Council Use Permit Process

Overview

A Council Use Permit is a discretionary permit issued by the City Council for uses that require special consideration to ensure that they can be designed, located, and operated in a manner that will not interfere with the use and enjoyment of surrounding properties.

The main steps in the process are:

Step 1: Pre-Submittal Conference

A Pre-Submittal application is required prior to filing an application for a Council Use Permit. Pre-Submittal applications are due each Monday by 12:00 p.m. and must be submitted via the DIMES portal.

Staff will review the Pre-Submittal application for compliance with all appropriate standards, codes, specifications, and requirements and provide written review comments within 10 calendar days.

Applicants will have the option to attend a Pre-Submittal Conference to discuss the provided comments. Pre-Submittal Conferences are typically a half hour and held each Tuesday morning. Conferences may be requested to be held in person or electronically.

Please note that a Pre-Submittal does not constitute a complete review or guarantee that all issues are identified.

Required Documents:

• Application - submitted through the DIMES portal
• Project Narrative - describing the proposed project and design intent

Desired Documents: 

• Fully dimensioned site plan 
• Building Elevations 
• Landscape Plan 
• Photometric Plan 
• Site Details 

Step 2: Application Submittal

Application for a Council Use Permit may be submitted at any point after a Pre-Submittal Conference has been completed.

Complete applications and fees must be submitted electronically via the DIMES portal. Applications are due each Monday by the end of the business day. Please note that a Council Use Permit application may be submitted concurrent with another land use application. If submitting concurrently with another application check the "Concurrent Review" box, for reduced fees.

The applicant is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all information submitted. Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.

Required Documents: 

• Application - submitted through the DIMES portal
• Property Owner Authorization(PDF, 162KB)
• Project Narrative - describing the proposed project and design intent, and how the projects meets the following approval criteria:
  • Approval of the proposed project will advance the goals and objectives of and is consistent with the policies of the General Plan and any other applicable Mesa plan and/or policies
  • The location, size, design, and operating characteristics of the proposed project are consistent with the purposes of the district where it is located and conform with the General Plan and with any other applicable Mesa plan or policies
  • The proposed project will not be injurious or detrimental to the adjacent or surrounding properties in the area of the proposed project or improvements in the neighborhood or to the general welfare of Mesa
  • Adequate public services, public facilities and public infrastructure are available to serve the proposed project. 
• Citizen Participation Plan - describing the residents, neighborhoods and homeowners’ associations that may be impacted and how the applicant intends to inform and engage the public in their development plans 

Desired Documents:

• Site Plan - fully dimensioned site plan showing the location and area of site development features building including but not limited to, buildings, structures, drive aisles, parking spaces, sidewalks, etc.
• Landscape Plan - showing the location, type, and size of all proposed landscaping. Provide a plant list, which includes the quantities of all proposed landscape material, common botanical names, and their square foot equivalencies (Table 11-33-2-E)
• Building Elevations - fully dimensioned, colored elevations showing sufficient detail to convey the architectural content for all proposed building and structures including building height, pitch of roof, percentage of openings, building materials and colors, and architectural elements 
• ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey - showing the location of existing utilities including water mains, sanitary sewer mains, storm sewer, cable, electric, gas, and telephone; location of all existing structures on the subject lot; and any recorded easements or deed restrictions 

Step 3: Staff Review

Staff will review the Council Use Permit application for compliance with all appropriate standards, codes, specifications, and requirements and provide written comments within 8 working days of the next closest formal submittal listed on the Planning & Zoning Board Calendar(PDF, 372KB). This comment letter will identify requirements that need to be resolved before a public hearing is scheduled.

The applicant will revise pertinent documents to address review comments and provide a written comment response letter stating how each review comment was addressed.

This process repeats until all requirements are met.

Step 4: Public Notice

When all comments have been addressed staff will schedule the project for a public hearing. The applicant is responsible for providing public notice of the Planning & Zoning Board public hearing.

Reminder to notice - No less than 21 days prior to the scheduled Planning & Zoning Board hearing, staff will email the applicant a public notice letter template and upload to the case file a list of names and addresses of property owners, associations, and interested parties that must receive public notice.

Notice content - The public notice must contain the following information:

• A general description of the proposed project.
• The location of the project site.
• The date, time, location, and purpose of the public meeting.
• The identity of the hearing body or officer (i.e., Planning & Zoning Board).
• The names of the applicant or the owner of the property that is the subject of the application.
• A copy of the site plan and elevations (If applicable).
• A statement that any interested person or authorized agent may appear and be heard at the public meeting.
• A statement describing how to submit written comments.

Deliver letter - No less than 15 days prior to the scheduled Planning & Zoning Board meeting, the applicant must drop off the public notices to the Planning Division no later than noon. All notices must be sealed, stamped, and labeled with sending and return addresses. Staff will then drop off the notices to the post office that same day.

Posting the project site - No less than 15 days prior to the public hearing the applicant must post a 4’ x 4’ sign on the property in a manner that is legible from public right-of-way. The posting must be printed so that the following are visible from a distance of 100 feet:

• The words “Zoning Hearing”
• Date and time of hearing
• Case number
• Request
• Applicant
• Applicant phone number
• Planning Division phone number

The applicant must provide staff with a notarized document containing a photo of the sign and date of posting.

Citizen Participation Report - Applicants must provide a written Citizen Participation Report describing the results of implementing their Citizen Participation Plan at least 30 days prior to the first scheduled public hearing.

The Citizen Participation Report shall include the following information:

• A summary of neighborhood meeting (if held) including when and where they were held, number of attendees, copies of sign-in sheets, and results achieved at the meeting(s).
• A summary of citizen concerns, issues and problems expressed during the citizen participation process, and how these have been addressed through changes or stipulations to the project.
• Copies of comment letters, petitions, and other pertinent information received from residents and other interested parties.

Failure to comply with the citizen participation requirements or a determination that such efforts were insufficient to provide adequate opportunities for citizen participation, may result in postponement, rescheduling, or denial of an application.

Step 5: Public Hearing & Entitlement

Planning & Zoning Board Hearing

Planning & Zoning Board hearings are typically held the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. A study session will occur before the hearing and typically take place at either 3:00 or 3:30 pm. Planning & Zoning Board hearings take place at 4:00 pm.

Staff will prepare a report describing the proposed project and compliance with Mesa codes and policies. Staff reports will be available and posted to the case file within the DIMES system the Thursday prior to the Board meeting.

Staff will prepare and present to the Board a presentation outlining the proposed project at the study session. The applicant is highly encouraged to attend the meeting to answer questions and participate in discussion.

Planning & Zoning Board

City Council Hearing

Council Use Permits first go to the Planning & Zoning Board for their recommendation and follow the process outlined above.

City Council hearings are typically held the first and third Monday of every month at 5:45 pm.

Introduction of Ordinances are typically scheduled for the month which follows the Planning & Zoning Board hearing. Public hearings where action is taken by the Council are typically on the Monday two weeks after the introduction. Contact your case planner for the precise introduction and hearing dates.  

City Council Meetings