A building is to be demolished and a new one constructed at the St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church west of Higley Road on the south side of Broadway Road in Mesa.
The Mesa Design Review Board on Aug. 13 discussed the look and landscaping for the place of worship on 3 acres. Board member Paul Johnson was absent.
There are three existing buildings on the site and one is to be demolished to make way for a new one, Staff Planner Kwasi Abebrese said during the meeting.
“The site plan shows the addition of a proposed 19,268-square-foot church building. A total of 101 parking spaces are required for this development but a total of 94 spaces are proposed,” he said.
There is a separate request for a special use permit for a parking reduction to be heard by the planning and zoning board, Abebrese said.
“The proposed landscaping plan shows the existing citrus trees as well as a number of proposed trees, some of which include red oleander and red push pistache trees on the perimeter, specifically the front side adjacent to Broadway Road as well as on the east side adjacent to an exiting residential development and on the south side as well,” he said.
Ashraf Shokry of Master Plan Design LLC is the applicant. St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church is the owner.
The new church and Sunday-school building is designed in the rich heritage of Coptic architecture while embracing modern functionality, according to a written project narrative.
“We have chosen durable, high-quality materials suitable for the local climate, including stone veneer, stucco and a storefront system glazing that meets energy requirements. Some of the larger glazing sections will feature decorative aluminum screen panels for design purposes,” it states.
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 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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