Oro Valley Town Council To Hear General Plan Amendment, Liquor at Steam Pump and More Tonight

The Oro Valley Town Council will meet tonight in its first session since June.  As one would expect, cancellation of summer meetings, a tradition under the leadership of Mayor Hiremath, has resulted in a packed agenda.

Here's a preview:

• Conceptual site plan approval is sought for 345-lot single family development in six gated communities in Rancho Vistoso. In neigborhood meetings and at the August 13 Conceptual Design Review Board meeting, the public have raised issues regarding the number of two story homes in the development, the impact of traffic, and the setback of homes from a planned golf course,   The developer, Mertiage Homes, claims that project will bring $45 million to Oro Valley. (Agenda Item 1).  The property is located at the end of La Canada, bordering both sides of Pebble Creek Drive.
• A general plan amendment is sought to allow medium density residential on an "island" of land located on the northeast corner of Moore Road and LaCanada.  This property is currently planned for commercial office space. (Agenda item 2).
• Agenda items 3 and 4 regard approval of public art in two locations. One in Rancho Vistoso. The other at the Shoppes At Oracle (Oracle and Hardy).
• The consent agenda includes the usual suspects: A report on fiscal results, the Chamber of Commerce's required quarterly report, and approval of several intergovernmental agreements.

Then, buried in consent agenda is item number H, a lease between the Town Of Oro Valley and Heirloom Farmers Market.  This lease would allow Heirloom to allow alcoholic beverages on the property with the prior approval of the Town Manager and Chief of Police. The lease is with the operator of the Market, Maya Tea Company, LLC.

Steam Pump Ranch is neither a park nor a recreational facility.  It is a town plan designated education and cultural center. It is on the list of US Historic Landmarks.  Should liquor sales be allowed? Is this why we invested money to purchase and restore this property?
---