Council preview: Hawes Crossing Village 5 rezoning would add 342 for‑sale homes, planning staff say

Planning staff told the Mesa City Council on Oct. 9 that developer Lennar seeks rezoning and specific-plan approval for Hawes Crossing Village 5 with a request to swap locations of existing general commercial (GC) and single-residence (RSL 2.5) zones across an 18-acre portion of the overall HAAS Crossing plan.

The developer’s proposal would allow 342 for‑sale single‑residence units on Village 5, organized into three product types: attached single-residence (brown on the plan), alley-loaded units and 126 detached "casita" units. Staff said the site plan provides roughly 8 acres of common open space — about 19% of the site — and a one‑acre park with a pool and sports courts.

Why it matters: The rezoning requires a major general-plan amendment because the proposed relocation of commercial zoning changes the place-type to urban residential; staff said the change is part of a broader plan to concentrate commercial uses near an intersection to improve viability while keeping overall commercial acreage within HAAS Crossing.

Key approvals and process Staff identified the case as ZON2400892 and said the Village 5 package will return to council for action Nov. 3 accompanied by the required major general-plan amendment. Planning staff reported that Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval with conditions and requested four specific pre-council modifications: move lots that were adjacent to State Route 24 away from the freeway, shift Merritt Street east so no lots sit directly adjacent to SR 24, provide five feet of landscaping plus an eight-foot theme wall along the east property line and reconfigure lots to create additional separation between residences and SR 24. The applicant revised the plan to respond to those requests, and staff said revised materials were uploaded for council review.

Parking, deviations and design Because part of the site is proposed to remain GC, staff said the project includes several deviations on lot widths, depths and garage dimensions for the attached product, plus a request to increase wall height and to reduce the requirement for corner‑lot windows (the code requires 10% window area on corner facades). Staff said the project requests alternative compliance for Spanish‑style elevations, using different decorative elements in lieu of the multiple materials typically required.

Staff presented parking calculations to council: each of the 342 units requires two parking spaces (684) satisfied by garage parking; the design includes two full-width (18‑foot) driveways per unit (another 684 spaces), 26 designated guest stalls in the attached area and approximately 72 on‑street parking spaces, producing a total of about 1,466 parking spaces across the development.

Public engagement and next steps Staff said two public hearings are part of the process (one at Dobson Ranch Library and one at the former council chambers) and that staff held required neighborhood meetings; staff reported no neighbors attended the study-session presentation and no public contacts had been received about this specific case to date. Because the project proposes changing place type and moving commercial acreage, staff emphasized the item will come back with the general-plan amendment for council action on Nov. 3.

Council members asked for clarity about updated maps and uploaded backup materials, lot placement near SR 24 and parking layout. Several council members said they want further detail when the item returns to study session and encouraged staff to add context about Hawes Crossing-wide percentages and phasing when the item comes back.