Mesa council introduces zoning for 39-home Encanto infill after neighbors raise access and water-pressure concerns

The Mesa City Council on Feb. 3 voted to introduce zoning case 24-00891, advancing a proposal by Blandford Homes to build 39 homes on a parcel that backs up to a church and Mountain View Park, after residents raised concerns about single-point access, construction traffic and water pressure.

Neighbors told the council they support development but want written commitments on construction access, clearer plans to address water pressure and an evaluation of whether an additional exit toward Adobe Road could be added. “I hope Blandford Homes makes millions of dollars off this, I really do. It’s going to increase my property value,” resident William Bodine said, while urging the council to secure written agreements allowing construction vehicles to use the church’s south parking lane during work.

Why it matters: The parcel is located on Encanto Street near Lindsay and Adobe; residents said current local circulation means most traffic would use Encanto and that additional homes could increase peak trips. Residents and the applicant also flagged water pressure as a potential constraint for existing homes.

City and applicant responses

Sean Lake, representing Blandford Homes, told the council the developer has met with city water staff and is “comfortable” with the city’s assessment of the water system for this project. Lake said Blandford will continue to work with city departments and meet with neighbors and staff before the project’s next formal hearing. City staff said Mesa engineers are not currently concerned that 39 homes would cause a service-level water-pressure failure, and that they would monitor system performance as development proceeds.

Council and staff also addressed access and emergency-response requirements. City staff noted the fire marshal had reviewed the site and was “comfortable with the current access as it’s being proposed,” including an emergency access off the southwest corner through the church’s drive aisle. Staff and the applicant said any reconfiguration to add a public road through the existing water-retention area or park would require property conveyances, easement changes and funding, and would not be a short-term solution.

What residents asked for

Several residents asked the city to put specific obligations in writing. William Bodine requested a written agreement that construction vehicles could use the church’s south parking lane for the duration of construction. Tim Meyer said he has measured existing water pressure at about 45 pounds per square inch and recalled the city’s minimum service threshold being roughly 40 psi; he asked the city to guarantee that pressure would be maintained as new homes come online.

Developer and staff follow-up

Lake said Blandford Homes is willing to meet with the city and neighbors to discuss access and water-system improvements and the developer would return with further details before the project’s next hearing. City staff said they could work with the applicant and neighbors to evaluate a potential looped water main and other technical remedies if system monitoring indicates pressure degradation.

Council action and next steps

Councilmember Pillsbury moved to introduce zoning case 24-00891; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Summers and passed with unanimous support to move the item forward for formal consideration. The introduction advances the zoning case to a later public hearing where staff will report any technical updates and any written commitments the applicant provides.

The council’s introduction does not authorize development construction; it only advances the rezoning and plan-area-review process. Further hearings and staff approvals will be required before permits are issued.