Citing “political interference,” the city’s zoning examiner has resigned.
Linuz Kafka, who has held the post since 2011, sent a resignation letter to City Manager Mike Ortega Monday. He said he will work through Jan. 9.
“Political interference with the zoning examiner’s process undermines the integrity of land use decisions,” Kafka said in the letter.
“I hope that city management will continue to oppose efforts that undermine the transparency and fairness of land use processes that involve public input,” Kafka wrote to Ortega.
Kafka was unavailable at his office Tuesday to explain the comments.
In a statement emailed through a city spokeswoman, Kafka said, “I stand behind the statements in my resignation letter. I am still employed by the city of Tucson in a judicial capacity and it is inappropriate for me to comment on past or current cases, other than through official documents, while in that capacity.”
The zoning examiner conducts public hearings on behalf of the City Council on zoning matters. The examiner makes recommendations to the council, but the council makes the decisions.
Among the controversial cases Kafka has dealt with are a major annexation on the southeast corner of River and Craycroft roads.
