Mesa City Council Meeting – July 28, 2026

The Mesa City Council met on July 28, 2026 (the transcript opens with the date July 27, 2026, presenting a discrepancy) to consider a consent agenda, a delay of landing fees at Falcon Field, a permit for Faith Christian School, and a controversial rezoning and general plan amendment for a tire shop at 1609 West University Drive. The meeting also included public comments and a citizen presentation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: approval of minutes, a liquor license for Aldi, contracts for refuse truck parts and instrument maintenance, a development agreement for an ACU hotel, an intergovernmental agreement for next-generation 911 services, an ordinance removing the public safety impact fee, speed limit changes on Mesa Drive and Horn, and zoning code refinement amendments. Items 5C (Falcon Field landing fees delay), 6E (Faith Christian School permit), and 7A/7B (tire shop rezoning) were removed from consent and considered separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 5C (Falcon Field landing fees): Justin Judkins questioned why the city would delay implementation, noting projected revenue of $2 million annually and that a 90-day delay would cost about $500,000. He expressed that the city had already determined compliance with federal obligations.
• Item 6E (Faith Christian School): Jason Smithson spoke in support, citing the school’s 31-year history, over 90% student retention, a dedicated classroom for homeschool students, acceptance of ESA scholarships, and a STEP program for students with special needs. He noted the school had outgrown its old facility and that the new gymnasium would be a first for students.
• Items 7A/7B (San Antonio Tire Shop): Seventeen residents spoke, mostly in opposition. Tess Taylor argued the applicant had not met the burden of proof, no market study or demand analysis was provided, and the general plan and zoning changes would set a harmful precedent. Brent Doan, Evelyn Rivera, James Damick, Charmaine McClee, Sandy Doan, Sandy Pierce, Matt Taylor, Mark Doan, Nathan Taylor, Roxanne Jetson, and Wendy Madison expressed concerns about parking, noise, traffic, outdoor storage, the need for another tire shop, and the potential for future incompatible uses (e.g., hotels, rehab centers) if the place type changed from urban residential to urban center. Carol West and Nolan West indicated their primary concern was the 24-hour operation; after the applicant removed that, they were more open but still worried about parking and site constraints. Reed Done questioned the staff’s data-less conclusion and urged a no vote.
• Citizen presentation: Wynn Stanley recommended the movie “Still Mine” to the council, suggesting it would help them understand a perspective relevant to the evening’s discussions.

Discussion Items

• Falcon Field Landing Fees Delay (Item 5C): Staff explained that a federal lawsuit and an FAA investigation prompted the request for a 90-day delay to allow independent review by outside national counsel. Councilmember Goforth stated she did not support additional delay and voted against the resolution. The motion passed.
• Faith Christian School (Item 6E): Councilmembers praised the school’s growth and mission. No opposition was voiced, and the permit was approved unanimously.
• San Antonio Tire Shop – Rezoning & General Plan Amendment (Items 7A/7B): The applicant requested to rezone from office commercial to limited commercial with a bonus intensity zone overlay and to change the general plan place type from urban residential to urban center. Staff presented the site plan, landscaping, a breeze-block wall, a mural, and the closure of two curb cuts for safety. Parking was reduced to four spaces, with a condition requiring a parking plan if on-street issues arose. The applicant agreed to remove the proposed 24-hour on-call roadside service, limiting hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and updated the good neighbor policy to prohibit any on-site service or dispatching after 8 p.m. Council debated the merits. Councilmember Adams noted the business had operated without incident for 18–24 months and that a denial could leave a vacant, blighted property. Councilmember Taylor highlighted the reinvestment and the risk of blight. Councilmember Goforth argued the applicant had not met the threshold for a general plan amendment or a BIZ, and that nothing had changed since the general plan was adopted two years ago. Councilmember Heredia supported the plan, citing improvements and enforcement tools, while expressing fear that denial would deter future investment. Councilmember Summers echoed concerns about precedent and the need for a compelling reason to change the general plan. The motion to approve both items passed 4–3.
• Items 8A and 8B: These items, not detailed in the transcript but referenced as having been discussed in a study session, were voted on. A motion to approve Item 8A passed 4–3, and the council proceeded without further discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Item 5C (Falcon Field landing fees delay) passed (Councilmember Goforth dissenting).
• Item 6E (Faith Christian School council use permit) approved unanimously.
• Items 7A and 7B (San Antonio Tire Shop general plan amendment and rezoning) approved 4–3 (Councilmembers Goforth, Taylor, and Summers opposed per discussion; actual vote tally shown as 4–3).
• Item 8A approved 4–3.
• Meeting adjourned.