A variance to allow a reduction to the required interior side yard setback was approved for a four-unit apartment building damaged by fire in Mesa.
The Mesa Board of Adjustment voted 5-0 Aug. 6 as part of a consent agenda with other items to approve the variance for the 0.35-acre property at 2012 N. Olive. Board members Heath Reed and Troy Glover were absent.
A 30-foot setback is required by city code but a 17-foot, 1-inch setback has been requested, Staff Planner Emily Johnson said during a study session prior to the meeting.
“On the site plan you will see there is a two-story, four-unit apartment building with the main entrance facing east toward North Olive. The current interior side setback is 22 feet, 4 inches, and with the proposed addition ... along the west setback the new setback will be 17 feet 1 inch,” she said.
Jordan Greenman is the applicant. Chiuatu LLC is the owner.
The variance request arises from the rehabilitation of a four-unit building that was damaged by fire, Greenman said in a written project narrative.
“(T)he combination of the unusually large and exclusive drainage easement, the dual frontage of the corner lot, and the rigid setback requirements imposed on a pre-existing two-story structure significantly limit the parcel’s buildable area and (owner Jason) Bingham’s ability to carry out modest improvements that would enhance affordable housing on the site,” it states.
“The existing two-story fourplex was constructed in or around 1982, long before current setback regulations were in place. It is situated in the northwest corner of the lot, which under today’s code places it within both the required 30-foot rear and 30-foot side setbacks. The placement of the structure, which Mr. Bingham did not design or build, leaves no room for expansion to the north or west without violating current standards,” Greenman said in the project narrative.
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.
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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