By Howard Fischer | Daily Independent
PHOENIX — State lawmakers want to give churches, synagogues, mosques and other nonprofit religious institutions the ability to use their land to build what are supposed to be affordable homes — and do it regardless of whether those projects conflict with area zoning.
On an 11-5 vote Monday, the House Appropriations Committee approved a measure that would give what some foes called overly broad leeway for churches — and the developers that would work with them — to construct three-story or more multifamily homes and apartments on the property they own. That could mean converting parking lots and other vacant land.
The move came over the objection of some legislators who worried such developments could sharply change the character of residential neighborhoods. And they were not assuaged by the fact the owner would be a church.
Nor was Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, who also represents Paradise Valley, convinced the bill could be fixed before it becomes law with proposed new restrictions, like a 150-foot setback from existing homes.
