The Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) has proposed a significant expansion that includes constructing a 75,000-square-foot multi-purpose building, a 40-foot-tall structure, and converting 10 acres of the former Tellez property into a parking lot. The project seeks a zoning change and variances in height and land use. The proposed development has raised numerous concerns among residents. Many of them expressed these to the town Council at the November 20 council meeting.
Height and skyscape obstruction
Residents are worried that the proposed 40-foot structure would obstruct views and negatively affect the neighborhood’s aesthetics. Karen Steinbronn described the potential impact, stating, “To be that tall would be just obstructive and terrible skyscape for those neighbors that would have to look at this.” Many believe the size and scale of the building are inconsistent with the character of the area and would diminish the quality of life for nearby residents.
Environmental and heat island effects
The church’s plan to pave 10 acres for a parking lot has sparked concerns about environmental damage, particularly the creation of a “heat island.” Doug Dalby warned, “This creates…a huge heat island that would completely be harmful to the community and the environment.” Residents highlighted the potential for increased energy demand, elevated emissions, and impaired water quality caused by the vast hardscaped area.
Flooding risks
The proposal’s potential to worsen flooding is another critical concern. Residents pointed to a 2020 Carmack Wash floodplain study that documents existing drainage problems in the area. Denise Chick shared her fears, asking, “Where is that water gonna go but to flood my house and every house that’s on that wash?” Trisha Tozer added that paving would increase runoff dramatically, estimating that one inch of rainfall could generate 271,500 gallons of water from the proposed lot.
Traffic burden
Residents are also alarmed by the projected increase in traffic. With three Sunday services and an estimated 1,500 to 2,250 additional cars during peak hours, the neighborhood would experience significant congestion. Vicki Tarris explained, “Parked in single file, this collection of vehicles would stretch from Calle Concordia all the way up to the La Cañada and Lambert intersection.” Many residents expressed frustration that the church leadership and much of its congregation come from outside the area, leaving the burden of increased traffic on the local community.
Zoning equity and open space
The proposal lacks a plan for open space, raising questions about equitable treatment compared to nearby developments. In 2020, a storage facility in the area was required to preserve 48% of its site as open space, while the church’s 27-acre property has no such provision. David Deivert pointed out, “If you use the 48% standard required of the storage facility, they should have at least 13 acres of open space.” Residents are calling for similar zoning requirements to ensure fairness.
Next steps
Residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the OVCN expansion proposal and share their concerns at next week’s neighborhood meeting. This meeting will provide a platform for open discussion, allowing the community to voice their thoughts and engage directly with town officials and church representatives about the project’s potential impacts.
After this meeting, Town staff will present the project to the Planning and Zoning Commission who, at the moment, has the sole authority to approve the building height variance that is being requested.
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LOVE has document saga of the battle between the OVCN and residents. It has been going on for far too long. Indeed, the original request of OVCN to create a sports complex on site is still an active project. However, it has been put on hold pending what happens with this latest request. Read all about the saga here.
