Luxury Casitas Proposed for Tucson

By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX 
Preliminary plans for a new “luxury casita” development to be located on the west side of Catalina Highway, just north of Tanque Verde Road, have recently been submitted to the City of Tucson. 
The Planning Center, on behalf of property owner, Saunders Amos, LLC is requesting to rezone the approximately 12.44-acre property at 9125 E. Catalina Highway, from SR and RX-1 to R-2 zoning in order to allow for the development of the multifamily complex, to be called Catalina Highway Casitas. 
Catalina Highway Casitas is planned as a gated single-family for rent community made up of 126 casita-style residential units. The residences will be a mix of 30 one- 73 two- and 23 three-bedroom units spread across the property and will range in size from 650 square feet to 1.2KSF. The development will have a maximum building height of 14 feet. 
Preliminary plans show approximately 281 parking spaces to be spread throughout the property for the convenience of the residents, as well as a potential, undefined amenity space located in the center of the site. Gated entry and exit as well as visitor parking will be from Catalina Highway. 
Preliminary conditions for the project include incorporating at least two decorative materials such as stucco, tile, stone or brick. According to the documents submitted to the city, “The overall design of the site meets the policy direction of Plan Tucson and the BCNP for providing design that is sensitive to the existing neighborhood and protects the integrity of the neighborhood.” 
“A 10-foot wide landscape border and wall surrounds the site, providing a visual and physical buffer to the surrounding residences,” the documents state. 
The project was heard at the City of Tucson’s Zoning Examiner meeting on May 28th and still needs to go before the Planning Commission and City Council.