Mesa City Council Study Session – September 4, 2025

The Mesa City Council held a study session on September 4, 2025, to review the upcoming formal council agenda (September 8) and discuss several key items, including an amendment to the Employment Opportunity (EO) district to support a partnership with Arizona State University, a ground lease for the development of Site 17, and a proposed capital improvement project for Center Street. The session also included acknowledgment of minutes and updates on community events.

Discussion Items

• Review of September 8 Council Agenda

  • The council reviewed three items for introduction: a zoning amendment in Council District 1, a zoning amendment in Council District 2, and amendments to Chapter 36 of the Mesa Code.
  • Assistant Planning Director Rachel Phillips presented a detailed overview of Item 6-8, an amendment to the Employment Opportunity (EO) district (Chapter 14 of the zoning ordinance). The amendment repeals and replaces the chapter to enhance flexibility, particularly for political subdivisions (e.g., ASU) to develop mixed-use projects. Key changes include reducing the minimum area requirement from 160 to 140 contiguous acres, allowing additions to existing EO districts without a minimum, and updating references to current place types. The purpose is to facilitate the ASU innovation zone at the Polytechnic campus, modeled after the Novus Corridor in Tempe. City Manager Jim Butler noted that this is foundational work for future development agreements.
  • Councilmembers asked about applicability to school districts and the rationale for the 140-acre minimum. Staff confirmed that fewer than five parcels of that size exist within the city, but other overlay tools are available for smaller projects.

• Ground Lease for Site 17 (Cul-de-Sac Project)

  • Jeff McVay and Jimmy Chiracchio presented the ground lease and development agreement for Site 17. The project comprises three phases: Phase 1 – 144 for-sale townhome units (construction to commence by 2027), Phase 2 – 225 residential units, Phase 3 – 425 residential units, plus 25,000–50,000 square feet of commercial space and 25,000–50,000 square feet of residential amenity space. The design includes significant green space with public access maintained by the developer. City incentives are provided. Staff confirmed that no substantial changes occurred since the previous council presentation; negotiations finalized minor points.
  • Councilmember Adams asked whether any major concessions were made; staff responded that business terms remained consistent.

• Center Street Capital Improvement Project

  • Eric, from the Transportation Department, presented a refocused project on Center Street from Main Street to University Avenue. The goals are to enhance pedestrian and bicycle travel, create a gateway to downtown, and connect the convention center. Proposed elements include: reducing travel lanes from four to two (with turn lanes at University, First Street, and Main Street), widening sidewalks with shade, adding separated bike lanes (6.5 feet with four-foot buffers on each side), parallel parking, a roundabout at Second Street, and reducing the speed limit to 25 mph.
  • Traffic studies show fewer than 10,000 vehicles per day on this segment, indicating adequate capacity. The roundabout is intended as a traffic-calming gateway feature, but staff acknowledged the need to study its compatibility with parade routes (Center Street is a historic parade route). Staff seeks council direction to proceed with detailed design using $7 million from the 2024 bond package.
  • Councilmember Spielsbury expressed safety and connectivity concerns, urging quick progress. Councilmember Ancajas emphasized economic benefits (citing a case study from Lancaster, California) and the need to create a pedestrian-friendly downtown. Councilmember Adams stressed the importance of preserving parade functionality. Councilmember Goforth advocated for safety improvements for all users, noting that a vibrant downtown requires changes. The council generally supported moving forward.

Key Outcomes

• The council directed staff to proceed with detailed design and public outreach for the Center Street project, including a thorough study of the roundabout’s impact on parade routes.
• The council will vote on the EO district amendment and the Site 17 ground lease at the formal meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025.
• The council acknowledged receipt of minutes from previous meetings.
• The meeting adjourned after updates on community events, including the groundbreaking of Fire Station 224 and a tour of Waymo’s manufacturing facility.