Presentation

Discuss and make a recommendation 
to City Council regarding the 
proposed Historic Preservation text 
amendments to Chapters 23, 44, 66, 
74, and 87 of Title 11, Zoning 
Ordinance, of the Mesa City Code
Agenda Item: 3-a  
Planning and Zoning Board
P&Z – September 09, 2026

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
Purpose of the Amendments
The proposed amendments are intended to improve the City's 
Historic Preservation regulations by:

Improving clarity and organization 

Simplifying and streamlining procedures 

Increasing consistency throughout the ordinance 

Aligning with current state and federal requirements

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
Streamlined Historic Preservation Ordinance
Reorganizes Historic Preservation regulations by:
Consolidating related provisions into a new Chapter 74 
Repealing Chapters 23, 44, and the existing Chapter 74 
Creating one comprehensive chapter covering: 
• Historic Preservation Overlay 
• Certificate of Appropriateness 
• Historically Designated Signs 
• Archaeological Resources 
• Mesa Historic Property Register
• Appeals

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
Improving the Historic Preservation Process
The Amendments:
Clarify application and review procedures 
Remove redundant and outdated language 
Standardize terminology throughout the ordinance 
Reference the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and City 
Design Guidelines 
Update public notice and review procedures 
Improve consistency with current zoning processes

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
Additional Amendments
The proposed amendments introduce or clarify:
Supplemental Inventory List 
Duty to Maintain requirements 
Emergency repair procedures 
Clearer demolition review process 
Historically Designated Signs procedures 
Updated Historic Preservation Board procedures 
Historic Preservation definitions

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
New Archaeological Resource Requirements
The ordinance now includes a dedicated section addressing:
Archaeological resources on public and private land 
Compliance with applicable state and federal laws 
Resource assessments, when appropriate 
Coordination with State Historic Preservation Office 
(SHPO), Coordination with the Tribal Historic 
Preservation Offices (THPO), and qualified professionals

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
Summary of Amendments
The proposal will:
Replace three existing Historic Preservation chapters with one 
comprehensive chapter 
Improve organization and readability 
Clarify existing procedures 
Add archaeological resource provisions 
Update Historic Preservation Board procedures 
Add Historic Preservation definitions

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
Public Review Process
Extensive Outreach Included:
Historic Preservation Board meetings 
Community public meetings 
Consultation with SHPO
Consultation with SRPMIC THPO
Consultation with GRIC THPO
Review by preservation stakeholders 
Upcoming Hearings
City Council

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
Historic Preservation Board Recommendation
Historic Preservation Board (Action) - September 01, 2026
Staff presented the final draft of the proposed Historic 
Preservation Text Amendments to the Historic Preservation 
Board for discussion and recommendation to City Council.  
The Board voted unanimously to recommend that City 
Council adopt the proposed Mesa Zoning Ordinance text 
amendments (Historic Preservation Procedures).

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Board 
provide a recommendation that the City Council adopt 
the proposed Mesa Zoning Ordinance text amendments 
(Historic Preservation Procedures).

Historic Preservation
Text Amendments
Questions & Discussion
For additional information, please visit:
mesaaz.gov/hp