Mesa Planning and Zoning Board approves zoning modification for Eastmark-area parcel amid dispute over Eastmark design review process

The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board on March 26, 2025 approved a modification of zoning conditions for a roughly 36.9-acre parcel in the Eastmark area, despite a dispute between the project applicant and the Eastmark master developer about whether the Eastmark Design Review Committee must review the project.

The board voted to approve item 3A — described in the meeting as case ZON24-ten19 (modifications to conditions for case ZON204-00019) — with the chair recused from the decision. Vice Chair Pitcher, Board Member Petersen, Board Member Blakeman and Board Member Farnsworth voted in favor; Chair Ayers abstained.

The decision matters because the parties disagree on whether Eastmark’s private design review process can block a city building permit and whether the applicant must resubmit to the Eastmark Design Review Committee (DRC) before receiving city approvals. The applicant, representing Ryan Companies, told the board the DRC had provided conditional approvals previously and that Eastmark later rejected a more recent submittal, preventing the applicant from obtaining…