The Phoenix City Council unanimously approved its “middle housing” ordinance, which could change the look of Phoenix’s historic neighborhoods. The plan aligns with a new state law to allow multifamily homes in areas within a mile of a city’s downtown.
Opal Wagner is the co-chair of Save Historic Arizona. “So they were pretty much down to the wire in having to adopt this very significant change in Phoenix’s zoning laws,” she explains.
Or risk the development of more middle housing across Phoenix, without limitations.
“And those last two words, ‘without limitations’ kind of struck fear into the heart of council members and the staff, because they didn’t know if that meant there was no limitation on how many homes you could put on a lot, for example,” Wagner said.
Wagner says the council also commissioned an in-depth study to determine the best way to implement middle housing.
She says one bright spot is a letter of support from two Arizona lawmakers.
“Our own representatives, Aaron Marquez, LD5, and then also Representative Matt Gress, a Republican. So this was a bipartisan letter from two legislators who let the City Council know that they do intend to introduce and support this legislation,” Wagner said.
That new legislation could create a carve out in the state law exempting historic neighborhoods from the middle housing ordinance.