The Official Website for the Main Gate Overlay District re-zoning The following are PDF links that can be clicked on and downloaded. This will cover information about this rezoning that is helpful for citizens to understand it:
“The City’s Plan” → WUNA’s Plan, a Visual → Rezoning Map → City Manager’s Letter (Descriptive) → Adoption Letter
For information regarding opposition to the overlay and citizen view-points, please view WUNA’s official website and facebook sites: westuniversityneighborhood.org, facebook.com/nowayoverlay. Send inquiries to WUNA’s official email address for the referendum action: nowayoverlay@gmail.com
Opinion: Ordinance # 10968, Main Gate District Optional Urban Overlay excludes substantive citizen involvement. It was adopted through quick a 90 day re-zoning. Now, with citizens initiating a referendum petition to overturn the re-zoning, it looks larger in public scope than a re-zoning process can handle. The re-zoning adopted on February 28th, is described by proponents as a good thing for business as Mayor Rothschild proclaims “Tucson is open for Business”. It addresses shortcomings in infill and growth along transit, namely the modern street car route. The City of Tucson had a comparable alternative that contained real elements of public inclusion and met criteria for density. Mayor and Council chose staff’s plan that favors the immediate probability of issuing building permits. See Campus Acquisitions. In the larger picture, this rezoning action sets a precedent for more overlays done in a manner that continues to limit substantive citizen input. A citizen based sub-regional master plan would be a clearing and could pave a smoother road for approvals of future overlays. As Tucson digs out of its recession, more overlays will be coming. Citizens need input on these. UUI
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