A 68-unit townhouse development called Lofts at 121 is to be constructed about 881 feet north of the northeast corner of East Main Street and North Beverly in Mesa.
The Mesa Design Review Board on Jan. 14 discussed the look and landscaping for the 3-acre, two- and three-story multifamily development.
A total of 165 parking spaces are to be provided, which meets the city’s zoning code parking requirements, Staff Planner Joshua Grandlienard said during the meeting.
“There is an existing single residence on this site that they are looking to demo as part of this project and then redevelop for the proposed project,” he said. “It is a 68-unit townhouse development. There is vehicular access via Beverly on the west side. I will note that that northern entrance is actually just an emergency exit only for fire, emergency vehicles since it is over 30 units as well as for solid-waste vehicles to leave the site.”
Two-story units are primarily on the north property line, Grandlienard said.
“The intent there is to ease the impact of the density of this project so the two stories are adjacent to the single-family homes on the north side and then once you get further south you’ll see these three-story elements,” he said.
Two area residents spoke against the project, primarily concerned with the added pollution, density and height of the project so close to single-family homes.
“(T)he area is not that densely populated and we’re planning on putting over 200 people in this spot plus 160-some cars,” Mesa resident Mike Ziegler said. “Basically what we’re worried about is pollution... from all of those cars coming into our neighborhood.... I know he has the right to develop it; we don’t need something this concentrated. There’s just too many people.”
Mesa resident Linda Spy said she was concerned the development will have second-story dwellers looking into her property.
“I used to look out my back porch and see the sky. Now I’ll have a freakin second-story window looking down on my back porch. I don’t think that’s right,” she said. “If you go through that neighborhood, we’ve got many multigenerational homes. We have many people who have lived there for 20, 30, 40 years.”
Spy said she is also concerned with the increase in traffic.
“We’re doubling traffic in the neighborhood where there’s only one exit to Main Street and the rest is through our neighborhood. We don’t need another 40 cars going through our neighborhood. We already have more than we need,” she said.
Grandlienard said many of their comments should be made before the planning and zoning board next week.
“Most of those comments you brought up today will be discussed at that meeting. The intent for this meeting is to discuss design. So definitely the concerns about the second story I think would apply as well as the lighting and things of that nature. But just understand that traffic and things of that nature will be discussed next week,” he said.
A zoning case for the development is slated to be heard by the Mesa Planning and Zoning Board on Jan. 22. A study session begins at 3:30 p.m. and a meeting at 4 p.m. in the council chambers, 57 E. First St.
Tim Boyle of Atmosphere Architects is the applicant. Lofts at 121 LLC is the owner.
The design of the units is inspired by the pigeon lofts currently located on the property, according to a written project narrative from Atmosphere Architects.
“The developer’s father, a longtime Mesa resident, kept pigeons his entire life. The unique shape of the pigeon loft roofs and vents are a historical, local cultural element that inspired the roof shape and other design elements of this project,” it states. “Our client is interested in developing his childhood home lot into a multifamily project... The surrounding neighborhood is home to many generations of families, and those who live here are always on the lookout for places for young or retired families to live. This project provides such an option.”
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 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.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here