DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW

Mesa City Code tit. 11, art. 7, ch. 69

in effect

Mesa City Code § 11-69-1 PURPOSE

11-69-1: - PURPOSE This Chapter establishes objectives, standards, and procedures for reviewing development plans, including but not limited to site plans, building elevations, landscape plans, preliminary grading and drainage plans, materials and color samples, and photometric plans. The specific purpose of the Development Plan Review process is to: A. Ensure proposed development complies with the provisions of this Ordinance. B. Eliminate or minimize potential land use conflicts and provide effective transitions between abutting parcels appropriate to site context. C. Mitigate adverse impacts on surrounding developments or land uses that may result from proposed projects. D. Ensure high-quality design that contributes to an attractive built environment and incorporates public spaces integral to the project. E. Promote safe and efficient traffic circulation; provide adequate off-street parking, loading areas, bicycle facilities, and pedestrian amenities; and support a multi-modal transportation system that improves connectivity between residential, commercial, educational, employment, and recreational uses. F. Implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan, sub-area plans, and other City Council adopted policies. (Ord. No. 5996, § 1, 3-9-26)

Mesa City Code § 11-69-2 APPLICABILITY

11-69-2: - APPLICABILITY The following development proposals are subject to Development Plan Review: A. A project that includes Multiple Residences, three (3) or more attached Single Residences, or more than two (2) dwelling units per lot. Development Plan Review is not required for projects with one (1) detached Single Residence, an Accessory Dwelling Unit, or projects eligible as Middle Housing. B. Projects that include mixed-use, commercial, or industrial uses with frontage on an arterial or collector street, or that are part of a larger development or center with such frontage. C. Mixed-use, commercial, or industrial projects that have more than 20,000 square feet of gross floor area. D. Modifications to existing commercial or industrial development with frontage on an arterial street, or that are part of a larger development or center with arterial frontage. E. Parking garages. F. Municipal projects, including fire stations, libraries, parking lots with more than 50 spaces, and any other City of Mesa building or project meeting the criteria in this section. G. Developments establishing project-specific design guidelines and standards. H. Projects located on property where the ordinance approving the zoning, rezoning, or Council Use Permit is conditioned upon Site Plan Review, Design Review, or Development Plan Review. I. Any other projects identified in this Ordinance as requiring Development Plan Review. (Ord. No. 5996, § 1, 3-9-26)

Mesa City Code § 11-69-3 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

11-69-3: - APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Applications for Development Plan Review shall be filed with the Planning Division in accordance with Chapter 67, Common Procedures, including applicable citizen participation and public notice requirements. (Ord. No. 5996, § 1, 3-9-26)

Mesa City Code § 11-69-4 INITIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW

11-69-4: - INITIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW Projects that require Development Plan Review under Section 11-69-2 that are located on property without an approved Development Plan, site plan, and/or design review, or where such approvals have expired, shall obtain approval of an Initial Development Plan. A Development Plan that does not qualify for review as an Initial Development Plan will be reviewed as a Development Plan Modification under Section 11-69-5. A. Administrative Review. An Initial Development Plan may be approved administratively if the Planning Director or Planning Director's designee determines it to be eligible based on the criteria of this section. 1. Eligibility Criteria. An Initial Development Plan is eligible for administrative approval if it meets all of the following: a. Complies with all applicable requirements of this Ordinance. b. Does not require a rezone, Planned Area Development Overlay (PAD), Council Use Permit (CUP), Bonus Intensity Overlay Zone (BIZ), or Special Use Permit (SUP). c. Does not require an Ordinance Condition Modification under Chapter 76. 2. Design Review Board Recommendation Required. a. Development Plans requesting Alternative Compliance shall be reviewed by and receive a recommendation from the Design Review Board prior to Planning Director action. b. Applicants may request a Design Review Board work session for review and recommendation prior to Planning Director action. 3. Referral of an Administrative Review. The Planning Director may refer any application to the Planning and Zoning Board or Design Review Board if, in the Planning Director's judgment, the project meets one (1) or more of the following criteria or otherwise warrants public review: a. The project has unusual site constraints, infrastructure demands, or design complexities; b. The project represents a major public or private investment with significant potential community or economic impact; or c. The project does not comply with applicable Sub-area Plans or Neighborhood Area Plans. B. Planning & Zoning Board Action Required. The Planning and Zoning Board shall hear and take action on the following: 1. Initial Development Plans associated solely with a Special Use Permit; or 2. Initial Development Plans that are eligible for administrative review but referred to the Planning and Zoning Board by the Planning Director. C. City Council Action Required. The following Initial Development Plans require Planning and Zoning Board recommendation and City Council action. 1. Initial Development Plans associated with a Rezone, Planned Area Development Overlay (PAD), Council Use Permit (CUP), or Bonus Intensity Overlay Zone (BIZ). 2. Initial Development Plans that require an Ordinance Condition Modification under Chapter 76. 3. Initial Development Plans that are not eligible for administrative review and not subject to approval by the Planning and Zoning Board. 4. The City Council shall use the review criteria set forth in Section 11-69-5 to evaluate the Initial Development Plan and may take action on, or impose conditions upon, the Initial Development Plan, as set forth in Section 11-69-6. (Ord. No. 5996, § 1, 3-9-26)

Mesa City Code § 11-69-5 DEVELOPMENT PLAN MODIFICATION

11-69-5: - DEVELOPMENT PLAN MODIFICATION Changes to an approved Development Plan, site plan, or Design Review are classified either as an Administrative or Legislative Development Plan Modification and reviewed by the applicable approving authority as set forth in this section. A. Administrative Development Plan Modifications. Development Plan Modifications that do not meet the criteria for a Legislative Development Modification per Subsection B below, may be administratively approved by the Planning Director or the Planning Director's designee. B. Legislative Development Plan Modifications. A Development Plan Modification is a legislative action that requires City Council approval through the rezoning process if any of the following occur: 1. Rezoning or Overlay Request. The proposed modification involves: a. A change to a base zoning district; or b. A request for or a change to an overlay district. 2. Development Plan Condition Modification. An Ordinance Condition Modification, as described in Chapter 76, is required for the proposed modification when all of the following criteria are met: a. A Development Plan Condition is included in the approving ordinance (e.g., compliance with the final site plan, compliance with the final development plan, or compliance with the basic development as shown); and b. The proposed modification changes the previously approved Development Plan or site plan and results in at least one (1) of the following: i. Increases or decreases the total gross floor area of all buildings on the site greater than 10%; or ii. Increases in the residential density above the density approved by the ordinance; or iii. Includes the addition of a drive-thru lane; or iv. Increases traffic generation by 15% or more, as determined by a traffic impact study or traffic impact analysis; and c. The proposed modification includes a Change of Use as defined in Chapter 87. 3. Other Ordinance Condition Modifications. For proposed modifications that require changes to ordinance conditions, other than a Development Plan Condition, an Ordinance Condition Modification shall be required as determined under Chapter 76. (Ord. No. 5996, § 1, 3-9-26)

Mesa City Code § 11-69-6 REVIEW CRITERIA

11-69-6: - REVIEW CRITERIA When reviewing a development plan, the reviewing body shall determine whether the project satisfies all of the following: A. The project is consistent with and conforms to the adopted General Plan (except that no analysis of the use if it is permitted in the zoning district on the property); B. The project complies with all applicable development standards of this Ordinance; C. The project complies with all project specific design guidelines or standards adopted and applicable to the site; and D. The project is consistent with all conditions of approval imposed on the property whether by ordinance, resolution or otherwise. (Ord. No. 5996, § 1, 3-9-26)

Mesa City Code § 11-69-7 CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

11-69-7: - CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL A. Approval Authority. The Planning Director or Planning Director's designee, Planning and Zoning Board, and City Council, as the applicable approval authority, may approve, modify, approve with conditions, or deny an Initial Development Plan or Development Plan Modification. Conditions of approval may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following: 1. Adjustments to the height, area, or setback of buildings; 2. Changes to building materials, colors, articulation, or architectural detailing; 3. Modifications to landscaping, open space, or amenities; 4. Limitation or modification to vehicular access; 5. Addition or modifications of walls, fences, or screening devices; 6. Noise attenuation measures; 7. Compliance with the final development plan, final site plan, basic development plan; or 8. Any other restriction or requirement necessary to protect adjacent properties, preserve neighborhood character, or mitigate adverse impacts. (Ord. No. 5996, § 1, 3-9-26)

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_CH69DEPLREFetched: 11/1/2026