Staff Report

City of Mesa — City Council (2026-05-18)

View PDF Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 8345 characters
City Council Staff Report 
Date 
May 4, 2026 
Case No.  
ZON25-00256 
Project Name 
 Sun Devil Auto – Signal Butte 
Request 
 Major Site Plan Modification to allow for a single-story, 7,689± square 
foot minor automotive/vehicle service and repair facility. 
 Amending conditions of approval No. 1, 6, 7 & 9 of Ordinance No. 
3884 
Project Location 
Approximately 280 feet east of the northeast corner of East Southern 
Avenue and South Signal Butte Road 
Parcel No(s) 
220-76-002X 
 
Project Area 
5.9± acres 
Council District 
District 5 
Existing Zoning 
Limited Commercial (LC) 
General Plan 
Designation 
Urban Center - Evolve 
Applicant 
George Pasquel III, Withey Morris Baugh, PLC 
Owner 
WS HOLDINGS I, LLC 
Staff Planner 
Charlotte Bridges, Planner II 
Proposition 207 
Wavier Signed 
Yes

[2] 
Recommendation 
Staff Recommendation: 
Staff finds that the Proposed Project is consistent with the Mesa 2050 General Plan and the 
review criteria for Site Plan Review outlined in MZO Section 11-69-5. 
Staff recommends approval with conditions. 
Planning & Zoning Board Recommendation: 
On October 22, 2025, the Planning and Zoning Board voted (4-0) to recommend that City 
Council approve the proposed project with an additional condition of approval. 
Project Overview 
Request: 
The applicant is requesting approval of a Major Site Plan Modification to allow for the 
development of a 7,689± square foot minor automobile/vehicle service and repair facility 
(Proposed Project).  This modification includes the removal of conditions 1, 6, 7 and 9 from 
Ordinance No. 3884 (Planning Case No. Z00-084), which are no longer applicable to the 
Proposed Project. 
Concurrent Applications: 
 
Design Review: On October 14, 2024, the Design Review reviewed and made 
recommendations on the proposed elevations and landscape plan (Case No. DRB25-
00399). 
 
Preliminary Plat:  The applicant is requesting Planning Director approval of a Preliminary 
Plat titled, “Mass Market” which shows the creation of 3 lots with areas of 43,285 square 
feet, 49,009 square feet and 163,822 square feet.  
General Plan:  
 
The Placetype for the project site is Urban Center and the Growth Strategy is Evolve. 
 
A Convenience Services use, which includes minor automotive/vehicle service and repair 
facility, is a principal land use that helps contribute to a vibrant and economically 
sustainable area where people live, work and play.   
 
The Proposed Project is consistent with the Urban Center Placetype and furthers the 
implementation of, and is not contrary to, the Vision, Guiding Principles, Strategies, and 
applicable elements of the Mesa 2050 General Plan. 
 
Supporting General Plan Strategies: 
o N1.  Promote complete communities in both existing and new neighborhoods. 
o N5.  Improve street and open space network connectivity within neighborhoods and 
to local amenities. 
o LU3. Encourage infill and redevelopment to meet the community’s strategic needs.

[3] 
o LU1. Promote a balance of land uses to enhance the quality of life for current and 
future generations. 
o ED3.  Sustain a business climate that fosters entrepreneurs and small businesses. 
Zoning:  
 
The project site is zoned Limited Commercial (LC). 
 
Minor Automobile/Vehicle Service and Repair is a permitted use within the LC District 
subject to compliance with the additional development standards of Section 11-31-6 of 
the Mesa Zoning Ordinance (MZO). 
Surrounding Zoning & Use Activity: 
The Proposed Project  is compatible with surrounding land uses, which include a convenience 
store and service station, a limited service restaurant with drive-thru facilities, a multi-tenant 
commercial building, single residences and vacant land. 
Northwest 
LC 
Commercial Development 
North 
RS-6-PAD 
Single Residences 
Northeast 
RS-6-PAD 
Single Residences 
West 
LC 
Convenience Store and 
Service Station 
Project Site 
LC 
 
Vacant 
East 
RS-6-PAD 
 
Single Residences  
Southwest 
(Across Southern Ave.) 
LC-PAD-CUP 
Vacant 
South 
(Across Southern Ave.) 
LC-PAD-CUP 
Vacant 
Southeast 
(Across Southern Ave.) 
LC-PAD-CUP 
Vacant 
Site History: 
 
August 31, 1987: City Council annexed 746.5± acres, including the project site, into the 
City of Mesa (Ordinance No. 2250). 
 
October 5, 1987: City Council rezoned 772± acres, including the project site, from 
Maricopa County Rural-43, R1-8, C-2 and C-3 to City of Mesa Professional-Service 
Offices (RS), Single Family Residence-9 (R1-9), Limited Commercial C-2 (equivalent to 
current Limited Commercial [LC]) and General Commercial C-3.  The project site was 
zoned R1-9 as part of this approval (Case No. Z87-067; Ordinance No. 2272). 
 
February 17, 1998: City Council rezoned 10± acres, including the project site, from 
Single Family Residence-9 (R1-9) to LC to accommodate a future commercial 
development (Case No. Z97-075; Ordinance No. 2272). 
 
May 7, 2001: City Council approved a site plan for 10± acres, including the project site, 
to allow for the development of a commercial shopping center.  The approved site plan 
indicates a 50,000± square major tenant building and associated parking spaces on the 
parent parcel of the project site (Case No. Z00-084, Ordinance No. 3884).

[4] 
Project/Request Details 
Site Plan: 
 
Building Design: The 7,689 square foot Minor Automobile/Vehicle Service and Repair 
building will be a single-story located on Lot 1 of the proposed Mass Market Preliminary 
Plat.  
 
Access: The site will be accessed via two shared drives from Southern Avenue and three 
shared drives from Signal Butte Road. 
 
Auto Service Bay Screening:  In compliance with Section 11-30-9(F) of the MZO, the 
auto service bays are located more than 200 feet from the single residences uses to the 
west and screened from view by an existing 6-foot tall masonry wall along the west 
perimeter of the single residence subdivision.     
 
Parking: Per Table 11-32-3.A of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance (MZO), 21 parking spaces 
are required.  A total of 26 parking spaces are provided on-site.  
 
Landscaping: The Proposed Project features landscaped foundation base areas that 
include several tree species and a multitude of shrubs. Additionally, a landscaped yard is 
provided along Southern Avenue for the full length of the parent parcel, which includes a 
3-foot high berm to screen the adjacent interior drive aisle and parking area as well as a 
variety of trees and shrubs. 
Citizen Participation 
The applicant conducted a Citizen Participation process, notifying surrounding property owners, 
HOAs, and registered neighbors.  
Required Notification: 
 
Property owners within 1,000 feet, HOAs within ½ mile, and registered neighborhoods 
within one mile of the subject site were notified of the public hearing.  
Staff has not received any phone calls or emails with questions on the Proposed Project. 
Conditions of Approval 
Staff recommends approval of the Major Site Plan Modification and amendment to conditions of 
approval No. 1, No. 6, No. 7 and No. 9 of Ordinance No. 3884, subject to the following conditions: 
1. 
Compliance with the final site plan as submitted. 
2. 
Compliance with all requirements of Development Agreement DA26-00012 and any future 
amendments. 
3. 
Compliance with Section 11-31-6 of the MZO, additional development standards for 
Automobile/Vehicle Repair, Major and Minor.   
4. 
Compliance with all requirements of Design Review Case No. DRB25-00399.

[5] 
5. 
Site Plan Review is required for future phases of development. 
6. 
Compliance with Preliminary Plat as approved. 
7. 
Compliance with all requirements of the Subdivision Regulations. 
8. 
Compliance with all applicable City development codes and regulations. 
9. 
Installation of all off-site improvements and street frontage landscaping during the first 
phase of construction. 
10. Dedicate the right-of-way and easements required under the Mesa City Code at the time 
of application for a building permit, at the time of recordation of the Final Plat, or at the 
time of the City's request for dedication, whichever comes first. 
Exhibits 
Exhibit 1 - Presentation 
Exhibit 2 - Ordinance 
Exhibit 3 - Ordinance Map 
Exhibit 4 - Vicinity Map 
Exhibit 5 - Site Plan 
Exhibit 6 - Minutes 
Exhibit 7 - Submittal Documents 
Exhibit 8 – Conceptual Development Plan