Ben Graff Quoted in Phoenix Business Journal Article About New State Housing Bill
Ben Graff, a Land Use, Zoning and Development partner based in Phoenix, was featured in a Phoenix Business Journal article discussing Arizona's newly signed housing bill. The bill permits the transformation of old commercial buildings in Phoenix into residential developments without the necessity of undergoing the rezoning process. While Graff expressed support for the bill, he voiced concerns regarding the unintended consequences associated with how cities will be required to implement the bill’s requirements.
An excerpt:
"Those public hearings are what allow the stakeholders to come together and evaluate how to make a multifamily development best fit within a community," Graff said. "It allows the city ... to add stipulations and requirements on the development that wouldn't normally occur in the as-of-right."
At the same time, the removal of a public hearing process could reduce the "Not in my backyard" sentiment that has at times curbed developments. Ultimately, the number of developers who take advantage of this program will depend on market conditions, Graff said.