Eastmark Design Review Committee faces zoning conflicts stalling building permits

The Planning & Zoning Meeting held by the City Council of Mesa, Arizona, on March 26, 2025, addressed significant concerns regarding zoning and design review processes for a proposed data center project. The meeting began with a discussion led by a board member who highlighted ongoing issues with the Eastmark Design Review Committee's criteria and the implications for the project.

The board member presented a timeline of communications, noting that a conditional approval had been granted previously, but the project faced rejection due to a lack of a recorded use restriction amendment. This situation has created a bottleneck, preventing the issuance of building permits for the project. The board member emphasized that despite staff confirming there were no zoning issues, the rejection from the Eastmark committee has stalled progress.

A key point of contention arose regarding the authority of the Eastmark committee, with the board member expressing concern that they were improperly using a private cause of action to impede the city’s permit process. The board member sought clarity on how to navigate this impasse and requested assistance from city staff to expedite the necessary approvals.

During the meeting, board members engaged in procedural discussions about whether to invite additional parties, such as Susan Dimock, to provide further clarification on the matter. The board confirmed that while they could call upon applicants or public members for questions, they would not engage in discussions with them.

As the meeting progressed, the board moved towards closing the public hearing and transitioning into a discussion phase, indicating a desire to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the project. The overall tone of the meeting reflected a commitment to addressing the complexities of zoning and design review processes while ensuring that the city’s regulatory framework is upheld.

The next steps will likely involve further discussions among board members and city staff to find a resolution that allows the project to move forward without further delays.