It’s not too farfetched to call today’s ruling by the city of Tucson’s zoning administrator potentially historic; after all it concerns Michael Goodman and mini-dorms, a powerful combination and a growing epidemic in neighborhoods north of the UA.
Zoning Administrator Craig Gross issued a ruling today in favor of the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association’s Request for Determination and Complaint of Violation regarding Goodman’s developments.
Here’s a part of the press release from the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association:
The Complainants had alleged that the Goodman Development does not comply with the R-1 zoning land use pursuant to the Tucson Land Use Code. The City of Tucson’s Zoning Administrator Craig Gross ruled that the Goodman Development, comprised of Goodman properties rented in Jefferson Park, does not meet the intent or purpose of the R-1 (single family) zoning. The Ruling issued today states “it is further determined that the Goodman Development is in fact being operated as group dwellings and is therefore not a permitted use in the R-1 zone.”
Attorney (Minnette) Burges noted, “The neighbors of Jefferson Park have won this first battle against the mini-dorm developers. This will protect single family residential neighborhoods for now. However, we must be vigilant and we have much work ahead to protect the historic neighborhoods surrounding the University of Arizona from the predatory practices of some developers whose vision for these neighborhoods is very different from the vision of resident neighbors.” She notes that, pursuant to the Tucson Land Use Code, “group dwellings” are prohibited in both R-1 and R-2 zones.
The determination offers the developer, Michael Goodman, 30 days in which to file an appeal with the City of Tucson’s Zoning Department Board of Adjustment.
Robert “Bob” Schlanger of JPNA notes that the historic neighborhoods surrounding the University of Arizona have maintained for the last ten years that these dwellings have always been in violation of the intent of R-1 zoning. “It has been a long frustrating process that we have endured to arrive at this point. We are extremely pleased that the Zoning Administrator agrees with us.”
This article appears in Mar 17-23, 2011.
As a new comer to town, who has seen and gone in one of the Goodman Homes… I can’t understand how folks that cheered the Wildcats on during the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Men’s Basketball championship play-offs, some of these same folks that live less than 1 mile from the Arizona University campus have signs saying “Goodman sucks” (which for some reason the city has allowed), and yet had other signs saying “Go wildcats”. You just wonder how these folks could cheer on the Wildcats, and then say they don’t want to have actual Wildcats students in their neighborhoods. But, of course Wildcat students are already in their neighborhoods, since everyone knows that just about everyone in these smaller non-Goodman homes rent to students too. Check out all the for rent signs in the same neighborhoods. So maybe it’s just that the Goodman homes are too nice, bedrooms too big, bathrooms and kitchens too new? So, could it be resentment that we are hearing and reading about? Jealousy? Using the press and the city for personal business. No free enterprise in Tucson? Maybe your question to these protesters should have been: Why live so close to a university, when you actually hate having students around? Or perhaps another question: Is it possible that you are really upset because students would rather live in a Goodman-built home than your neighborhood home? Every other large college town has students living in large numbers within single family zones within 2 to 3 miles from the college campus. How can any college town commission actually take these protesters seriously. These Goodman student homes actually make the neighborhoods look better. Seen one lately? Messing with the guy that’s building better homes for students is really upside down? Who cares about different names. AMERICA MUCH? Where would you rather your kid lived? These homes are attracting single military folks from the air base as well. You want to tell them that they can’t live in a Goodman home too? These homes were approved because everyone in the city knew that they were good for the city. Now, because a few voices are protesting, mainly because they think that these homes are too nice for students and unmarried military people, the city folks are backing off, perhaps worried about the next election. But Tucson is a college and air base town and everyone can vote.
I suppose if anything really does suck, then what really will suck, is when these short-sighted protesting folks finally realize that the city’s tax base is going to drop (and markedly) once these rentals cease and the property taxes on these rental home properties is reduced, should these protesters be successful in swaying the city. And when the protesters finally realize that their property taxes will rise significantly higher, to make up for the short fall in tax revenues (or their services evaporate), then perhaps these former proactive protesters will wonder why they had ever been so myopic.
maybe if you lived next door or in close proximity to a mini dorm you would understand. most of us are working people. students for the most part are not. I live in a historic neighborhood which is quite nice. houses are expensive and i think much nicer than goodmans mini dorms. these students party anytime of the day or night they want to.
i have had hundreds of students partying next door on a Tues, Wed, Thursday night.
I mean partying until 3:00 am. If you think that is fair for a residential neighborhood, than i say GROW UP. No one is jealous of Goodmans homes. That is ridiculous.
Yes there are other rentals in the area, and many to students. If they party into the night they are also distrupting the peace and subject to red tagging and fines. We have talked to some of these students and have asked them to limit their parties to weekends and decent hours and we have been told to xxxx off. Dorms are for schools not residential neighborhoods. As far as the tax the city would loose – thats also a joke. These homes will not sit empty.
It is one thing to support the U of A and the Wildcats and another to have to live in a neighborhood where SOME students think they can do as they please,day or night.
Yes Tucson is a college town and has the Air Force also. I have NEVER heard of a complaint against a military person. They have more sense than to annoy their neighbors and disrupt the peace. These are historic neighborhoods that in any other city are cherished. I have lived in other college towns and do not find this issue to be a problem like it is in Tucson. I went to the University of Miami / Coral Gables. Coral Gables had student rentals. What they did not have was offensive students thinking they can dominate a neighborhood, do as they please, and offend the other neighbors who might be workers, retirees, families.
Why live so close to the University ? Because this is central Tucson, where the heart of the historic properties are. This is close to many conveniences, not just the University.
Yes, I went to school, I rented a home in Coral Gables. NO I did nor party into the night or disturb my neighbors in any way. That is just good common sense and decency.