Mike Zinkin Says "No" To Wal-Mart Upcoming Request

Mike Zinkin, a former chairman an up until a couple weeks ago, a volunteer member of the Development Review Board, sent the following email to the mayor, council & Town Manager.

Other than Mike's noting the OV Marketplace is "very aesthetic," we totally agree with his assessment. Hopefully, the Council will also agree and vote "No" to Walmart's request for a non approved color change of their building at the July 15 meeting.

As an aside, Walmart really ought to ask for a roof change so they could hide those hideous skylights & A/C units!
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Mike's email-----

I am very interested in item 7 of your agenda. OV13-09-03A is a request from Walmart to override the DRB decision not to allow them to repaint their store "Sherman-Williams "Toasty"

The store is now painted Dun-Edwards "Rattan", a color extremely close to "Toasty". In fact, if Walmart were to re-paint their store under cover of darkness, chances are excellent that nobody will notice the difference.

This brings up the argument "Come on, what is the big deal" This big deal is this....

The color palette was designed in the MACP after 3+ years of study sessions, neighborhood meetings, and DRB meetings. The DRB, in fact, expanded the color palette from Vestar's original request.

What is important is the "process". The citizens designed the MACP, and Vestar concurred. Now, less than 18 months later, a retailer is requesting a change to the MACP. The DRB, and staff, worked hard with the Olive Garden, Red Lobster, In and Out Burger, and The Keg Steakhouse, to allow for individual corporate identity WITHIN THE MACP.

There is no reason to arbitrarily amend the MACP at the request of Walmart, or any other retailer. To allow for this change, as minor as it is, completely disregards the work and input of your citizens. If we allow Walmart to make a minor change, what happens when a tenant of a 1500 square foot store desires to make a change that is a little more that minor?

Do not open up Pandora's Box. Do not allow for the change. Once the MACP is amended, there is no stopping what might happen. The Oro Valley Marketplace is very aesthetic; there is nothing that needs fixing. To agree with the DRB decision is not being anti business, rather, respectful of the process that developed the MACP.


I wish I could be present on 7/15, but since I cannot, allow this as my “blue card.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mike Zinkin

No More Sarah More In Oro Valley

All we can say about Sarah More's departure as Oro Valley's Planning & Zoning Director for a similar position in Sahuarita is that the severance package the Town Council approved, seems to be working.

Without being too presumptuous, we expect Assistant P & Z Director Paul Popelka will take over Ms. More's position. Should that occur, we wish Paul the best, and expect he will do a fine job.

Read the Az Star article here.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/300508