RE: Co7-09-07 HSL RIO CANCION PROPERTIES, LLC – N. LA CHOLLA BLVD PLAN AMENDMENT
Request of HSL Rio Cancion Properties, LLC, represented by The Planning Center, to amend the Pima County Comprehensive Plan from Medium Intensity Urban (MIU) to Neighborhood Activity Center (NAC) for approximately 17.92 acres located on the west side of La Cholla Blvd south of the Hardy Road alignment in Section 28, Township 12 South, Range 13 East, in the Northwest Subregion. (District 1)
Notification area: 1,000 feet
This item was #5 on the agenda and was heard from approximately 9:30 to 10:30 Wednesday morning. All the Commissioners were in attendance. At least 6 residents from the La Morada Subdivision at Tucson National plus the LCMNA liaison attended.
Pima County Planner read the Staff Report, indicating that the County was not in favor of granting the NAC designation but would attach special policies to the current MIU designation to allow this proposal to develop w/accessory commercial uses onsite, and answered questions posed by the Commissioners.
The Planning Center and reps from HSL then formally presented the Continuous Care Retirement Center (CCRC) proposal (80 independent-living casitas, 120 assisted-living units w/accessory commercial uses for the convenience of all onsite residents) to the Board and answered questions posed by the Commissioners.
The public was invited to comment: 3 residents of the La Morada subdivision spoke as did the LCMNA liaison. Concerns regarded
the proposed CB-1 zoning for an interior part of the property as incompatible for the area, and
the incompatible height and sq footage of the main building (3 stories, approx 115,000 sq ft).
The applicant was allowed to respond to the residents' concerns, and the public hearing was closed.
The Commissioners recommended that special policies be attached to the current MIU Comprehensive Plan Land Use designation:
The special policies are:
1. Single story residential casitas are required along the west and south boundaries of the site.
2. The location of the multi-story building will be set at the time of rezoning. This core area will be rezoned CB-1, commercial zoning, for the CCRC use only.
3. The multi-story building height will be limited to 34ft.
4. Commercial uses are restricted to CCRC accessory uses for the enjoyment of community residents and their guests.
The residents had hoped for a 29 ft building height. The liaison had asked for a Zoning Code Text Amendment allowing this use to be considered the same as a motel/hotel, which is allowed in TR Zones and permits commercial accessory uses without a CB-1 zoning.
This item goes forth to the Board of Supervisors tentatively on March 9, 2010, at which time the final decision will be made. The residents will continue to lobby for their issues. The liaison expects to pursue a Zoning Code Text Amendment.
Communication
