Mesa Board Upholds $10K Fine Over Building Permit Violations at 7628 East Mawson Road

The Maricopa County Board of Adjustment convened on July 22, 2025, to address several agenda items, including a significant appeal regarding code compliance. The meeting began with procedural announcements, including guidelines for public comments and the voting process, which would be conducted via roll call.

The first item on the agenda was an appeal of a hearing officer's order concerning property at 7628 East Mawson Road in Mesa. The case, presented by Charles Hart, involved allegations of unauthorized construction and the subdivision of a single-family residence into multiple living areas without the necessary permits. Following a citizen complaint received in February, investigations confirmed ongoing violations, leading to a stop work order issued in March. The hearing officer subsequently found the property owner responsible for the violations and imposed a $10,000 fine, with additional daily fines for continued noncompliance.

During the discussion, board members clarified their role, emphasizing that they were not to reassess the merits of the case but to review the procedural integrity of the hearing. Hart confirmed that the property owner had since obtained the necessary permits and was working to rectify the issues.

The applicant's representative, Tom Walcott, argued for a reconsideration of the imposed fines, citing procedural defects during the initial hearing, including the lack of sworn testimony from witnesses. He requested a reduction or waiver of the fines, emphasizing the owner's good faith efforts to comply with regulations.

Board members engaged in a thorough discussion, weighing the procedural concerns raised by Walcott against the established findings of the hearing officer. Ultimately, member Clapp motioned to uphold the hearing officer's order, which was seconded by member Ward. The board voted unanimously in favor of affirming the decision, highlighting the importance of compliance with safety and building regulations.

The meeting concluded with a reminder that the Board of Adjustment's decisions are appealable to the superior court, and the board expressed hope that staff would work collaboratively with the applicant moving forward. The next agenda item was introduced, focusing on the Thompson Property, which had been continued from a previous meeting for further consideration.