Historic Phoenix neighborhood pushing back on Arizona law

Residents of Phoenix’s Willo neighborhood gathered to oppose a law that could destroy historic homes and allow duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes to be built in their place. The historic district, which describes itself as “one of Phoenix’s first historic suburbs planned in the 1920s,” is located in the city’s center between Central and Seventh avenues and McDowell and Thomas roads.

House Bill 2721, which was signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs in 2024, requires towns and cities with at least 75,000 residents to allow ‘middle housing’ such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes to be built in neighborhoods traditionally zoned for single-family homes. In 1990, the Willo neighborhood earned its historic designation from the city. Historic status offers certain protections, such as ensuring that any changes are compatible with the historic character of the property or district. But the new middle housing law overrides much of that.

Opal Wagner, Co-Chair of Save Historic AZ, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss more about how this law could impact this local community.

While Wagner does agree that there is a housing shortage in Arizona, she feels that Phoenix’s Willo neighborhood has addressed the problem. Out of the 15 urban villages in Phoenix, Willo is the most densely populated.

“We have also had approved or recommended many many housing projects, middle housing, high density housing in our area already,” Wagner said. “We feel as though we can have that density and still maintain our historic district.”

If the homes are completely torn down, then there is space on the plots to build fourplexes. While there are some hoops that developers may have to jump through, like demolition holds, there are not many restrictions holding them back.

“There will be permitting done; however, the state legislature law states that this is by right,” Wagner said. “If someone wants to come in and build a fourplex, on a historic home property, it is by right.”

Moving forward Wagner is hoping to work with the state legislature in the next session to adjust the middle housing law to protect historic districts.