[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6427977,"mediaKeyId","5906836-0cdcb1e32f4be2fa7e51b0ab389e14cd","parentId",5906836,"title","Resident asks Oro Valley commission to allow attached garages for front-yard ADUs in R1-300 zone","audioSeconds",185,"startMs",129000,"endMs",314000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906836-0cdcb1e32f4be2fa7e51b0ab389e14cd&start=129&end=314","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906836-0cdcb1e32f4be2fa7e51b0ab389e14cd/thumbnail_129000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6427977/Oro-Valley/Pima-County/Arizona/Resident-asks-Oro-Valley-commission-to-allow-attached-garages-for-front-yard-ADUs-in-R1-300-zone","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427977-c942941e198eb4c938a2bc24b7a61167/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983836&Signature=I5tQfAkKXkrj-QJ93zy9IcdqPFt8ukEAK3uWQVLU-yx56SbgbBBuwni1pGJmv933g66ZgZQX85Z6ppvTU8yxD555-jmuEGhJfQMKpw5TIHbW0CljMaTm4ouV77dBaJ-BPWRwcKsIS6y5XKA2ayLgRB~qZesqq-l~5-Th4fos1U01bbYaDOIUyU1kuWngnxadaS9-iH1xQPGNTU-xYGH-k3-U6v6ejtNxtgwTmrsEksBDxUpBhydrdv~ibFZfYyd0H~Ssv0kd9vNiQhvXAxLhxebsbkVjJZV7bcrC-E~bwhzIMp94~KvdhZ3EuXzI2MkX9RJ~58hjJZ4jPXUUyxf44A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oro Valley","date","2025-10-07T00:00:00Z","article","During the Oct. 7 public comment period, Oro Valley resident Luke Kiepert asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to amend the town's zoning code to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) located between the primary house and the front lot line in R1-300 zoned properties to have attached garages.

\"So specifically my request is to amend paragraph 25 dot 2 dot 8 dot 2 of the zoning code to allow for ADUs located in the front yard of R1300 zone properties to have an attached garage,\" Kiepert said, identifying himself as a resident of about 10 years.

Kiepert told commissioners that the code currently prohibits an attached garage or carport for an ADU that is between the main house and the front lot line, while another section of the code permits detached accessory buildings in R1-300 front yards subject to limits. He said the detached-building rule allows up to two accessory structures, each not larger than 2,000 square feet and not exceeding 10% of the front yard area. He argued that allowing one combined structure (an ADU with an attached garage) is more visually appealing and an efficient use of land compared with multiple detached buildings.

Kiepert added that R1-300 zoning has a minimum lot size of roughly 300,000 square feet (about 6.9 acres) and that his requested change would not increase residential density on such large lots. He provided a one-page summary to staff at the meeting.

The comment was recorded in the meeting minutes but no motion or formal action was taken on the request Oct. 7. The commission did not discuss or vote on the proposed ADU amendment during the meeting; public comments were made during the call-to-audience portion of the agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning & Zoning Commission","oneSentenceSummary","A resident asked the commission during call to audience to amend zoning code paragraph 25.2.8.2 to permit accessory dwelling units in front yards of R1-300 properties to have attached garages; no formal action was taken.","taxTitle","Oro Valley, Pima County, Arizona","taxId",55016,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6427982,"Oro Valley planning panel votes to begin zoning code updates for mechanical screening and yard-wall heights",707,432000,1139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906836-0cdcb1e32f4be2fa7e51b0ab389e14cd&start=432&end=1139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906836-0cdcb1e32f4be2fa7e51b0ab389e14cd/thumbnail_432000.jpg","/articles/6427982/Oro-Valley/Pima-County/Arizona/Oro-Valley-planning-panel-votes-to-begin-zoning-code-updates-for-mechanical-screening-and-yard-wall-heights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427982-f8ad7d179e407b2c3e5b78e3d5caf239/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983836&Signature=H9jgOXo~comArJjJpxc6s4A4Df7kT8JF7aij2vRRPDl6y5G7eAJTRCpbJ9lQARZvgjlk96bENfVCePC-Qw7tbqy~OJ4j7pR9Y1RQdosgwmztS3V0AMo6uBnlAN063-wMkNH9x~hls0Qtk-Q49SPARSgmEugesHbR5RO~uCchPs8fgpUYah8PVP6acwy1jn4lwhuOdlGKpS~zz~EvKQhJse9isH3plgU2Ygf1Hw2di452YQetpEShk8cl6mOWOQAcMFgXWOMv6PkAAEEkL1OF6yB4LcthV-L9mOO7JGA38ZqA9Ls8rxms-FNAlh-u4coaOgmQ4r9qQq4WqkUidrC3mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 Oct. 7 to initiate changes to the town zoning code intended to update screening standards for ground- and roof-mounted mechanical equipment and to allow 7-foot side and rear yard walls.

Planning staff presented the proposal and asked the commission to authorize research and drafting of a formal code amendment. \"The purpose for tonight's meeting is to consider initiating updates to the zoning code related to mechanical equipment screening and yard wall heights,\" Ms. Hayes, a planning staff member, told the commission.

The request responds to several inconsistencies staff said exist between the town's zoning regulations and building practices. Currently the zoning code requires a 4-foot screen wall around many ground-mounted mechanical units; staff said that fixed height can be too tall for small condensing units and too short for larger systems. \"Our code currently requires a 4 foot tall wall,\" Ms. Hayes said, noting the department is also considering whether screening heights should relate to the actual unit height. Staff also flagged a code provision that requires a screen wall to be no more than 10 feet from a mechanical unit; that rule, staff said, can require additional walls where a unit already sits inside a fenced area.

Separately, the town's building-code allowance for certain wall heights recently increased from 6 feet to 7 feet, and staff proposed updating the zoning code so side and rear yard walls could match the building-code height. \"A proactive approach to this wall height discrepancy between codes could be to update the zoning code to allow a 7 foot wall on the side and rear lot lines,\" Ms. Hayes said.

Commissioners asked about several practical impacts. Commissioner Nichols asked whether the 4-foot screening requirement applies to every mechanical installation; Ms. Hayes confirmed that the code currently uses a blanket 4-foot standard and said staff will examine options such as sizing the screen to the specific unit. Commissioner Zielinski raised public-safety concerns and asked whether police had weighed in on taller walls; Ms. Hayes said she would consult the police department as part of staff research. Commissioner Wilson asked whether existing rooftop units would be grandfathered; Ms. Hayes said any code change would apply prospectively and not be retroactive.

Commissioners also discussed the interplay with homeowners associations. Ms. Hayes said private covenants can be stricter than town rules and that homeowners must comply with both.

The motion to initiate the code amendment—described at the meeting as \"Update the current mechanical equipment screening standards for ground and roof-mounted units and update the yard wall height allowances on side and rear property lines\"—was made and seconded during the meeting and carried 7-0. The commission's action directs staff to research draft language, consult stakeholders (including the police department and HOAs), and return to the commission with a proposed amendment.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Sept. 10, 2025 meeting minutes — motion to approve carried 7-0 (no mover/second identified on the public transcript).
- Initiate zoning code amendment to update mechanical equipment screening standards and yard wall heights — motion carried 7-0; mover: Commissioner Nichols; second: Commissioner Zielinski.

Staff-level next steps include measuring typical mechanical-unit heights, reviewing rooftop screening approaches for new residential construction, evaluating the utility of the 10-foot proximity rule, checking consistency with the International Residential Code, and soliciting input from the Oro Valley Police Department and homeowners associations. The commission did not adopt specific code language Oct. 7; it authorized staff to research and prepare formal amendments for future commission review.","The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 Oct. 7 to initiate a zoning code amendment to update mechanical equipment screening standards and allow 7-foot side and rear yard walls; staff will research options including rooftop screening, proximity rules and public-safety concerns.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6427968,"Planning staff previews state-law code updates, preapproved housing plans and community plan review",49,1150000,1199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906836-0cdcb1e32f4be2fa7e51b0ab389e14cd&start=1150&end=1199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906836-0cdcb1e32f4be2fa7e51b0ab389e14cd/thumbnail_1150000.jpg","/articles/6427968/Oro-Valley/Pima-County/Arizona/Planning-staff-previews-state-law-code-updates-preapproved-housing-plans-and-community-plan-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427968-214b33f5d93de435e860257c9f9905c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983836&Signature=FSSofLqPQ9u~MAhaxL0h~SoiANBRb~fL-KGtlhc5Q9u9vWIuyLqd14KxXuG~fse5nARoHCkHDMTvIjzQZ3oHYFl69~ZFEKY7kxWbS71Ejar4H~tiBcStY3xVD1XPL8asuQn3WSxXbl6Lh1Q-U0B~2aH5aP0rTjrNjNJGfCkrBt0iJv9df8Sa~i3a~t20OLHRmF~5BE0P5pQ1yayKVh0qe1ywb1lyPfDxBSA-0GRiu3aOuvD68y0r~mrj7iEA6HdhRcuau~BPGMntOrIXYMYIQ5dF-Cv9CrJ-7V1IPrS3FPRxEFUmuLafypjUPoLPbp2WfHzw7~q4JjfEg3-FXdNWsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Oct. 7 meeting the Planning Division provided a brief update on upcoming work. Planning staff said Michael Spieth will present zoning-code amendments next month to align town process with recent state-law changes affecting certain development-review approvals. Staff also said a new planner, Mr. Garcia, will present a preapproved housing plans program in a future meeting.

\"Planner Michael Spieth will be seeing this group next month for proposed zoning code amendments to reflect state law changes regarding the approval process for certain development review applications,\" a planning staff member said. Staff also encouraged commissioners and residents to review the first draft of the town's next 10-year action plan at ovpathforward.com and submit comments by Oct. 31.

Commissioners thanked staff for the update; one commissioner gave positive feedback about a recent public presentation on the general plan. No formal actions were taken on these items Oct. 7.","Planning staff told the commission that upcoming zoning-code amendments will reflect state law changes to development-review approvals, that a preapproved housing plans program will be presented next month, and reminded residents to review the draft community action plan at ovpathforward.com by Oct. 31.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident asks Oro Valley commission to allow attached garages for front-yard ADUs in R1-300 zone

Oro Valley planning panel votes to begin zoning code updates for mechanical screening and yard-wall heights

Planning staff previews state-law code updates, preapproved housing plans and community plan review