Mesa board backs zoning text changes to require residential component, 10% affordable units in adaptive reuse projects
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Summary
The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously Nov. 25 to recommend city council adopt text amendments to Title 11 that require adaptive reuse projects to include residential use, with 10% of units reserved as affordable housing, aligning local code with recent state legislation and League of Cities guidance.
The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board on Nov. 25 voted unanimously to recommend the City Council adopt amendments to Title 11 of the Mesa Zoning Code that require a residential component in adaptive reuse projects and set a 10% affordable-housing requirement for multiple-residence reuse.
City staff told the board the changes implement state legislation passed earlier this year and follow a clarification from the League of Cities that “multiple residence use is actually required for any adaptive reuse.” Rachel, a city staff member, summarized the revisions, saying, “we have before you the adaptive reuse text amendments” and that staff updated definitions and the affordable-housing reporting section to reflect the state requirement.
The amendments add Chapter 81, titled Adaptive Reuse Permit; modify land-use tables to allow multiple-residence use in qualifying commercial, industrial and downtown districts; and add definitions including adaptive reuse, adaptive reuse permit, existing commercial/office/mixed-use building, low-income housing, moderate-income housing and multiple-residence reuse. Staff said the code changes require that where a multiple-residence reuse occurs the project must include a residential component and that 10% of the multiple-residence units be set aside as affordable housing.
Board discussion was brief; staff answered clarifying questions and noted the revisions were prepared after receiving statewide guidance. There were no public comments. Board Member Troy moved to approve the package covering both the adaptive reuse and related general-plan reference amendments and the motion was seconded; the board voted in favor.
The board’s recommendation is advisory: the amendments will be forwarded to the Mesa City Council for final adoption. The staff presentation and board action filled outstanding code definitions and reporting language so local permitting aligns with the state law and the League of Cities clarification.