Council talks State Lands… againThe Oro Valley Town Council discussed the 852 acres of State Trust Land west of town. Discussion of annexing this property has been dormant for years because the State Land Department was understaffed. In addition, no council identified a compelling reason to pursue annexation on the state’s terms, since there was no lasting economic benefit to the Town. There was also significant community opposition when the idea was last publicly vetted. (Past LOVE coverage.)
Consultant says: Things have changed
Consultant Mark Longacre of WLB Group, an LJA Engineering company, told the Council that recent changes at the Arizona State Land Department make it worthwhile for Oro Valley to take another look at annexing the 550 acres south of Tangerine Road. Longacre’s firm was retained by the Town specifically to research background information, refresh prior work from about eight years ago, and participate in the October 15 study session—nothing beyond that.
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"The properties currently under consideration for annexation
by the Town of Oro Valley are the two State Land‐ owned sites
indicated on the map below, referred to as Tangerine North
(302 acres), and Tangerine South (550 acres)."
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In the past, consultants worked directly for the State Land Department, which controlled planning and zoning of State Trust Land it intended to sell. Longacre told the council that the process has shifted in favor the the annexing community. The State now prefers that consultants work directly for the local jurisdiction—in this case, the Town of Oro Valley—to guide entitlement and planning. The State remains involved in an advisory role. Longacre called this a “culture shift” that gives local governments more control over how the land is planned and developed, making it a reasonable time for the Town to reconsider annexation.
Winfield puts on the brakes: What is the change, really—and will it last?
Mayor Joe Winfield questioned the legitimacy and permanence of the State Land Department’s new approach. He asked whether the change is grounded in formal legislation or is simply an internal administrative decision. If it’s merely administrative, a future administration could reverse it, leaving the Town exposed after investing time and money. He noted Oro Valley has seen similar setbacks before, such as the Arroyo Grande effort.
Consultant: administrative—and untested
Longacre confirmed the new process was introduced under the current governor’s administration, not by statute, and he did not know whether it is formally documented or codified. He agreed that this uncertainty poses a risk and suggested seeking written assurances or an agreement from the State Land Department to ensure continuity regardless of future political changes.
No track record yet
Several Council members expressed concern that neither Longacre nor the State Land Department has experience with the new jurisdiction-led entitlement model. With no track record to guide the process, the Town would be navigating an untested system with uncertain outcomes and possible procedural conflicts between the Town and the State. Longacre admitted that his firm have no direct experience with the new process and have not yet seen it in practice, though he claimed to just beginning a similar engagement with another jurisdiction and does not know whether the approach will endure over time.
Tomorrow
Needless to say, council members had many questions regarding the annexation and its feasibility. More on their concerns tomorrow.
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