Mike Zinkin Alerts Town That Our Lighting Code Must Be Adhered To

Following is an email Mike Zinkin sent to Dee Widero, Oro Valley Planning Department.

Mike, as a past chairman of the DRB learned a little about our town codes, Development Plan & PAD during his tenure.

I believe Mike speaks for thousands of Oro Valley citizens that believe two things:

1) Our codes MUST be adhered to.
2) "Dark Sky" is a major consideration.
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8/18/2009

Dee,

This letter is to inform you of something you should already know. I need to tell you that I intend to email this document to the entire Council, The Mayor, David Andrews, and Paul Popelka.

I have done some research into the Town’s sign codes as they relate to sign illumination. It is interesting to note that I have found three different areas that apply.

1) The Town Code itself states that “An illuminated wall sign shall be turned off no later than one (1) hour after the closing of a business. This is the code that will be reviewed at an upcoming Council Meeting.

2) The Oro Valley Marketplace Master Sign Program. This is a separate code within itself. It also states that wall signs shall be off no later than one hour after the closing of a business, except for the Movie Theaters that can stay on until 11:00 PM.

3) The Rancho Vistoso PAD states that wall signs on retail business shall be turned off when they close. This means that a Professional business (doctor, dentist) must comply with the Town Code since reference to them is silent in the PAD restrictions.

Bottom line – Whatever happens at an upcoming Council meeting will have NO bearing on the Oro Valley Marketplace nor on any retail business in the Vistoso PAD. I believe that any bank that offers an outside ATM function is still offering a service and wall signs need not go off, much like any 24 hour business.

We need to continue to send violation notices to all retail business within the Vistoso PAD and to Vestar.I believe that Vestar is responsible for their tenants; therefore it is their responsibility to enforce their MSP. If after a reasonable amount of time, the Vestar tenants do come into compliance, we send fine notices to the tenants. Their argument is with Vestar, NOT the Town.

If you find that I am misinterpreting any Code or PAD/MSP, please advise. I look forward to your response.

Respectfully,

Mike Zinkin

Reminder: Oro Valley Town Council Issue, Wed. Aug 19--"Lighting Code"

As we all know, the NPCCC (Chamber of Commerce) is advocating a "dusk to dawn" lighting code.

This is TOTALLY CRAZY!!!

This item is on the Council agenda tomorrow night.

The zoning code amendment would permit wall signs to be illuminated until 10 P.M. or to be turned off immediately after closing, whichever is later.

Please read what our good friend Phil Richardson has to say on this issue.
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It is an irony that in its attempt to cause the Oro Valley Town Council to relax a curfew on lighting for business signage this week following a public hearing, the Northwest Pima Council Chamber of Commerce could damage the unique advantage southern Arizona holds in Astronomy and the Optical Sciences; an economic impact of $240-million annually. Each of us in Arizona benefits from a multi-billion dollar investment in infrastructure by universities and governments worldwide, according to Elizabeth Alvarez, spokesperson for Kitt Peak National Observatory with whom I spoke this week. Horizontal light diffusion and the strident colors used in lighted business signs degrade viewing. She said, every little diversion from good policy is like "The Death of a Thousand Cuts." Instead of considering the measure promoted by NWPCCC, The Oro Valley Town Council should strengthen its support in every way of the good practices promoted by the International Dark Skies Association and adopted in 1972 by Tucson and Pima County. That's good business for everyone.
-Phil Richardson

Pima County Supervisors Approve New Tax Rate By 3-2 Vote

When our new tax bills arrive, you can look for a rate of $4.67 per $100 assessed valuation of your home.

The Supervisors voted 3-2 to approve the new rate.

Read the Az Star article here.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/305342