Historic Landmark Overlay Process

Overview

A Historic Landmark Overlay is a zoning tool that protects and preserves individual buildings, structures, sites, areas, or objects that are recognized for their historical significance. A Historic District Overlay does not change the underlying zoning, rather it adds an additional layer of standards and requirements to help protect the existing character, architecture, or cultural significance of a building, structure, site, area, or object from demolition or from inappropriate alterations that could take away from the historic look and feel.

A Historic District Landmark does not prevent change, rather ensures that future changes are compatible and done in a way that do not undermine what it is about the building, structure, site, area, or object that makes it important and special.  

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 Historic Landmark Overlay. 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.

Eligibility Requirements:

The requirements for designating an Historic Landmark Overlay are provided in Chapter 23 of the Mesa Zoning Ordinance. For an area to be considered for a Historic Landmark Overlay, the following must be met:

1. It meets the criteria for historic sites adopted by the State of Arizona through the State Historic Preservation Office;
2. Any part of it is 50 or more years old; or
3. It substantially meets the following criteria for individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places adopted by the Secretary of the Interior, copies of which shall be on file in the Office of Historic Preservation:

a.    Value as a significant reminder of the cultural, historical, architectural or archaeological heritage of the city, state, or nation.

b.    Location is the site of a significant local, state or national event.

c.    Identified with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state, or nation.

d.    Identified as the work of a master builder, designer, or architect whose individual work has influenced the development of the city, state, or nation.

e.    Value as a building is recognized for the quality of its architecture, and it retains sufficient elements showing its architectural significance.

f.     Distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a period.

Required Documents:

• Application - submitted through the DIMES portal  
• Project Narrative - Include a detailed building history and description of the architectural style and any notable architectural details.Identify and describe any important or notable events that have taken place at this location and how they contribute to the importance of the building or if the building is associated with any notable or important people.The narrative should also include a section that addresses any changes to the building that have occurred throughout its history.
• Map - showing the boundaries of the Historic Landmark.
• Photos of all elevations and detail photos of architectural features.

Desired Documents:

• Fully dimensioned site plan
• Building Elevations
• Site Details
• Historic photos

Step 2: Application Submittal

Application for a Historic Landmark Overlay 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.

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
• Petition - with signatures of a minimum of 50% plus one (1) of the owners within the boundaries of the Historic Landmark, and who also control 50% of the property area to be included in the proposed Historic Landmark, or petition of at least 50 qualified electors residing within Mesa.
• Project Narrative - Include a detailed building history and description of the architectural style and any notable architectural details.  Identify and describe any important or notable events that have taken place at this location and how they contribute to the importance of the building or if the building is associated with any notable or important people. The narrative should also include a section that addresses any changes to the building that have occurred throughout its history. 
• Map - showing the boundaries of the proposed Historic Landmark
• 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.

Step 3: Staff Review

Staff will review the Historic Landmark Overlay 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, 359KB). This comment letter will identify requirements that need to be resolved before attending a public meeting.

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 Historic Preservation Board meeting. The applicant is responsible for providing public notice of the Historic Preservation Board meeting and the Planning & Zoning Board hearing.

Historic Preservation Board Noticing Requirements

Posting the project site - No less than 15 days prior to the public hearing staff will post a sign on the property in a manner that is legible from public right-of-way with the hearing information pursuant to A.R.S. §9-462.04.

Planning & Zoning Board Noticing Requirements

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 City 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

Historic Preservation Board Hearing

Historic Preservation Board meetings are typically held the first Tuesday of every month at 5:00 p.m.

Staff will prepare a staff 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 public meeting. The applicant is highly encouraged to attend the meeting to answer questions and participate in discussion.  

Historic Preservation Board

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 p.m. Planning and Zoning Board hearings take place at 4:00 p.m.

Staff will prepare a staff report describing the proposed project and compliance with 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

Historic Landmark Overlays first go to the Historic Preservation Board and 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 p.m.

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