may i build or Remodel in jefferson park?
FIRST, jefferson park is an historic district!
(1940, Lester home looking due north, Catalina Mountains on horizon)
In 2012 Jefferson Park became a National Historic District. Neighborhood volunteers worked for several years doing research and raising the money for the nomination--$38,000! Jefferson Park was granted historic status based upon the way it was originally founded and on its structures which represented a mixture of pre-WWII and Post WWII architecture. The nomination and the list of contributing properties can be found at: www.tucsonaz.gov/preservation/national-register-historic-districts.
There are advantages of historic designation: 1) It allows for a neighborhood to apply for a Neighborhood Preservation Zone, which Jefferson Park has. That NPZ has building parameters that maintain the historic streetscape. 2) Contributing properties will receive a 40% tax break on their property taxes. 3) There is evidence that properties in neighborhoods with historic designation increase in value (William Collins, 2007, State Historic Preservation Office, Phoenix AZ).
The neighborhood must maintain at least 50% contributing properties to retain its historic status. Jefferson Park has a neighborhood plan (2008) which outlines the vision for the neighborhood. Find it at: www.tucsonaz.gov/files/pdsd/plans/jefferson_park.pdf
There are advantages of historic designation: 1) It allows for a neighborhood to apply for a Neighborhood Preservation Zone, which Jefferson Park has. That NPZ has building parameters that maintain the historic streetscape. 2) Contributing properties will receive a 40% tax break on their property taxes. 3) There is evidence that properties in neighborhoods with historic designation increase in value (William Collins, 2007, State Historic Preservation Office, Phoenix AZ).
The neighborhood must maintain at least 50% contributing properties to retain its historic status. Jefferson Park has a neighborhood plan (2008) which outlines the vision for the neighborhood. Find it at: www.tucsonaz.gov/files/pdsd/plans/jefferson_park.pdf
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How do I know if a property contributes to the historic district designation? The Jefferson Park historic district registration (2012) can be found at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/preservation/national-register-historic-districts. The list of contributing properties can be found at: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/preservation/inventory_of_jeffersonpark_properties_nrform_final1-4.pdf
To apply for the tax break, owners must apply with the Pima County Recorder. The home owner may learn how to apply at www.tucsonaz.gov/hcd/owners-historic-properties |
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May I make changes to a building in an Historic District?
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(post WWII ranch style and pre WWII territorial architecture - both contributing properties)
Yes, but...home owners in National Historic Districts need to be mindful of the "status" of their home. To maintain their "contributing" status (and continue to receive the tax break) they must abide by certain rules when undertaking construction and remodeling. These regulations are primarily concerned with retaining the historic facade which faces the street. If the owner does not care about the status of the home they still must abide by an additional zoning overlay, The Neighborhood Preservation Zone.
second, it is a NEIGHBORHOOD preservation zone - nr-1
The Neighborhood Preservation Zone for Jefferson Park was approved by Mayor and Council in 2011. This special overlay can be sought by neighborhoods which already have, or are pursuing, an Historic Designation. Jefferson Park Neighborhood and Feldman Neighborhood are the only two neighborhoods in the city which have this designation. Changes to homes in these neighborhoods must abide by a manual which describes special setbacks, lot coverage, privacy rules, etc. The design manual is used by the city to approve any construction plans submitted. Jefferson Park's manual is available at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/pdsd/codes/Jefferson_Park_Design_Manual_final.pdf
third - the process
The city issues permits etc. and they will note the NR-1 status of the neighborhood
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The first step in construction is to go to the city to apply for a permit www.tucsonaz.gov/pdsd/development-permits
If the address appears in a Neighborhood Preservation Zone (NR-1), it will be flagged and then the process will have more oversight than one would in a traditional R-1 zones. The builder/homeowner will begin to work with city |
staff particularly trained in the specifics of that zoning. The city of Tucson and the Neighborhood Association work closely together to monitor building in this very special part of Tucson. The Neighborhood Association and its appointed Land Use Committee will receive the notice of the application.
The Neighborhood Association works with the city at certain points in the process.
At the first application for a permit with the city the neighborhood is alerted. In Jefferson Park the "Land Use Committee" will then track the progress of the application. The city will at some point ask the builder/homeowner if they have interfaced with the neighborhood and to provide proof that they had done so. In Jefferson Park the process for neighborhood approval is as follows:
1) Contact one of the members of the Jefferson Park Land Use Committee. Give your contact information, the address of the construction, the project number (if you know it), and a short description of the project.
Joan Hall, joanchall@yahoo.com
Robert Schlanger, rlsbcs@liveline.com
Joan Daniels, jdchama@msn.com
Colleen Nichols, cnichols17@cox.net
(note: Because all are volunteers and are entitled to vacations,
you may consider e-mailing more than one member)
2) Expect that you will receive a response noting when and where a meeting of the committee will be held and whether or not you need to attend. It is possible that the committee will ask you for a copy of the plans, etc. The minutes of the meeting will reflect the discussion and will be the proof you will need for the city.
3) Something to note: Some small construction projects (small porches, solar panels, small back yard additions) which do not conflict with the Design Manual will likely be reviewed and approved without the need for you to attend a meeting. For other projects that may affect the contributing status of a property, the lot coverage, the height etc. etc. the committee may wish to have a conversation with the applicant.
4) If the project endangers the historic status of the property, misjudges the parameters set forth in the Design Manual, or presents some concerns to the Land Use Committee, they will notify the city of their disapproval and/or ask for further discussions with the builder/homeowner.
1) Contact one of the members of the Jefferson Park Land Use Committee. Give your contact information, the address of the construction, the project number (if you know it), and a short description of the project.
Joan Hall, joanchall@yahoo.com
Robert Schlanger, rlsbcs@liveline.com
Joan Daniels, jdchama@msn.com
Colleen Nichols, cnichols17@cox.net
(note: Because all are volunteers and are entitled to vacations,
you may consider e-mailing more than one member)
2) Expect that you will receive a response noting when and where a meeting of the committee will be held and whether or not you need to attend. It is possible that the committee will ask you for a copy of the plans, etc. The minutes of the meeting will reflect the discussion and will be the proof you will need for the city.
3) Something to note: Some small construction projects (small porches, solar panels, small back yard additions) which do not conflict with the Design Manual will likely be reviewed and approved without the need for you to attend a meeting. For other projects that may affect the contributing status of a property, the lot coverage, the height etc. etc. the committee may wish to have a conversation with the applicant.
4) If the project endangers the historic status of the property, misjudges the parameters set forth in the Design Manual, or presents some concerns to the Land Use Committee, they will notify the city of their disapproval and/or ask for further discussions with the builder/homeowner.
This process gives neighborhoods the ability to be true stakeholders in the fabric of Tucson. The historic properties are tangible treasures which will hopefully provide our grandchildren with the "story" of place. Respected and preserved neighborhoods are strong communities that contribute to the good health of cities. Jefferson Park takes its responsibility in the process very seriously and will work cooperatively with the city and all neighbors to preserve this unique example of Tucson's history.