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TRRG – January 2021
ADU’s: What are they? Are they coming to a neighborhood near you?
In November 2020, Tucson Mayor and City Council directed staff to write an ordinance that would define and allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Tucson. A stakeholder’s group was formed by the Planning and Development Services Dept (PDSD) and TRRG was one of the invited members.
The time frame for the ordinance includes a Planning Commission study session and then a public hearing anticipated for April, with a report to Mayor and Council anticipated for May 2021. Two remote meetings of the stakeholder’s group have been held, one in December and a second in January. To read the official City description of the project, go to the PDSD webpage at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/pdsd/accessory-dwelling-units-code-amendment.
As chair, I accepted the position on this stakeholder’s group so that I could represent a “neighborhood perspective” for the proposed ordinance.
I absolutely need your input as members of TRRG.
The ADU ordinance is being driven by multiple forces. Among them are those wanting more Affordable Housing in the City, those representing Seniors who want to assist “aging in place” and also developers, architects and land use planners who want to add “flexibility and sustainability” to the housing market in Tucson.
An ordinance that allows accessory dwelling units, by right, in all residentially zoned land has the potential to remarkably alter the character and demographics of our city. It is up to us as residents, neighbors and property owners to ask questions and comment on the proposals so that we can influence how the ordinance is written and applied.
At the next TRRG Board meeting on Feb 4, I will propose that TRRG hold a remote informational question and answer session with interested TRRG members prior to the public meetings planned by PDSD. I urge all TRRG members to attend one of the PDSD public meetings that will be scheduled in February and March. We will send you more information when specific dates are set by PDSD.
Affordable Housing Summit this week.
An Affordable Housing Summit is being held this week, starting on Monday, Jan 25 at 9am. It is being put on by several groups including AARP, Tucson Housing Foundation, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona and Elder Alliance. Some of the motivations for writing an ADU ordinance will be discussed at this conference. I urge you to read their brochure, look at the list of participants and topics and perhaps attend one of the informational sessions, or the summary session on Feb 5 starting at 9am.
The link for the conference is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/affordable-housing-summit-tucson-2021-tickets-133734061177?aff=SC. Session 1 on Monday covers ADUs and other housing types to address affordable housing in Tucson. Conference is free but registration is required.
Thank you for your participation in TRRG. We will let you know about the 2021 Annual Meeting as soon as the Board finalizes date and format. To volunteer your help, please contact us at tucsontrrg@gmail.com.
Sincere wishes for a good new year,
Bonnie Poulos, Chair
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