PLANNING AGENCY

Mesa City Code tit. 11, art. 7, ch. 66

in effect

Mesa City Code § 11-66-1 PURPOSE

11-66-1: - PURPOSE This Chapter identifies the bodies, officials, and administrators with designated responsibilities under various parts and chapters of the Zoning Ordinance. Subsequent chapters of this article provide detailed information regarding various procedures, applications, and permits including zoning, and General Plan text and map amendments, fees, and enforcement. When carrying out their assigned duties and responsibilities, all bodies, administrators, and officials shall interpret and apply the provisions of this Ordinance as minimum requirements adopted to implement the policies and achieve the objectives of the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.

Mesa City Code § 11-66-2 PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD

11-66-2: - PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD A. Establishment and Organization of the Planning and Zoning Board. The Planning and Zoning Board is established by Section 406 of the Mesa City Charter and Section 2-1-1 of the Mesa City Code. The Board's organization and duties are described in Title 2 - Boards and Commissions, Chapter 1, Planning and Zoning Board, of the Mesa City Code. 1. Board Membership. The Planning and Zoning Board shall be composed of seven (7) regular members and three (3) alternates appointed by the City Council. 2. Qualifications of Members. a. Regular Board Members. The composition of the regular Board members shall include: i. Two (2) design professionals (e.g., architect, landscape architect, engineer, urban planner, interior designer or similar design-related profession); ii. One (1) contractor or developer; and iii. Four (4) citizens selected at-large from the community. b. Alternate Board Members. At least one (1) alternate to the Planning and Zoning Board shall be a design professional (e.g., architect, landscape architect, engineer, urban planner, interior designer or similar design-related profession). B. Meetings. 1. Meetings of the Board shall be open to the public and the minutes of its proceedings, showing the votes of each member and records of its examinations and other official actions shall be kept and filed in the Planning Division Office as a public record. The Secretary of the Board shall be the Planning Director, or a member of the Planning Division staff as designated by the Planning Director. 2. At least four (4) members shall be present to conduct a meeting. No matter shall be considered unless there are at least four (4) members present who are eligible and qualified to vote on the matter. 3. The concurring vote of a majority of the Board members present shall be necessary to pass a motion. 4. A chair and vice-chair shall be elected annually from among its regular members. 5. The Chair, or in the Chair's absence the Vice Chair, shall lead the meeting, maintain order, and be the final decision maker for all meeting management questions. C. Authority and Duties of the Planning and Zoning Board. In addition to the powers and duties established in Title 2 - Boards and Commissions, Planning and Zoning Board of the Mesa City Code, the Planning and Zoning Board shall: 1. Hear and Make Recommendations. The Planning and Zoning Board shall hear and make recommendations to City Council on the following: a. Zoning Map, Zoning Ordinance, and General Plan Amendments. Amendments to the Zoning Map, Zoning Ordinance, or amendments to the General Plan. b. Council Use Permits. Requests for a Council Use Permit. c. PC District Matters. Matters specified in an adopted Planned Community Plan for a PC District for action by City Council or amendments to a Planned Community Plan. d. Joint Public/Private Projects. Joint public/private projects in designated redevelopment areas. e. Redevelopment Plans and Adopted Plans. Proposed redevelopment plans or amendments to adopted plans. f. Redevelopment Actions. Proposed redevelopment actions to the Council which are consistent with adopted plans and stated redevelopment goals. g. Design of Buildings, Structures, Landscaping, and Open Space. Issues concerning exterior design of buildings, structures, landscaping, and open space. h. Directed by City Council. Other matters as directed by the City Council. 2. Hear and Take Action On. The Planning and Zoning Board shall hear and take action on the following: a. Special Use Permits. Special Use Permits (SUP) when requested in conjunction with another request requiring action or recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Board, as authorized by this Subsection C. i. Any Planning and Zoning Board approval of an SUP that requires the associated request to be approved by the City Council shall be conditioned upon Council approval of the associated request. ii. In the event the City Council denies the associated request, the SUP shall also be considered denied. b. Development Plan Review. Development Plan Reviews as specified in Chapter 69: Development Plan Review. c. PC District Matters. Matters specified in an adopted Community Plan for a PC District. d. Planning Director Appeals. Appeals of the Planning Director, or designee's, decision on Development Plan Review requests. e. Conditioned Matters. Matters specified by conditions of approval or stipulations on the property, whether adopted by ordinance, resolution, or otherwise; requiring Planning and Zoning Board approval. f. Board Business. Rules for the conduct of Planning and Zoning Board business. (Ord. No. 5949, § 4, 7-1-25; Ord. No. 5997, § 2, 1-26-26)

Mesa City Code § 11-66-3 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

11-66-3: - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT A. Establishment and Organization of the Board of Adjustment. A Board of Adjustment is hereby established pursuant to A.R.S. § 9-462.06 and Section 409 of the City Charter. The Board shall elect a chair and vice-chair, annually, who shall have power to administer oaths and to take evidence. B. Meetings. 1. Meetings of the Board shall be open to the public and the minutes of its proceedings, showing the votes of each member and records of its examinations and other official actions, shall be kept and filed in the Planning Division as a public record. The Secretary of the Board shall be the Zoning Administrator, or a member of the Planning Division staff as designated by the Planning Director. 2. No Variance, Special Use Permit, Substantial Conformance Improvement Permit, Development Incentive Permit, or appeal of an interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance or other provision of the City Code shall be acted upon until a public hearing has been held. 3. Not less than 4 members of the Board shall be present to conduct a hearing. No matter shall be considered unless there are at least 4 members present who are eligible and qualified to vote on the matter. 4. The concurring vote of 4 members of the Board shall be necessary to reverse any order or decision of the Zoning Administrator or to decide in favor of the applicant on any matter upon which it is required to pass or to effect any variation from the terms and conditions of this Zoning Ordinance or of the City Code within the jurisdiction of the Board as authorized by the City Council. 5. The Chair, or in the Chair's absence the Vice Chair, shall lead the meeting, maintain order, and be the final decision maker for all meeting management questions. C. Authority and Duties of the Board of Adjustment. 1. The Board of Adjustment shall: a. Hear and decide appeals in which it is alleged there is an error in an order, requirement, or decision made by the Zoning Administrator in the enforcement of the provisions of this Ordinance or other sections of the City Code within the jurisdiction of the Zoning Administrator. b. Hear and decide appeals from the action of the Zoning Administrator, acting in either an administrative role or the Hearing Officer role, in the interpretation of the provisions of this ordinance. c. Hear and decide appeals from the action of the Zoning Administrator as the Hearing Officer in the granting or denying of variances, the issuance of Special Use Permits, Substantial Conformance Improvement Permits (SCIPs) or Development Incentive Permits (DIPs). d. Hear and decide the issuance of Special Use Permits (SUPs), Substantial Conformance Improvement Permits (SCIPs) or Development Incentive Permits (DIPs), required by the City Code. e. Authorize variances from the terms of this zoning ordinance pursuant to the provisions of A.R.S. § 9-462.06. f. Hear and decide all matters referred to the Board by the Zoning Administrator. g. Take any and all actions referred to the Board by the City Council, or as specified by A.R.S. § 9-462.06; or Section 409 of the City Charter. 2. The Board shall prescribe in connection with any Special Use Permit, Development Incentive Permit, Substantial Conformance Improvement Permit, interpretation, or variance, such conditions as the Board may deem necessary in order to fully carry out the provisions and intent of this Zoning Ordinance. 3. The Board of Adjustment shall not make any changes in the uses permitted in any zoning classification or zoning district, or make any changes in the terms of the Zoning Ordinance; provided that the restriction in this paragraph shall not affect the authority to grant variances. 4. The Board of Adjustment may adopt rules for the conduct of its business.

Mesa City Code § 11-66-4 HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD

11-66-4: - HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD A. Establishment and Organization of the Historic Preservation Board. Historic Preservation Board is established and organized as established in Title 2 - Boards and Commissions, in the Mesa City Code. The duties of the Historic Preservation Board shall be in conformance with those established in Title 2 - Boards and Commissions, in the Mesa City Code. B. Meetings. 1. Meetings of the Board are open to the public and the minutes of its proceedings are kept and filed in the office of the Historic Preservation Officer as a public record. The Secretary of the Board is the Historic Preservation Officer or his/her designee. 2. At least 4 members of the Board shall be present to conduct a meeting. No matter shall be considered unless there are at least 4 members present who are eligible and qualified to vote on the matter and an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting shall be required to pass a motion. 3. The Board shall meet at least 4 times per calendar year. 4. The Chair, or in the Chair's absence the Vice Chair, shall lead the meeting, maintain order, and be the final decision maker for all meeting management questions. C. Authority and Duties of the Historic Preservation Board. The Historic Preservation Board shall have the powers and duties described in Title 2 - Boards and Commissions, in the Mesa City Code. 1. Hear and/or make recommendations on other matters as directed by the City Council. 2. The Board may adopt rules for the conduct of its business.

Mesa City Code § 11-66-5 PLANNING HEARING OFFICER

11-66-5: - PLANNING HEARING OFFICER A. Establishment of the Planning Hearing Officer. The Planning Hearing Officer is hereby established in the Mesa Planning Division. The Planning Hearing Officer shall be appointed by the City Manager on the basis of training and experience regarding the conduct of hearings, knowledge of the General Plan and knowledge of the Zoning Ordinance. B. Authority and Duties of the Planning Hearing Officer. When referred by the Planning Director, the Planning Hearing Officer shall: 1. Recommend action to the City Council on requests for amendments to the Zoning Map, on requests for Council Use Permit, Subdivision Plat Approvals, Applications for Development Plan Review and Development Plan Modifications, when such requests are determined by the Planning Director as appropriate to be heard by the Planning Hearing Officer pursuant to the Planning Hearing Officer guidelines. 2. Hear and take action on requests for Development Plan Reviews and Development Plan Modifications when not otherwise conditioned for review and approval by City Council, or the request does not involve the need to amend a condition of approval as stated in the adopting ordinance. 3. Consider and decide preliminary plats as part of the platting procedures and requirements described in the Subdivision Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 6, of the Mesa City Code. 4. Hear, make recommendations and/or decide matters relating to a PC District, as specified in Chapter 11 of this Ordinance, and the applicable Community Plan as adopted by City Council and including all approved amendments to the Community Plan. 5. Hear and make recommendations on other matters as directed by the City Manager or City Council. (Ord. No. 5996, § 4, 3-9-26)

Mesa City Code § 11-66-6 DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

11-66-6: - DESIGN REVIEW BOARD A. Establishment and Organization of the Design Review Board. The Design Review Board is established by Title 2 - Boards and Commissions, Design Review Board of the Mesa City Code. 1. Qualification of Members. The composition of the Board shall include: a. Two (2) licensed architects; b. Two (2) other design professionals (e.g., architect, landscape architect, engineer, urban planner, interior designer or similar design-related profession); c. One (1) contractor or developer; and d. Two (2) citizens selected at-large from the community. 2. Rules of Conduct. The Board shall adopt rules for the conduct of its business. The Board may, in such rules, delegate certain responsibilities and/or tasks to be performed by a subcommittee or subcommittees of the Board. B. Meetings. 1. Meetings of the Board are open to the public and the minutes of its proceedings are kept and filed in the Planning Division office as a public record. The Secretary of the Board is the Planning Director or a member of the Planning Division staff designated by the Planning Director. 2. At least four (4) members of the Board shall be present to conduct a meeting and an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting shall be required to pass a motion. 3. The concurring vote of four (4) of the Board members present is necessary to pass a motion to approve an appeal of a decision of the Planning Director. 4. The Chair, or in the Chair's absence the Vice Chair, shall lead the meeting, maintain order, and be the final decision maker for all meeting management questions. 5. The Board shall meet as needed. C. Authority and Duties of the Design Review Board. In addition to the powers and duties established in Title 2 - Boards and Commissions, Design Review Board of the Mesa City Code, the Design Review Board shall: 1. Hear and Make Recommendations. The Design Review Board shall hear and make recommendations on the following: a. Alternative Compliance. Requests for Alternative Compliance to the Site Planning and Design Standards of Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Ordinance. b. Municipal Projects. Municipal projects of the City of Mesa, including all fire stations, libraries, parking lots with over 50 spaces, and any municipal building or project of the City of Mesa that meets the applicability for Development Plan Review in Chapter 69 of this Ordinance. c. PC District Matters. Matters specified in an adopted Planned Community Plan for a PC District. d. Planning Director Referral. Projects referred by the Planning Director. e. Directed by City Council. Other matters as directed by the City Council. 2. Hear and Take Action On. The Design Review Board shall hear and take action on the following: a. Planning Director Appeals. Appeals of the Planning Director, or designee's, decision on Alternative Compliance requests. b. Conditioned Matters. Matters specified by conditions of approval or stipulations on the property, whether adopted by ordinance, resolution, or otherwise; requiring Design Review Board approval. (Ord. No. 5997, § 3, 1-26-26)

Mesa City Code § 11-66-7 ZONING ADMINISTRATOR

11-66-7: - ZONING ADMINISTRATOR A. Establishment of the Office of the Zoning Administrator. The office of Zoning Administrator is hereby established in the Mesa Development Services Department. The Zoning Administrator shall be designated by the Development Services Department Manager and serves under the direction of the Planning Director. B. Authority and Duties of the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator is the city official established pursuant to A.R.S. § 9-462.05 and charged with responsibility for enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance. In addition, the Zoning Administrator acts in either an administrative role or as a Hearing Officer and shall have the following duties and authorities: 1. Zoning Administrator in Administrative Role: a. Accomplish all administrative actions required by this Ordinance, including the giving of notice, scheduling of hearings, preparation of reports, and receiving and processing appeals. b. Interpret the Zoning Ordinance to the public, City Departments and other branches of government, and subject to general and specific policies established by the City Council. The Zoning Administrator may determine which requests for interpretations may be decided through an administrative process or reviewed and decided through a public hearing process as described in Item 2, below. c. Undertake preliminary discussions with, and provide advice to, applicants requesting assistance. d. Serve as Secretary to the Board of Adjustment, or delegate such duties to qualified parties. e. Make recommendations on changes and improvements in Ordinance regulations and procedures. f. Determine the location of any district boundary shown on the Zoning Map adopted as part of this ordinance when such location is in dispute. g. Review, consider and decide exceptions and alternative plans or alternative standards as authorized by this ordinance, based strictly upon the limitations and criteria specified for that exception, alternative standard or alternative plan. h. Review, consider and decide Zoning Permits, Administrative Use Permits, and Temporary Use Permits as authorized by this ordinance, based strictly upon the limitations and criteria specified for Zoning Permits, Administrative Use Permits, and Temporary Use Permits. i. Interpret any provisions of this ordinance. j. Make decisions on other sections of the City Code which are within the jurisdiction of the Zoning Administrator. k. Refer any matter within the Zoning Administrator's authority to the Board of Adjustment. 2. As a Hearing Officer conduct public hearings to: a. Interpret any provisions of this Ordinance when the Zoning Administrator, acting in administrative role, refers an interpretation to the Hearing Officer. b. Hear and decide Special Use Permits, Development Incentive Permits, and Substantial Conformance Improvement Permits as required by the City Code. c. Authorize variances from the terms of this Zoning Ordinance pursuant to the provisions of A.R.S. § 9-462.06. d. Prescribe in connection with any Special Use Permit, Development Incentive Permit, Substantial Conformance Improvement Permit, or any Variance such conditions as deemed necessary in order to fully carry out the provisions and intent of this Ordinance. e. Refer any matter within the Zoning Administrator Hearing Officer's authority to the Board of Adjustment. C. Limits to Authority and Duties. The Zoning Administrator shall not make any changes in the uses permitted in any zoning classification or zoning district, or make any change in the terms of the Zoning Ordinance; provided that the restriction in this paragraph shall not affect the authority to grant variances.

Mesa City Code § 11-66-8 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

11-66-8: - DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE A. The Downtown Development Committee. The Downtown Development Committee has been decommissioned by deletion of Section 2-20-1 of the Mesa City Code pursuant to Ordinance 4960, dated December 7, 2009. B. Modifications. All decided applications for which a condition of approval requires a future revision or modification of that decision to be reviewed by the Downtown Development Committee for either recommendation or decision shall instead be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Board or Design Review Board, as determined by the Planning Director. The determination shall be based on the type of modification or revision requested.

Source: City of Mesa, Arizona, Mesa City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/az/mesa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT11ZOOR_ART7AD_CH66PLAGFetched: 11/1/2026