Public Hearing

City of Mesa — City Council Study Session (2026-04-20)

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Planning and Zoning Board 
 
 
 
 
Meeting Minutes 
Mesa City Council Chambers – Upper Level, 20 East Main Street 
Date: March 11, 2026 Time: 4:00 p.m. 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: 
 
 
 
MEMBERS ABSENT  
Benjamin Ayers                                                         Jayson Carpenter 
Troy Peterson* 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeff Pitcher 
Genessee Montes 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
                                             
Jamie Blakeman 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chase Farnsworth* 
 
 (*Boardmembers and staff participated in the meeting through the use of telephonic 
and video conference equipment) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STAFF PRESENT:                             
OTHERS PRESENT:  
Mary Kopaskie-Brown 
Kirstin Dvorchak 
Evan Balmer 
Chloe Durfee Daniel 
Cassidy Welch 
Joshua Grandlienard 
            Danika Heying 
          
Call Meeting to Order. 
                                                              
 
 Chair Ayers excused Boardmember Carpenter and declared a quorum present, the 
meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm. 
 
1 
   Take action on all consent agenda items. 
 
 It was moved by Chair Ayers, seconded by Boardmember Pitcher, that the consent 
agenda items be approved. 
 
Vote (6-0; Boardmember Carpenter, excused) 
Upon tabulation of vote, it showed: 
AYES – Ayers, Peterson, Pitcher, Montes, Blakeman, Farnsworth 
NAYS – None

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 11, 2026, PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING 
 * * * * * 
Note: Audio recordings of the Planning & Zoning Board Meetings are available in the Planning 
Division Office for review. They are also “live broadcasted” through the City of Mesa’s website at 
www.mesaaz.gov 
 
 
Items on the Consent Agenda 
Approval of minutes from previous meetings. 
 
*2-a  Minutes from January 28, 2026, Planning and Zoning Board Meeting. 
 
3 
Take action on the following zoning cases: 
 
*3-a 
ZON25-00535. "Edgecore Mesa North Campus," 43.8± acres located at the 
southwest corner of East Elliot Road and South Everton Terrace. Major Site Plan 
Modification to allow for an approximately 1,236,960± square foot Data Center 
development. (District 6). 
  
Planner: Chloe Durfee Daniel 
Staff Recommendation: Approval with Conditions 
 
The Board recommends to approve case ZON25-00535 conditioned upon: 
 
 
 
 
1. Compliance with the final site plan as submitted, except for the proposed locations 
of the solid waste enclosures, which will require final approval of their locations by 
time of Building Permit Issuance.  
2. Following the completion of construction, but prior to the issuance of a certificate of 
occupancy, conduct a noise analysis to ensure that noise levels do not exceed 
those shown on the Noise Contour Exhibit. The study shall be provided to the City 
of Mesa Planning Department for review.  
3. To minimize any disturbance to neighboring areas, generator testing shall only be 
conducted between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.  
4. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, identify and provide contact 
information to the Development Services Department for a community liaison to 
address any noise concerns raised by residents, and provide signage listing contact 
information for the community liaison on all perimeter gates to the development.  
5. Compliance with Ordinance No. 4893 and the adopted Eastmark (Mesa Proving 
Grounds) Community Plan.  
6. Compliance with Eastmark Development Unit 5/6 South Development Unit Plan 
dated September 2017.  
7. Compliance with any development agreement recorded on the property, and any 
future amendments.  
8. Compliance with the design guidelines in Section 8 of the Eastmark Community 
Plan.  
9. Installation of all off-site improvements and street frontage landscaping during the 
first phase of construction.  
10. Compliance with all requirements of Chapter 19 of the Zoning Ordinance including: 
a. Owner must execute the City’s standard Avigation Easement and 
Release for Mesa Gateway Airport prior to or concurrently with the

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 11, 2026, PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING 
 * * * * * 
Note: Audio recordings of the Planning & Zoning Board Meetings are available in the Planning 
Division Office for review. They are also “live broadcasted” through the City of Mesa’s website at 
www.mesaaz.gov 
recordation of the Final Plat or the issuance of a building permit, 
whichever occurs first.  
b. Due to the proximity to Mesa Gateway Airport, any proposed permanent 
or temporary structure, as required by the FAA, is subject to an FAA 
filing for review in conformance with CFR Title 14 Part 77 (Form 7460) 
to determine any effect to navigable airspace and air navigation 
facilities. A completed form with a response by the FAA must 
accompany any building permit application for structure(s) on the 
property.  
c. Prior to the issuance of any building permit, provide documentation by a 
registered professional engineer or registered professional architect 
demonstrating compliance with the noise level reductions required in 
Section 11-19-5 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance.  
d. Provide written notice to future property owners that the project is within 
2.5 mile of Mesa Gateway Airport. 
e. All Final Plats must include a disclosure notice in accordance with 
Section 11-19-5(C) of the Zoning Ordinance which must state in part: 
“This property, due to its proximity to Mesa Gateway Airport, will 
experience aircraft overflights, which are expected to generate noise 
levels that may be of concern to some individuals.”  
11. Compliance with all City development codes and regulations.  
12. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the applicant shall install all  
screening elements oriented to prevent visibility from the ground of any ground 
mounted or roof mounted equipment.  
13. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the applicant shall install a total 
of four (4) murals on each of the buildings with two (2) on the front and one (1) on 
each side per the locations shown on the elevation plans submitted to the City and 
included as Exhibit 6.  
 
 
Vote (6-0; Boardmember Carpenter, excused) 
Upon tabulation of vote, it showed: 
AYES – Ayers, Peterson, Pitcher, Montes, Blakeman, Farnsworth 
NAYS – None

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 11, 2026, PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING 
 * * * * * 
Note: Audio recordings of the Planning & Zoning Board Meetings are available in the Planning 
Division Office for review. They are also “live broadcasted” through the City of Mesa’s website at 
www.mesaaz.gov 
4 
Discuss and make a recommendation to the City Council on the following zoning 
cases: 
 
*4-a ZON25-00942. “Rio Salado 25” 3.1± acres located at the northwest corner of West Rio 
Salado Parkway and North Cubs Way. Rezone from General Commercial (GC) to 
General Commercial with a Bonus Intensity Zone Overlay (GC-BIZ), Council Use Permit 
(CUP), and Site Plan Review. This request will allow for the development of an 
approximately 54,725± square foot hotel and 36-unit multiple residence building.  
(District 3)  
  
Planner: Josh Grandlienard 
Staff Recommendation: Approval with Conditions 
 
The Board recommends to approve case ZON25-00942 conditioned upon: 
 
1. Compliance with the final site plan as submitted. 
2. Compliance with all applicable City development codes and regulations. 
3. Compliance with all conditions of DRB25-00936.  
4. Installation of all off-site improvements and street frontage landscaping during the first 
phase of construction. 
5. Compliance with the Plan of Operation and Good Neighbor Policy submitted.  
6. Prior to the submittal of any building permit, record a lot combination or a lot line 
adjustment to combine APNs 135-38-001N and 135-38-001M.  
7. Compliance with all City development codes and regulations, except the modification 
to the development standards as approved with this BIZ Overlay as shown in the 
following table: 
Development Standards 
BIZ Approved 
Maximum Building Height  – 
MZO Table 11-6-3.A 
 
65 feet 
Minimum Setbacks to Building and 
Parking Areas–  
MZO Table 11-6-3.A  
 
Front and Street Facing Side (adjacent 
to Rio Salado Parkway) 
 
 
Side and Rear adjacent to non-
residential district, per story 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11 feet 
 
 
 
7 feet (north side) 
2.5 feet (east side) 
2.5 feet (west side)

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 11, 2026, PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING 
 * * * * * 
Note: Audio recordings of the Planning & Zoning Board Meetings are available in the Planning 
Division Office for review. They are also “live broadcasted” through the City of Mesa’s website at 
www.mesaaz.gov 
Development Standards 
BIZ Approved 
Required Landscape Yards –  
MZO Section 11-33-3 (B)(2)(a)(ii) 
 
Non-Single Residence Adjacent to 
other Non-Single Residence Districts  
 
 
 
 
 
0 Feet 
Perimeter Landscaping –  
MZO Table 11-33-3.A.4 
 
Arterial Streets 
 
 
 
Local Streets 
 
 
 
 
 
0 Trees and Shrubs required within 
the proposed landscape yards  
Required Parking Spaces by Use – 
MZO Table 11-32-3.A 
- Multiple Residence 
 
 
 
 
1.29 spaces per unit (56 spaces) 
 
 
Required Parking Spaces by Use – 
MZO Section 11-32-3(D) 
 
-  Covered Parking 
 
 
11 covered parking spaces on site 
Minimum Private Open Space –  
MZO Section 11-5-5(A)(3)(a) – Sizing - 
Two and Three Bedroom Units 
 
 
60 square feet of private open 
space per unit 
Minimum Private Open Space Above 
Ground Level –  
MZO Section 11-5-5(A)(3)(e)(i)(2) – 
Minimum Width  
 
 
5 feet wide 
 
 
Vote (6-0; Boardmember Carpenter, excused) 
Upon tabulation of vote, it showed: 
AYES – Ayers, Peterson, Pitcher, Montes, Blakeman, Farnsworth 
NAYS – None

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 11, 2026, PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING 
 * * * * * 
Note: Audio recordings of the Planning & Zoning Board Meetings are available in the Planning 
Division Office for review. They are also “live broadcasted” through the City of Mesa’s website at 
www.mesaaz.gov 
*4b  
ZON25-00917. "Longbow Mixed-Use," 3.4± acres located approximately 1,665± feet 
west of the southwest corner of North Recker Road and East Longbow Parkway. Rezone 
from Light Industrial with a Planned Area Development Overlay (LI-PAD) to Light 
Industrial with a Planned Area Development Overlay and Bonus Intensity Zone Overlay 
(LI-PAD-BIZ), Council Use Permit (CUP) and Site Plan Review. This request will allow 
for the development of an approximately 56,360± square foot hotel and future 
commercial development. (District 5)  
  
Planner: Mallory Ress 
Staff Recommendation: Approval with Conditions 
 
 The Board recommends to approve case ZON25-00942 conditioned upon: 
 
1. Compliance with final site plan submitted. 
2. Compliance with all requirements of Design Review case DRB25-00916. 
3. Compliance with all conditions of approval of Ordinance No. 4897, except as modified 
by this request. 
4. Prior to the submittal of any building permit, obtain approval of an AUP for the shared 
parking arrangement.  
5. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, record a cross-access agreement with the 
adjacent property to the east. 
6. Compliance with all requirements of Chapter 19 of the Zoning Ordinance including:  
a. Owner must execute the City’s standard Avigation Easement and Release for 
Falcon Field Airport prior to or concurrently with the recordation of the Final Plat 
or the issuance of a building permit, whichever occurs first.  
b. Due to the proximity to Falcon Field Airport, any proposed permanent or 
temporary structure, as required by the FAA, is subject to an FAA filing for 
review in conformance with CFR Title 14 Part 77 (Form 7460) to determine any 
effect to navigable airspace and air navigation facilities. A completed form with 
a response by the FAA must accompany any building permit application for 
structure(s) on the property.  
c. Prior to the issuance of any building permit, provide documentation by a 
registered professional engineer or registered professional architect 
demonstrating compliance with the noise level reductions required in Section 
11-19-5 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance. 
d. Provide written notice to future property owners that the project is within 3 miles 
of Falcon Field Airport 
e. All Final Plats must include a disclosure notice in accordance with Section 11-
19-5(C) of the Zoning Ordinance which must state in part: “This property, due to 
its proximity to Falcon Field Airport, will experience aircraft overflights, which 
are expected to generate noise levels that may be of concern to some 
individuals.” 
7. Compliance with all City development codes and regulations, except the modification to 
the development standards as approved in Ord. No. 3972 and Ord. No. 4897 and with 
this BIZ Overlay as shown in the following table: 
Development Standards 
BIZ Approved 
Maximum Building Height    
MZO Section 11-7-3 
53 feet

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 11, 2026, PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING 
 * * * * * 
Note: Audio recordings of the Planning & Zoning Board Meetings are available in the Planning 
Division Office for review. They are also “live broadcasted” through the City of Mesa’s website at 
www.mesaaz.gov 
 
8. Prior to the City Council hearing, provide updated site and landscape plans that show 
the location of a shade structure(s) covering the turf area shown on the east side of the 
pool on the final site plan. The shade structure(s) must cover a minimum of 75% of the 
proposed 1,800 square foot turf area in area, no less than 1,350 square feet, and provide 
seating options. The final design shall be approved administratively by the Planning 
Director prior to the submittal of any building permit. 
 
Vote (6-0; Boardmember Carpenter, excused) 
Upon tabulation of vote, it showed: 
AYES – Ayers, Peterson, Pitcher, Montes, Blakeman, Farnsworth 
NAYS – None

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 11, 2026, PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING 
 * * * * * 
Note: Audio recordings of the Planning & Zoning Board Meetings are available in the Planning 
Division Office for review. They are also “live broadcasted” through the City of Mesa’s website at 
www.mesaaz.gov 
5 
Discuss and make a recommendation to the City Council on the following General 
Plan amendment and related zoning case: 
 
*5a 
GPA26-00147. "Rio Salado 25 Minor GPA" 3.1± acres located at the northwest corner 
of West Rio Salado Parkway and North Cubs Way. Minor General Plan Amendment to 
change the Placetype from Local Employment Center to Urban Center. (District 3) 
  
Planner: Josh Grandlienard 
Staff Recommendation: Adoption 
 
 The Board recommends to adopt case ZON25-00942. 
 
Vote (6-0; Boardmember Carpenter, excused) 
Upon tabulation of vote, it showed: 
AYES – Ayers, Peterson, Pitcher, Montes, Blakeman, Farnsworth 
NAYS – None