A gated two- and three-story Sparrow Mera Greenfield apartment complex for ages 55 and older is to be constructed on 9 acres east of Greenfield Road on the south side of Southern Avenue in Mesa.
The landscaping, look of the building with 208 dwelling units and a site plan were discussed at the Sept. 13 meeting of the Mesa Design Review Board.
The age-restricted, multiple-residence development is to be constructed at the site of an orchard, Staff Planner Josh Grandlienard said at the board’s Sept. 13 meeting.
“As part of it they have the single structure because of the age-restricted nature of the site that is all within one corridor. And as part of that they have multiple different stories within that building but it is realistically a three-story building that does include a clubhouse as well as the standard requirements for a multifamily ... (with) a density of 23 units per acre,” he said.
Pew and Lake is the applicant. Sunny Mesa Inc. is the owner.
Sparrow Partners is under contract to purchase approximately 8.4 acres of land from Sunny Mesa Inc. and is partnering with LMC, a national builder and manager of luxury apartments homes in Arizona, which intends to develop an adjacent senior community on approximately 14.5 acres, Sean B. Lake and D.J. Stapley of Pew and Lake PLC said in a written project narrative.
“Sparrow Mera Greenfield is a resort style, [age] 55-plus active adult living multi-family gated community. The development provides an innovative, upscale extension of the age-restricted housing product located across the street from Sunland Villas. This project offers much-needed fresh housing options in an aging neighborhood to address the needs of Mesa’s households in the important age-restricted demographic. The project plans incorporate resort lifestyle amenities, buffers, and a lush landscape and plan that will bring about distinctive developments,” they state.
“Not to be mistaken for an assisted-living community, this age-restricted use is for households who do not require regular medical care or assistance and are seeking a variety of lifestyle amenities and unique spaces designed with a personal touch to serve the diverse interests of these residents. The residents are generally about 70 years of age,” the narrative states. “The community will not offer food and beverage service, so residents will be utilizing nearby retail for these needs. Additionally, the community will not offer any level of health care, so residents will utilize local medical office uses for these needs.”
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 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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