Town Staff Backs KTR Recreation Center Proposal At Suffolk and Oracle

Planning Commission to consider proposed recreation and commercial development tonight
The Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight on a proposed commercial development at the northeast corner of Oracle Road and Suffolk Drive. As LOVE reported in May, the development would feature a 25,000-square-foot Kids That Rip (KTR) indoor recreation facility, along with approximately 18,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. The 4.7-acre property is currently vacant. 

👉 Town planning staff recommends approval of the development, subject to conditions intended to address traffic, noise and neighborhood compatibility.

Two separate approvals required to proceed

The property owner, LaiDar Developments LLC, is seeking two separate approvals. The first would change the property's zoning from Residential Service (R-S) to Neighborhood Commercial (C-N), allowing the proposed recreation facility, restaurants and retail businesses. The second is a conditional-use permit that would allow the KTR facility to occupy approximately 25,000 square feet, substantially exceeding the 5,000-square-foot limit ordinarily permitted for an individual business in the C-N district. Town staff recommends approval of both applications, with six conditions attached to the rezoning. The Planning and Zoning Commission will make separate recommendations on each request before Town Council makes the final decisions.

A new-formed local developer and an established recreation franchise

LaiDar Developments LLC is a Tucson-based company founded in 2025 by Firishta Gheyasi Cubillo. The company identifies the proposed Oro Valley development as its first major project. Cubillo has a professional background in behavior analysis, while Dr. Efrain Cubillo, a consultant to LaiDar, is a Tucson physician and medical practice executive. Neither has publicly documented experience developing or operating an indoor recreation center. The proposed KTR facility would operate as a franchise through a related company, LaiDar for Kids LLC. KTR is a Arizona-based indoor recreation business with six listed locations and a franchise program that provides facility design assistance, training, marketing and operational support. KTR estimates initial franchise investments of $2.4 million to $3.3 million, although the actual cost of the proposed Oro Valley facility has not been disclosed. Readers can learn more at LaiDar's website and KTR's franchise website.

Two neighborhood meetings reveal continuing concerns
Neighborhood meetings were held March 12 and October 22. According to summaries included in tonight's Commission's agenda packet, residents expressed concerns about traffic on Suffolk Drive, drainage, noise, building height, safety and the development's compatibility with the historic Suffolk Hills neighborhood. Some questioned whether the proposed commercial activity was appropriate next to existing homes. Others supported the project, citing the need for indoor recreational opportunities for children and potential economic benefits. The October meeting showed that concerns about the project's location and traffic impacts remained, despite adjustments to the proposed development.

Traffic study projects nearly 3,000 weekend trips
The applicant's traffic analysis projects approximately 1,594 vehicle trips on an average weekday and 2,934 on a weekend day. Each vehicle entering or leaving the property counts as one trip. The development would have entrances from Oracle Road and Suffolk Drive, with the Oracle Road entrance limited to right turns. Proposed improvements include a new northbound right-turn lane on Oracle Road, an eastbound left-turn lane on Suffolk Drive and a sidewalk along the property's Suffolk frontage. The Town Engineer supports the proposed access arrangement, although nearby residents have questioned whether the improvements will adequately address traffic and safety concerns.

Staff recommends six conditions to protect nearby properties
Town staff recommends six conditions as part of the rezoning approval. 

• Vehicular access to the alley east of the property would be prohibited.

• The Suffolk Drive entrance would be widened to provide one entrance lane and two exit lanes.

• The developer would install signs indicating that Suffolk Drive east of the development is for local access only.

• All buildings would be set back at least 150 feet from the eastern property line.

• Outdoor speakers and amplified sound would be prohibited.

• Illuminated signage would be prohibited on the eastern side of buildings and on the property east of the buildings.

Commission to make recommendations to Town Council
Tonight's Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing starts at 6 p.m. in the Oro Valley Town Council Chambers, 11000 N. La Cañada Drive. Residents can review the proposed development plans, traffic study and neighborhood meeting information on the Town's project webpage.

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Sunday 4PM Kreigh Park... Rockin 4'Heroes... Be There

An Oro Valley tradition returns
What began six years ago as a heartfelt thank you has become one of Oro Valley's most anticipated annual events. On Sunday, Rockin’ 4 Heroes returns to James D. Kriegh Park for its sixth annual free concert. The event brings together thousands of music lovers to honor four groups of heroes: First Responders, Active Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families. This year's concert promises even more music and an opportunity to support a growing community mission.

A bigger sound from a familiar favorite
The popular Lexington Lab Band returns with an expanded lineup, featuring additional vocalists and a horn section. The group, known for its faithful performances of classic rock favorites from the 1970s and 1980s, has developed an international following. This year's performance will feature approximately twice as many musicians as last year. Mariachi Voces de mi Pueblo will also return to welcome concertgoers as they arrive.

It began with a family's gratitude
Oro Valley residents Michael and Bonnie Quinn organized the first concert in 2021 to thank the first responders who cared for their son, PJ, during his final year battling cancer. What was originally envisioned as a one-time expression of gratitude has grown into an annual community celebration. As LOVE reported earlier this year, the organization has also expanded its mission beyond the concert itself.

The music lasts an afternoon, the impact lasts all year
Through its Hero Fund, Rockin’ 4 Heroes supports educational opportunities for those who serve. The organization established a $50,000 endowment at the University of Arizona to assist student veterans and Gold Star family members. Its Jacob Dindinger Memorial EMT Scholarship at Pima Community College now supports three aspiring first responders annually. More recently, six police officers from Oro Valley, Marana, and Tucson received $1,000 education grants. These programs demonstrate how a concert that began as a thank you has become an ongoing investment in the people it honors.

More than a concert
More than 30 military, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and veterans' organizations are expected to participate. The afternoon will also include food trucks, family activities, displays, an auction, and a raffle. The free event is supported by sponsors and donors, with proceeds helping fund the organization's year-round activities. It is an opportunity for residents to enjoy an afternoon of music while meeting and thanking those who serve their communities.

Mark your calendar for Sunday
The concert takes place Sunday at James D. Kriegh Park, 23 W. Calle Concordia. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 4 p.m. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Free parking is available at Canyon del Oro High School and the Oro Valley Aquatic Center. Admission is free, although advance registration is encouraged. For complete event information and registration, visit Rockin’ 4 Heroes.

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History Lives This November at Steam Pump Ranch

Digitizing the Historical Society Collection
Thanks to all of you who have visited the Pusch House Museum at historic Steam Pump Ranch so far this fall! We have enjoyed showing you our collection of artifacts, documents, photos, and more, and we aren't done yet. Volunteers are working behind the scenes to digitize our total collection, and we are closing in on finalizing the project. As we have noted, once this project is complete, we will be able to locate everything that we own or that has been donated or loaned to us with the click of a button. Article from the Arizona Journal of History? Check. Picture of George Pusch at the Arizona Constitutional Convention? Check. You ask, and we can find it. This is exciting for us and for those who come to us for historic information.

Museum Exhibits Remain Available on Saturdays
Because of this project, we will not be changing exhibits as frequently as we have in the past, but that will give you time to check out the displays on multiple Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon and know that you don't have to hurry through the exhibit. Everything will still be there when you return, and you can pick up where you left off. As always, our volunteers are on site to help you navigate, answer questions, and provide additional information.

November 14 Walking Tours Explore Ranch History
On Saturday, November 14, you will have the opportunity to take a gentle one-hour walking tour of the Ranch with our naturalist, who will share information about the plants, animals, geology, and geography of our area, along with stories about the people who lived at Steam Pump Ranch from the late 1800s to the early 2000s. Tours depart from the Pusch House Museum at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. They end at the Society-maintained Heritage Garden, where you can see plants that have sustained Tucsonans for thousands of years.

Archaeology Demonstrations and Hohokam History
In addition, we welcome volunteers with Old Pueblo Archaeology who will be in the Garden to demonstrate flintknapping, show us traditional crafts, and answer questions about archaeology and our region's rich cultural history. You can step into a replica Hohokam pit house, learn about the Hohokam people and how they lived, and connect with the history of our region.

Holiday Toy Donations for Foster Children
Also returning to the Ranch this day will be GAP Ministries with their request for unwrapped toys for kids and teens. On their wish list for foster children are dolls, books, Legos, earbuds, craft kits, sports balls, games, radio-controlled cars, makeup sets, mirrors, fidget toys, and trains. Your small donation can ensure a very happy holiday for a child who needs some joy this season.

Museum Closed Thanksgiving Weekend
The Pusch House Museum will be closed on Saturday, November 28. We wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving weekend!

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Path Forward Gets 80% Approval

Meet Oro Valley’s New Mayor and Town Council

A new mayor and three councilmembers take office
Tonight marks a change in Oro Valley's leadership as the Town Council welcomes three newly elected members and a new mayor. Current Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett will become mayor, succeeding Joe Winfield, who chose not to seek reelection. Rosa Dailey, Rhonda Piña, and Matt Wood will take their seats on the Council. All four were elected in July and will serve four-year terms ending in October 2030. They join continuing councilmembers Mary Murphy, Harry “Mo” Greene II, and Elizabeth Robb, whose terms run through October 2028.

Melanie Barrett: From councilmember to mayor
Barrett has served on the Oro Valley Town Council since 2018 and currently serves as vice mayor. An attorney by training, she earned her law degree from Brigham Young University. Before joining the Council, she served on the Town's Planning and Zoning Commission from 2015 to 2018, participating in the development of the 2016 General Plan. An Oro Valley resident since 2009, Barrett brings eight years of Council experience to the mayor's office.

Rosa Dailey: A history of community involvement
Dailey is known locally for her leadership in the effort to preserve the former Vistoso Golf Course property, which became the 202-acre Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. She was also involved in efforts leading to the creation of the Oro Valley Aquatic Center. Her professional background includes insurance adjusting, technical writing, and leadership of a medical research nonprofit organization. During her campaign, Dailey emphasized public safety, fiscal responsibility, water sustainability, and responsible development.

Rhonda Piña: Returning to the Town Council
Piña returns to the Council after previously serving from 2016 to 2020. She brings nearly three decades of banking experience and currently serves as Deputy Director for Workforce Development for Pima County. She also serves on the Tucson Airport Authority Board of Directors. Her campaign priorities included public safety, budget accountability, and strategic economic development.

Matt Wood: From community boards to Town Council
Wood has served on the Rancho Vistoso Homeowners Association Board since 2021 and as its president since 2023. He has also served on the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, including as its chair. Wood holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA. During his campaign, he emphasized fiscal responsibility, protecting neighborhood character, maintaining public infrastructure, and considering the financial impacts of annexation and development.

Mary Murphy: Continuing her community involvement
Murphy joined the Council in 2024. Before her election, she served on the Town's Board of Adjustment, reviewing zoning variance requests. Her professional background includes biomedical research, nursing, and dementia care. She has also been active in community organizations, including Rockin' 4 Heroes and efforts supporting the Arizona Heroes Memorial at Naranja Park. As a councilmember, Murphy devotes considerable time to community outreach, attending numerous events and activities throughout Oro Valley to meet with residents and stay connected with the community.

Harry “Mo” Greene II: Medicine, education, and the arts
Greene brings a background in medicine, education, publishing, and community arts. A physician, he has held leadership positions at several medical institutions, including the University of Arizona, and served as publisher of the New England Journal of Medicine. He is also an artist and has served as president of the Southern Arizona Arts Guild and chair of the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council.

Elizabeth Robb: Military service, small business, and community rescue
Robb joined the Council in 2024 after a career that included 13 years of military service in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of captain. An Oro Valley resident since 1998, she has volunteered for many years with the Southern Arizona Rescue Association. She also operates Elizabeth's Garden, a small business associated with the Oro Valley Farmers Market. Her community involvement includes schools, scouting, and emergency rescue activities.

A new Council begins its work
The November 4 installation will bring together a mayor with eight years of Council experience, three incoming councilmembers with different backgrounds in community service and public administration, and three continuing members. The seven-member Council will be responsible for setting Town policy, approving budgets, adopting ordinances, and providing direction to Town management. Its members will face ongoing decisions involving finances, development, water resources, public safety, and the future of Oro Valley.

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Council Acts Now to Prevent Unintended Data Center Approvals

Council moves to close zoning loophole before leaving office
Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council voted unanimously to ban standalone data centers of any size. Mayor Joe Winfield had brought the issue before Council three weeks earlier, seeking to prevent data centers from being approved under existing zoning regulations without Council review. The outgoing Council moved quickly to close this loophole before the new Council takes office November 4, leaving future consideration of regulations that might allow standalone data centers under specific conditions to its successors.

Sanatorium staff zoning use determination raised similar concerns
The Town is already dealing with the consequences of a zoning interpretation that allows a sanatorium-type facility in the Rancho Vistoso Safeway shopping center area. Town staff determined the use was permitted under existing zoning language, and the Board of Adjustment upheld that interpretation. We believe Council's concern is that broadly written zoning provisions can allow staff to approve uses that neither residents nor Council anticipated for the community.

Council seeks to prevent a similar situation involving data centers
At the October 27 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, town staff explained that standalone data centers of any size were permitted under existing zoning regulations in C-1, C-2 Commercial and Technological Park (T-P) districts. Staff interpreted data centers as falling under the permitted use category of "Technical Services." Under that interpretation, an applicant could propose a standalone data center and receive staff approval if all applicable zoning requirements were met, without Council having an opportunity to approve or reject the use.

Council prohibits standalone data centers
Council voted to change the zoning regulations to prevent that from happening. As a result, such facilities can no longer receive approval under the existing zoning provisions. Any future proposal will require a change in the Town's zoning regulations before a standalone data center could be permitted.

A future Council could change the prohibition
This does not mean Oro Valley will never have a standalone data center.  A future Council could adopt zoning regulations allowing them under specific conditions. As Mayor Winfield noted at the October 28 meeting, such consideration could involve further study of water and electricity demands, noise, environmental impacts, and potential benefits to Oro Valley residents.

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Bits and Pieces

Council prohibits public camping and restricts traffic median use to pedestrians crossing the street
At its October 21 meeting, the Oro Valley Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance  O26-13)  prohibiting camping on public property and restricting activity in traffic medians to active road crossers only. The camping restrictions prohibit activities such as setting up shelters, storing personal belongings, and using parked vehicles as living accommodations, except where specifically authorized. The traffic median provisions prohibit people from standing or remaining in a median for any purpose other than temporarily waiting to cross the street. This includes panhandling, distributing flyers, holding signs, or simply standing in the median. The restriction applies regardless of the person's purpose.

At the meeting, Police officials emphasized that education and warnings would precede enforcement. Public camping violations are Class 1 misdemeanors, carrying potential fines of up to $2,500 or six months in jail. Traffic median violations can result in civil traffic citations and fines after a required warning.

Still Unclear Whether Town's Destination Marketing Efforts Are Producing Financial Benefits
At its October 21 meeting, the Oro Valley Town Council received a quarterly update on the Town's destination marketing program. Community Economic Development Director Paul Melcher reported approximately $70,000 in new hotel room bookings, expected to generate $4,000 to $6,000 in bed and sales taxes. Another $525,000 in potential bookings could generate approximately $42,000 in additional taxes if secured. Destination Marketing Manager Addie Coleman reported a 290% increase in website traffic over the preceding two months, driven partly by paid advertising. 

While these figures indicate some increased marketing activity and some success in attracting bookings, they do not establish whether the program is producing meaningful financial benefits for the Town. 

Pusch Ridge Golf Tournament Set For November 20
Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf will hold its annual fall tournament on Friday, November 20, at the Pusch Ridge Golf Course. The event will feature a 9 a.m. shotgun start, limited to 54 golfers, followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m., catered by Fork N Fire. Registration information will be available soon.  This year's tournament will honor longtime Pusch Ridge golfer Dorothy New, who passed away October 19. (Source)

Oracle Road Lane Closures Scheduled November 2–6
The Town of Oro Valley will conduct routine median maintenance along Oracle Road (SR 77) from Monday, November 2, through Friday, November 6, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. Crews will begin just south of Suffolk Drive and work north toward Big Wash Overlook Drive, trimming vegetation and removing litter and debris. Drivers should expect intermittent closures of the left northbound lane as the work zone moves along Oracle Road. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra travel time, slow down near work crews, and consider alternate routes. For additional information, contact the Town's Public Works Department at 520-229-4850 or PW@orovalleyaz.gov. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)
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Tohono Chul Unveils Ambitions Ten Year Plan

A 10- to 15-year vision for the botanical garden
At its October 21 meeting, the Oro Valley Town Council received a presentation from Tohono Chul President and CEO Jamie Maslyn Larson and Board Vice Chair Gayle Mateer outlining an ambitious master plan for the 49-acre botanical garden. The plan envisions significant improvements to visitor facilities, accessibility, educational programs, and dining opportunities while preserving the natural Sonoran Desert setting that has defined Tohono Chul since its founding in 1985. The plan, unanimously approved by Tohono Chul's board in June, provides a roadmap for improvements over the next 10 to 15 years. Construction is not imminent, and additional design, financial planning, and fundraising will be needed.

Community input guides the proposed improvements
The master plan was developed with input from more than 800 participants, including visitors, members, volunteers, and staff. Their priorities included additional shade, improved restrooms, easier access, more educational opportunities, and preservation of the property's historic buildings. One of the most significant proposed changes is a redesigned entrance that would make it easier for visitors to find their way into and through the gardens. A new welcome center, pedestrian promenade, and gently sloping pathways would improve accessibility, particularly for visitors with mobility challenges and families with strollers.

New facilities and expanded educational opportunities
Proposed improvements include renovating the existing bistro, relocating and expanding the Desert Corner Nursery, and creating a new village area featuring locally produced arts, crafts, food, and refreshments. The plan also calls for expanded indoor and outdoor educational facilities, improvements to the Desert Palm Oasis Garden, and additional areas for art exhibits and community gatherings. An outdoor learning area at the Sinagua Garden would support children's programs and adult education. Larson emphasized that proposed new buildings would occupy existing disturbed areas or parking spaces rather than undisturbed desert land.

Growing attendance strengthens Tohono Chul's economic importance
Tohono Chul representatives reported that attendance has increased 76% since before the pandemic, while annual children's participation has grown from approximately 2,200 to more than 13,000. A University of Arizona Eller College study estimated the garden's annual economic impact at $7.35 million in 2025. The organization employs 35 full-time and five part-time employees and operates with an annual budget of approximately $5 million. Representatives also announced that Tohono Chul had recently been listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places, providing additional recognition of its cultural and historical significance.

Implementation will depend on funding and continued planning
The master plan establishes a long-term vision rather than a commitment to begin construction. Tohono Chul is pursuing additional design work, construction planning, business analysis, and fundraising to determine how improvements can be implemented. The organization also hopes to coordinate with Oro Valley on a proposed multiuse pathway along Ina Road and Paseo del Norte that would improve pedestrian and bicycle access to the gardens. The plan seeks to accommodate growing attendance and strengthen Tohono Chul's role as a regional destination while preserving the quiet desert environment envisioned by its founders.

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