Historic Preservation Board Hearing: September 1, 2015
P&Z Hearing Date: November 18, 2015
P&Z Case: Z15-034
Planning and Zoning Board
Case Information
CASE NUMBER:
LOCATION/ADDRESS:
GENERAL VICINITY:
REQUEST:
PURPOSE:
COUNCIL DISTRICT:
OWNER:
APPLICANT:
STAFF PLANNER:
Z15-034
(PLN2015-00276)
412 N. Macdonald
Located north and west of the northwest corner of
University Drive and Macdonald
Rezone from DR-1-HD to DR-1-HD-HL
This request will establish a Historic Landmark Overlay.
District 4
Robert & Heather Scantlebury
Heather Scantlebury
Kim Steadman, RA
SITE DATA
PARCEL NUMBER:
137-26-058B
PARCEL SIZE:
0.58+ acres
EXISTING ZONING:
DR-1-HD
GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION: Neighborhoods-Traditional-Downtown
CURRENT LAND USE:
Residential
NORTH:
EAST:
SOUTH:
WEST:
SITE CONTEXT
Residential
– zoned RS-6-HD
Residential
– zoned DR-1-HD
Residential
– zoned DR-1-HD
Residential
– zoned DR-1-HD
ZONING HISTORY/RELATED CASES:
June 10, 1930:
Sept. 1, 2015:
Annexed into the City of Mesa (Ord. #157)
Historic Preservation Board recommends approval of HL
Overlay (HL15-001)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approval with Conditions
HP BOARD RECOMMENDATION:
Approval with conditions.
P&Z BOARD RECOMMENDATION:
Approval with conditions.
PROPOSITION 207 WAIVER SIGNED:
Yes
No
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Denial
Denial
Historic Preservation Board Hearing: September 1, 2015
P&Z Hearing Date: November 18, 2015
P&Z Case: Z15-034
PROJECT DESCRIPTION/REQUEST
About the house: The “Phil Isley” house was completed in 1922, and was originally located at
643 E. Main St. It is a classic example of a brick, craftsman bungalow. A motel was built on the
site in the 1940s, with the house serving as the office. In 2005 the house was purchased and
moved to the current site. (The house had been slated for demolition as part of the
redevelopment of the hotel site).
About the original owner of the house: Phil Isley (1886-1962) played an important role in Mesa
and Arizona history. In Mesa, he served as president of the Lions Club, the Hiram Club, and the
Mesa Chamber of Commerce. He was Maricopa County Treasurer, executive director of the
Arizona Automobile Association, served on the County Board of Supervisors, and was a
member of Arizona’s 12th and 13th legislature.
This request seeks approval of an overlay district that:
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
preserves a house whose style reflects a phase of the City’s history; and
recognizes the historic contribution of the original occupant of the house.
HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION:
Per §11-23-4 (B) of the Zoning Ordinance the following features can be used in support of
historic designation of this building:
 “Any part of it is more than 50 years old”
o The house is 93 years old. Construction began in 1921, and the Isley family
moved in on March 31, 1922.
 It is “identified with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the development
of the city, state, or nation.”
o Phil Isley contributed to the development of City and State through his many
positions of importance within the business community, in civic organizations,
and as a member of the Arizona State Legislature.
o Mr. Isley was recognized in 1936 as “Mesa’s Most Valuable Citizen” by the Mesa
Journal-Tribune.
 It is “identified as the work of a master builder, designer, or architect whose individual
work has influenced the development of the city, state, or nation.”
o The builder: Joseph A. Nesbitt built many notable homes, as well as commercial
and public buildings. His buildings include the Drew Building, Metz Hotel,
Southside District Hospital, Rendezvous Ball Park, and the old Mesa City Hall.
His sculpture is located outside the Mesa Council Chambers and was donated by
his grandchildren, through the Mesa Permanent Sculpture Panel.
o The style: the house has many of the identifying features of the Bungalow style
(1905-1935) including:
 Rectangular or square plan;
 Symmetrical façade;
 Medium-pitched gable roof;
 Wood brackets supporting deep eaves;
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Historic Preservation Board Hearing: September 1, 2015
P&Z Hearing Date: November 18, 2015
P&Z Case: Z15-034
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Wood shingles in gable ends;
Large front veranda supported with posts;
Segmental-arched window and door openings;
Large double-hung windows.
ONGOING RESTORATION:
Restoration of the relocated house is a work in progress:


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The front porch was dismantled for the move. Original bricks were salvaged for
the reconstruction of the porch. Also, an enclosed room that was added to the
front porch has been removed. The intent is to restore the full-width original
porch.
As seen in photos of the house before the move, a porte-cochere extended to the
side of the original porch, and will be reconstructed.
The intent is to rework additions that were made to the rear of the house as well.
The original condition of this part of the house is more difficult to establish, and
the applicant will be able to work with the Historic Preservation Officer to
determine a balanced approach to modifications/restoration in this area of the
house.
The application includes photos of the house before the move, and a rendering of
the restored house, as proposed.
HISTORIC OVERLAY STANDARDS
This house was relocated into the existing Evergreen historic district in 2005. It was not a part
of the historic Evergreen neighborhood, and as such can only be considered a “non-contributing
property” as relates to the district. Rather the request is to establish the house itself, based on
the importance of its original owner, as a Historic Landmark. Going forward, the house will
receive the protections of the historic designation. The following standards will apply to the
approval of this Historic Landmark overlay:
a) Routine maintenance of the interior and exterior will continue without any requirements
for review by the Historic Preservation Officer.
b) Changes to mechanical equipment of the protected structures, not visible from the street
do not require review or approval by the Historic Preservation Officer. Anything visible
from the Street would require review and approval by the Historic Preservation Officer.
c) Rooftop mechanical units are not allowed.
d) Deconstruction of building elements to provide emergency repairs is allowed and
authorized without review or approval of the Historic Preservation Officer.
Reconstruction plans will be provided to the Historic Preservation Officer to show the
building is being returned to its condition before the emergency work.
e) Interior remodeling of the building will not require review or approval by the Historic
Preservation Office. Any proposed interior changes that would be perceived from the
exterior require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Officer.
f) Exterior modifications, alterations, or additions to the building require a Certificate of
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Historic Preservation Board Hearing: September 1, 2015
P&Z Hearing Date: November 18, 2015
P&Z Case: Z15-034
Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Officer to ensure the historic integrity of
the building is maintained.
g) Demolition of the structures could be approved following the requirements of the zoning
ordinance. Those requirements include a maximum 180 day delay in issuing a
demolition permit to allow for consideration of alternatives.
h) Additional structures require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic
Preservation Officer to ensure the integrity of the historic landmark is maintained.
NEIGHBORHOOD PARTICIPATION
Historic Preservation Board: The applicant’s Citizen Participation Plan included posting fliers, and
mailing written notifications to all property owners within 500’ of the site. The notification included
a background on the building and an explanation of the request. Staff mailed notification of the
Historic Preservation Board hearing to property owners within 500’ of the site.
Planning & Zoning Board: The applicant’s Citizen Participation Plan included mailing notification
letters to property owners within 500’ of the site, and posting the site.
Staff has not received any inquiry regarding this proposal.
CONFORMANCE WITH THE GENERAL PLAN
The proposed HL overlay for 412 N. Macdonald conforms to the City’s adopted 2040 General
Plan, specifically Ch. 4 Neighborhoods, Policy: Historic Preservation P1: “Continue to support
the Historic Preservation Program as an important tool to help maintain Mesa neighborhoods
and preserve our past.” (P. 16-5)
STAFF ANALYSIS
SUMMARY:
This use of the Historic Landmark overlay serves to anchor the memory of a past citizen who
made a significant contribution to our community. It is a plus that the house itself is also worthy
of preservation as an example of the bungalow style house of the period.
It should be noted that even with the approval of the historic landmark overlay designation, the
rehabilitation and restoration of this structure will still be subject to building codes as they apply
to moved buildings per section 4-1-2(K) of the Mesa City Code, as determined by the City’s
Building Official.
CONCLUSIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the Historic Landmark overlay, with the following conditions:
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. Compliance with the zoning map submitted with this request;
2. Compliance with all City development codes and regulations;
3. Compliance with the Historic Overlay Standards provided in this report.
G:\P&Z Case folders\Z15\Z15-034 412 N Macdonald HL\Staff Report-Z15-034 HL Overlay PZ.docx
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