Too Bad Oro Valley Didn't Listen To Bill Adler Re: Vestar's Oro Valley Marketplace

Going back to June 2006, the Oro Valley Development Review Board ("DRB") held a number of meetings discussing Vestar's development plan for their Marketplace. For the most part, Bill Adler was the only one who consistently expressed concerns that Vestar was not in compliance with Oro Valley town codes.

Too bad Oro Valley personnel did not listen to Bill Adler!

The following are excerpts of Bill Adler addressing the DRB.

June 29, 2006 DRB Meeting
"Bill Adler stated that the Zoning Code does not authorize or comply with the concept plan, and said that compliance with something that is not authorized and not defined is legally and professionally is irrelevant. His concern is not with the concept plan, which as far as he is concerned doesn’t exist, but with the rear elevations because they face scenic corridors.

He added that the Town is required to treat architecture facing major thoroughfares and our scenic thoroughfares in an aesthetic fashion, and the varieties of textures, materials,and designs on the rear elevations are required to be replicated in the same fashion as the most attractive front elevations.

He strongly disagrees with the new analysis. He went to the site,and driving south on Oracle or eastbound on Tangerine, those buildings are viewable. There is some suggestion that ADOT will widen Oracle in the future, and those elevations will be more viewable."

Sept 19, 2006 DRB Meeting
"Bill Adler opined that the DRB ignored the requirements laid out in the Oracle Scenic Corridor Overlay District, and said he wanted to be sure that this does not happen again when Vestar builds along the architectural elevations within the Tangerine Scenic Corridor. He named the relevant pages in the DRB members Zoning Book, and said he hope that it isn’t overlooked in the future. He added that DRB members need to be knowledgeable about what the requirements and guidelines are."

Nov 14, 2006 DRB Meeting
Bill Adler commented that he was disappointed in the architecture and was not pleased with the lack of compliance with the town code."

Dec 12, 2006 DRB Meeting
"Bill Adler requests that each member of the DRB send a message to the Town Council explaining the members’ interpretation of the building code. Mr. Adler states that it is important that Town Council know how each member feels about the proposal(Vestar)."

June 4, 2007 DRB Meeting
"Bill Adler said it is important that consistency be achieved throughout the project to protect the scenic corridor."

Did David Malin & Vestar Lie To Oro Valley DRB?

We brought up the issue of the roof designs at the Oro Valley Marketplace, particularly the Wal-Mart roof. In a previous post, we showed a view of Wal-Mart's roof as seen from Tangerine road.

At the June 29,2006 this is what Malin said as it concerned the roof design.
"The roof screening will be a system that will hide the A/C units on the roof within a screened area, same or similar to what is shown on the renderings."

Additionally, we heard the following exchange:"Member (Marc) Panas expressed concern about the tops of the buildings, and suggested that Applicant use a bit more articulation. He also asked whether the A/C equipment could be placed on the ground and hide it behind some enclosures. Applicant said they could take a look at that, but they were going to be more concerned about trying to locate it in groups if it is relocated. Applicant’s main aim was to try to put it into one area rather than spread out all over the roof. They would put on the ground what they can, and otherwise try to put them on 1 or 2 places on each roof."

This did not happen. Take a look at this photo of Wal-Mart's roof. In addition to the scores of skylights, those other UGLY things all over the roof are the air condition units. Hardly, in in one area!!!