SAHBA Whines: Fees Forcing Developers Out of Oro Valley

In a front page story in the July 11 Explorer, SAHBA (Southern Arizona Home Builders Assoc.) claims that high fees are forcing them out of Oro Valley----and, for that matter, Marana. (Mmmm... this sounds like good news!)

A few points were noted in the article that we want to highlight.

• SAHBA is claiming that "the high cost of building new homes in the two towns is contributing to sprawl by pushing developers beyond city limits."
  Response: C'mon SAHBA, get real. Customer demand and mortgage rates drive home building. Not impact fees.
  
• SAHBA Vice President Roger Yohem, talking about Oro Valley and Marana, is quoted as saying: "They're so addicted to impact fees, they can't live off the backs of the builders forever."
  Response: Is this "Chutzpah," or what? Maybe it's just complete ignorance. Oro Valley finally raised their water impact fees after 11 years, and the Council felt sorry for the builders, so they "tiered" the fees over five years to lessen the burden, and this guy is still whining. Give us a break!
  
• The Explorer article states: "In 2006, the median price of a new home in Oro Valley was $434,941.
  Response: At last month's Council meeting, (as we reported here---see "Water" under "Issues") --- Hizzoner Paul Loomis saw fit to "correct" Art Segal concerning the median price of new homes in OV. Loomis said it was $225,000. He was previously corrected here by one of our astute bloggers. Perhaps, he can accept the fact, he was totally wrong!
  

Developers have been riding the Oro Valley gold highway all day long for years. They've been living off of the backs of those of us who own homes in town because we have had to pay for all the growth.

Read the whining by clicking here.

Letter Charges: Haphazard Growth

Jen Prescott, Oro Valley resident, questions why Oro Valley has seen "haphazard growth. She notes: "...we are getting haphazard growth along the Oracle corridor with strip malls and predominately ho-hum stores. Next comes the first major shopping center up at Tangerine and Oracle. Something special you ask? Not unless you find a Wal-Mart complete with a distribution center on the side, 24-hour access and a carnival of signs inspiring.

Jen, we're not sure who Paul Loomis and Council were thinking about but they weren't looking out of for you or us. Read Jan's letter to the Explorer by clicking here.

Oro Valley First Would Love To Meet With Vestar

Dennis Ottley has written a letter to The Explorer finding fault with the grassroots group Oro Valley First. He says that they should be offering suggestions on who should be in the Oro Valley Marketplace.

We are certainly not the spokesperson for the group. Salette Latas does an outstanding job in that capacity. However, I find it very easy to point out to my friend Dennis, that he totally misses the point. Oro Valley First definitely understands that, for the most part, the voters of Oro Valley feel that David Malin and Vestar intentionally mislead us in believing we were to get a "unique, upscale" shopping mall.

We all understand that Nordstrom will not come here due to demographics---and why the previous Oro Valley Council spent $50,000 to have an outside consultant tell us that, is another example of wasting our tax dollars.

The point is this; Who amongst us believes it is worth giving Vestar $23.2 million of our revenue to bring in a Wal-Mart, a store that will cannibalize a major portion of its sales from our existing retailers?

Perhaps that is why a handful of volunteers have been successful in getting thousands of residents to sign a pledge stating they will not shop in the Oro Valley Marketplace if and when Wal-Mart shows up.

And, by the way, Dennis, Oro Valley First has in fact offered to meet with Malin and Vestar to discuss alternate retailers. Sadly, without any help whatsoever by Mayor Loomis----whose help was solicited, this meeting has not yet taken place.

Art Segal vs Terry Parish Re: Wal-Mart "Gift"

You've just got to read the article (click here) which appeared in The Explorer. Who do you agree with? Parish or Segal? We look forward to your comments.

Move To Limit Arizona Property Taxes

There is group called "Arizona Tax Revolt." They are spearheading an effort to give property owners a break, limiting the amount of property tax increases that can be levied. The measure is called the Property Tax Levy Rollback and would appear as a ballot initiative. Similar measures were passed in states years ago .Click here to read about it.

Important Message From Bill Adler: Re: Planning and Zoning Meeting

As a follow up to our July 5 posting (Innovation Park Land Swap Proposed), and as indicated in our "Upcoming Events," Bill Adler voices his concerns (which should also concern others), as to the meeting July 12,@ 6:00PM at Town Hall. Please try to attend, and, if you agree with Bill, have your voices heard.
Art
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There is a sizable Plan Amendment scheduled for the first of two public hearings before the Planning Commission this Thursday evening, beginning at 6 PM at the Town Council Chambers. This amendment realigns uses within Rancho Vistoso Neighborhood 3. This portion of Rancho Vistoso is on both sides of Innovation Parkway, and includes Ventana Medical Systems and the NW Hospital. The land is slated for Campus Park Industrial uses. My concern preliminarily is regarding the 25% slopes on the property, of which there are many, significant vegetation and habitat within several areas to be developed, as well as drainageways and corresponding riparian areas. If any of you can make the meeting, I would appreciate some support for a more careful salvaging of significant vegetation and slope, riparian area protection. We can't prevent development. That is guaranteed by zoning. We may be able to achieve a more responsible protection of visual and habitat conditions.

The second public hearing on this matter is scheduled for Sun City for either August 13th or 14th pending availability. At that second meeting, final action by the Commission will be taken on both the General Plan Amendment and a PAD Amendment for the same property.

Matt Michaels, Senior Planner for the Town is the project manager for this issue at 229-4800 or mmichaels@orovalley.net.

Thanks,

Bill Adler