Tucson Rejects Density Plan

"Miramonte neighborhood beat Jefferson Park to the first-such-plan-in-the-city punch, but Jefferson Park's plan has been heralded as the model of future plans because it faced head-on the questions that come with downtown and 'infill' development."

"Because Jefferson Park is just north of the University Medical Center end of the planned streetcar route, the plan could also affect the rezonings planning experts consider critical to the economic stimulus Rio Nuevo is intended to bring.

To balance the competing priorities, the Planning Commission recommended a density study along major roads in and around Jefferson Park. Although the study is mentioned in the plan, the council would have to pass an amendment to add higher-density areas, planning officials said. The result is a speed bump.

The plan may also fall short of doing what neighborhood residents most want: ending building of student apartments in what were single-family homes."