After a number of community meetings, the Oro Valley Council may well decide the future of the volunteer Development Review Board, (and other Boards & Commissions) at the Sept. 1 meeting.
Mayor Hiremath has made his position abundantly clear. He wants to "axe" the DRB, and probably all other committees of volunteers.
Our good friend Mike Zinkin, who was a past chair person of DRB said he thinks the elimination or minimization of the board would result in less transparency in the development process in Oro Valley, and potentially subject town employees to greater political pressure to grant approvals.
Bill Adler, who has volunteered for many positions in town disagrees. He is quoted in The Explorer as stating he doesn't see transparency as a problem, even if the council adopts changes that would eliminate the board.
We agree with Mike, although we don't think the demise or continuation of any of these boards or commissions will make any difference.
Why?
Because the town council has the last say. As far as transparency, the decisions on any of the issues coming to the council may well be decided behind closed doors in Executive Session, and then a "charade" of a vote will be taken in an open meeting.
That's how it works!
This council consists of a Super Majority that may have reached six members, with Bill Garner being the ONLY one that continues to demonstrate a concern for the people of Oro Valley.
Did we expect anything differently? The answer is -- "No!"
Here's The Explorer article.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2010/08/11/news/doc4c62d344c489e855797139.txt
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Dave Berry Agrees With Us: Mayor Hiremath Is Disingenuous
Dave Berry's letter to The Explorer says what we recently said. Mayor Hirenath is being totally disingenuous with his comments on the upcoming opening of Oro Valley's new Basis School. And, by the way, Hiremath can't wait to "axe" the Development Review Board.
Hiremath had nothing to do with Basis pace
On Aug. 3, Mayor Hiremath states at the Basis School ribbon cutting, "This project is a model, because from start to finish it only took four months to complete."
Let's see, Hiremath has been in office for 60 days ... the project started four months ago ... therefore, the "improved" development process was initiated prior to Hiremath taking office. Also, the Basis project went through the much-maligned development review board.
Consequently, Hiremath had nothing to do with the improved process, and the improved process included a meeting with the development review board.
David Berry, Oro Valley
Hiremath had nothing to do with Basis pace
On Aug. 3, Mayor Hiremath states at the Basis School ribbon cutting, "This project is a model, because from start to finish it only took four months to complete."
Let's see, Hiremath has been in office for 60 days ... the project started four months ago ... therefore, the "improved" development process was initiated prior to Hiremath taking office. Also, the Basis project went through the much-maligned development review board.
Consequently, Hiremath had nothing to do with the improved process, and the improved process included a meeting with the development review board.
David Berry, Oro Valley
Oro Valley Resident Says What Many Of Us Believe: Temporary Sign Code Is A Big Concern
Please read Donald Bristow's letter to The Explorer, and see if you don't agree.
OV's temporary sign relief is a cause for concern
When small business owners expect Oro Valley's citizens to save them from economic conditions, poor business decisions, bad location choices, and to give them exclusive input on the number, size, and type of temporary signs, they are not being realistic or good citizens of the town.
These expectations led the town council to approve a temporary, possibly renewable, sign relief waiver generating my concerns.
I am concerned with our council:
• Devising its own procedure to bypass state statute and negate existing town temporary sign codes;
• Having no Planning and Zoning input and public review;
• Having no written proposal for council/public review;
• Approving an oral waiver of sections of the temporary sign code, thus superseding sections of current and future temporary sign codes;
• Eliminating currently prohibited temporary signs;
• Allowing only businesses to propose solutions for temporary relief;
• Considering this an "experiment;"
• Using the "experiment's" results to modify the sign task force's recommendations;
• Continuing this slipshod mode of governing.
I am concerned the temporary waiver implementation and review:
• Lacks explicit guidelines for specific data/facts justifying temporary signage and proving their effectiveness after 90 days;
• Lacks a controlled environment;
• Lacks defined measures of success;
• Lacks verification of inputs and results;
I am concerned with the town depending on input of some in the business community to measure results. Prior to the passage of this waiver, Bonnie Quinn told the council she violated the town's code displaying an A-frame sign. After the temporary waiver was approved, Quinn was quoted in the Arizona Daily Star saying she would go through the proper channels and apply to display the sign temporarily. "I will wait to use my sign again," she said. However, Quinn used her temporary A-frame the next two weekends, prior to the effective date of the temporary sign waiver.
When a business owner, who is leading the efforts to have the town implement this poorly-developed waiver, says one thing and does another, it raises concerns about others.
Donald Bristow, Oro Valley
OV's temporary sign relief is a cause for concern
When small business owners expect Oro Valley's citizens to save them from economic conditions, poor business decisions, bad location choices, and to give them exclusive input on the number, size, and type of temporary signs, they are not being realistic or good citizens of the town.
These expectations led the town council to approve a temporary, possibly renewable, sign relief waiver generating my concerns.
I am concerned with our council:
• Devising its own procedure to bypass state statute and negate existing town temporary sign codes;
• Having no Planning and Zoning input and public review;
• Having no written proposal for council/public review;
• Approving an oral waiver of sections of the temporary sign code, thus superseding sections of current and future temporary sign codes;
• Eliminating currently prohibited temporary signs;
• Allowing only businesses to propose solutions for temporary relief;
• Considering this an "experiment;"
• Using the "experiment's" results to modify the sign task force's recommendations;
• Continuing this slipshod mode of governing.
I am concerned the temporary waiver implementation and review:
• Lacks explicit guidelines for specific data/facts justifying temporary signage and proving their effectiveness after 90 days;
• Lacks a controlled environment;
• Lacks defined measures of success;
• Lacks verification of inputs and results;
I am concerned with the town depending on input of some in the business community to measure results. Prior to the passage of this waiver, Bonnie Quinn told the council she violated the town's code displaying an A-frame sign. After the temporary waiver was approved, Quinn was quoted in the Arizona Daily Star saying she would go through the proper channels and apply to display the sign temporarily. "I will wait to use my sign again," she said. However, Quinn used her temporary A-frame the next two weekends, prior to the effective date of the temporary sign waiver.
When a business owner, who is leading the efforts to have the town implement this poorly-developed waiver, says one thing and does another, it raises concerns about others.
Donald Bristow, Oro Valley
Oro Valley's New BASIS School Ready For Upcoming School Year
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