Proposed program to regulate minidorms
By: Claire Conrad
Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: News
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The program, named the University of Arizona Pilot Overlay Zone, was developed in response to the need for housing around the UA. This need for housing has led to the building of large rental units, termed "minidorms," in the historic neighborhoods around the UA, said Jaret Barr, assistant to the city manager.
These minidorms typically do not keep with the historic characteristics of the neighborhoods surrounding the university.
The zone affects only neighborhoods within a 2-mile radius of the UA that are on or are eligible for the National Historic Register. There are 22 neighborhoods that meet these criteria, according to Mayor and City Council memorandum that addresses the issue.
The UA Pilot Overlay Zone has two components.
The first component would allow neighborhoods the opportunity to be included in a design overlay zone, which would acknowledge the historic characteristics of the neighborhood, said Jim Mazzocco, a planning administrator.
Then, the neighborhood would volunteer to create a design manual that would be approved by the director of the Department of Urban Planning and Design, according to the memorandum.
The design manual recommendations would need to be followed for any new building in the neighborhood; these include any addition of 50 percent or more to an existing structure or any additions of a second floor that would be visible from the street, Mazzocco said.
These design considerations would be enforced when builders applied for permits, Mazzocco said.
The second component of the program seeks to identify areas where higher-density housing, such as minidorms, would be built, Mazzocco said. Areas along major transportation corridors, such as bus routes or the proposed streetcar line, are being considered, Mazzocco said.
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