A rezoning and bonus intensity zone overlay should be approved for a multiple-residence development on 6.6 acres near the Chicago Cubs spring training stadium, the Mesa Planning and Zoning Board decided recently.
The board on May 24 voted 5-0 on a consent agenda with other items to recommend that the city council approve the site plan review and rezoning for Residences at Dobson and Cubs Way, which is to be constructed north of Rio Salado Parkway and west of Dobson Road. Absent were board members Genessee Montes and Troy Peterson.
“I think it’s great for that area just because it is so close to the ballpark,” Boardmember Shelly Allen said prior to the vote.
The rezoning is from general commercial with a planned area development overlay to multiple residence-4 with a bonus intensity zone overlay.
The 416-unit development will have access from Riverview Auto Drive and Dobson Road, Planner Sean Pesek said at a study session prior to the meeting.
“The northern building wraps around a six-level parking structure and then there are two pedestrian bridges that link the northern building to the southern building,” he said. “The southern building contains most of the private open space amenity areas.”
Sean Lake of Pew & Lake PLC is the applicant. LHM JVR MSA LLC is the owner.
The project is within walking distance of recreational opportunities across the street at Riverview Park and Sloan Park, spring training facility for the Chicago Cubs, Lake said in a written project narrative.
“The housing is a much-needed land use type in the Riverview mixed use activity district, and will support nearby businesses and companies seeking to locate in Mesa,” it states. “This vision includes a four-story, 61-foot, high-quality multifamily development with an urban architectural style and a variety of open space amenities to provide a resort-lifestyle for residents.”
The seven-member Mesa Planning and Zoning Board conducts hearings and makes recommendations to 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, according to the city’s website.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Richard Dyer Managing Editor | East Valley @RHDyer
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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