The Mesa City Council unanimously approved plans for the 36-unit Countryside Townhomes (also known as Countryside Modern) development on 2.4 infill acres at Southern Avenue and 32nd Street following months of meetings and negotiations between the developer and nearby residents opposed to the original plan.
Over the course of five months, opponents – mostly from the nearby Dana Park community – got enough concessions from the project owner to pave the way for approval.
Council members commented during the July 11th meeting on the hundreds of hours spent by staff, residents and project representatives to get the approval to the finish line.
The developer had sought a rezoning from single- to multifamily residential. The process set off a flurry of debate and resistance normally reserved for projects several times Countryside’s size. One issue was a misstatement by the developers that they had sent notices to residents within 1,000 feet of the site. Notices had actually been sent to residents within 500 feet, which is the legal minimum.
The planning process was put on hold while the administrative error was corrected, and several meetings were held to enable residents to provide comments.
Opposition groups were formed, and a petition drive opposing the project garnered enough signatures to require a supermajority of Council member to vote in favor if the project were to be approved.
The developer again met with residents following the Planning and Zoning meeting to negotiate a withdrawal of the legal protest. As a result of those negotiations, the look of the project was changed, the unit count was reduced by 10%, street setbacks were increased and parking spaces were added, which necessitated the removal of a planned resident dog park.
The project plan now includes three parking spaces for each unit. Despite the concessions, the legal protest was not officially withdrawn before the meeting. Time ran out without requiring another month’s delay, so Council proceeded with the vote as scheduled. (Source)
