Bits and Pieces

Children’s Museum reports growth, outreach, and unique new exhibits 

At the April 2, 2025 Town Council meeting, Hillary Van Alsburg, Executive director of the Children’s Museum, delivered an update highlighting the museum’s continued growth and community outreach. She reported that over 31,000 people visited the museum at Tohono Chul in the past year, and nearly 3,000 attended the “Chillin at the Chul” program. Additional outreach brought activities to five Oro Valley parks, reaching nearly 200 children, and special events like “Hallow Halloween” and the Oro Valley 50th Anniversary Parade drew 1,800 participants. New educational features were introduced, including “Ready-Set-Explore” backpacks for garden exploration and monthly clay art sessions with professional artists. She also previewed upcoming additions such as an agriculture-themed play area, the La Comunidad pretend market space, and a new prickly pear exhibit—reportedly the only one of its kind in the world. Learn more about the Children’s Museum.

“Serving with Compassion—Not at the Expense of Neighbors”

Resident Vicki Tarris sent us thoughts regarding the OVCN proposed sanctuary height meeting. About fourteen church member spoke at the meeting.  

"I listened to the Town Council meeting on April 2, 2025. A lot of people from OVCN came to give testimonials on what OVCN means in their life.  I am really happy that so many people have found OVCN to meet their spiritual needs.

 

However, they implied that OVCN was the only church in town that offers children’s programs and helps the needy.

 

I am happy to say that I get a great deal of spiritual comfort from my own church.  We also have a very active children's program. We also feed the homeless. We also help the poor. We also have numerous ways that people can become involved.

 

However, the one way that my church differs from OVCN is that my church does not deliberately harm their neighbors!"

Solomon urged unity—if you agree with OVCN

Former town council member Steve Solomon spoke passionately in support of OVCN during the April 2 meeting. He described the church as “amazing” and shared how it had positively transformed his life. He expressed admiration for the church’s outreach and missions—specifically mentioning a woman he met at work who was going to Guatemala to teach women how to sew. Solomon emphasized the importance of kindness and community, saying, “We just need to love each other and be kind and get along.” 

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Help Shape Oro Valley’s Future—Land Use, Parks, Trails, and More

There’s still time to help set goals for OV’s future!
Residents will continue building the goals, policies and actions that will guide OV’s future throughout April and the beginning of May. Don’t miss out on this unique, resident-driven opportunity to shape OV’s future.

Ov’s land use map guides development in the future!
The 10-year plan’s land use map depicts the community’s development and growth expectations. This month, residents can help review and discuss any potential changes to the Town’s land use map. Join residents and Town staff in Council Chambers from 5:30 - 7:30 PM on:

Monday, April 14 – Discuss the “big picture” elements of the land use map
Thursday, April 15 – Discuss land use designations for individual, vacant properties.

Did you know the state requires the plan include a process to amend it? The plan is expected to evolve over the next 10 years to stay relevant. Residents will also discuss the process to amend the plan during the Monday, April 14 meeting.

Plan for parks, recreation, trails and water conservation
In addition to development, residents will also help craft goals, policies and actions for the Town to implement over the next 10 years for parks, recreation, trails and water conservation. Online meetings will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 PM on the following dates:

April 10 – Additional guidance for parks, recreation and trails
April 24 – Draft goals, policies and actions for parks, recreation and trails
May 1 – Additional guidance for water resources and conservation
May 13 – Draft goals, policies and actions for water resources and conservation

Visit OVPathForward.com to get involved today!

For residents interested in unpaved trails and multi-use paths, please join the focused online meeting on April 23. This meeting will help develop a separate yet related Trails Master Plan. Visit OVTrailsConnect.com for more information.

All resident voices are needed to make sure both plans represent the community!

Five Oddities

Five oddities
Yesterday we reported our fact-based analysis of the decision by the Town Council to overrule the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the height permitted for the new Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) sanctuary. As we reported, the Council approved a 36-foot height. But what we didn’t report were the oddities we observed during that meeting. There were many—but here are our top five:

Council ignores four years of input from residents
The residents most directly impacted by the decision have been attending Council meetings and speaking during the “Call to Audience” portion for the past four years. They have consistently voiced concerns about the church's expansion. None of this was acknowledged by the Council during last week’s discussion. Instead, Mayor Winfield referred to an impromptu “survey” based on emails he received just days before the meeting, regarding the church’s request for a continuance. He reported that 10 of the 13 emails he received supported granting the continuance. He gave full weight to these last-minute emails rather than four years of sustained public comment. The rest of the Council went along with it.

What happened during the five-minute timeout, and why did Barrett change her mind?
After spending considerable time making an impassioned plea for a 29-foot height limit, Vice Mayor Barrett asked for a five-minute recess to reconsider. Her words were: “Can I ask for us to take a five-minute break? I just—I really want to think for a minute.” Some have speculated that she may have been influenced during that break by one or more Council members, but there is no evidence of that, and such speculation is not helpful without proof. Still, taking a break to reflect isn’t wrong—but it does invite speculation when a clear change in position follows so closely afterward.

The "Clifton Matter:" Why was it brought up at the same time?
It seemed odd that the Clifton matter was discussed during the executive session just before the public discussion of the OVCN height appeal. The Clifton case involves a court ruling against the Town, where the court found that a town body—specifically the Board of Adjustment—erred in a height-related decision. The Town not only lost the case but was ordered to pay Clifton's legal fees and costs of about $19,000. Immediately after the executive session, the Council voted to appeal the Planning and Zoning Commission OVCN height ruling. It’s hard to ignore the timing: A height-related legal loss followed by a sensitive height decision in public session. It makes one wonder whether town attorneys were subtly signaling the Council to avoid a possible courtroom setback. If so, the Council followed that signal precisely.

Robb voted "Yes”
Councilmember Robb lives directly across from the church property and is personally affected by the decision. Rather than standing with the Concordia-Buena Vista group, which opposed the height increase, she voted in favor of it. Her decision was in sharp contrast to Councilmember Greene, an OVCN member, who celebrated openly after the vote. Perhaps Robb believed the outcome was inevitable and decided to go along with it. But as the saying goes: "Never go along just to get along."

OVCN snatches victory from the jaws of defeat
OVCN came to the meeting hoping for a continuance, fearing the Council might reject their height request. Instead, by the end of the night, they got everything they wanted—approval for the full 36 feet. The residents, meanwhile, got nothing. In fact, their concerns weren’t even a factor in the Council’s discussion. Not once did anyone on the dais speak to the repeated objections and long-standing input from affected neighbors.

Yes, it was a strange night, indeed.
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OVCN Gets 36-Foot Height Approval as Council Sidesteps Conflict, Overrides Commission

Town Council approved 36-foot height for new OVCN sanctuary
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 denying a continuance ...
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.

Much to the joy of Councilmember Greene who, despite clear ethicL conflict, voted and then celebrated OVCN victory
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.
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A Look Back at a Busy Season for Oro Valley Historical Society

Thank you
...for visiting the Pusch House Museum at historic Steam Pump Ranch on your Saturdays, for your donations to help keep Oro Valley history alive, and for your consistently positive comments about our research, exhibits, and volunteers. We enjoy sharing Oro Valley’s history with you and look forward to exceeding your expectations when our season resumes in September.

A season filled with appreciation and activity
Almost 1,800 of you came to see our displays this year. About 400 of you attended presentations we gave at the Oro Valley Public Library, Country Club of La Cholla, and to private groups at the Ranch and other locations. Donors gifted us with historical research, artwork, furniture, a printer, a permanent meteorite collection, and, of course, dollars!

With some of those dollars, we were able to design a permanent sign at the Steam Pump Building on the Ranch. Thanks to the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation, our volunteers are working to add additional permanent signs throughout the Ranch so that visitors will know the history of what they are viewing even when volunteers are not present. We also preserved and permanently displayed a 100-year-old silk wedding shawl worn by Gertrude Pusch, George Pusch’s daughter, and installed a memorial bench honoring our former president, Henry K. Zipf, great-grandson of George Pusch. In addition to financial donations, Home Depot provided volunteers to revitalize our Heritage Garden. Wait ‘til you see how our garden grows this summer!

April activities at the Ranch.
And we’re not done yet! Here’s what’s happening in April:

• Visit the Pusch House Museum every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon to see our exhibit Oracle Road/Historic Route 80: Oro Valley’s Main Street.
• April 12: We will participate in the Celebrate Oro Valley festivities at James D. Kreigh Park from 2 to 5 p.m.
• April 13: We will be at the Pusch House Museum, providing tours and information for the Rotary Taste of Oro Valley event from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• April 19: We will offer two naturalist-led, one-hour tours of the Ranch to show you who and what lived—and still live—on the Ranch. Tours are at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. 
• May 10: We will host a visit from members of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation before their journey to Oracle.

See you in September.
This will be our last submission to LOVE until September, when our season continues with new and informative (and fun!) exhibits at the Pusch House Museum. Over the summer, we’ll focus on administrative tasks, including revising our website—so check back often to see our new look.

We love keeping Oro Valley history alive. Join us—history loves company!

https://www.ovhistory.org
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OVCN’s Campus Expansion Efforts Marked By Delays and Strategy Shifts

Tonite’s council meeting may bring another delay
Tonite, the Oro Valley Town Council will decide whether to grant the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene yet another postponement. This one is a delay of a possible council decision to overturn the Planning and Zoning Commission's recent denial of a height request for a new building. Postponements are the hallmark of OVCN. They seem to request one every time things are not going well for them.

Four years of delay and suspense
That is the history based on our review of their efforts to enlarge their current location over the past four years. The Town has granted a number of postponements to give OVCN more time to pursue its objective to somehow and in some way enlarge its facility—and at the same time extend the suspense for the many residents who oppose their efforts.

Initial proposal aimed to build a full sports complex
In early 2022, OVCN submitted a rezoning request to transform its campus with the addition of a sports complex. The initial plan included a full-sized football/soccer field and other athletic facilities. The proposal quickly drew opposition from nearby residents, who cited traffic, lighting, noise, and loss of neighborhood character as major concerns. Fourteen neighbors submitted a formal opposition letter to the Town on March 1, 2022.

First postponement: no Planning & Zoning hearing in 2022
Despite these concerns, the application moved forward. A Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) hearing was originally expected in 2022, but OVCN requested a delay. Town staff announced that the hearing would not occur before January 2023. This marked the first of multiple postponements that would stretch the process out for years.

Resident frustrations grew as proposal remained active
In October 2022, the Town facilitated a meeting between OVCN and affected neighbors. Residents reiterated their opposition to any version of the project. They pointed out that OVCN had previously removed trees and gates that were part of its original development agreement—actions that contributed to distrust. Some residents also noted that town staff appeared to be working with OVCN to “find a compromise,” even contacting neighbors directly after the meeting to negotiate support. These efforts were unsuccessful.

Second postponement: OVCN delays again in 2023
By early 2023, OVCN had not withdrawn the rezoning application but again postponed its progress. Town staff indicated in February 2023 that OVCN had requested more time. The item was not scheduled for the March or April agendas. Over the next few months, the proposal remained on hold, with no public movement.

Third postponement: still no hearing by late 2023
As of late 2023, the application remained pending with no scheduled PZC hearing. In October, Town staff again confirmed that the delay was at OVCN’s request. Residents expressed frustration with the lack of transparency, noting that the church continued to revise its plans behind closed doors. The rezoning request still had not been withdrawn. It is today laying nascent in the queue.

New proposal avoids rezoning, raises new concerns
In 2024, OVCN changed its approach. Rather than pursuing rezoning for a sports complex, it introduced a plan to build a 40-foot-tall sanctuary, a student center, a maintenance building, and over 800 paved parking spaces. These were all permitted under existing zoning, with the exception of the sanctuary height, which would require a variance. Town staff confirmed the height request would be reviewed by the Board of Adjustment. Meanwhile, the original rezoning request stayed “on hold.”

Neighbors fear sports complex is still the goal
Residents questioned whether the sanctuary might eventually become an indoor sports facility—especially since the original request included such a structure. Concerns also included additional traffic, parking congestion, and the size of the project. In August 2024, neighbors attended a meeting with OVCN but left disappointed. The church presented no specific site plan and asked for general feedback, saying final decisions had not been made.

Questionable outreach efforts and neighbor response
Following that August 2024 meeting, OVCN sent a form letter to neighbors suggesting it had not heard back from them—despite their attendance at the meeting. Residents saw this as a misleading outreach effort. Longtime neighbor Tricia Tozier stated publicly that she felt OVCN had no real intention of listening. The meeting did little to reduce neighborhood opposition.

Another postponement
The Planning and Zoning Commission rejected the OVCN request for a height variance in January. OVCN appealed that decision to the Town Council. When the hearing came up in late January, OVCN asked for yet another postponement—this time because they had hired new legal counsel. The hearing was rescheduled for tonight.

And a request for yet another postponement to be heard tonight
Then, several weeks ago, OVCN asked for a postponement of this hearing. It doesn’t matter why. We have reported why. It doesn’t matter why they want it. It matters that they want it. Our surmise is that they want more time to work the system, to work the neighbors, and to build a legal basis for a possible future legal challenge.

Tonight the council can say "No"

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Want to learn more? Read our years long coverage.

Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Concerns Dominates First Trails Connect Study Meeting

Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve: Front and Center
Discussion of the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve dominated the first meeting of Oro Valley’s Trails Stakeholder Group. More than a dozen residents and trail users joined the virtual March 12 meeting to kick off the public input phase of the Town’s Trails Connect study.

Strong resident focus on that one trail area
Out of the 74 minutes of trail-related discussion, roughly two-thirds of the time (about 50 to 55 minutes) focused specifically on the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. Residents praised the trail’s accessibility, safety, and value to nearby neighborhoods. At the same time, concerns were raised about access points, signage, and trail etiquette. One participant noted that informal entry routes pose safety risks and contribute to off-leash dog issues. Others brought up long-term needs such as trailhead parking, revegetation, and how future maintenance and improvements would be funded.

Oro Valley's other trails were only briefly discussed
Participants also acknowledged other key trail areas in Oro Valley. These included the Loop, Honeybee Canyon, Big Wash, and Panorama Park. Attendees praised the Loop for its accessibility and connectivity, while Honeybee Canyon was recognized for its scenic desert trails that attract regional users. Big Wash was noted for the quality of its trailhead and paths, and Panorama Park was highlighted as a natural area with exceptional views.

Town planner Vella encourages a town-wide focus
Town Planning Manager Bayer Vella worked to ensure the discussion reflected the full scope of the Trails Connect study. He began the meeting by explaining that the plan includes both unpaved trails and paved multi-use paths throughout the town. He pointed to examples like the Loop, Big Wash, and future connections to regional areas such as Catalina State Park and Pinal County. When the discussion returned often to Vistoso, Vella acknowledged those concerns but reminded participants that the plan’s purpose is to develop a comprehensive trail network that benefits all users. “My hope is that everyone in this meeting can view this as all boats rise,” he said, “not a competition in terms of funding and who gets what.”

What’s next...You need to be involved
There is no doubt that Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve is a very important town recreational asset. There's no doubt that it needs to actually be created. Still. The next meeting ought to have a broader focus. That meeting is scheduled for April 23. At that time, the group will focus on reviewing initial findings from surveys and stakeholder input, and begin shaping draft goals for the Trails Master Plan. It would be good to get broader participation from residents who use trails across different parts of Oro Valley. Interested in joining or learning more? Visit www.OVTrailsConnect.com.

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Want to know more? Read our previous article on the study.