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Discuss the Proposed Amendments to the Mesa Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Agenda Item: 3-b Planning & Zoning Board Study Session – July 22, 2026 Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Background Existing Historic Preservation Design Guidelines - 2001 • Only 2 locally-designated Historic Districts at the time • 218-page document includes several topics not regulated by the MZO • Hard copy document (scanned and on website) New design guidelines reflect changing historic resources • 6 of the 8 locally-designated Historic Districts and 8 of the 11 locally- designated Historic Landmarks added since 2001 • Wider Distribution; New guidelines can be printed, but will exist primarily as a digital document • PDF format allows for key word searches and embedded links improve user-friendliness Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Purpose Provide guidance for planning, designing, and undertaking improvements to Mesa’s historic properties • Use by property owners/designers/contractors Improve the design quality of future developments and growth Assist City staff and the HPB in decision making • Establishes a basis for determining the appropriateness of construction projects Increase the overall public awareness of Mesa’s historic resources Protect property values in the districts by discouraging poorly-designed and inappropriate projects Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Design Guideline Organization Chapter 1 – Introduction Chapter 2 – Certificates of Appropriateness Chapter 3 – Guidelines for Preservation, Restoration & Rehabilitation Chapter 4 – Guidelines for Additions Chapter 5 – Guidelines for New Construction Chapter 6 – Guidelines for Historic Signage Chapter 7 – Historic Building Types & Architectural Styles Appendices: A, B, C, D, E Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Design Guideline Organization Appendices A – City of Mesa Historic Preservation Program B – Certificate of Appropriateness Review Standards C – Character Defining Features / Definitions D – Locally Designated Historic Districts & Historic Landmarks E – Heritage Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Chapter 1 Introduction Describes the purpose for creating the document: • Assist staff and the Historic Preservation Board in decision making • Promote appropriate changes to maintain historic character • Supplement the historic preservation regulations in MZO Outlines the many uses for the document including: • Evaluating real estate • Preparing for home improvements • Design review guidance How to use the document Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Chapter 2 Certificates of Appropriateness What is subject to as COA (when is a COA needed) Why COAs are not needed for properties exclusively on the National Register of Historic Places Encourages the use of the guidelines for non-locally-designated properties Provides contact information for the Mesa Historic Preservation Office Details the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the Standards for Rehabilitation, which is the basis of our code. Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Chapter 3 Guidelines for Preservation, Restoration & Rehabilitation Provides Guidelines for the following topics: • Character-Defining Features • Materials and Finishes • Windows • Doors and Entries • Porches, Decks, and Balconies • Historic Roofs • Exposed Foundations • Landscaping and Fences • Painting Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Chapter 4 Guidelines for Additions Provides Guidelines for the following topics: • Addition Placement • Addition Design • Roofs • Dormers • Doors and Windows • Porches • Fences and Walls • Mechanical Equipment and Solar Panels Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Chapter 5 Guidelines for New Construction Provides Guidelines for the following topics: • Building Height, Scale, Materials • Building Setbacks • Roof Shape and Materials • Doors and Windows: Orientation/Proportions • Porch Design • Accessory Dwelling Units: Location/Scale/Design • Fences and Walls • Mechanical Equipment and Solar Panels Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Chapter 6 Guidelines for Historic Signage Provides Guidelines for the following topics: • Compatible Signage and Streetscape Character • Neon Signs • Signage Types • Guidelines for Preservation, Rehabilitation, and Design Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Chapter 7 Historic Building Types & Architectural Styles Highlights common residential building types and architectural styles found in Mesa Each building type/style features a description and a list of typical features Photos of Mesa homes provided as illustrative examples of each building type/style Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Appendix A City of Mesa Historic Preservation Program Background of the Mesa Historic Preservation program Brief overview of: • City of Mesa Historic Districts and Historic Landmarks • Heritage Neighborhood Recognition Program • Historic and Cultural Resource Surveys • Regulatory Compliance Importance of Historic Preservation for the Future Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Appendix B COA Review Standards Standards for Alteration, Rehabilitation, and/or Additions to Existing Structures Standards for Detached New Construction Criteria for Demolition Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Appendix C Character Defining Features / Definitions Physical elements that convey a property's historic identity and significance Express the history, architecture, and cultural significance that make a building unique Importance of Retaining original materials, design, and craftsmanship to preserve a property's integrity and sense of place Help guide thoughtful changes to ensure that repairs, alterations, and additions are compatible with the historic resource Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Appendix D Historic Districts & Historic Landmarks Discussion of Mesa’s historic context • Early origin • Euromerican Settlement • Growth and Expansion • Suburban Mesa in the 1970s Brief overview of: • Local Historic Districts • Local Historic Landmarks Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Appendix E Heritage Neighborhoods Created to help recognize and give status to neighborhoods in Mesa that have a unique history that do not have historic district designation Honorary recognition does not explicitly impose additional regulations The Washington Escobedo Neighborhood and the Lehi Neighborhood are currently Mesa’s only Heritage Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Historic Preservation Board Comments Comments from the Historic Preservation Board have been overwhelmingly positive. All substantive comments and issues have been addressed previously. Many of the recent comments have been editorial. Additional comments from the last HPB meeting include: Adding captions to all photos and images Reference to current building code Refer to existing HP guidelines Fencing/wall/mechanical equipment requirements Adding information on Heritage Neighborhoods in Appendix Minimum application/drawing requirements for projects Outreach with stakeholder organizations Staff continues to edit the document based on all feedback. Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Design Guidelines Outreach Outreach Dates: • HPB Study Session – Aug. 01, 2023 • Public Meeting – Aug. 24, 2023 • HPB Meeting – May 05, 2026 • HPB Meeting – Jul. 07, 2026 • Public Meeting – Jul. 21, 2026 Consultation: • State Historic Preservation Office • Tribal Historic Preservation Offices Additional Review: • Mesa Preservation Foundation • Mesa City Website (mesaaz.gov/hp) Required Review: • Historic Preservation Board • May 05 (discussion) • Jul. 07 (discussion) • Aug. 04 (action) • Planning & Zoning Board • Jul. 22 (study session) • Aug. 26 (action) • Mesa City Council • Sep. (introduction) • Oct. (action) Historic Preservation Design Guidelines Questions & Discussion For additional information, please visit: mesaaz.gov/hp