Graywater
On Tuesday, September 23, the Tucson City Council formally adopted the Graywater Ordinance mandating all new housing construction starting June 1, 2010 to be pre-plumbed with graywater systems. Graywater is to be used to irrigate landscaping and is wastewater that comes from bathroom sinks, laundry sinks, showers and tubs. Tucson Association of REALTORS® was an active stakeholder working on this ordinance. Although the house will come plumbed for graywater it will still be up to the home owner to connect plumbing to a system within the home.

Commercial Rainwater Harvesting
On Tuesday, October 14, the Tucson City Council formally adopted the Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance that has been developed over the past nine months. The TAR Public Affairs Committee approved the support of the ordinance that will require 50% of the annual irrigation needs of a commercial project be obtained by water harvesting means, which may include cisterns, burming, earthworks and other harvesting techniques. This is a much more palatable ordinance considering that initially the percentage was 100%.

Certificate of Occupancy
Metropolitan Pima Alliance is the lead organization on bringing City staff together with commercial developers, property owners and managers to develop a policy that will streamline the CofO process. At the September 17 meeting, the policy was accepted by the stakeholders. During our September 30 meeting, stakeholders discussed the life/safety checklist, the flowchart put together by Jessie Sanders, and options on changes to the parking requirements in the Land Use Code that would provide considerable relief. A subcommittee was put together to address life/safety issues. There is talk of trying to accelerate the schedule for the LUC parking amendments to occur with a final vote by Mayor and Council in December. That will certainly depend on if there is any opposition during the process. At their October 14th meeting the group approved the safety check list and are considering creating an oversight group that would help advise Jesse Sanders on code dispute issues.

Real Estate Transfer Tax
A forum was held at the Tucson Association of REALTORS® for members and community leaders including Councilman Glassman, the Tucson Chamber, Hispanic Chamber, Cox Communications, Metropolitan Pima Alliance, and SAHBA to discuss the City of Tucson’s proposed Real Estate Transfer Tax. Proposition 100, that appears on the November ballot, will ban real estate transfer taxes if it passes but there is some question if Prop 100 will cover what the city is proposing. Council members Rodney Glassman, Shirley Scott, Steve Leal and Mayor Bob Walkup are opposed to any Real Estate Transfer Tax. We urge everyone to contact your City Council representative and express opposition to this tax.

Demolition Code Lawsuit
At 3pm on October 27th there will be a hearing for Eric Button vs. The City of Tucson. Button, a home owner in the affected neighborhoods of the demolition code changes, is suing the City of Tucson based on their process for adopting the 2007 demolition code. The Tucson Association of REALTORS® is supporting Eric’s claim and hope that this suit not only over turns the demolition code that was passed last year but also shines a light on the process that the City Council used to enact their code.  

Marana News

Marana Main Street and Downtown Marana Infrastructure
On Tuesday, October 14, the Marana Town Council held a Special Meeting at their Town Council Chambers. A presentation was made by staff concerning Public Infrastructure Financing Options for Marana’s Main Street. From the memorandum, “Marana Main Street and downtown Marana is intended to be a focal point of public and private commerce surrounded by medium and high density residential neighborhoods with strategically located community facilities. The Town of Marana recognizes a need for coordinated public/private action to encourage community reinvestment. These investments may include development of vital infrastructure (roads and utilities), retail and entertainment uses such as restaurants and stores, improved transportation/circulation links, hotel and meeting spaces and conference facilities. Marana staff has held group meetings with downtown stakeholders who have developments in review or who are anticipated to seek development approval over the next several years, to determine their willingness to participate in a downtown infrastructure improvement district or some other public financing option.” Marana is being strategic about their downtown/Main Street efforts as is evident in their discussions this summer regarding the creation of a Single Central Business District.

Sahuarita News

Sahuarita State of Town
Sahuarita Mayor Lynne Skelton addressed a packed crowd at the first annual State of the Town Luncheon held at the Quail Creek Country Club sponsored by the Green Valley-Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Skelton spoke on three major topics: Financial stability; economic growth; and, annexation. Sahuarita is one of the few towns in Arizona that has matched its expenses with its revenues. Major retail shopping centers have sprung up with future commercial development in the works including a new hospital. Proposed future annexation will more than double the Town’s footprint. Sahuarita is a great example of how business and government can work together for economic prosperity.

REALTORS® of Arizona Political Action Committee Endorsements
Casting your vote in the upcoming General election on November 4 is critical in order to protect our industry and ensure the quality of life that makes Arizona a wonderful place to live. To help you make your choice among candidates who are seeking office we have put together this voters guide. The recommendations come after hours of scrutinizing candidates voting records, candidate questionnaire and interviewing candidates at the state and local levels. Thank you to the TAR Candidate Ballot Measure Task Force for the many hours they contributed to selecting the right candidates and initiatives that positively represent REALTOR® Issues.

NAR Endorsed

Congressional District 7
Raul Grijalva
Congressional District 8
Gabrielle Giffords

AAR Endorsed

Legislative District 25 State Senate
Mary Ann Black
House of Representatives
Richard Boyer and David Stevens
Legislative District 26 State Senate
Al Melvin
House of Representatives
Don Jorgensen and Vic Williams
Legislative District 27 State Senate
Jorge Garcia
House of Representatives
Olivia Cajero Bedford
Legislative District 28 State Senate
Paula Aboud
House of Representatives
David Bradley and Steve Farley
Legislative District 29 State Senate
Linda Lopez
Legislative District 30 State Senate
Jonathan Paton
House of Representatives
David Gowan and Frank Antenori

TAR Endorsed

Sheriff
Clarence Dupnik
County Attorney
Brad Roach
CAWCD
Carol Zimmerman, Warren Tenney, Steve Lannihan, and Sharon Megdal

Propositions

100  YES
201  NO
400  YES
402  YES
403  YES
404  YES
405  YES
406  YES
407  YES
408  YES
409  YES
410  YES
412  YES

We encourage all of our members to be active in the political process. If you would like donate to any of these campaigns or volunteer your time, please contact the campaign directly or the Association and we will be happy to put you in touch with them.  

Put up Prop 100 Signs!
Prop 100 needs your help putting up signs at polling places November 3^rd before the general election. Please contact Teresa Olson at teresa@tucsonrealtors.org or 382-8788 if you would like to help with this effort