City Fast-Tracks Cubs Stadium

In order to expedite completion of the proposed Chicago Cubs spring training facility, the City of Mesa has completely reversed the usual approval process for large real estate developments. In the case of a typical proposed real estate project, developers must locate a suitable site, design improvements, summit to all manner of hearings dealing with master plans, zoning, impact on the surrounding neighborhood, traffic mitigation, et. al. and then receive final approval from the City Council. In the Cubs case, the City Council approved a development which had not yet been designed for a location which had not been selected. While the mandatory hearings will still be held and citizens will still have the opportunity to be heard, the process is meaningless because the final authority has already voted in favor of the development.