TRRG – February 2021

ALL HANDS ON DECK!

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance first round of (virtual) Public Meetings: Feb 24 and Feb 25, 2021

In November 2020, the Mayor and City Council directed staff to come back in 6 months with an ordinance that would define and allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Tucson. To sign up for the first round of Public meetings go to the PDSD webpage at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/pdsd/accessory-dwelling-units-code-amendment. Two meetings are scheduled for Feb 24 (10am and 5:30pm) and one meeting is scheduled for Feb 25 (1pm). These Public Meetings are to solicit comments, questions and concerns from residents whether you are a homeowner or a renter.

Please Attend one of the Public Meetings and help direct the writing of the ADU ordinance

The ADU Stakeholder group has had 3 meetings since December 2020. The staff presentations and some other materials from those meetings are now available on the TRRG website: https://tucsontrrg.org/

Some of the issues to be considered in writing an ADU ordinance are:

• what are the goals of an ordinance allowing ADU construction

• what zones should they be allowed in

• should provisions such as lot size, set-backs, building mass, lot coverage, and parking be modified (ie, reduced or eliminated) for those wanting to build an ADU

• should owner-occupancy be a requirement for approving an ADU

• can an ADU be used as a short-term-rental (STR)

• what kind of privacy mitigation will be required for an ADU

• will an ADU be allowed in historic districts

• how will an ADU ordinance impact other related ordinances such as the Group Dwelling Ordinance and Neighborhood Protection Zones

As residents and the general public, your participation is essential in crafting an ordinance that will achieve the stated goals yet not diminish the quality of life for those living in the city. Staff and our elected officials need to hear from a broad cross-section of our residents. Tell your friends, neighbors and community groups about the public meetings and attend one of them yourself. Do not wait until an ordinance is written to voice your opinion, start now when you can have the most impact.

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.

Sincerely,

Bonnie Poulos, Chair