Setback Requirements for the EO: Employment Opportunity District in Mesa
In the City of Mesa, the EO: Employment Opportunity district functions as a "floating zone" where specific front, side, and rear setbacks are not pre-defined by a universal numeric table. Instead, all setback requirements for an EO: Employment Opportunity district project are established through a site-specific EO Development Plan approved by the City Council. If a specific EO Development Plan does not explicitly define its own setbacks, the project must adhere to the standards of a "default" base zoning district selected during the application process [Section 11-14-3(C)].
Establishment of Setbacks via Development Plan
The City of Mesa utilizes the EO: Employment Opportunity district to provide flexibility for large-scale, high-quality employment developments. Because the requirements are tailored to the opportunities and constraints of a specific property, the building setbacks are defined during the entitlement process [Section 11-14-1].
The EO Development Plan
Every application for an EO: Employment Opportunity district must include an EO Development Plan. This plan serves as the primary reference for the implementation and review of the development. The City of Mesa requires this plan to expressly set forth the "General Development Standards," which include building setbacks [Section 11-14-3(A)].
Default Zoning Standards
If the approved EO Development Plan does not specify a particular setback standard, the City of Mesa applies the "Zoning Ordinance Standards" of a default base district. This default district is selected as part of the EO Development Plan to ensure there are fallback regulations for any standard not explicitly modified by the developer [Section 11-14-3(C)].
Summary of EO District Setback Regulations
| Setback Category | EO: Employment Opportunity District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback | Determined by the site-specific EO Development Plan or the selected default base zoning district [Section 11-14-5]. |
| Side Setback | Determined by the site-specific EO Development Plan or the selected default base zoning district [Section 11-14-5]. |
| Rear Setback | Determined by the site-specific EO Development Plan or the selected default base zoning district [Section 11-14-5]. |
| Data Center Separation | Data Centers (a primary use in EO) must be located at least 400 feet from the property line of any residential zoning district or use [Section 11-31-36(F)]. |
| Wireless Facilities | Antenna structures must be set back from residential use property lines a distance equal to twice the height of the structure [Section 11-35-5(E)]. |
Modifications to Established Setbacks
The City of Mesa allows for adjustments to the setbacks once an EO Development Plan has been approved. These are categorized based on the scale of the change:
- Minor Adjustments: The Planning Director may administratively evaluate and grant requests for minor modifications to setbacks. A minor adjustment is defined as a change of less than 20% of the required dimension [Section 11-14-3(C)].
- Major Adjustments: Any request for an adjustment to a setback that is 20% or greater than the requirement in the EO Development Plan is considered a major adjustment. These require a more formal review process as outlined in the Mesa Zoning Ordinance [Section 11-14-3(C)].
- Administrative Modifications: An applicant may request a minor administrative modification to Form-Based Code standards if the project is within a transect area, provided the change conforms to the purpose and intent of the City of Mesa General Plan [Section 11-56-4(G)].
Residential Transitions
When an EO: Employment Opportunity district is approved as a floating zone, it often exists over an active underlying zoning district. Until the property owner formally "opts-in" to the EO district, the property remains governed by the setbacks of the original zoning. Once the owner opts-in by filing the required forms with the Mesa City Administrator, the setbacks and standards of the EO Development Plan become the sole governing regulations for the site [Section 11-14-2(C)].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-14-1: Purpose
- Section 11-14-2: Applicability and Authority
- Section 11-14-3: Land Use Regulations and Development Standards
- Section 11-14-5: EO Development Plan Contents
- Section 11-31-36: Data Centers
- Section 11-35-5: Location, Design, and Operation Requirements (Wireless)
- Section 11-56-4: Permit Processing, Rezoning and Administration