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One of the things that we try to do is to keep you informed of situations that may not impact you directly, but do impact your neighbors.
On December 12, we posted "Is A Fry's Gas Station Coming To Your Neighborhood."
Since that time, the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department has held two public hearings on the matter, recommending that the approval of a conditional use permit for a gas statio on that sight. Last week, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved, by a 5-1 vote, a conditional use permit to allow this 24-7 self service, sometimes unattended gas station north of Lambert Lane on La Canada, near the Ace Hardware store. This will be a second gas station located in the same commercial area. The next step is for the Oro Valley Town Council to approve this land us.
The construction of a planned Fry's gas station is different from the original intention of the land use which was a restaurant/commercial area that would be closed in the late night/early morning hours and would match, in all ways, the architecture of the other Mercardo buildings.
Residents in the area are opposed to this land use. These residents live across the street from the proposed service station.
They do not want an all night service station, as planned, built on that site. They are concerned about line of sight, night lighting, and increased traffic and potential night crime.
This will be a second gas station located on the same commercial property. Certainly, there is no economic need for a second gas station on this location. So, there is something of which we have not been informed that is driving the town to approve this conditional use. Could it be, for example, that Fry's is threatening to close this supermarket if they don't get permission for this gas station?
To date, the resident presented their case at the two public hearing before the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department and to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Last night, the Oro Valley Development Review Board held a hearing on the station. The Fry's gas station continues to move forward.
The matter will be brought before Town Council in May.
I have asked Jim Harrison, who is articulating the resident's position, to provide a guest view so that each of us can better understand the concerns of the residents. So, hopefully, you will hear more on this.
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