Mesa staff previews Medina Station mixed‑use proposal with retail, restaurant galley and bonus housing requests

City planning staff presented a multi-part development case called Medina Station at a January study session, detailing a proposed annexation, rezoning and a specific site plan for roughly 300,000 square feet of commercial development and conceptual plans for two multiple‑residence parcels behind the retail.

The presentation, led by planning staff members Mary (planning staff) and Evan (planning staff), said the developer is seeking annexation of a former state parcel on the east side of Signal Butte between Southern Avenue and U.S. 60; a rezoning from agriculture to LC (Limited Commercial) with a Planned Area Development overlay; a site plan review for the commercial parcel; and a council use permit tied to multi‑residence development behind the commercial frontage.

Staff emphasized the commercial site is a detailed plan while the residential areas are conceptual. "There are two major retail tenants which total approximately 200,000 square feet," Evan said, and the commercial parcel would include three drive‑through lanes, five restaurants grouped in a proposed “restaurant galley,” a bank with ATM drive‑up and several shop buildings. Planning staff told council the site plan provides about 300,000 square feet of commercial uses and exceeds required parking by roughly 140 spaces to accommodate restaurant demand.

Why it matters: staff said the project must be considered under Mesa 2040 general plan (the case was reviewed under the 2040 plan because the 2050 plan had not yet taken effect) and must meet…