Independent reporting on the zoning, development, and council decisions shaping the Valley.
Mesa Planning and Zoning Board approved six real estate cases and one general plan amendment on October 28, 2026, including two battery energy storage facilities, a 360,895 sq ft commercial center, and a residential-to-industrial rezoning, with board discussion focused on traffic and single-use zoning concerns in the East Mark community.
Planning Commission held the first of two required public hearings on STL 290, a major 785-unit mixed-use development on 290 acres anchoring the John Wesley Powell corridor, involving a regional plan amendment and dual zoning map amendments, with staff recommending approval pending next hearing and commission requests for clarification on affordable housing strategy, school capacity impacts, and reclaimed water agreements.
Mesa's Planning and Zoning Board was scheduled to consider — on the consent agenda — a Council Use Permit, Special Use Permit, and Site Plan Review for 'Gateway Crossing,' an approximately 360,895-square-foot Group Commercial Center on roughly 37 acres at the southwest corner of East Williams Field Road and the East 24 Gateway Freeway in District 6.
Mesa's Planning and Zoning Board was scheduled to recommend approval on consent of a Minor General Plan Amendment redesignating 21.6± acres at the southwest corner of South Ellsworth Road and East Starfire Avenue from Urban Residential to Local Employment Center, clearing the path for a concurrent rezoning to Light Industrial and a Battery Energy Storage System development.
Mesa's Planning and Zoning Board was scheduled to approve on consent a rezoning of 20.3± acres from Light Industrial with a PAD Overlay to straight Light Industrial, plus a site plan, to allow NextEra Energy Resources to develop a Battery Energy Storage System facility west of Ellsworth Road and Starfire Avenue.
Mesa's Planning and Zoning Board was scheduled to approve on consent a rezone of 21.8 acres from Light Industrial with a PAD overlay to straight Light Industrial, plus a site plan, to allow a Battery Energy Storage System facility dubbed 'Ellsworth I Energy Center' roughly 2,450 feet west of South Ellsworth Road and East Starfire Avenue.
Sunbelt Investment Holdings, Inc. is seeking to rezone 21.6± acres at the southwest corner of South Ellsworth Road and East Starfire Avenue in Mesa from residential/commercial to Light Industrial and Limited Commercial designations, plus a Council Use Permit for a large-format retailer, to enable future industrial and commercial development.
Scottsdale Planning Commission unanimously approved a 77-home luxury residential subdivision at Happy Valley and Pima Road with developer-funded traffic improvements and developer collaboration with adjacent neighborhoods, alongside a technical amendment to industrial development standards.
Gilbert planning commission held study sessions on 132-unit multifamily and commercial projects while approving park expansion 6-1, initiated mixed-use zoning amendment review, and rejected parking-challenged retail project's preliminary approval.
Show Low City Council approved a 66-unit apartment zoning amendment (Ordinance 2026-06) and authorized $60 million Sports and Events Center financing via excise tax obligations, with the latter passing on a controversial 4-3 split vote amid public and council concerns about debt levels.
Tempe City Council and Development Review Commission reached consensus to reject a proposed citywide affordable housing development bonus program after identifying lack of constituency support from both residents and developers, redirecting focus to alternative affordable housing strategies.
Prescott City Council October 27th meeting will address a 9.18-acre GPA for Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, library branch development in growth corridor, water infrastructure improvements in historic neighborhoods, and a contentious 40-minute public comment period on surveillance camera technology.
Glendale City Council approved a controversial 160-acre annexation and mixed-use rezoning for Project Eagle/Bacara (data center plus natural gas power plant) with a 6-1 split vote following intensive multi-jurisdictional public opposition regarding air emissions, noise, groundwater depletion, and property values, adding Stipulation 12 to fund emergency fire services in response.
Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of Cloud Cap Energy Storage 57.4-acre rezone and comprehensive Monteverde/Terra Vallis master plan amendments establishing the framework for Arizona's second-largest planned community with eventual 130,000+ residential units.
City Council unanimously approved a $15 million Housing Trust Fund allocation plan to finance affordable housing projects and gap financing, while receiving comprehensive public safety reform updates amid significant community opposition.
Flagstaff City Council work session focused on major RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) federal housing program to restructure public housing with resident engagement and long-term affordability protections, paired with CHAP homebuyer assistance annual report showing 25 new homeowners and $1.1M in assistance, followed by special meeting approving $5,500 in council initiative fund allocations.
Phoenix Parks Board unanimously approved Stetson Hills Trailhead Master Plan while fielding substantial organized public opposition to current mountain trail closure policy, with advocates citing inadequate restrictions and safety concerns and threatening legal action.
Mesa City Council study session reviewed two material real estate items—The Craftsman 19-acre mixed-use development agreement ($3M projected tax revenue over 10 years) and Terribles 1.3-acre convenience store rezoning—both advancing to formal council votes Monday, October 26.
Mesa City Council was asked to adopt Ordinance No. 6036, a comprehensive rewrite of the city's historic-preservation zoning code spanning Chapters 23, 44, 66, 74, and 87 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance, consolidating overlay districts, extending demolition-delay periods from six months to one year, and adding a new archaeological-resources review process.
Paradise Valley council continued a controversial solar structure amendment after community opposition to height and notification issues, approved routine lodge renovations, directed staff to phase out the fire service fee into the general fund, and decided to sunset the police alarm monitoring program.