Neighbors tell Mesa council proposed '121 Lofts on Beverly' would worsen traffic, safety and property impacts

A large group of neighbors spoke during the March 17 public comment period to oppose a proposed project referred to in public cards as "121 Lofts on Beverly." Linda Spy, who the mayor recognized as a spokesperson for affected residents, said the project would double the size of the neighborhood and increase daily vehicle events by what she described as about 500 per day, which she said would endanger children who walk to three nearby schools.

Spy said the neighborhood includes roughly 70 homes and more than 100 children who walk daily; she said residents already face theft and trespass problems and that traffic speeds and cut-through drivers make the area unsafe for an elderly resident who uses a wheelchair. She told council members several neighbors have listed homes for sale because of the proposed development and said some properties in the area already function as a halfway house with frequent police calls.

Other residents echoed concerns about parking, street capacity and the appearance and scale of the planned building. Frankie Bauer and Sasha (who asked the council to continue studying parking and design details) addressed the council as well. Sasha suggested broader traffic-signal and lane-specific signal improvements at large intersections as a policy suggestion but did not tie that recommendation directly to the Beverly project.

Council response and next steps

Council members acknowledged the comments and said the city receives multiple public cards on the project. The mayor indicated that the council will track communications and that speakers who did not present could speak at a future council meeting. No council motion or vote on the 121 Lofts project was recorded at the March 17 meeting.