A special use permit for a comprehensive sign plan at One Life Church, 2130 E. University Drive, was recently approved by the Mesa Board of Adjustment.
The church is in both multiple- and single-residence zoning districts. The permit was approved in a 6-0 vote July 6 of a consent agenda with other items. Board member Chris Jones was absent.
The seven-member board 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.
In the multiple-residence zone places of worship are allowed only two signs per street front and in a single-residence zone are allowed only one sign per parcel, Staff Planner Chloe Durfee-Daniel said at a study session prior to the meeting.
“The proposed comprehensive sign plan is to allow four signs facing University Drive and to allow increased signage to 179.14 square feet. They are also requesting to allow illuminated signage. The attached signage does meet the height allowances for the zoning ordinance,” she said.
The site was originally referred to as Trinity Church and is now known as One Life Church, according to a written staff report.
Jessica Sarkissian of Upfront Planning & Entitlements LLC is the applicant. Trinity Baptist Church of Mesa is the owner.
The permit will allow the site to be improved and upgraded for the church use while providing better visibility to those driving by and seeking religious services and programs, according to a written project narrative from Upfront Planning & Entitlements LLC.
“The church would like to update the property and invest to make the church facility better and also update their signage package to be more in line with the use and surrounding area,” it states. “The church was first built in the mid-1960s with the larger sanctuary space built in 1980. Since then, it has added on offices, Sunday school classrooms and children’s worship areas. Currently the church is growing and proposing to update the site due to its age.”
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.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here