State Lands Tucson Office Cut In Half

The Tucson State Lands office is now down to four positions.

Remember, it is State Lands that Oro Valley was negotiating with as it concerns the Arroyo Grande parcel north of town.

Whether this cut will have any impact in the future of Arroyo Grande is doubtful.

Read the story in The Explorer.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2009/08/05/news/doc4a78c49b7b182547699524.txt

What Are The Oro Valley Issues That We Are Concerned About?

In a recent comment, a blogger, commenting with the pseudonym "Concerned Citizen" wrote the following comment, addressed to a relatively new blogger, "OV Citizen."

"OV Citizen"
"Thank you for calling Art out. He is a big voice for what I believe is the minority of Oro Valley residents. Keep it up and hopefully more residents will catch on to what is happening here."

Well, it's nice to know that there are those that believe I am a "big voice," but I should remind everyone as to the following statement on our web site.

About Let Oro Valley Excel

There are many issues confronting the residents of Oro Valley, Arizona. Not every issue is of equal concern to every citizen. At least one issue, maybe more, impacts every one of us. Our hope: If we all concern ourselves with the problems encountered by our neighbors, we will have a bigger voice, and hopefully, make a bigger impact on the direction of our town.

Let us briefly note some of the issues (in no particular sequence) that we have and will continue to address. I will leave it up to our readers to determine if we are a negative or positive impact on our community.

ISSUES OF CONCERN

1) Naranja Park Bond Issue --- We took a stand AGAINST the bond in that it was much too costly, and much more than was required. Keep in mind the mayor wanted not $48.6 million, but $160 million for this park bond. The voters soundly defeated the bond.

2) Golder Ranch Fire District--- We were against the merger of Rural Metro Fire Dep't & GRFD that came about after a previous council made a decision to allow GRFD to annex Town Hall. As a result of the subsequent merger, thousands of Oro Valley residents saw their fire service bills escalate by 100% or in many cases, much more.

3) The Oro Valley Marketplace--- We were outspoken critics of a previous council's decision to give Vestar a $23.2 million subsidy without a clue as to what retailers would be coming. As we all now know, Vestar stuck us with a Walmart, hardly the "unique" shopping experience they convinced us was coming.

4) The "Crematorium"--- We sided with the residents in close proximity to this facility as they had major health issue concerns due to the potential mercury emissions.

5) The 60' Hotel at Innovation Park--- We spoke in opposition to the town council's actions allowing a 60' hotel where no hotel was permitted and no structure over 36' was allowed. It was, however, approved.

6) The Utility Tax--- This tax was passed in 2006, after two prior council votes had it defeated and AFTER a budget was approved. The tax, ostensibly approved to hire 18 1/2 new personnel which were requested, but not necessarily required.

7) Utility Tax 2009--- Speaking out, not only on the blog, but in addressing the council in a very "unfriendly" environment of police, family & friends, we spoke in opposition to renewing this tax. Our position was not based on the cost to the taxpayers, but the principle issue that the tax was initially approved for a 2 year period, and now it appears it may be a permanent fixture.

8) The Ford Property--- When a developer threatened to sue individual council members if he was precluded from building a 36' high office complex, almost literally in some neighbors backyard, we publicized this fact. Hopefully, not by anything we have done, but economic conditions will save the neighbor's property values and views, as the parcel has been put up for sale.

9) Library--- Although the "Friends of The Library" and other well meaning residents argued against allowing Pima County to take on the financial liability of our library, we endorsed allowing that to occur, as it would negate what is effectively, double taxation of the citizens.

10) Miller Ranch Property--- When we were advised that a developer was looking for a General Plan Amendment to build an apartment complex on part of this parcel, we helped publicize the issue and advised the neighbors on a course of action.

11) Arroyo Grande--- One of the issues we publicized was TEP's intention to build an electrical substation through the wildlife corridor of the Arroyo Grande parcel, in close proximity to many of the neighbors in Sun City and adjacent communities.

12) Kai Property--- When Marana Council Member Herb Kai proposed plans for a General Plan Amendment for the 271 acre parcel he owns on Palisades road, we took on the issue. Subsequently, the property owner "pulled" his General Plan Amendment.

13) Travel Expenses For The Mayor--- After Mayor Loomis took a trip to visit some European Bio Tech companies at the town's expense, we questioned if this was something that benefited, not the mayor, with a free trip, but the taxpayers. We pointed out, that a full report of this sojourn was never submitted by the mayor. Subsequently, the council voted to put some restrictions on traveling.

14) Oro Valley "Donations"--- We did any number of postings on the merits ---or more appropriately, the lack of merits of continuing to give "bundles" of cash to the likes of TREO, GOVAC, Tucson Convention Bureau, etc. Some of these "donations" have since been eliminated or at least cut back.

15) Bed Tax "Kickback"--- We pointed out that a previous council opted to put in a $900,000 water system, plus a bed tax rebate to entice the Ritz-Carlton to Stone Canyon. The resort pulled out of Oro Valley and moved to Dove Mountain, Marana. As a result of that deal, that council decided to give the Hilton El Conquistador Resort the same 2% "kickback." To date that has cost us in excess of $3 million. Fortunately, this giveaway ends next year.

16) Endorsing Candidates--- We took on a legal challenge from the town when the Town Clerk said we must form a Political Committee as a result of our endorsing two candidates that subsequently soundly defeated incumbents and are presently serving on the council. The town backed off when The Goldwater Institute took up our cause.

Certainly, in the two years, plus that our blog has been a part of the Oro Valley community, we have taken on contentious issues, but continue to always try and offer rational reasons as to why we take a position.

Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, we know that "not everyone will agree with everything we say all the time," and we are prepared for the criticism. All we ask, is please try doing so in an acceptable manner.

Thanks for your indulgence. Your comments, as always, are welcome.

Art

Hector Conde's Letter With His Concerns For Arroyo Grande

The following is a letter from our friend Hector Conde as it appeared in the Jan. 31 Tucson Citizen.

In reference to the wildlife corridor that Pima County planned to preserve north of Oro Valley: Two Oro Valley City Council members wrote, "Oro Valley is determined to ensure the preservation of the open space in perpetuity through the development agreement. "As we have said repeatedly, we will not consider this parcel for annexation if it does not make sense for the town and the region.

Failure to protect the 68 percent of open space in perpetuity would be a deal breaker for Oro Valley." To put it alliteratively, that is an assemblage of absurd assertions. Protection of the wildlife corridor by means of a development agreement is not assured by Arizona law. To the contrary, Arizona Revised Statutes 9.500.05.C. states: "A development agreement may be amended, or cancelled in whole or in part, by mutual consent of the parties to the development agreement or by their successors in interest or assigns."

The state Land Department and Oro Valley can rescind the agreement by mutual accord. Why would they? The Land Department has shown no interest in any wildlife corridor, as indicated in its initial Jan. 11, 2008, proposal, in which the corridor was not even mentioned. The department wants to sell the land to developers. The development, at $300,000 per home, is a $12 billion sale. The council can change its collective minds by means of a future developer-sponsored election campaign.

The plan calls for 16,000 homes. With the proposed population density (4.75 houses per acre), more than 41,000 homes would be built in that area if the corridor area gets developed. Another 261,000 houses already are planned in the Oracle Junction area, and the communities of SaddleBrooke, Arroyo Grande, Oracle, Mammoth, Los Cordones, Willow Springs, Catalina and Eagle Crest are all going to use the same aquifer. Nobody is recharging that aquifer, not even in Oro Valley.

Global warming is going to make CAP water scarce. Also, Oro Valley plans to annex 29 more square miles in Pinal County, for another 88,000 homes. In the future, 665,000 more people are going to try to use Oracle Road. And nobody to date has an answer to these problems. We have to realize the building frenzy of the last decade destroyed the economy and put us in this recession. Economic growth does not mean building cookie-cutter homes.

Hector Conde
retired engineer

The Explorer Confirms Pima County's Position Of No Electrical Substation In Arroyo Grande

The Dec. 24 issue of The Explorer confirms what we already reported: The Pima County Administrator agrees that an electrical substation does NOT belong in the middle of the wildlife corridor in Arroyo Grande.

Attached to The Explorer article is Mr. Huckelberry's letter to TEP, stating this position.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/12/22/news/doc494c33d65a89c449423

Great Breaking News Concerning Arroyo Grande

We are aware that Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County Administrator has had a change of heart concerning an electrical substation in Arroyo Grande.

For whatever reason, Mr. Huckelberry in his letter dated Dec.16 to Lawrence Lucero, Governmental Affairs Manager for TEP wrote that inasmuch as Oro Valley's General Plan Amendment precludes a TEP substation in Arroyo Grande, "the substation should be relocated north from the site now proposed to lands scheduled and/or planned for development."

Congratulations to the County Administrator for taking this action.

Hopefully, the other parties involved, TEP & State Lands will now also agree with this position.

Kudos to the Oro Valley Council & David Andrews, our Town Manager for standing firm on this issue!

Sun City Residents Concerned About Substation In Their "Backyards"

As reported in the Dec 17 Explorer, a meeting was held last week in Sun City addressing the concerns of the citizens as to the potential TEP substation behind their homes in Arroyo Grande.

This is a BIG issue, and at the moment, it appears of all the entities involved----Oro Valley, Pima County, State Lands, Sonoran Desert, the ONLY party concerned about the residents is Oro Valley.

We hope the rest of the participants, lead by the County Administrator, will come to their senses and agree that a monster electrical substation does NOT belong in this area.

As we noted on a number of postings, the wildlife corridor is NOT the place for a 2 1/2-3 acre substation.

As Phil Richardson pointed out in our posting, it is "ugly, noisy and perhaps a health issue."

This substation should be relocated prior to moving forward on this potential annexation!

Read The Explorer article here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/12/17/news/doc494835a8b8fa4186396580.txt

Chuck Huckelberry's Explanation Concerning Arroyo Grande

In a letter to The Explorer, the County Administrator addresses the county's position on Arroyo Grande.

We hope "common sense" will prevail and Mr. Huckelberry will see "the light." Oro Valley biggest concern is NOT having a monster electrical substation right in the middle of this development near the homeowners of Sun City.

Read Mr. Huckelberry's letter here.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/12/17/opinion/editorials/doc494844639f74e757645323.txt

Oro Valley Council Members Speak Out On Arroyo Grande

In a guest editorial in the Dec. 15 Az Star, Council Members Salette Latas & Barry Gillaspie respond to a Nov. 29 article concerning Arroyo Grande. See our post Arroyo Grande Status "Up In Air".

As we noted in previous posts,and although the Council Members didn't state it, the concern should NOT be with Oro Valley's intentions, but the sinister motives of the Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry.

Anyone that thinks an electrical substation belongs right in the heart of the wildlife corridor has a lot in common with Mr. Huckleberry!

Read the guest editorial here.


http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/271472

Phil Richardson Says: "Electric Substations Are Ugly, Noisy And Perhaps Unhealthy"

Our good friend Phil Richardson has a warning as it concern Arroyo Grande.Phil is licensed as a Radio Engineer by the Federal Communications Commission and holds an FCC Extra Class License as a Radio Amateur. Has been involved in design and construction of eight broadcasting stations."

ELECTRIC SUBSTATIONS ARE UGLY, NOISY AND PERHAPS UNHEALTHY

By Phil Richardson.

As communities expand, substations are absolutely necessary to alternating current systems when they are unable to meet demand brought about by growth. Feel free to revisit Ohm’s Law in your old Physics textbook. It has to do with the relationship between the resistance of long copper wires to current and voltage, but the operative word in the above is “growth.”

Electrical substations are usually built above ground, inside a fenced enclosure, but can be constructed inside buildings or underground, as has been done in some urban areas.

The greatest harm to aesthetics is done by pylons and giant metal poles necessary to bring power ranging up to 115-thousand volts generated elsewhere to the substations. Also unsightly are the network of progressively smaller wires and poles spreading out from the substation to stepdown transformers within yards of properties that furnish 120 and 220 volts of 60-cycle current to homes and businesses - Hopefully, much of which can be underground, but more often is not.

The only alternative to all of this is requiring each home and business to have solar photovoltaic panels and battery-power storage systems. This technology, including the means of converting the direct current produced to that required by lighting and home appliances is available, reliable and cost-effective in the long term, as well as being very “green” and clean.

One only has to drive under a high voltage line with an AM radio to realize the lines produce strong electromagnetic fields. Substations and “high-tension” wires also often produce a coronal discharge. This is an extremely strong field of energy all up and down the spectrum that can be easily detected by proper instruments. One does not have to hold a doctorate in physics to know that exposure to this is not good for your health.

Anecdotal evidence concerning unexplained deaths in farm animals, clusters of childhood leukemia cases and high rates of cancer in areas where people have been exposed to strong electromagnetric energy have been profuse for decades. Yet, there is no significant link demonstrated by consistent scientific evidence that these issues are caused by living under a power line or near a substation.

Steven Goheen, an analytical chemist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy located in Redmund, Washington, has identified a chemical reaction brought about exposure to high energy sources that he says may explain these higher rates of illness.

There is one thing about which electrical engineers are certain: Conditions in the earth surrounding electrical facilities such as a substation or a bank of lights like those illuminating a sports field can bring about a faulty grounding problem that has the potential to cause injury and death to those nearby. This happened to a child in Tucson this past Summer.

High voltage lines and a substation do cause severe interference over a broad area to AM Radio and through-the-air TV reception.

Every alternative should be explored before another of these installations is located in an area where people may live nearby or where the animals we have all vowed to protect will not enjoy safe and unimpeded passage through wildlife corridors.

Think A Substation Is A Good Idea In Arroyo Grande? Think Again!

Our next post Potential Big Trouble In Big Ditch (aka Arroyo Grande) we suggest there may be a deal between TEP & Pima County to put a substation on a 3 acre parcel within Arroyo Grande. Our friend Zev noted in his comment that an Osha web site shows what a typical substation looks like.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electric_power/illustrated_glossary/substation.html

Here's what Chuck Huckleberry might have in mind for Arroyo Grande. It's not a pretty site!!!

A substation is a high-voltage electric system facility. It is used to switch generators, equipment, and circuits or lines in and out of a system. It also is used to change AC voltages from one level to another, and/or change alternating current to direct current or direct current to alternating current. Some substations are small with little more than a transformer and associated switches. Others are very large with several transformers and dozens of switches and other equipment. There are three aspects to substations:

Typical substation

John Musolf Has An Issue On Arroyo Grande

Our neighbor John Musolf has a letter in the Dec. 10 Explorer concerning a potential of a new property tax based on the recently approved Arroyo Grande General Plan Amendment.

We post his letter without comment as to the facts noted by John.
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Facility district a hidden gem to tax in Arroyo Grande

The Town of Oro Valley has an obsession with property taxes.

In the Arroyo Grande amendment approved Nov. 19 was a hidden gem in Exhibit A, Arroyo Grande Special Area Plan Policies, Financial Sustainability Policies. It describes the use of a Community Facility District.

CFDs are a mechanism whereby developers (single or multiple) are allowed to establish separate political subdivisions distinct from the jurisdiction in which they are located for the purpose of issuing tax-exempt bonds to finance public improvements. The obligation for the repayment of the CFD bonds is passed on to the end users of the property who retire the bond obligations over a 25-year period. With the use of CFD financing, the TOV will be better able to master plan large areas of land (Arroyo Grande) and provide for the services required to serve these areas.

In order to establish a CFD, it must be approved by a two-thirds margin of qualified voters in the district. If there are fewer than 12 registered voters within the district, the vote may be passed by current landowners (developers). Many developers opt for establishing a CFD. Prior to the sale of the homes, they are the only “voters” in the CFD and thus have the power to create the district for future property owners. The CFD has the power to issue tax-exempt bonds to pay for the infrastructure.

The cost is then passed on to the homeowner in the form of annual special taxes. Special taxes are levied on properties within the CFD usually based on the square footage of the lot or the home or a type of category (i.e. single family or multi-family). The Rate and Method of Apportionment (RMA), which is approved during the CFD establishment proceedings, provides this information for each individual CFD.

The TOV has found a way to circumvent the need for voter approval of taxes by establishing one or more CFDs in the Arroyo Grande.

Taxation without representation. Neat trick.

John Musolf

Oro Valley

Explorer Editor Discusses Arroyo Grand Issue

We haven't always agreed with Dave Perry, editor & publisher of The Explorer.

In his editorial comment concerning Arroyo Grande in the Dec. 10 Explorer, Mr. Perry makes total sense.

As we noted in our next post Oro Valley Town Manager Asks State To Approve Arroyo Grande Plan we trust Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckleberry will not do "any end around" deal that will have a negative impact on moving forward.

We'll have to wait and see----although we should know soon if there is going to be an "issue."

Oro Valley Town Manager Asks State To Approve Arroyo Grande Plan

The Explorer reports that Town Manager David Andrews has sent a letter to the State Land Commissioner requesting they approve the General Plan Amendment recently passed by the Town Council.

The Explorer article includes a copy of the letter.

Although not noted in the article, it was recently reported that Chuck Huckleberry, Pima County Supervisor had some concerns with the Oro Valley plan

We should note, that Council Member Salette Latas initiated a motion that was approved to NOT permit a TEP sub-station within the wildlife corridor west of Oracle road.

We trust Mr. Huckleberry will agree that the sub-station does NOT belong there.

Arroyo Grande Status "Up In Air"

In a front page article in the Nov 29 Az Star, reporter Tony Davis writes, as a result of the recent Oro Valley Council vote on the Arroyo Grande General Plan Amendment, the status of this parcel is "up in air."

The issue of contention, at least from the standpoint of Pima County officials is the fact that Oro Valley and State Land Department officials won't commit in writing to having the wildlife corridor land in this massive project sold below market value for conservation.

We believe the future of Arroyo Grande still requires a lot of study and has many facets that need to be addressed.

Please read the Az Star article here. If you don't totally understand all the issues, you won't be the only one.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/269459

Az Star Writes About Hiring Freeze & Arroyo Grande GP Amendment

Previous posts discussed the actions at the Nov. 19 meeting by the Oro Valley Council as it pertains to a hiring freeze & the Arroyo Grande General Plan Amendment.

The Az Star article is here.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85737/268832

Explorer Article Discusses Arroyo Grande General Plan Approval

In our previous post on this issue, a number of comments were made as it concerned Council Member Paula Abbott being the only "no" vote on this General Plan Amendment.

In fact, the Explorer reporter saw fit to use the sub-headline, "Abbott votes against plan, claims developers will have their way in future."

Sure, Paula has her detractors, but we stand by our position, that this Council Member votes her conscience, and doesn't mind if she stands alone on an issue. Having served on the council from 2002-2004, Paula knows only too well what it is like to "stand alone."

One additional point.
Reporter Patrick McNamara notes in the article, "Arroyo Grande myths and realities." He discusses such issues as water, cost & wildlife corridor, but conspicuously absent is the traffic issue. Could it be, that regardless of who develops Arroyo Grande, or whenever it happens, the traffic issue is not a "myth" but a "reality" in the sense there is no good answer?

Read the article here.

http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/11/26/news/doc492c90d2af89d213991958.txt

Explorer Confirms Oro Valley Approval Of Arroyo Grande General Plan Amendment

The Explorer writes about the fact we reported previously---On Nov 19, the Oro Valley Council approved the General Plan Amendment for Arroyo Grande.

Read the Explorer article her.
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/11/21/news/doc4925963b3b0be250009795.txt

Oro Valley Council Votes To Approve Arroyo Grande General Plan Amendment

The Town Council took up the critical issue of the Arroyo Grande General Plan Amendment before a standing room of concerned citizens from Oro Valley & Catalina.Included in the full house crowd were reporters from KVOA TV, The Az Star & The Explorer.

After hearing the presentation from the Planning Director, a multitude of citizens from both Oro Valley & Catalina, the representative from The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, the representative from the State Lands and the representative from the Pima County Supervisor's office, and much discussion, the council voted 5-1 to approve the very important Arroyo Grande GPA.

Paula Abbott felt there were enough unanswered questions to not approve the amendment.

Speakers gave impassioned pleas for both sides of the issue. Many speakers were concerned that questions of water availability, infrastructure costs, traffic congestion and wildlife corridor needed more specific answers.

On the other side of the issue were those that felt, regardless of everything else, it would be in the best interests of Oro Valley to take this first step, and approve the General Plan Amendment.

Ultimately, the vast majority of the council agreed.

If you were watching the streaming video at home, it appears there was a problem during the time when the speakers from the audience were addressing the issue, but it was rectified as Sarah More, The Planning Director responded to council member's questions. Streaming video is fine as of Nov 20AM

Reminder: Arroyo Grande General Plan Amendment Nov 19 Council Meeting

Following is an endorsement from the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection for the Oro Valley General Plan Amendment for Arroyo Grande.

Please try to attend this Town Council Nov. 19 meeting.
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We have come a long way from where we started when we first heard that there was a proposal to develop over 9000 acres of biologically valuable State Trust Land north of Oro Valley. We are very pleased to report that the collaborative process between the Coalition, Oro Valley, Pima County, and the Arizona State Land Department has resulted in a development plan which far exceeds the original submittal regarding conservation. This type of collaboration is extremely important since there are currently no other options to conserve State Trust Land other than competing with developers to acquire the land at public auction. (The Coalition had hoped and expected that citizens would have had the opportunity to vote on a State Trust Land Conservation Initiative this year, but unfortunately that was not the case. For a variety of reasons the initiative was removed from the ballot. We will continue to work toward amending the Arizona constitution to allow for the conservation of state lands.)

Prior to annexation into the Town, the Coalition requested that a number of concerns be addressed by Oro Valley. We are happy to report that a majority of those issues have been addressed.

The Oro Valley Town Council has adopted the SDCP Conservation Lands System, which will apply conservation guidelines and ensure that important biological resources within the Arroyo Grande planning area will be protected. Natural undisturbed open space has been clearly indentified, will be located in common areas rather than in backyards, and provides a buffer to the already protected Tortolita Mountain Park. And importantly, a kilometer-wide wildlife linkage is proposed for protection, utilizing a corridor design created by Dr. Paul Beier, a researcher at Northern Arizona University specializing in wildlife connectivity. This linkage design coincides with the Critical Landscape Connection adopted and defined by the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.

The Coalition continues to work with Oro Valley on issues concerning Arroyo Grande, such as adopting a management plan for the natural undisturbed open space, identifying a funding source for management, and developing a joint proposal with Pima County, the AZ Department of Transportation, and the AZ Game and Fish Department to construct wildlife crossing structures along State Route 77 / Oracle Road.

The Oro Valley Town Council has demonstrated that they are willing to be a regional conservation partner through the adoption of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. Furthermore the Town has included strong water policies that are the first of their kind in the region. One such policy reads:

If it is determined that renewable water is not available for a proposed development within the Arroyo Grande Area, the developer will be required to convey to the Town sufficient additional renewable water supply to serve the demands of the development in addition to payment of water impact fees. Any conveyance will be “wet” water and not “paper” water transfers.

This policy should be applauded and seeks to protect the ground water levels directly under Oro Valley, rather than allowing developers to purchase credits through recharge efforts miles away on the other side of the Tucson Mountains. Furthermore, this type of policy should be utilized by other jurisdictions including, and within, Pima County.

There are still issues that must be addressed, but we are pleased to be able to support what is before the Mayor and Council on November 19th. The current plan complies with the Conservation Lands System, protects the critical landscape linkage between the Catalina and Tortolita Mountains, and maintains the integrity of riparian systems.

Please let your views be known on issues contained within this plan amendment. The Oro Valley Town Council is scheduled to hear the General Plan Amendment for Arroyo Grande on November 19th. Major and Council meeting are held at Oro Valley Council Chambers at 11000 North La Cañada Drive. Meetings usually begin at 6 PM.


Sean Sullivan
Associate Director
Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection
300 E. University Blvd., Suite 120
Tucson, AZ 85705
Ph: 520-388-9925
Fx: 520-791-7709
www.sonorandesert.org

Cheryl Smith Offers A Proposal For Arroyo Grande

In her letter to The Explorer, Cheryl Smith suggests Arroyo Grande to be a Hi Tech area. Her letter is below.
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OV should back high tech, few homes on parcel

Oro Valley is seriously considering annexing thousands of acres called Arroyo Grande just north of our town. Since this is one of the most important decisions facing the town and surrounding communities, there are many factors to consider before this decision is made.

Water sustainability and traffic are two of the most important and thus far, I have not heard any acceptable answers.

Aside from open space and wildlife concerns, the remainder of Arroyo Grande should be zoned only for medical, solar, biotech and related industries. These types of industries are clean, and offer high-paying careers that would enhance the sagging economic situation facing all communities.

Oro Valley would benefit through an increase in home values and sales taxes generated by businesses in the area.

Powerful agencies at the state, county and local levels reiterate that due to certain stipulations we’ve made in the form of open space, they must have 16,000 homes. I reject that suggestion and implore this council to reject any proposal with so many homes.

I also respectfully urge the council to work with its legal staff to determine if the state land threat to give control of Arroyo Grande to the town of Marana is real or otherwise. I would like to see a legal opinion from the Oro Valley staff in writing and hear it discussed at a future council meeting before the general plan is changed or Arroyo Grande is annexed.

Oro Valley is the “plum” the state land department covets. With our zip code, the developers will reap the largest amount of income on their investment. To me, that sounds like a powerful negotiating tool. Therefore, I strongly urge this council to seriously consider high tech and protection of the critical open space and wildlife corridors.

The Town of Oro Valley can make it happen. I urge those citizens who agree with this proposal to write their local, county and state officials with a high tech proposal.

Cheryl Smith

Oro Valley