Council delays vote on citywide nonconforming-use ordinance to Oct. 6 for more information

The Mesa City Council on Sept. 22 voted 6–1 to continue consideration of proposed amendments to Chapter 36 of the Mesa City Code (nonconforming uses, lots and structures) to the Oct. 6 council meeting.

Vice Mayor Summers moved the continuance, saying councilmembers needed more information about whether the ordinance changes are aimed at battery energy storage systems (BESS) or would apply citywide and what unintended consequences might follow. He said staff and presenters had provided differing answers and asked for time to fully understand the scope and effects of the amendments.

Council took no final action on the proposed ordinance text at the Sept. 22 meeting. The continuance will allow staff to return with clarified scope, likely additional detail on geographic or use-specific effects, and any recommended edits before a final vote.

Why it matters: amendments to the city's nonconforming-use code can change the legal status of existing uses and properties across the city; councilmembers stressed they did not want to adopt broad changes without understanding citywide consequences and possible impacts on development and property rights.

Meeting result: continuance to Oct. 6; recorded vote 6–1 in favor of continuance.