By Nicole Ludden | Arizona Daily Star
The Tucson City Council will soon consider a set of zoning code changes that could promote infill development while removing bureaucratic hurdles that often hinder housing construction.
Last June, mayor and council discussed common issues they hear from constituents when working with the Planning and Development Services Department, or PDSD, which grants building permits and ensures compliance with the city’s various zoning and land use codes, including slow processing times that don’t keep up with the speed of business.
The council’s discussion came with directions to improve the city’s Unified Development Code, the text that determines zoning regulations throughout Tucson.
After nine months of public outreach and interdepartmental coordination, PDSD will present a package of seven amendments to the zoning code for mayor and council to consider at its March 7 meeting.
“Tucson is taking a very forward-thinking approach to promote housing diversity and combat affordability issues. These changes give property owners and developers the actual ability to build more dense and affordable housing product.”
Jordan Rose, founder and president of Rose Law Group