Mesa City Council Study Session - October 6, 2025
Mesa City Council Study Session - October 6, 2025
The Mesa City Council held a study session on October 6, 2025. The council reviewed the upcoming regular meeting agenda, convened an executive session, and received detailed presentations on proposed zoning code amendments regarding legal non-conforming sites and the regulation of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Council also acknowledged receipt of board minutes, shared current events, and set future meeting dates.
Consent Calendar
- During the agenda review, council discussed item 3E (a liquor license). Staff confirmed it remains on the consent calendar for denial, as the applicant did not amend or withdraw. Councilmember Adams inquired whether the item was a legislative act; after clarification, it was left on consent for denial.
Public Comments & Testimony
- None.
Discussion Items
4A. Proposed Amendments to City Code on Legal Non-Conforming Sites and Procedurally Conforming Sites
- Mary Kopaski Brown (Planning Director) and Nona Appiah (Development Services Director) presented amendments to Chapter 36 of the city code.
- The amendments add definitions for legal nonconforming uses, lots, structures, and sites, and introduce regulations for procedurally conforming uses.
- A key change increases the reconstruction threshold for a partially destroyed nonconforming structure from 50% to 75% of the cost to rebuild, providing more flexibility for existing businesses.
- Councilmembers questioned the basis for the 75% figure. Staff explained it was based on professional judgment and best practices, not a specific formula. They noted the change aims to help businesses rebuild after events like fires.
- Council also discussed the distinction between cost and physical damage; the 75% applies to cost, not square footage destroyed.
4B. Regulation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- Staff presented proposed zoning and fire code amendments to define and regulate BESS facilities, an emerging land use with unique safety risks.
- Key definitions: BESS (electrochemical storage device) and BES facility (physical site). A principal use is >1 MW (allowed only in GI and HI districts with a Planned Area Development overlay); an accessory use is <1 MW (allowed in agricultural, residential, commercial, employment, and downtown districts).
- Application requirements include an operational plan, preliminary emergency response plan, decommissioning plan, and good neighbor policy.
- Development standards under discussion: 400-foot separation from residential districts, 100 feet from property line to first battery, 10 feet between battery units, sound studies (initial and annual for 5 years), and screening one foot above tallest equipment.
- Council asked about decommissioning bonds (staff is exploring financial assurances), noise standards (baseline ambient noise from initial study), and potential adoption of evolving standards (NFPA 855, UL 9540A).
- Staff is currently gathering public feedback, with a virtual meeting scheduled for October 13, 2025. A final ordinance is expected in December 2025.
Key Outcomes
- The council acknowledged receipt of board minutes via unanimous motion.
- Vice Mayor Summers moved to place item 9A on the consent agenda for the upcoming regular meeting; the motion was seconded.
- The next study session is set for Thursday, October 9, 2025, to review the October 20 regular meeting agenda. The October 16 study session is canceled.
- Council was reminded of upcoming events: Celebrate Mesa on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Red Mountain Park from 5-9 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, council. We're ready to start. Well, good evening. Welcome to the Mesa City Council Study Session for October 6, 2025. All our council members are present. Item one is to review the agenda for tonight's council meeting. I know you went over this agenda previously, but are there any additional questions on tonight's agenda? All right. Ms. Bills bear. I just want to look really quick. Sure. You better not voting. I know why. Okay. Mayor, as as council's looking, just wanted to highlight on item three E uh on the liquor license, it is still on for denial. The applicant did not amend or adjust or withdraw their application. So it will remain on the agenda for denial. Very good. Mr. Adams. Thank you. Mr. Smith, that is not a legislative act. Is that correct? That's a yes or no. It is all. Okay. Thank you. So 3E is removed off. No, it will, Mayor, I mean for denial. It will stay on consent for denying for denial. I didn't reload it. I have I just can't get mine to load. I don't think I had any questions, but I wanted to make sure. And I think well, it wouldn't have my notes on it. Did you guys hear yours loading? I had to go ahead and the web version. Mayor, I I would say that we can still have staff available after the executive session if that will give you some more time to pull up the item. Oh well, I have mine, but you have notes on yours. Julie. Yeah, I know. I just want to look at my notes. I mean, I I think I got to all my questions on Thursday. Are our were staff planning on staying like through? I don't want them to sit through our recession if they don't have to. We work for you. We'll be here. So mine will not load. I turned it off of Wi-Fi comments and so do you want to hold your thoughts in for questions?
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