Mesa council continues zoning decision on Lofts at 121 North Beverly after resident concerns about density and traffic

The Mesa City Council on Monday voted to continue consideration of a rezoning and planned area development (PAD) request for the proposed Lofts at 121 North Beverly, saying staff, the applicant and neighbors should have more time to address concerns about density, traffic and whether the project will be sold as homes or operated as rentals.

Mayor John Freeman and council members heard more than a dozen residents during a lengthy public comment period about the 68-unit proposal directly adjacent to Beverly Park. Councilmember Rich Adams moved to continue the item; Vice Mayor Scott Summers seconded the motion and the continuance passed.

The decision came after neighbors and longtime residents described the area as a historic, low-scale neighborhood and said the project as proposed would introduce too much traffic and height overlooking back yards. "The Lofts at 121 proposal is incompatible with the identity, values, and safety of this historical Mesa neighborhood," homeowner Brett Stevenson told the council. Several speakers asked the developer to reduce units and said they had been told the units would be for sale but feared they would become…