Vote November 7th

Tucson Unified School District Governing Board is proposing a $480 million bond to update and renovate aging schools, add security and safety systems, and provide technology to every student. The bond will be used to improve neighborhood schools by replacing deteriorated roofs and aging air conditioning units, providing security fencing and access control, renovating fine arts spaces, and modernizing science labs and career training spaces, among other things. The bond will not be used for salaries or benefits.

Sam Hughes Elementary would receive over $2 million of this bond. Some of this would be used to replace the portable classrooms with a permanent structure. Other projects include money for increased security, domestic water and sewer line replacement, and sunshades. Click below to see the full list of priojects proposed for Sam Hughes Elementary.

Two small successes!

After quite a number of conversations with the Tucson Water Dept. and with the support of Councilmember Steve K., the mesquite tree that was hanging over the roof of the water tower structure on Tucson Blvd. and 1st St. has been trimmed. We were concerned that it might be causing damage to the roof; fortunately, that was not the case.

Also, the water tower property has been spruced up: dead vegetation, weeds and trash are gone. Thanks to Vytas Sakalas we now have some shallow depressions around a small creosote bush and three small blue paloverde trees. We’ll dig more depressions around the other plants soon.

Board of Adjustment hearing October 25th @ 1:30pm on Zoom

With the defeat of Proposition 412, the Kino to DeMoss-Petri Project has gone back to the drawing board and is now named the TEP Midtown Reliability Project. TEP is going out to the community for public discussion on selecting a new route for the project to be identified within a slightly larger map (see above). For more information, and to submit an online comment, a project webpage is available at  Midtown Reliability Project – Tucson Electric Power (tep.com)

TEP no longer appears to be considering undergrounding this project. They are only considering placing long lines of industrial-sized pylons and transmission wires, intending to give us choices not about undergrounding but instead about whether the pylons are 10 stories or seven stories high (with many more of the latter), what the color of the pylons will be, etc., etc. It is critical that those who oppose the above-ground construction of such a permanent blight through the heart of our city make their voices heard. The core of the project will be the university area, from Country Club to Stone and Broadway to Grant. Among other things, TEP seems to hope that all of us will ignore the City’s duly enacted mandate, stated in its University Area Plan, that new utilities within this entire area be placed underground.  

TEP has just gone to the Board of Adjustment to appeal the August 25, 2021 Zoning Administrator's decision. This decision upheld the gateway and scenic ordinances requiring undergrounding on the Kino/Campbell gateway and said that TEP must comply with the ordinances. It appears that TEP requests that the entire project be excluded from the ordinances and run overhead. If TEP succeeds, it would place the Kino/Campbell route at great risk once again. It would also place all other of city’s gateway and scenic routes and possibly also the University Area Plan at risk both now and in the future. This hearing will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 25 at 1:30 p.m.; it is a crucial meeting. Please plan on participating. There will be a time during the meeting for the public to make brief comments to the board. There is also a way to submit written comments before the meeting.

Undergrounding lines is essential if we are to maintain the Old Pueblo's unique character, develop and sustain tourism, and improve the general health of the city. We appreciate your ongoing support and participation throughout the past three years. 

A project webpage is available at Midtown Reliability Project—Tucson Electric Power (tep.com), where visitors will find an interactive map, an online comment form, and other information about the project. Note corrected date change for the Board of Adjustment Hearing from the recently mailed postcard. It is now Oct 25th.

Summary of Neighborhood Plan: Installment III

This installment of the newly adopted Sam Hughes Neighborhood Plan focuses on “Land Use.”

GOAL: Preserve and enhance the existing, quiet, residential character and historic architecture of the neighborhood, typified by single-family uses on interior blocks and a mix of single-family, medium density multifamily, and limited commercial and office uses on corridors.

Policy 1: Ensure appropriate land use within the Sam Hughes Neighborhood.

A. Encourage residential uses in the areas zoned for such uses, except as shown on the Sam Hughes Future Land Use Concept Map (Figure 6) and in the Mid-Century Subdistrict, Restricted Uses north of Broadway Boulevard as stipulated in the Sunshine Mile Urban Overlay District.

B. Only allow rezonings that conform to the Future Land Use Concept Map (Figure 6):

1. Uses in areas where rezoning proposals would be considered should conform to those identified on the Future Land Use Concept Map (Figure 6). Nonresidential uses identified were determined to be compatible with residential uses and may provide more services and opportunities in walkable distance for residents.

2. Heights in areas where rezonings would be considered as shown on the Future Land Use Concept Map (Figure 6) should be consistent with heights allowed in the land use zone indicated in the Future Land Use Concept Map (Figure 6). Those heights are specified in the Tucson Unified Development Code Dimensional Standards, Article 6.3: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson/latest/tucson_az_udc/0-0-0-4860

3. Densities in areas where rezonings would be considered as shown on the Future Land Use Concept Map (Figure 6) should be consistent with the densities allowed in the land use zone indicated in the Future Land Use Concept Map (Figure 6). Those densities are specified in the Tucson Unified Development Code, Dimensional Standards, Article 6.3: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson/latest/tucson_az_udc/0-0-0-4860

C. Strongly discourage (a) gated communities or (b) group dwellings in areas where they are not currently permitted.

D. Promote historically compatible development with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s standards. Rezonings or variances affecting “Contributing Structures” in the Sam Hughes National Register Historic District should only be approved when new design allows the historic structure to retain its “Contributing” status.

E. Support the implementation of Environmentally Conscious Design Practices in commercial/office developments that are interior to the neighborhood. These could include such practices as use of reclaimed water, adaptive reuse, shade for at least 70% of parking and pedestrian areas, access to transit stops, LED outdoor lighting, solar panels, and EV charging stations, as well as other innovative practices.

F. Strongly recommend that new subdivisions include: (a) design features that discourage crime and disruptive behavior such as grouping and positioning of units, paths, and landscaping and (b) privacy mitigation measures, which, for example, may include architectural details such as window and balcony placement, landscaping strategies, walls, fences, or other measures to ensure neighboring properties do not suffer loss of privacy.

G. Strongly encourage developers with any development proposal that requires a change in zoning to meet with SHNA at the beginning of the process. The objective of the meeting would be to give the SHNA Board an opportunity to review the proposal and provide input based on the goals and policies of this Sam Hughes Neighborhood Plan.

Policy 2: Ensure appropriate development along arterial streets that border the neighborhood (Campbell Avenue, Speedway Boulevard, Country Club Road, and Broadway Boulevard) and the collector streets (Tucson Boulevard and 6th Street).

A. Strongly discourage lighting, including lighted signs, that reflect or shine directly into the neighborhood and that are higher than the height of the building.

B. Strongly discourage development plans that do not provide for parking onsite or offsite through an approved parking plan with the exception of parking provisions in the Sunshine Mile Urban Overlay District.

C. Strongly encourage development along arterials and residential streets that abut residential streets with neighborhood access to provide traffic calming measures, such as curb extensions, speed humps, speed tables, or other remediation.

D. Support construction of entry monuments at four corners of the neighborhood as well as at Tucson Boulevard/Speedway Boulevard and Tucson Boulevard/Broadway Boulevard.

E. Discourage additional curb cuts by having new development share access from the arterial streets with adjoining properties.

F. Require commercial developments with patios in the rear of the building to mitigate adverse impacts on neighborhood residents from noise or lighting, especially during the SAM HUGHES NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN PART I-B-8 Adopted by Mayor & Council, City of Tucson, June 6, 2023 Resolution No. 23618 evening in conformance with the Sunshine Mile Overlay District, Mid-Century Subdistrict, Restricted Uses.

G. Ensure the non-residential properties north of Broadway Boulevard that are within the Sam Hughes Neighborhood and within the Sunshine Mile Urban Overlay District Mid-Century Subdistrict, Restricted Uses Area (see Figure 7) comply with the applicable standards, which can be found in Section IV.D of the Sunshine Mile Urban Overlay District document.

These standards are meant to ensure that any commercial uses in this area, some of which extend deeper into the neighborhood, are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The standards include specific area-related restrictions on building heights, building expansion area, hours of operation, parking locations, outdoor lighting, rooftop amenities, food and beverage services, and vehicular circulation.

Blood Drive This Week!

You can help save lives!

Our fall blood drive takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 9:00am-4:00pm in the UA BookStore at the Student Union Memorial Center. The American Red Cross will give every donor a $15 Amazon gift card as a thank you for participating. Please help spread the word!

REGISTER TO GIVE BLOOD

Join Us for the 2023 Tucson Humanities Festival

The University of Arizona College of Humanities invites you to join us this October for the Tucson Humanities Festival, a series of events, presentations, and special guests in celebration of National Arts & Humanities month. All events are hosted in person, and many are available to view via live stream.

This year the festival will focus on Style. You won’t want to miss these events. Learn more here.

UArizona Neighborhood Hotline

If at any point your peace is disturbed, report neighborhood loud party/unruly gathering complaints to 911. You may also call the UArizona Neighborhood Hotline at 520-282-3649. A team from the University’s Community Relations office and TPD’s Red Tag unit can visit problematic properties to educate students about the City’s Unruly Gathering Ordinance and UArizona’s consequences for violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Good news!

The Ward 6 Office is expected to be back in operation by the start of November! Please reach out to Nadia if your group is interested in booking one of the Ward 6 rooms after that date. Her email address is nadia.ispiani@tucsonaz.gov. 

Steve Kozachik and his office staff are still working and responding to all inquiries, mainly through email and phone calls. If you want to talk to someone in person, staff volunteer Mark Crum will be outside Yellow Brick Coffee at the Benedictine retail plaza on Thursdays, from 10:30 am to noon, to answer questions, hear concerns, and pass out plastic bags for recycling plastic.

Refugee Donations 

Ward 6 doesn’t have any place to store the donations while the office is out of commission so, for now, stash what you would have brought until the Ward 6 office reopens.

Plastic and Glass recycling

The plastic and glass bins will continue to be available 24/7, and Steve K and the staff will be monitoring the plastics to be sure the pile that ends up by the back wall while they’re emptying the roll-off is cleaned in a timely manner. 

Changes to Mah Jong Monday in October and beyond

By Carolyn Classen, Founder

Because of the temporary closure of Ward 6, Mah Jong Monday has been on the move. Please note the following dates and locations.

October (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23th, 30th):  10 to 1 p.m. @ NobiliTEA (tea room), 3435 E. Speedway Blvd. (no longer at Ward 3, got double booked)

November 6th and beyond for 2023---  Back to Ward 6 Council office, 3202 E. 1^st  St. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. pending roof repairs

Are you ready?

Thanks to the creative neighbor who lives near Wilson and Hawthorne for reminding us that Halloween will be here soon. So, be prepared with lots of candy for the many kids in clever costumes who will be knocking on your door.

Scroll down further in the newsletter for details about Aqua Pumpkin Patch, Trunk-or-Treat, Boo at the Zoo, and a list of Halloween activities in Tucson.

Available at all library locations!

Act One culture passes are now available at ALL library locations. Act One’s Culture Pass provides access for students, retirees, and under-resourced families to visit Arizona’s arts and cultural treasures. Stop by your favorite branch and check 'em out!

What is a Culture Pass?

A Culture Pass is free admission for two people at participating arts and cultural institutions. 

One pass = two free admissions.

Checking out Culture Passes

You can check out one Culture Pass per household in a one-week time span.

You can check out a total of up to two Culture Passes per household every 30 days.

Culture Pass Venues

• Amerind Museum (Dragoon)
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson)
• Cave Creek Museum (Cave Creek)
• Unavailable June 1–September 30
• Children's Museum Tucson (Tucson)
• Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix)
• The Heard Museum (Phoenix)
• Pueblo Grande Museum/S'edav Va'aki Museum (Phoenix)
• Reid Park Zoo (Tucson)
• Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (Scottsdale}
• Sedona Heritage Museum (Sedona)
• Superstition Mountain Museum (Apache Junction)
• Tohono Chul Park (Tucson)
• Tucson Botanical Garden (Tucson)
• Tucson Museum of Art (Tucson)
• University of Arizona Museum of Art (Tucson)

Thanks to our friends in the Garden District for sharing this great news!

National Week Without Driving: Oct 2nd - 8th

Nationally America Walks is sponsoring the national week without driving. They estimate that nearly 1/3 of the U.S. population does not drive, either by choice, necessity or for reasons related to age, affordability or health reasons. The week runs from October 2^nd through October 8^th. During that week everyone is invited to join in avoiding your car while commuting.

Locally Living Streets Alliance is our local touch with the NWWD. They’re asking people to sign a pledge for NWWD. You can find it at this link: https://www.livingstreetsalliance.org/nwwd-2023-pledge-form If you’re one of those people who need the little nudge of having signed up for an event, then take 5 and sign the LSA form. Either way please consider setting aside some or all of the week to begin building walking or biking or taking transit into your daily commute habits.

Sustainable Tucson Food Waste Challenge

From Donna Corbin's oped in the Arizona Daily Star, Sept 7th

Food left to rot in landfills produces dangerous greenhouse gases and dramatically exacerbates the climate change crisis. A 2022 EPA report projected that each year, U.S. food waste embodies 170 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent GHG emissions equal to the annual CO2 emission of 45 coal-fired power plants. But more significantly, rotting food in landfills emits methane, an especially potent greenhouse gas with over 89 times the warming power of CO2.

If you are interested in participating in a community effort to combat food waste, join Sustainable Tucson’s Food Waste Challenge. To find out more about the Challenge and for information on a strategy for reducing food waste in your household, visit Sustainable Tucson’s website (sustainabletucson.org) or go to Sustainable Tucson’s Food Waste Challenge Facebook page and sign on to the Challenge.

Books are just the beginning!

Writing workshop October 16th! And much more!

Information Session Oct 28th

Pima County Public Library is excited to announce its 2023 Call to Artists. They are now accepting submissions to exhibit artwork at library branches. 

Artists of all ages who live or work in Pima County are eligible to apply. Goals include creating exhibition opportunities for emerging artists from culturally diverse backgrounds and increasing public awareness of and interest in the visual arts.

Applicants will be asked to submit an artist statement and five images as examples of their work, though they are not required to showcase these specific pieces in exhibitions. Artists will be added to a roster for two years for gallery coordinators to contact to schedule exhibitions in public libraries.

Information Session

 Saturday, October 28, 2023

11:00AM – 12:30PM

Sam Lena-South Tucson Library

Registration is required.

The library is hosting a free session to share about the Call to Artists and help you with the submission process. Topics include ‘How to use the Online Submittable platform to submit your application’, ‘How to write an artist statement’, and ‘How to best photograph your art.’ In English and Spanish.

More information on the Call to Artists.

A message from BARN (Building a Resilient Neighborhood) 

Summer is cooling down a bit, and the season of outdoor lunches and mid-day strolls is on its way.  Every month is a good time to improve our resilience profile, at home and in our immediate neighborhood. 

This month BaRN is offering its 1-hour Zoom session on emergency preparedness and making connections with nearby neighbors for maximum community resilience:   Tue Oct 17 at 4 pm & Wed Oct 18 at 7 pm

All are welcome. We especially encourage anyone who is considering becoming a Block Connector – reaching out to households on their block – whether their street, their apartment complex, or their section of a trailer park – helping “connect and protect” through: 

• Sharing emergency preparedness information in the HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST  
• Collecting contact information from those who are willing, so that folks can reach each other in an emergency 
• Serving as the primary contact on their block for the Neighborhood or Homeowners Association in case of an extended power outage or other catastrophe 

Registration:  Information sessions are held monthly.  This month’s 1-hour Zoom sessions are:  

Tue Oct 17 2023, 4:00 pm  

Register here 

Wed Oct 18 2023, 7:00 pm 

Register here 

BaRN is a coalition of Tucson residents from diverse neighborhoods inspired by Physicians for Social Responsibility to learn about local risks from extreme heat and prepare for extended power outage. The coalition shares resources, training, and strategies to create stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.  

Contact:  stuart@sustainabletucson.org 

Green jobs are growing too!

The City of Tucson recently won a competitive, $5 million urban forestry grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to invest in Tucson neighborhoods on the frontlines of climate change. "This grant is another great example of how we are aggressively going after federal dollars to implement our Climate Action Plan," said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. "It will ensure that the benefits of trees are reaching our most vulnerable residents: our seniors, children, and low-income communities." The grant will help create more green spaces, invest in workforce development, and support community engagement to ensure the benefits of trees are equitably distributed. The grant relies on the City's Tree Equity Mapping tool and the work of the City's first Urban Forestry manager to support the Tucson Million Trees initiative, part of the City's Climate Action Plan (Tucson Resilient Together). The grant also includes a youth workforce development component to help Tucson create the green jobs of the future and develop the next generation of tree leaders to advocate and care for our urban forests.

USDA's Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grants

Talking of trees . . .

Clean up Oct 21st

On October 21st Mansfeld Middle School has a clean up set for their campus from 9am-12pm. With only one half time custodian much of the campus goes untended. Anyone with a little time might think of giving an hour or more in a Hands Across the Waters effort with one of our sister schools. We haven’t had a representative at Mansfeld or Tucson High for many years.

Place Network Investigations (PIN) Program a success

The City of Tucson reports gun violence decreased 75-80% since the advent of the Place Network Investigations (PNI) program in January 2022. PNI currently is in place at three locations centered around large apartment complexes where there were high levels of criminal activity involving guns. Those areas are at Grant Road and Alvernon Way, Campbell Road and Bilby Road, and 22nd Street and Prudence Road. The data-driven program will soon be expanded beyond those areas. This place-based strategy is designed to dismantle criminal operations in hotspots by identifying, investigating, and intervening against crime place networks. All City departments, community members, social service providers, and other law enforcement entities meet monthly as an advisory board that provides the expertise to address the myriad of issues that contribute to an environment conducive to violent gun crime. In a report to Tucson's Mayor and Council yesterday, Sept. 6, Tucson Police Department Assistant Chief Kevin Hall and Deputy City Manager Tim Thomure talked about the successes of PNI and the need to sustain its progress and move it across the community.

Watch a story from KOLD

Mayor and Council Study Session agenda (Item 9)

Watch discussion of the item on YouTube

Poisonous to People and Pets

Two Colorado River toads were found in the Garden District in September. These creatures are very poisonous to people and pets and need to be approached with great caution.

If you think your child has come in contact with and poisoned by a Colorado River Toad, seek immediate emergency medical care.

If your pet comes into contact with a Colorado River toad or you suspect your pet has been exposed to the toad’s poison, you’ll need to take immediate action.

Contact an emergency veterinarian immediately and follow their instructions.

Flush the affected area (mouth or eyes) with water.

Run water from one side of the mouth to the other, making sure the water runs out of your pet's mouth. If water rushes into your dog's mouth, it'll push the poison into your pet's stomach, worsening the poisoning. This can also put pets at risk of drowning.

Transport your pet to an emergency animal hospital as soon as possible.

The above information is from the website below:

Help! There's a Colorado River Toad in My Dog's Mouth | Tucson, AZ | Adobe Veterinary Center

Thanks to our friends in the Garden District for sharing this important information.

Report them!

Is there a pothole you'd like to see filled? Is a street sign missing? Is a tree limb hanging too close over a roadway or sidewalk? You can report these issues to the City of Tucson's Department of Transportation and Mobility, 520-791-3154, or email the exact location to TDOTConcerns@tucsonaz.gov.

Department of Transportation and Mobility

Trunk-or-Treat: October 13th

Get into the Halloween spirit early with a free "Trunk-or-Treat" event at the Quincie Douglas Center, 1575 E. 36th St., on Friday, Oct. 13, from 6-8 p.m. Participants can visit locally sponsored "trunks" to receive either a trick or a treat and a walk through the haunted house. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. For more information, please call (520) 791-2507.

Event website

Aqua Pumpkin Patch: October 14th

Tucson Parks and Recreation will host an afternoon of pumpkin picking in the pool at the Aqua Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center, 3455 E. Zoo Court, and Sunday, Oct. 15, at Clements Pool, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive. Registered participants 17 and under will get to plunge into the pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin to paint and decorate. There will be snacks and light refreshments. This event is free, but you must register ahead of time. Register for a location and time slot online (link below). Time slots are available from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1:30-3 p.m. Spots are limited to the first 60 to register per time slot. Swimmers in diapers must wear tight-fitting, waterproof pants over a swim diaper.

Register

Event website

Tucson Parks and Recreation

Boo Bash: October 21st

Tucson Parks and Recreation and United Healthcare present "Boo Bash" on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 4-7 p.m., at Lincoln Park (soccer fields), 4325 S. Pantano Road. The event will be a free, fun-filled night of tricks and treats. Enjoy carnival games, trunk-or-treat, show off your costumes, play graveyard golf, and more. Food will be available for purchase from local food trucks. Remember to bring your own bag to collect candy from all the games and trunk-or-treats. "Boo Bash" is sponsored by United Healthcare, Imago Dei Middle School, SJI Financial Services, Renewal by Anderson, Southwest Model and Talent Agency, Canyon Roofing, and The Play District.

"Boo Bash" event listing

SHNA Monthly Board Meeting:

October 17th @ 7pm.

Zoom only while Ward 6 office is being repaired

Zoom link posted on www.samhughes.org

SHNA is looking for volunteers

SHNA works on a wide variety of projects.

Newsletter * Himmel Park * Home Tour * Transportation and Mobility

Historic Preservation* Water Tower * Board of Directors

Please contact us at info@samhughes.org to volunteer, or if you would like to pursue something new with SHNA’s support.

Emergency: 911

Non-Emergency: 520-791-4444 (Monday to Friday; 8:00 am to 6:00 pm)

Lead Police Officers for Sam Hughes

Ofc. Cody York

Phone: 520-730-3845

Email: Cody.York@tucsonaz.gov

On Duty: Weekends, Days

Ofc. Garrett Behan

​Phone: 520-539-7250

​Email: Garrett.Behan@tucsonaz.gov

On Duty: Weekends, Nights

Community Resource CSO

Ramon Silvas

Email: Ramon.Silvas@tucsonaz.gov

Phone: 520-837-7428

Contact for Midtown substation:

Lobby hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

1100 S Alvernon Way, Tucson AZ 85711

Front lobby phone: 520-791-4253

Homeless Outreach Team:

To Report a Homeless Camp, use online reporting tool or call 520-791-2540

Recent Criminal Activity

For a list of recent criminal activity in Sam Hughes, visit https://nsn.soaz.info/incidents/zsamhughes.html

For crime data in Tucson, visit https://policeanalysis.tucsonaz.gov/