The Tucson City Council will be asked today to sign off on a zoning change that would allow Trinity Presbyterian Church to demolish several of its buildings to make way for two new multi-story buildings.
The church is asking the city for permission to build three-story and four-story buildings with ground-floor retail in both structures, and plans for 72 apartments.
Church members partnered with local firm R+R Develop to redevelop several unused buildings on the 3-acre site, on 400 E. University Blvd. at North Fourth Avenue.
The city held two public meetings on the proposed development in December and has received 16 letters backing the proposal, and 12 letters against, from nearby neighbors.
Nearby residents in the West University neighborhood have voiced concerns about the height of the proposed buildings, an increase in traffic and parking issues that could be caused by the redevelopment.
The historical height limit in the neighborhood is 36 feet, and the development wants a new limit of about 50 feet.
However, two existing structures on the church site are already past the 50-foot limit โ the 61ยฝ-foot bell tower and 51ยฝ-foot Donald Hitch Memorial structure.
The city managerโs office has recommended the City Council approve the rezoning.
