INSIDE TUCSON BUSINESS: Mon., Jan. 19, 2009

Historical building demolition code repealed, but could resurface

By Nicholas Smith

It may get harder to knock down your house in the university area. Although the Tucson City Council repealed a section of the building code Jan. 13 that dealt with destroying structures in certain older parts of the city as a result of a court decision, the matter might come back as part of the land use code.

City staff is developing an amendment relating to the documentation of historic structures in the near future. Soon-to-be-demolished houses deemed historically significant will have to be documented and may be spared the wrecking ball altogether.

Under the old code, demolition permits can be issued the same day unless the structure is within a historic preservation zone or within the historic central core of the city.

If the structure is in a historically significant area, or is more than 45 years old and in the historic central core, the demolition permit would have to be reviewed. The review can take up to 60 days. A 90-day stay could also be tacked on while the house and the area 300 feet around it are documented for historical features. The city could also delay the permit by 180 days so a buyer could be found that would purchase the property for preservation.

FULL STORY: http://www.azbiz.com/articles/2009/01/20/news/doc496f73127e1d7698931904.txt