It Sounds So Innocent (Part 4): Resident Reflects On The Disaster OVCN Has Been For Her Community

Long-term resident reflects on the devastating impact OVCN
Denise, a long-time resident of Oro Valley, shared her concerns about the significant growth and expansion of the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene. She did so at the September 28 town hosted neighborhood meeting.

Living just two streets away from the church, she reflected on how the once small, neighborhood-oriented church has evolved into a much larger institution, creating ongoing challenges for her community. Denise expressed frustration with the continual discussions surrounding the church’s expansion and questioned whether the town is truly listening to the concerns of the neighborhood.

He is what Denise said
"My name is Denise. I live on Meadowbrook Place, which is just two streets south of the church. I was born and raised in the same house. I’ve been a long-term resident of Oro Valley, and I’ve seen a lot of changes.

I went to CDO, attended some of the school meets at the pool. And now you have the church. You could see the original little church that it was back in the 80s with a small little parking lot. That was a cute little neighborhood church, and it was approved as a cute little neighborhood church.

I find it odd that for years we’ve been talking about this church and how they want to expand and take up all this land in our residential neighborhood. And we’re still talking about how they want to develop this, change this, and get it approved within the permits.

But I’m really wondering if you’ve even seen the signs in the neighborhood. Is anybody listening to us? Because it’s quite clear that we don’t want it.

Now the existing sanctuary was small. That’s fine. But you’re going to something the size of CDO. It’s not a small neighborhood church anymore.

So my question is: the town of Oro Valley, council members, and you guys are supposed to represent us too. So we keep talking about this over and over again. And it just seems like, who are we talking to? We’re just talking to a wall."

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The next steps in the review process are critical

The next step for the OVCN project involves OVCN submitting detailed designs to the town for formal review. This includes a comprehensive traffic study and a drainage plan to ensure the development meets all town requirements. The staff will then review it and require changes to meet town code. Then, there will be another neighborhood meeting. There may be revisions that result from that meeting. After that, the project will go before the Planning and Zoning Commission. If, and only if, the Commission rejects the request, then OVCN has 20 days to appeal it to the town clerk, who will then schedule for council review at their next meeting.  Note that, under current town code, those who oppose the project have no appeal right to the town council. (Source: Town Code section 22.9.c)

 and eventually, we suspect, to the Town Council for final approval.

So, stay tuned for more.

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It Sounds So Innocent (Part 3): Residents Voice Major Concern Over Entire OVCN Project

Residents voice concerns over OVCN expansion
Residents voiced concerns in five areas regarding the proposed expansion of the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) at the September 26 town-hosted neighborhood meeting. These five areas are in addition to the height variance concerns we noted in yesterday's article.

Traffic impact from the new parking lot
One of the concerns raised by residents was the potential increase in traffic caused by the new parking lot, which will accommodate around 600 vehicles. Residents questioned how the added traffic would affect the surrounding neighborhood, particularly during peak times for church services and events.

In response, Paul Oland, representing OVCN, noted that traffic studies had been initiated, but final results were not yet available. He assured residents that the church would work with the town to mitigate traffic impacts, but no specific solutions were presented at the meeting. Town staff also mentioned that the study would be reviewed once complete.

Noise pollution
Several residents expressed concerns about noise levels from ongoing church activities, particularly during outdoor events. One resident mentioned, “The noise from church events already reaches our homes. With more people, this will get worse.”

Oland acknowledged these concerns and assured the residents that the new facilities would focus on indoor activities, reducing outdoor noise. However, he did not provide any specific noise mitigation strategies during the meeting. Town staff did not comment on the noise issue but indicated that noise levels would be monitored to comply with town regulations.

Flooding and drainage issues due to increased paved surfaces
Some residents raised concerns about potential flooding and drainage problems that could arise from the increase in paved surfaces, such as parking lots and new buildings. A resident asked, “With all the new asphalt, what’s going to happen when it rains? Will there be flooding in our streets?”

Oland responded by stating that a detailed drainage plan would be prepared as part of the project’s design and that the church would ensure compliance with Oro Valley’s stormwater management guidelines. He reassured residents that the drainage plan would address their concerns, though no specific details were provided at the time. Town staff confirmed that the drainage study would be part of the formal review process.

Lack of transparency on future expansions
Several residents expressed frustration over a perceived lack of transparency regarding future plans for the church. One resident asked, “Is this project just the start of something bigger? Are we going to see more buildings going up in the next few years?” This concern reflected broader worries about continuous expansion by OVCN.

Oland responded by saying, “There are no plans for future expansion at this time. Our focus is on completing the current project to meet the immediate needs of the congregation.” He reassured residents that the height variance was not part of a long-term expansion plan, but he did not offer specific guarantees about what might happen in the future. Town staff did not comment further on the issue of transparency.

Property value decline due to the project
Another significant concern voiced by residents was how the new facilities and increased activity at the church might impact property values. One resident asked, “How will this project affect our property values? Will all this new construction drive them down?”

In response, town staff stated that the project’s compliance with existing zoning laws and its design considerations, such as landscaping and noise mitigation, were meant to minimize any negative impact on neighboring properties. Oland added that the church had taken steps to ensure the new buildings would blend in with the neighborhood to the best extent possible, though he did not directly address the specific impact on property values.

Yes. The request for height variance on the proposed expansion seems so innocent, but it is ever so complicated.  Tomorrow, one resident explains how something that was so simple at the beginning has turned out to be such a nightmare for their community.

It Sounds So Innocent (Part 2): Residents Question Motive and Need For Height Variance

Residents raise concerns over height variance for OVCN expansion
At the September 26, 2024, open house, Oro Valley residents voiced significant concerns about the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene's (OVCN) request for a height variance to build a 40-foot-tall sanctuary. The meeting, hosted by the town’s planning department, allowed residents to ask questions and express their worries about how the variance would impact their neighborhood.

Impact on views and property values
Several residents questioned how the proposed height of the sanctuary would affect their scenic views and property values. The 40-foot structure would exceed the current zoning limit of 24 feet, leading one resident to ask, “How is this going to impact the property values and the view for the neighbors?” Town staff acknowledged the concerns but noted that the height variance request was within the bounds of what the zoning code allows for certain structures like auditoriums.

Skepticism about the necessity of the height...Concerns about basketball courts in the sanctuary

Residents questioned whether the requested height was genuinely necessary for a sanctuary, with some expressing skepticism about the church’s intentions. One resident directly asked if the height was being justified for an “all-purpose room,” noting, “We were told it would have two basketball courts, and that’s why you need the extra height.” In response, Oland stated, “The height is necessary to support the sanctuary’s stadium-style seating, not for basketball courts.” He emphasized that the building is intended for worship services, and while the church might offer recreational programs, its primary purpose remains religious.

Granting a variance may set a precedent for future expansion
Another major worry among residents was whether the height variance would set a precedent for further expansions in the future. Several people asked if the request was part of a larger, long-term development plan, raising concerns about the potential for continuous construction projects. One resident remarked, “Is this part of a bigger, longer project? And if that’s the case, all the numbers we see tonight would be moot.” Oland reassured residents that the current request was not connected to any future expansions and that the church’s focus was solely on meeting the needs of its growing congregation.

Tomorrow we explore the many resident concerns expressed in other areas
In addition to the height variance, residents raised many other questions during the meeting. These included concerns about increased traffic from the new parking lot, noise levels from ongoing church activities, and potential flooding issues due to increased paved surfaces. Michael Spaeth informed residents that while these areas were part of the entitlement for the land and did not require approval, the neighborhood meeting provided an opportunity for residents to shape what was being done. In the next article, we will dive deeper into these concerns and provide a detailed look at the broader discussions that took place during the meeting.

Tomorrow: Residents believe proposed expansion ads risks to the community

It Sounds So Innocent (Part 1): OVCN Wants Height Variance for New Sanctuary Expansion

Major expansion project formally unveiled at a neighborhood meeting
On September 26, 2024, the Town of Oro Valley hosted an open house to discuss the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene’s (OVCN) proposal to expand its facilities. Click here to learn more about OVCN, this request and the existing rezoning request.

Representatives from the town’s planning department—Bayer Vella, Kyle Packard, and Michael Spaeth—along with Paul Oland, representing OVCN, provided an overview of the project. 

The height variance request has nothing to do with a pending zoning request

The focus of the meeting was OVCN’s request for a height variance to construct a new sanctuary. “This is a new application, separate from the previous rezoning proposal,” Spaeth said during the introduction.

But it’s more complicated than that: A new sanctuary and supporting buildings
The expansion project includes constructing a larger sanctuary, a student center, and a maintenance building. The sanctuary is the central feature, designed to accommodate the church’s growing congregation. “The proposed sanctuary is necessary to meet the growing needs of our church,” Oland explained. The student center and maintenance building will comply with the 18-foot height restriction set by zoning laws.

A height variance is being requested for the sanctuary building
OVCN is seeking a height variance to build the sanctuary up to 40 feet tall, exceeding the current zoning limit of 24 feet. They could have requested a height variance of up to 45 feet. The variance is necessary to accommodate the sanctuary’s internal design, which includes stadium-style seating to ensure clear sightlines.

Staff told residents told to "stay in their lane"
Spaeth and town staff emphasized that the height variance is the only element requiring town approval. All other components of the development—including the student center, maintenance building, and parking lot—are permitted uses under the current zoning. “Outside of the building height ask, everything else in this proposal is permitted by the zoning code.” Spaeth noted this several times, directing residents to focus on the variance as the sole issue up for discussion.  The variance requires only the approval of the town's Planning and Zoning Commission

Paved parking lot site design
The project also includes a new parking lot to handle the increased number of attendees. The lot will feature landscape buffers, including trees and a solid wall, to minimize its visual impact on surrounding areas. “We’ve designed the parking lot with visual barriers in mind, ensuring it integrates well into the neighborhood,” said Oland. The lot will accommodate about 600 vehicles.

Church just keeps on growing
According to Oland, the expansion reflects the significant growth OVCN has experienced in recent years. The new sanctuary and additional facilities will enable the church to better serve its growing congregation while continuing to offer its existing ministries. “This project is a direct response to the blessings of growth we’ve experienced,” Oland added. He believes these additions will support the church’s future as it continues to expand its outreach.

  

Tomorrow: Residents get no real answer to why the facility needs to be 40' high

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OVCN Pastors Buy Homes In Quiet Neighborhood While Trying To Obliterate The Same For Others

Their hypocrisy is astounding

If you’ve been following this saga, you know that Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) is requesting a rezoning of their property to accommodate a large sports complex (to include a full-sized football/activity field with multiple 70 foot high field lights) in a quiet rural section of town where adjacent residents live on 3.3+ acre horse properties.

The neighbors (The Concordia/Buena Vista Neighborhood Group) are against this rezoning for many reasons including the negative impact it will have on their quality of life and on their property values due to the noise, light pollution, and additional traffic pouring into their quiet rural neighborhood.

Click to enlarge

As an example, the photo in panel at right shows the field lights at CDO High School as viewed from a home that is three quarters of a mile away. Now imagine having those lights right outside your property line!

A Public Hearing on this rezoning is being held by the Planning and Zoning Commission tomorrow evening at 6 PM.

Pastors' home purchases reveal their hypocrisy
LOVE is reporting on the pastors’ recent home purchases because the pastors of OVCN believe that it is perfectly acceptable to destroy the peaceful way of life of their neighbors (to the point of threatening to sue the Town of Oro Valley if they do not get their way). Meanwhile, Pastors Coulter and Collins recently purchased homes on the same street in a brand new gated neighborhood where traffic will be restricted to homeowners and guests, there will be no tall structures impeding their mountain views, no large events, no loud audio, and no stadium lighting interfering with their domestic tranquility.  Their peace and quiet will be protected. We find the hypocrisy to be astounding.

Description on the Fairfield Homes website describing Vermillion at Rancho Vistoso
“This gated community…displays luxury, beauty, and breathtaking landscape views of the magnificent high desert. With northern views of the Tortolita Mountains and eastern views of the Catalina Mountains, this mountainous region offers a quiet life in the natural world…and specially designed outdoor space ensure access to the most beautiful views of Arizona desert landscapes and mountains.” (LOVE added the italics for emphasis).

Commentary from the Concordia/Buena Vista Neighborhood Group
“We congratulate you on your choice of location. As a gated community, traffic will be light and restricted to homeowners and guests. The views will be spectacular and not impeded with nearby tall structures. Natural sounds will be pleasant with no large gatherings or events with audio effects. The evening sky will be a stunning scene with no stadium lighting to diffuse it. Most importantly, there will never be a concern that your home will be threatened by an external entity or organization who totally disregards your domestic tranquility and rights as a homeowner.”

We've seen this before in Oro Valley
How many times have we seen a powerful group with seemingly endless resources trying to plant an unnecessary project in the middle of a quiet neighborhood? This project will benefit the OVCN church and no one else. Our Town leaders need to say, “enough is enough” and put an end to projects that are not compatible with surrounding neighborhoods or with the General Plan.

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OVCN Neighborhood Meeting Tonight

OVCN to discuss latest proposal tonight

The Town of Oro Valley will host a “focus area neighborhood meeting” tonight regarding the proposal of the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene ("OVCN") to build a sports complex adjacent to its facility on Concordia and Buena Vista. Their plan is to build the facility in partnership with a third pargy.

The meeting is at Town Council Chambers at 6pm. We expect a large turnout. It can also be viewed on Zoom.

Positions

LOVE has reported that those living in the area are unanimously opposed this venture. Known as the Concordia-Buena Vista Group, they have spoken to the Council at every meeting for the past six months. OVCN, on the other hand, asserts that they are legally allowed to build this facility because it is part of their religious mission.

About Neighborhood Meetings

Neighborhood meetings are not public hearings. Rather. the goal of these meetings is two-fold: First, to inform those most impacted by the proposal regarding what is being requested. Second, to solicit feedback.  No decisions are made at neighborhood meetings.

Generally, a town staff member overviews the proposal. Then, the developer/requester presents what they want to do.  Town staff then asks for public comment. This is an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Town staff then closes the meeting with a discussion of next steps. 

Next Step: Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing

The next step is a public hearing before the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission. This hearing was scheduled for November 1, in Town Council Chambers. However, it has been cancelled.

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Guest View-Tim Tarris: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

“Guess Who’s coming to dinner?”

Upward Sports is an international multi-million-dollar operation to blend sports with religion and partners with churches such as OVCN (Oro Valley Church of the Nazarine) to do so. They are a 501(c)3 nonprofit that hugely benefits financially from their programs. The question is why are they here?

The legal team for OVCN mentions Upward Sports in their latest submission to the town. It is unlikely that OVCN could finance a project of this magnitude without Upward Sports.

Several years of tax returns of Upward Sports are available online [See 2019 tax return in panel below] or I can provide them on request. Those returns paint a picture of their business model. The churches are used as a conduit for the plan and in a tax timely fashion properties are sold. Their main facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina is now for sale (all or individual pieces) to any comers. This is the same sports complex they presented as being needed to continue their mission. If it is closing, what happened to the youth and ministry?

The church deliberately delayed town meetings and Town Council consideration until after the recent election in hopes of a church member candidates being elected and thus providing a favorable Council for their initiative. This did not happen.

Anyone interested or affected should take a hard look at Upward Sports. Many people are making a great deal of money from this real estate venture in disguise. The effort by OVCN to minister to youth through sports is overshadowed by their association with Upward Sports and what they bring to the community.

It's the elephant in the room….

As Ronald Reagan used to say “Trust but verify”. 

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Tim Tarris is a long time Oro Valley resident and member of the Concordia/Buena Vista Group. They are the neighbors who reside in the area of town where the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarine (OVCN) wants to build a sports facility. That location is the intersection of Concordia and Buena Vista.  All neighbors oppose the rezoning required to make this happen. Tarris delivered his remarks to the Oro Valley Town Council last Wednesday. Read more about this situation.