Vista Del Monte Neighborhood Association

ZONING ISSUES

Christopher City Rezoning

On January 22, 2001 a Neighborhood Council Meeting was convened. The purpose of the meeting was to learn of and respond to the rezoning of the property known as “Christopher City”. At the Neighborhood Council Meeting, after attending the zoning hearing of January 11, 2001, the President of our Association subsequently shared what he learned. The following letter was written and then signed by the Neighborhood Council.

Letter to Mayor and Council

January 22, 2001
Mayor and Council
255 W. Alameda
Tucson, AZ. 85701

Dear Mayor and Council,
We are writing to you in regard to the rezoning request from the University of Arizona for the “Christopher City” and adjacent property – Subject: C9-99-18.

We learned of the rezoning hearing approximately one week before it occurred on January 11, 2001.

We requested (Friday, January 5, 2001) and obtained the Public Hearing Notice and the Rezoning – Planning Department Report only two days before the hearing (Tuesday, January 9,2001).

At the public hearing for this rezoning request we discovered that representatives of U of A had been meeting with neighborhoods in the area for at least the past 18 months regarding the development. Jointly they worked out development plans that the neighborhoods could support. Prior to the rezoning hearing, members of the neighborhoods questioned the U of A representatives, if in fact those plans would be implemented. They were told that the plans were only what could be developed.
This leaves the impression that at least, the neighborhoods may have been mislead, which several of those in attendance at the hearing insisted was so.

After reading the Planning Department Report and hearing the University of Arizona’s presentation (given by Mr. C. Deans of Planners Ink) regarding the rezoning, and hearing the public comments, protests and learning of the hundreds of written protests of those who will be impacted, it appears that there is overwhelming support for the denial of the rezoning request of the property in question, as submitted by Planners Ink on behalf of the U of A.

At the Public Hearing, Mr. Peter M. Gavin, the Zoning Examiner mentioned that a preliminary development plan was not submitted with this Rezoning Application. He said that never before had a Rezoning Application been submitted without a preliminary development plan!

Regarding all of the public comments and objections mentioned thus far, the main ones seem to be:
1. The increase in residential density from low density (RX-1) to medium and high density (R-2).
2. Multi story/Multi residential housing.
3. C-1 Commercial and Retail where there currently is none.
4. The estimated increase of 6,122 vehicle trips per day on to Columbus Blvd. and Fort Lowell Rd from the development of this property as stated in the Rezoning Request.

Therefore we the undersigned Neighborhood Council of the Vista del Monte Neighborhood Association, in lieu of the aforementioned public comments, concerns and protests regarding the Rezoning of the property in Case No. C9-99-18 University of Arizona – Columbus Blvd, RX-1 and C-1 to R-2 and C-1, do hereby protest the proposed change in zoning and request and recommend the denial of the R-2 and C- 1 zoning at this time by the Mayor and Council for the aforementioned property. We further recommend and request that the City of Tucson, Mayor and Council and Planning Department delay further consideration of the Rezoning and development of the aforementioned property until the Neighborhoods impacted by this development, the University of Arizona representatives, representatives of The City of Tucson, Pima County and the State of Arizona conduct joint public meetings regarding the development of aforementioned property. The purpose of these meetings would be for all concerned parties to come up with agreed alternatives for this prime piece of land and have positive impacts for the surrounding Neighborhoods, The City of Tucson, Pima County and the University of Arizona.

We appreciate your consideration of our request.

cc: Peter Likins

Impact to our neighborhood and what you can do.

One of the ways our neighborhood will be impacted by any development at this property is increased traffic. Not only those on Columbus but to all who use it, as well as Glenn and possibly some of our other neighborhood streets as well.

What you can do:
1. Talk to your Neighborhood Council to learn what was discussed at the Neighborhood Council meeting.
2. Obtain a copy of the January 11 2001 Public Hearing Minutes from the Planning Department 791-4505.
3. Call the Comment Line at 791-4700 or email to MCWEB@ci.tucson.az.us
4. Write a letter to the Mayor and Council 255 W. Alameda, Tucson AZ 85701.
5. Call or write a letter to the President of The University of Arizona: 621-5511
Peter Likins PO Box 210066, Tucson AZ 85721-0066
6. Attend the Public Hearing before the City Council February 26, 2001.