Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Tucson Mayor & Council — What They’ll Decide

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Mayor & Council - Regular

A citywide rewrite of Tucson's development rules, "Code Tucson '26," goes to a public hearing Tuesday, giving residents a chance to weigh in on amendments to the Unified Development Code and City Code that shape what can be built across the city. The council will also vote on allowing a Costco on Old Vail Road, take the first step toward a sales tax incentive to revive a vacant Benson Highway hotel, and consider a batch of housing, policing and opioid-settlement agreements, plus tasting room and holiday special event liquor permits.

Top Items to Watch

Residents Get Their Say on "Code Tucson '26" Development Code Overhaul

Item 8, Public Hearing (City Wide)

The council will hold a public hearing on a package of amendments to Tucson's Unified Development Code and City Code, the rules that govern zoning, building and land use citywide. Changes to these codes can affect what gets built in your neighborhood, how quickly housing can be approved, and what businesses can operate where. That ties directly to the city's affordable housing crisis and growth debates. The city says it will post the detailed amendment package as it becomes available. Residents can speak during the hearing.

Costco Seeks Approval for Southeast Tucson Store in Industrial Zone

Item 10, Ordinance No. 12277 (Ward 4)

The council will vote on a special exception allowing Costco to build a large retail store at 9688 E. Old Vail Road, about 3,000 feet west of Houghton Road. The site is zoned I-2, a heavy industrial designation, so big-box retail there requires council sign-off with conditions. The decision would bring a major retailer, along with jobs, sales tax revenue and traffic, to one of Tucson's fastest-growing corridors on the southeast side.

City Weighs Sales Tax Break to Revive Vacant Benson Highway Hotel

Item 9, Resolution No. 24210 (Ward 5)

The council will consider a notice of intent to enter a site-specific sales tax incentive agreement with Benson Hospitality Manager, LLC. The company plans to renovate a vacant hotel at 755 E. Benson Highway. These agreements typically let a developer recoup a share of the city sales taxes the project generates. The resolution also adopts an independent economic analysis meant to show the deal benefits the city. This is an early step: it signals the city's intent to negotiate, and a final agreement would come back later. It's a chance for residents to scrutinize whether public tax dollars should help reopen the property.

New Rules for Tenants in City's El Portal Affordable Housing

Consent Item 7f, Resolution No. 24214 (City Wide)

The council will approve operating policies for the El Portal Affordable Housing Portfolio, the city's own affordable rental housing. Operating policies typically govern how tenants are selected and how the units are managed, which matters directly to current residents and anyone on a waiting list. It's on the consent agenda, so it could pass without discussion. It also includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately.

Opioid Settlement Money Headed to Desert Cove

Consent Item 7e (Ward 1)

An intergovernmental agreement with Pima County would use opioid settlement funds for a Desert Cove extension. The region is receiving millions from national settlements with drug makers and distributors. How those dollars are spent on treatment, recovery and homelessness response is a closely watched local question. Supporting materials will be posted as they become available. The item is on consent and could pass without debate.

Tucson Police to Support Pascua Yaqui Police at Vahi Ta'am Casino

Consent Item 7g (Ward 3)

A law enforcement agreement would set terms for the Tucson Police Department to support the Pascua Yaqui Police Department at the tribe's Vahi Ta'am Casino. Agreements like this define who responds to calls and under whose authority, which matters to neighbors and patrons. The question of where TPD officers spend their time also connects to the city's ongoing police staffing strain. The item is on consent.

Federal Crime and Drug-Enforcement Grants Renewed With County and State

Consent Items 7b, 7c, 7d, Resolution Nos. 24211, 24212, 24213 (City Wide/Outside City)

Three police-related agreements would pass along about $185,580 in federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant money to Pima County from a joint FY2025 award (7b). They would also extend the county's participation in the FY2023 grant through September 2027 (7c). The third agreement amends a deal between the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), the state's Medicaid agency, and the Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program, for which Tucson serves as fiscal agent (7d). All three are on consent with emergency clauses, so they would take effect immediately upon approval.

Source: City of Tucson Agendas

This preview was generated automatically by Claude Opus 5.5 from the City of Tucson Mayor and Council agenda packet, and published at 8:01 AM MST on November 11, 2026 without human review. Read more about how this is made.