Building Community: Empowering people around the construction of Small-Scale Housing for a Sustainable Tucson

Hello, Neighbor! We’re thrilled to share the latest updates from the Urban Infill Project, as we continue our journey to improve urban living and foster growth in Tucson. This spring, we have a number of important updates to share, from new website features that enhance accessibility to vital local planning efforts impacting our community. Learn more below!

• We're thrilled to announce that we've just added new floor plans to our online library! This is a major milestone for us, as we've long dreamed of creating a comprehensive resource showcasing diverse small house designs from talented local designers. Huge THANKS to Kelsi and Eric for being our first collaborators and trusting us to host their wonderful design! Learn more about the design team below. We look forward to helping you build their Desert Casita! It comes in a Studio, One- or Two-Bedroom option.

• Building your dream casita just got easier... Our new consultation feature is actively assisting potential customers, providing direct access to our expertise, and helping you get started on your construction journey. We're excited to share that we also now offer direct permitting assistance through UIP. This means smoother project approvals and a less stressful building process. Contact us today to learn more!

• We are in the early planning stages for community classes and workshops designed with you in mind. Please take a moment to complete our survey and let us know what topics you'd be most interested in—your input will help shape our offerings! We have a vast array of knowledge in Architecture, Design, Drawing, Permitting, Government Processes, Environmental Sustainability, Construction, Development, Real Estate, Small-Scale Investing, Lending (private and institutional), Community Design, and more. We like to share and we think our experience can empower you to build!

• Local Planning Developments:

  • The City of Tucson Planning Commission has voted to set Public Hearings for the consideration and approval of the Community Corridors Tool and Plan Tucson from Mayor and Council. These key planning documents promise to create a lucrative future for development and expand housing opportunities for our residents. Please send letters of support for these important initiatives directly to Mayor and Council. The upcoming Plan Tucson public hearing is tentatively scheduled for March 12 and 19, 2025, and the Community Corridors Tool public hearing is tentatively scheduled for February 26, 2025.

  • In addition, Pima County recently approved a Housing Choice text amendment that now allows duplex and triplex dwellings in all rural and residential zones, further broadening housing options in our area. Another example of progressive zoning changes that allow for ample opportunities for homeowners.

Spring is on the horizon and with business picking up, we’re eagerly anticipating a lot of new house babies! It's a season full of opportunities to help our community build more backyard ADUs throughout the Old Pueblo. Thank you for being part of this journey!

Introducing our new UIP plan designers - Desert Casita!

Kelsi Montgomery, AIA is the owner of Archilabworks, PLLC, a residential architecture practice in Tucson, Arizona. Working in the field of architecture since 2000, her experience includes a background in sustainable design and building performance. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

Eric Nickerson, Architect, is the owner of Vector Progression, PLLC, a Tucson-based practice primarily focused on residential architecture. Eric has been working in the field of architecture since 1998 and has an extensive background in the design-build field. His work focuses on practicality and constructibility while maintaining compelling design. Eric holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from The University of Arizona.

Eric and Kelsi have a long history of working together on residential architecture projects that started while working at the same design-build firm and continued while consulting with each other on projects for their own practices. Both have worked on many projects like casitas/ADUs including sleeping quarters, guest houses, and ADUs for other jurisdictions and in other states. When given the opportunity they were interested in employing the knowledge they accumulated to design an ADU that integrated principles that would make a flexible design in Southern Arizona. The aim for the Desert Casita: An ADU design for life in Tucson was to meet as many needs as possible, within these self-imposed goals - create a shape that fits on most sites and in most orientations while meeting goals of design for context and environment, - integrated sustainable design features, - accessibility - efficient and common construction materials and methods. It was particularly important to make the ADU entirely wheelchair accessible, including an accessible laundry option and therefore making it a design for aging, individuals who need accessibility, as well as a design with room for families.

Calls to Action:

Investing in your well-being is an investment in your community. Here are a few ideas that can help create an intentional impact as you evolve over the coming year:

• This may feel difficult right now...but you know your nervous system will thank you - take a long Social Media / News Media break. Avert your eyes for one whole week and take a rest from the frenzy.

• Feeling helpless? Or empowered? Here is a grassroots nonpartisan organization that works to empower Arizona’s citizens to exercise their voices at the local level. Local level means your voice can affect changes within our communities.

• Visit the local library and laze around with a book - better yet, take the book to a park with a picnic and enjoy the beautiful winter weather!

• Bake some cookies: here is a recipe I'm enjoying - no sugar added means I can eat them for breakfast!

• Journal question: If the moon could speak, what stories do you imagine it would tell about the Earth and humanity?