Mesa Planning and Zoning Board Public Hearing – October 29, 2026

This meeting of the City of Mesa Planning and Zoning Board covered a consent agenda with multiple items, a separate vote on a site plan modification, and a general plan amendment with associated rezoning. Chairperson Peterson presided; Vice Chair Pitcher recused himself from one item. All motions passed with unanimous support except where noted.

Consent Calendar

• Item 2A: Approved the minutes from the October 14, 2026 Planning and Zoning Board meeting.
• Item 3A (ZON 26-00129): Rezoning of 21.8 acres (2,450 feet west of South Ellsworth Road and East Starfire Avenue) from Light Industrial with PAD overlay to Light Industrial and site plan review, to allow a battery energy storage system facility. Staff recommendation: approval with conditions. Passed.
• Item 3C (ZON 25-00660): Special use permit and site plan review for a 37-acre site at the southwest corner of East Williamsfield Road and the 24 Gateway Freeway, permitting a 360,895-square-foot group commercial center. Staff recommendation: approval with conditions. Passed.
• Item 3E (ZON 26-00614): Rezoning of 35.3 acres (northeast corner of East Pecos Road and South Sossaman Road) from Employment Opportunity to Light Industrial with PAD overlay, for modifications to an existing industrial development. Staff recommendation: approval with conditions. Passed.
• The consent agenda was voted on as a single block and passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public submitted blue cards or spoke during the public hearing. The public hearing for Item 4A was formally opened and closed with no testimony.

Discussion Items

• Item 3D (ZON 26-00217): A request for a major site plan modification on 4.5 acres approximately 250 feet north of the northeast corner of El Vista Drive and East Southern Avenue, to allow a 2,200-square-foot minor auto repair facility. Vice Chair Pitcher recused himself because the applicant was a client. The Board moved to approve with conditions. Vote: 6 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention (Pitcher).
• Items 4A and 4B (GPA 26-00248 and associated rezoning): Agenda items considered together.
  • 4A (GPA 26-00248): Minor General Plan Amendment for 21.6 acres at the southwest corner of South Ellsworth Road and East Starfire Avenue, changing the place type from Urban Residential (Evolved Growth Strategy) to Local Employment Center (Evolved Growth Strategy).
  • 4B: Rezoning the same 21.6 acres: 17.1 acres from Multiple Residence with PAD overlay and Limited Commercial with PAD overlay to Light Industrial with PAD overlay; and 4.5 acres from RM4-PAD and LC-PAD to Limited Commercial with PAD overlay, plus a council use permit for future industrial/commercial development.
  • Chairperson Peterson expressed concern that the area is dominated by single-use zoning and that residents may need to drive one to two miles for commercial services, creating future traffic congestion. Staff responded that numerous commercial projects (Hawes Crossing, Legacy, Gateway Crossing, East Market, etc.) are approved or under development in the broader Eastmark area, and that the proposal focuses on land-use compatibility (surrounded by industrial uses). After discussion, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval to City Council with conditions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda and Items 3D, 4A, and 4B all received recommendations for approval from the Board, with Item 3D passing 6-0-1 (one abstention).
• The Board directed staff to consider broader network traffic impacts and the need for proximate commercial services when reviewing future zoning cases.
• Chairperson Peterson announced a study session later that evening (October 29 at 6:00 PM) with a video link to be provided.
• The meeting adjourned unanimously.