by Gary Nelson - Oct. 23, 2008 11:01 AM
The Arizona Republic
After nearly two years and much hand-wringing, a master plan to govern Mesa's Gateway area is all but ready.
There'll be one more public meeting to gather input, a few more official discussions, and then Mesa will have a plan to propel the area around Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport into a hoped-for future as a 21st century "aerotropolis" with worldwide appeal.
The first steps in that direction already have been taken with last month's announcement that two glitzy resorts and a big convention center will be built east of the airport.
But the plan discussed Thursday by the council in a joint meeting with the Planning and Zoning Board covers far more than that.
It divides the airport and surrounding areas into four zones, all of which will employ the same kind of newfangled "form-based" zoning that will characterize the Mesa Proving Grounds project being developed by DMB Associates.
That means more emphasis on the size and form of buildings than on their specific uses.
"We're not necessarily excluding any use from any place," Planning Director John Wesley said.
And it means, according to the latest version of the plan unveiled Thursday, that some kinds of housing could be built northwest of the airport's runways, in what's called the "Inner Loop District."
Whether to allow housing there has long been an issue as the council has stressed protecting the airport as the region's top economic generator, and Councilman Scott Somers asked Thursday why the city was even considering the idea again.
Wesley said no housing - and no other uses, for that matter - will be allowed automatically.
"Developers must show how their projects are consistent with the goals" of protecting the airport and generating more than 100,000 high-quality jobs in the area, Wesley said.
Wesley also said developers who submit site plans that might have been acceptable under old zoning regimes probably will be encouraged to rework them to create more pedestrian-friendly, environmentally sustainable projects.
Mayor Scott Smith said the Gateway plan is revolutionary for Mesa.
"We no longer can look at each property as a stand-alone," Smith said. Projects must integrate with one another.
"It's a change," Smith said. "It's a big change. And I can see that being very challenging" as the city and developers feel their way through a new way of doing business.
Key dates
Mesa's Gateway area strategic plan, nearly two years in the making, is nearing final approval. Here's what's on tap:
• Public meeting to review and discuss the plan, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Fire Station 217, 10434 E. Baseline Road.
• Design Review Board vote, Nov. 5.
• Planning and Zoning Board vote, Nov. 20.
• Final City Council vote, Dec. 1.
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