The Town Council took up the critical issue of the Arroyo Grande General Plan Amendment before a standing room of concerned citizens from Oro Valley & Catalina.Included in the full house crowd were reporters from KVOA TV, The Az Star & The Explorer.
After hearing the presentation from the Planning Director, a multitude of citizens from both Oro Valley & Catalina, the representative from The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, the representative from the State Lands and the representative from the Pima County Supervisor's office, and much discussion, the council voted 5-1 to approve the very important Arroyo Grande GPA.
Paula Abbott felt there were enough unanswered questions to not approve the amendment.
Speakers gave impassioned pleas for both sides of the issue. Many speakers were concerned that questions of water availability, infrastructure costs, traffic congestion and wildlife corridor needed more specific answers.
On the other side of the issue were those that felt, regardless of everything else, it would be in the best interests of Oro Valley to take this first step, and approve the General Plan Amendment.
Ultimately, the vast majority of the council agreed.
If you were watching the streaming video at home, it appears there was a problem during the time when the speakers from the audience were addressing the issue, but it was rectified as Sarah More, The Planning Director responded to council member's questions. Streaming video is fine as of Nov 20AM
