Ordinances eyed for boarding houses, property rezoning
A zoning code text amendment introduced to the Yuma City Council would add definitions related to rooming and boarding houses and identify residential zoning districts which would allow rooming and boarding houses, either as a permitted principal use or as a conditional use.
The ordinance was introduced during the Aug. 2 meeting.
While the city allows for rooming and boarding houses within various residential zoning districts, the code does not address the number of renters permitted in such establishments.
Typically, a rooming house is a single-family residence in which unrelated tenants rent one or more rooms for various periods of time. If meals are included, it may be referred to as a boarding house.
According to a staff report, the Yuma workforce “is unlike most, in that seasonal/temporary job opportunities draw large numbers of individuals to the area in need of affordable housing. With a scarce rental market, many temporary residents find themselves renting a room within an established single-family neighborhood.”
Because the code does not currently limit the number of renters within a single dwelling, the only occupancy standard required to follow are those outlined within the International Property Maintenance Code. Therefore, according to the IPMC, a 1,900 square foot, four-bedroom, single-family home could potentially be occupied by as many as 20 individuals. This could translate into 20 renters, each potentially using a vehicle.
“Permitting such an operation within a single-family neighborhood would significantly impact the area and alter the overall character of the residential district.”
The intent of the proposed amendment is to make sure such establishments do not negatively impact the residents who permanently reside within these neighborhoods, the report said.
Staff is recommending the proposed text amendment “in an effort to provide housing options for our seasonal/temporary residents while also maintaining the quality of life and protecting the property values of neighboring owner-occupied singlefamily homes.”
The proposal will possibly go before the council for consideration of adoption at the next council meeting scheduled for Aug. 16.
Another ordinance introduced to the council would rezone about 2.5 acres from the Agriculture District to the Light Industrial District. The property is located at 5875 E. Gila Ridge Road, about 2,300 feet away from the Interstate 8 on/off ramps.
The property was subdivided as part of the Araby Eight Commercial Estates Subdivision prior to annexation into the city. This property has never been rezoned, while other properties in the same subdivision have been over time rezoned Light Industrial and Heavy Industrial. This property has remained in the Agriculture zoning district since annexation.