Substance and alcohol use treatment/recovery residence seeks permit in Mesa

A special use permit to allow a transitional community residence east of Gilbert Road and south of McDowell road will be considered Wednesday by the Mesa Board of Adjustment.

The board meets Jan. 7 at 5 p.m. for a study session with a 5:30 p.m. meeting in the lower council chambers, 57 E. First St.

The Legacy Recovery Center is to be on 0.5 acres at 2338 E. Minton St.

Legacy Recovery Center LLC, an Arizona limited liability company, is the applicant. Roland Segal and Ehab Abdallah are the owners.

In February 2025, the city issued to Legacy a family community residence approval and a certificate of occupancy for the property. In March 2025, Legacy then obtained a behavioral health residential facility license from Arizona Department of Health Services. After receiving these approvals, the city of Mesa zoning administrator and Board of Adjustment determined that Legacy should have been required to obtain a special use permit for a transitional community residence use instead, Heather N. Dukes of Dukes Law PLLC said in a written project narrative.

“Although Legacy appealed the board’s decision to the Maricopa County Superior Court to preserve its appeal rights, Legacy is filing this SUP application in an attempt to follow the process required by the zoning administrator and board,” she said.

The facility is to house up to 10 residents typically ages 18 to 60 years old, she said.

“The residents at the property are in treatment/recovery for substance and alcohol use, with some residents seeking treatment for co-occurring behavioral health issues — i.e. depression, anxiety,” Dukes said. “Residents at Legacy are not adjudicated and they come to the program of their own free will to seek help with behavioral health issues. Clinical services provided on-site include resident assessments, individual therapy and group therapy. The therapists and house managers will also assist with teaching life skills such as cooking and cleaning, resume building and employer interview coaching.”

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.