Ann Day Addresses Arroyo Grande

The following is from County Supervisor District 1, Ann Day's May newsletter.

Although Supervisor Day notes, "We must not compromise on infrastructure, conservation standards or the quality of life for all residents, current and future," it's disappointing she didn't mention the alternative of NOT developing this parcel.

Ann Day, Supervisor, District 1. Please email your comments to Ann.Day@pima.gov or call 520.740.2738

Arroyo Grande and the Future of Growth

Pima County continues to work with Oro Valley and the Arizona State Land Department as the town and the state move forward on eventual annexation and development within 9,100 acres of state trust land north of Oro Valley. The 14-square mile planning area known as Arroyo
Grande is expected to add almost 16,000 homes and 38,000 people to Oro Valley when it is fully developed over the course of a decade or more.

Pima County has no control over the state’s mandate to sell trust lands and Oro Valley’s sovereign right to annex. We can only try to influence the process to ensure it results in smart, managed growth. Our county planners and my office have had a degree of success in encouraging the town and the state to adopt the concepts of Pima County’s Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and provide that 68 percent of this environmentally-sensitive area is kept as open space and critical wildlife corridors are preserved.

But the county still lacks any enforceable assurances that our conservation goals in the Tortolita Fan area that we have been trying to achieve for over a decade will be cast in stone. We must also have detailed infrastructure planning upfront to ensure there is adequate water, sewer service, parks, schools and a sufficient transportation network in an area that is already under strain.

We have had successes and setbacks as the three jurisdictions try to approach this from a regional planning perspective, and the county will continue to work as best we can to help shape this next leap in growth. Arroyo Grande will have a substantial impact on existing neighborhoods and communities. We must not compromise on infrastructure, conservation standards or the quality of life for all residents, current and future.

Wal-Mart "Sleazified" Oro Valley

In her letter in the May 15 Az Star, our neighbor Mary Reilly aptly describes what many of us believe: Wal-Mart will "sleazify" our community.
Thanks Mary for using a great descriptive word to say what 1000's of us believe.


Wal-Mart wasn't wanted

Re: the May 9 letter "No beauty in a Wal-Mart store."

We who live in Oro Valley felt that way, too, when our lovely area was "sleazified" by the invasion of Wal-Mart. The only difference between El Con and Oro Valley in the matter is that Oro Valley residents were outright lied to and mistakenly voted for Wal-Mart's entrance into Oro Valley.

At least Broadmoor residents know what's about to set up shop. We didn't.

Mary Reilly

Histologist, Oro Valley

Az Star Reports On Oro Valley's New Proposed Budget

We previously noted the town budget now at $201 million includes two contingency expenditures:
$48.6 million for the Naranja Park Bond Issue, and $32 million for the new Municipal Operations Center, which could be approved WITHOUT voter approval.

We believe both these entities have merit----within reason. We hope the new town council will take a hard look at the way this existing council spends OUR money, and that they will show a little fiscal responsibility.

There are other areas where we feel the town could and should save money. One place to start would be to cut back the "contributions" to various entities such as TREO, GOVAC and the like.

Isn't it a good time to start "living within our means?" We sure hope our new council including Bill Garner & Salette Latas will bring some sanity to our town government.

Read the Az Star article here.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85737/238848

Arroyo Grande Meeting Mon. May 19 @Town Hall 6-8PM

The Az Star reports what we already noted here---An initiative is underway to stop development of 570,000 acres of state lands including most of the area known as Arroyo Grande.

As we noted, Oro Valley plans on spending $500K on legal & consulting fees in initiating a pre-annexation agreement.

Oro Valley is looking for citizen input. As such, the town & state land representatives will be hosting a meeting on Mon. May 19 @ 6:00-8:00PM at town hall.

Oro Valley town council and staff read this blog. Please use this forum to let them know what you think of this potential annexation.

We believe it is NOT in our best interests. Why?

First of all, we believe NO funds should be expended while there is a good chance a large portion of the area under consideration will NOT be available for development.

Secondly. Water! Where will it come from?

Additionally, how much costs in infrastructure will be incurred?

Also---keep in mind, this area on our northern border is a main corridor for wildlife. Haven't we infringed enough on their domain?

Finally---Isn't there enough traffic on our one and only north/south corridor, Oracle road?

Please comment here on your thoughts.

Read The Az star article here.