Mesa East Property Owners oppose multi-family development plans citing community concerns

In the heart of Mesa, Arizona, the air was thick with concern as residents gathered for a pivotal Planning and Zoning meeting on April 9, 2025. Among them was Dean Seney, president of the Mesa East Property Owners Association, who voiced the collective worries of a community deeply rooted in its identity as a 55-plus retirement haven.

Seney opened his remarks with a clear message: the proposed multi-family development near their established neighborhood could drastically change the character of their community. “Macy East is a well-established retirement community that provides a quiet, age-restricted living environment,” he stated, emphasizing that the introduction of younger families could disrupt the tranquility that residents have come to cherish.

Traffic was a significant concern raised during the meeting. Seney pointed out that the area already experiences heavy motorcycle traffic as riders seek shortcuts, and he warned that the new development would exacerbate this issue. He suggested the installation of speed bumps to mitigate the problem, highlighting the community's proactive approach to maintaining safety.

Another pressing issue was the potential impact on property values. Seney expressed fears that the influx of multi-family units could diminish the worth of homes where many residents have invested their life savings. He argued that the proposed development was inconsistent with the surrounding land use, which primarily consists of single-family homes and commercial businesses, raising concerns about safety, noise, and overall community harmony.

Water runoff was also a topic of discussion, with Seney detailing how increased hard surfaces from the new development could lead to flooding issues in their neighborhood. He described the existing drainage system and the potential for complications if not properly managed.

The meeting also revealed a surprising discovery about an alleyway that had long been neglected by the community. Seney noted that the city had agreed to take responsibility for its maintenance, a small victory for residents who had been unaware of their obligations for decades.

In closing, Seney urged the city council to reject the proposed project, encapsulating the sentiments of many who fear that their beloved community could be irrevocably altered. As the meeting adjourned, the future of Macy East hung in the balance, with residents anxiously awaiting the council's decision on a project that could reshape their neighborhood for years to come.