After a two-and-a-half-hour discussion last Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council approved a maximum height of 36 feet for a new sanctuary building planned by the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN). In doing so, the Council overruled the Planning and Zoning Commission’s earlier decision, which had limited the building height to 24 feet. For comparison, the church’s existing sanctuary stands at 29 feet.
But not without "drama"
As previously reported, OVCN had requested an eight-month continuance to submit a more complete set of conceptual plans. Church representatives argued that pairing the height request with a full development plan would give the Council and the public more context—particularly regarding traffic, parking, drainage, and landscaping.
However, as Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett noted during the discussion, the Town already had sufficient information to decide the height question. “We know what the height is. We have the plans. We are not lacking information to make a decision on height,” she said, adding that the site’s context and the Planning and Zoning Commission’s findings gave the Council what it needed to act now.
After hearing 16 public comments—both for and against the continuance—the Council narrowly voted 4–3 to deny the delay. The motion to continue was made by Mayor Joe Winfield, who believed the additional time and planning detail would help the Council reach a better decision. Barrett’s position prevailed, and she was joined by Councilmembers Nicholson, Robb, and Jones-Ivey in voting no.
…Attention turned to the height request
With the continuance denied, the Council turned its attention to the appeal itself—specifically, whether to uphold or overrule the Planning and Zoning Commission’s denial of the height exception. The Council chose not to deliberate on whether the Commission had erred. Instead, they bypassed that issue and directly overruled the decision, granting a modified height exception.
Barrett proposed a 29-foot option
During that discussion, Vice Mayor Barrett proposed limiting the height to 29 feet—the same as the existing sanctuary. She noted that this would have been consistent with what the church had previously offered earlier in the process. Given our understanding of the situation, we have little doubt that had she remained firm, that suggestion would have passed.
But then, late in the game, Barrett took a huge “leap of faith”
However, Barrett later withdrew that suggestion and agreed to support the 36-foot height limit—but only on the condition that OVCN make a genuine effort to work with nearby residents to address their concerns. She emphasized that while she supported the increased height in this case, it came with the expectation that the church would actively engage the community and demonstrate responsiveness going forward.
“If the Town Council grants the 36 feet, you will still go through a development plan review process and work with neighbors and address any traffic concerns such as potential road widening, parking issues, etc., correct?” she asked. OVCN’s representative responded that they would be happy to do so.
However, according to individuals who oppose the height request, OVCN’s history of working with neighbors over the past four years has been anything but forthright.
Council approved 36' height
The final motion, which passed unanimously, stated:
“I move to overrule the Planning and Zoning Commission denial of the building height increase request and conditionally grant a building height increase of 36 feet maximum, including conditions one, two, and four.”
These conditions require that the new building not exceed 36 feet in height as shown in the submitted plans, that a future development plan must align with this height approval, and that the height limit excludes rooftop features like parapets or mechanical screens.
Councilmember Mo Greene is a member of OVCN. Despite this clear ethical conflict of interest, Greene did not recuse himself from the vote, nor did any councilmember raise the issue. Instead, Green voted in favor of the church’s request and, when the motion passed, applauded and raised his hand in celebration toward the audience. His reaction is captured in the panel at left.
Fortunately, Barrett spared the Planning and Zoning Commission from rehashing a height request it already rejected
The next step is for the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene to submit a development plan. That plan will first be reviewed by Town staff, then by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and finally by the Town Council.
Vice Mayor Barrett’s insistence on deciding the height now—rather than postponing the matter—ensured that the final decision rested with the Council, not the Commission, which had already reviewed and rejected the height request earlier this year.
Residents will have additional opportunities to participate during the upcoming development plan process.
- - -
