Permit sought for assisted living home to be 1,200 feet from sober living home in Mesa

A special-use permit to allow an assisted living home within 1,200 feet of a sober living home northwest of Alma School Road and Medina Avenue is to be discussed at Wednesday’s meeting of the Mesa Board of Adjustment.

The board meets at 5 p.m. for a study session with a 5:30 p.m. meeting Sept. 2 in the council chambers 20 E. Main St.

Both are community residences. The proposed community residence is an assisted living home. The existing community residence is a sober living home, Planner Tulili Tuiteleleapaga-Howard said in a written staff report.

A community residence is a residential living arrangement for five to 10 individuals with disabilities, excluding staff, living as a family in a single dwelling unit who are in need of the mutual support, she said.

Dennis Valentine is the applicant. Seekwell LLC is the owner.

The proposed use at 1338 W. Lobo Ave. will not alter the residential character of the surrounding neighborhood, Jennifer Gatt of Assisted Living Oasis of Mesa said in written special-use permit justification statement.

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.

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