Mesa City Council Meeting: August 19, 2025

The Mesa City Council met on August 19, 2025, to consider a consent agenda, a public hearing on the proposed Beverly Apartments development, an annexation hearing, and public comments on the 287G agreement with ICE. The council approved the consent agenda unanimously and approved the Beverly Apartments project on a 5-2 vote after extensive discussion about density, traffic, and neighborhood concerns. Public comments focused on opposition to the 287G agreement and overdevelopment.

Consent Calendar

• Approved all items on the consent agenda by a unanimous vote, including: approval of previous meeting minutes; liquor license applications for Main Market and Mountain Mike's Pizza; contracts for Broadway Road Improvements Phase 1, 2nd Avenue Union Pacific Railroad Sewer Rehabilitation, traffic signal controllers, helicopter airframe parts, body scanner (funded by opioid settlement funds), camera system, office furniture, time terminals, and data center co-location services; resolutions for a development agreement with CBDG Mesa, extinguishing an easement, declaring sanitary sewer regulations a public record, and declaring natural gas utility transportation gas service schedules a public record; and introduction of ordinances for sanitary sewer regulations, natural gas utility rates, and zoning case 25-265 (rezoning approximately 4 acres for a 29-unit multiple residence development). Items 9A and B were removed from the consent calendar and considered separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Beverly Apartments (Items 9A & 9B):
  • Linda Spy (resident of 1019 West 2nd Street) expressed support for the project but opposed the density, stating 36 units is too many and three stories is out of character for the neighborhood. She noted the developer had been cooperative.
  • Nachita was listed as opposing but did not speak.
  • Jennifer Sandstrom (222 North Beverly, 35-year resident) opposed the project, citing concerns about traffic, vandalism, and proximity to light rail. She requested a cul-de-sac on Beverly between Main and 2nd Street or an alternative route to Alma School. She also proposed a separate "Homeless World" project.
  • Madison Reynolds (239 North Beverly) opposed the project, requesting a traffic impact study paid for by the developer, reduction to 24 units, or a guarantee of one vehicle per tenant. She argued that 36 units would triple traffic and endanger children, elderly, and disabled neighbors.
• Items from Citizens Present (287G Agreement and Overdevelopment):
  • Jillian Ryan (Indivisible Mesa, zip 85202) opposed the 287G agreement with ICE, stating it is optional, costly, leads to racial profiling, and distracts from violent crime. She argued the council can end the agreement.
  • Amanda Snyder (parents are longtime Mesa residents) opposed the 287G agreement, stating it makes Mesa unsafe, undermines police-community trust, and is expensive. She noted that over 70% of ICE detainees have no criminal conviction.
  • Mike Ziegler (1019 West 2nd Street) opposed overdevelopment, predicting a housing glut as immigrants leave and urging the council to slow development.
  • 14 additional blue cards were read: one regarding decriminalizing psychedelics (T.J. Jensen), one on public safety (Jane Wakefield), 12 on the 287G agreement (10 opposed, 2 in support, 1 neutral).

Discussion Items

• Beverly Apartments (Items 9A & 9B): The council conducted a public hearing on a minor general plan amendment (from traditional residential to mixed residential) and rezoning (to RM4) for a 36-unit workforce housing project at the northeast corner of Ellsworth Road and Railroad. The developer, COPA (represented by Taylor Earl), presented the project as affordable housing at 50-60% AMI, designed with a three-story building, 44 parking spaces (one per unit), and an 80-foot setback to the north. They argued the site’s proximity to light rail and employment centers reduces car dependency. A traffic study showed only 86 additional trips per day (about one extra car every 20 minutes). Council members questioned density, parking enforcement, traffic impact, and consistency with the general plan. Councilmember Adams expressed concerns about density and character; Councilmember Freeman opposed the project. Councilmember Duff and others supported the project as a needed affordable housing near transit. The council voted on a combined motion for both items.
• Annexation (Item 10A): The council held a public hearing for signature release on annexation case 25-00231 at the southeast corner of South Hawes Road and East Musquite Street. No public speakers or council comments. The hearing was closed; no action taken, as the item will return for future consideration.
• City Manager Comments: Scott Butler responded to public comments on the 287G agreement, stating the city’s 16-year involvement has been fact-based and the program has not impacted actions taken outside the jail facility.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Beverly Apartments (Items 9A & 9B): Approved on a 5-2 vote (no votes from Councilmember Adams and Mayor Freeman). The motion combined the minor general plan amendment, rezoning, and site plan approval.
• Annexation Hearing: No action; petition for signatures released; future consideration expected.
• Public Comments: Recorded; no council response allowed per state law; follow-up may occur by staff or councilmembers.