Wednesday, December 5, 2012

UPDATE: To This Evening's Skies Over Town Hall... A Rare Event Is Occuring

---

Tonight, the Oro Valley Town Council will consider not one, not two, but three amendments to the Oro Valley General Plan.  Considering even one General plan amendment at a council meeting is relatively rare.  Imagine, considering three!

The three proposed amendments are very different from each other. One seeks a change in land-use of a small parcel of land located at Tangerine Road and La Cholla Boulevard.  A second seeks a change in land use of a large parcel of land located adjacent to Catalina State Park; across from the Oro Valley Marketplace.  The third seeks the addition of an entirely new element to the general plan.

Here is our position on each of the three:

  • Yes.  We think that a change in land-use to commercial for the property located at Tangerine Road and La Cholla Boulevard to commercial is appropriate.
  • No.  A land use change for property located adjacent to Catalina State Park to more from less dense residential is an entirely inappropriate use of the property given its surroundings; and there have been no changes in circumstance since the plan was approved by the voters that would warrant this.
  • No.  Adding an entirely new element, called the "energy" element, is entirely unnecessary and inappropriate at this time.  It is a major addition to the general plan.  It should be decided upon by the voters when they consider the 2015 general plan.  In addition, there is absolutely no compelling reason that this element needs to be added now.  Finally, the sponsors of this element are the people who work in the town.  It is not being driven by a property owner or by a resident group.  It is the town writing its own rules to further restrict individual freedom without getting the approval of its citizens.
So, look to the skies over Town Hall tonight.  Better yet, show up.  Voice your opinion during a public hearing segment of the discussion of each of these items.  Be heard!  
---

No comments: