaxation area and laundry facilities on site. This proposal seeks to encourage residents to utilize public transportation due to its proximity to the light rail on Main Street,” it states.

The shipping containers are to be structurally supported by steel posts and beams, it states.

“Utilizing containers as the primary medium for construction with steel post-and-beam supports creates a naturally high-quality design. Suggested surface rusting of the facade and painting the container posts and floor structure black will create interesting and contrasting visuals in the proposed structure,” the project narrative states. “The rusted shipping containers seek to honor the previous auto repair shop and provide an industrial mix to the neighborhood.”

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.

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.