A Tucson shelter intended to address the burgeoning number of immigrant children illegally crossing the border alone won’t be held up by city zoning rules.
The city will issue a temporary use permit for Southwest Key to open the shelter, said Ernie Duarte, director of the city’s Planning and Development Services Department. The nonprofit can operate under the permit while it seeks a variance for its property on North Oracle Road north of downtown.
The city recently granted a permit for interior improvements, but couldn’t issue an occupancy permit because the building is located within 500 feet of five residential properties.
“It’s an anomaly because that place is surrounded by commercial and industrial zoning,” Duarte said. “It meets all the criteria except that one that deals with separation from residential zoning.”
Duarte expects Southwest Key will be cleared to move into the building within the next two weeks.
The temporary permit is valid for one year with an option for a one-year renewal.
Duarte said the variance process takes between three to four months and doesn’t require the zoning examiner or any board’s approval.
