A birds eye view rendering of a portion of Hawes Crossing. (Photo: Courtesy of Greey Pickett)

Mesa will annex dairy farms and county land to make way for a planned mixed-use project called Hawes Crossing in the southeast corner of the city.

After four years, numerous studies and dozens of plan iterations, the City Council voted Monday to approve Hawes Crossing — but not without significant debate.

Council members faced the option to annex the land and rezone more than 1,200 acres for redevelopment or stick with the status quo, in which case the dairies would likely try to expand to stay financially viable.

The council voted 6-1 to approve the Hawes Crossing annexation, rezoning and redevelopment plans. Kevin Thompson, whose district covers this area, cast the lone “no” vote.

Continued: