Tucson Zoning Decisions: October 2026

In October 2026, Tucson held 3 public meetings covering zoning matters. 6 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 6 approved (100% approval rate). Activity was down 12% compared to September (185 activity items across 3 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Rezoning at 932 S. Santa Rita Avenue (Technicians for Sustainability parking structure)

Approved.

Adoption of Ordinance 12274 rezoning a 0.21-acre property at the SW corner of 19th Street and Santa Rita Avenue from R-2 residential to I-1 industrial for a commercial vehicle parking and storage structure for Technicians for Sustainability. The applicant was not present. Staff explained that the applicant has met the rezoning conditions previously set by Mayor and Council. Approved on roll call.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Incentive / development agreement direction for the Clara Hotel at 755 East Benson Highway

Approved.

Council gave direction to formalize a development agreement with Benson Hospitality Manager, LLC to renovate the vacant former hotel at 755 East Benson Highway into 'the Clara' boutique hotel. The incentive reimburses city sales and hotel tax at 45% of collections, capped at $100,000 per year, for a projected $500,000 over five years. The project is projected to net the city $1.3 million and create 17 construction jobs, 5 full-time jobs and 4 part-time jobs. A legal notice of intent and final development agreement will return to council. The voice vote was unanimous.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Site-specific sales tax development agreement with Tucson N LLC, 75 East Broadway Boulevard

Approved.

Resolution 24192 approves a site-specific sales tax development agreement between the City of Tucson and Tucson N LLC for development of a hotel and retail facility at 75 East Broadway Boulevard. Passed on roll call.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Direction on next phase of UDC amendments (parking and housing reform)

Approved.

Following the Code Tucson 26 update (78 amendments; middle housing subdivisions, ADU conversion, adaptive reuse, IPP parking plans, sign code reauthorization; BESS standards removed), council directed PDSD to return in early 2027 with a work plan for the next phase of UDC amendments. The work plan is to include a review of parking minimums and design standards and residential reforms supported by the pro-housing grant. The Code Tucson package public hearing is set for November 17. The voice vote was unanimous.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Living Landscapes Phase One code amendment

Approved.

The Commission recommended that Mayor and Council approve the UDC amendments implementing the commercial rainwater harvesting ordinance. Section 7.6.4.B requires depressed parking-lot tree planting areas 6-9 inches deep with curb cuts and increases the planting area to a minimum of 144 sq ft. Section 7.6.6 references standard details for water harvesting. The amendments also increase the tree-to-border ratio. Section 7.6.4.F allows green stormwater infrastructure in the right-of-way. Phase two, covering residential standards and a plant list, is targeted for spring 2027. A Mayor and Council hearing is expected in November or early December.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Direction to proceed on Simon CRE sales tax incentive, Old Vail Road retail center

Approved.

Study session direction to begin the process for a site-specific sales tax incentive for Simon CRE LLC. The project is an approximately 500,000 sq ft retail center on East Old Vail Road at Distribution Way in Ward 4, near the Costco site. It includes two anchors, two junior anchors, and shop space of 2,600-26,000 sq ft. Staff proposed an incentive of up to 30% of city sales tax, limited to the four anchor stores (about $2M). A $5,000 application fee and a third-party economic analysis will precede a future development agreement. Bill Kelly of Diamond Ventures was noted as developing much of the area. Council Member Lee raised concerns about the capacity of two-lane Old Vail Road. The motion carried on a voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• R-2 → I-1, 0.21 acres at 932 S. Santa Rita Avenue (SW corner of 19th Street and Santa Rita Avenue), Tucson

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 19 instances
• residential: 18 instances
• commercial: 14 instances
• adu: 7 instances
• land use: 6 instances

Stay on Top of Tucson Meetings

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