The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board voted 5-0 to recommend the city council deny a rezoning and site plan review to make way for a 30-unit multiple residence development at their recent meeting.
Boardmembers Benjamin Ayers and Genessee Montes were absent from the Nov. 12 meeting.
The board discussed whether to rezone 1.9 acres approximately 2,050 feet north of the northwest corner of East Brown Road and North Greenfield Road from a single residence zoning to multiple residence with a planned-area development overlay as well as a site plan review. The request was made by applicant Tim Boyle of Atmosphere Architects on behalf of site owner Johnstar LLC.
The 30-unit project would consist of four residential buildings arranged around a central amenity and guest parking area. These four buildings would be made up of a six-unit, two-story building along the north property line, a 15-unit, two-story building along the southwest property line, a five-unit, three-story building along Greenfield Road and a four-unit, three-story building along Greenfield Road. Amenities would include a swimming pool, dog park, mural and 15 parking spots.
During a Nov. 12 study session, boardmember Jeff Pitcher asked Mesa planner Jennifer Merrill that if this zoning request, which was originally introduced four years ago, would need to go back to the design review board for an update.
“Does this need to go before the design review board again?” Pitcher asked.
Merill responded and said she doesn’t believe that would be necessary.
“There were not significant changes to the layout of the site or to the architecture that would require an additional meeting with the board,” Merrill said.
Nearby property owners were notified previously and two neighborhood meetings where held, where neighbors cited site visibility into properties and overall layout as concerns. This feedback resulted in the number of residential units being reduced to 30 from the original 38, as well as a two-story limit on units across the western side of the site.
During the board meeting Nov. 12, a multitude of homeowners and nearby property owners spoke to express displeasure with the proposed development.
Thomas Lepler expressed concerns about additional crime and increased population density that the development could possibly bring to the area.
“All the groves are being eaten up. Houses are being built. Our population density has gone crazy,” Lepler said. “This is just going to add another big glut of people in that area.”
Ultimately, the board decided it would be better to deny the motion and allow for additional neighborhood meetings so that community feedback could be implemented before the request comes back to a public hearing again.
“In good faith, since it’s been three-and-a-half years since the last neighborhood meeting on this, that before it comes to a public meeting there should be additional input,” Vice Chair Troy Peterson said. “The discussion we’re having here, it’s probably not the best forum for the applicant to receive all that input. Based on those things, I am not in support of the plan as it currently stands.”
The seven-member Planning and Zoning Board conducts hearings and make 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.
After graduating from Arizona State University's Cronkite School in spring 2022, Connor Van Ligten spent a little over year as a reporter for WWL-TV in New Orleans before finding themselves back in Phoenix in October of 2023. Now back in the Valley and writing for the Mesa Independent and the Daily Independent, Connor is ready to tell meaningful stories and report on important civic issues facing Mesa. Connor is a big fan of the 49ers, Warriors, pro wrestling, anime, dogs and fighting video games.
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