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There could be fireworks at tonight's Oro Valley Town Council meeting. A discussion of four items on tonight's Oro Valley Town Council Meeting Agenda should make things interesting. You might want to attend; or, at a minimum, watch the live feed via the Town Of Oro Valley web site.
First, there's item D on the consent agenda. This would replace town attorney Tobin Rosen with an interim town attorney. What makes this interesting is that Tobin Rosen is not retiring until January; and that he has agreed to remain on staff to aid in a transition after that point. In essence then, Tobin Rosen is being relieved of his duties if this agenda item is approved. We understand that finding a new attorney to replace Tobin will take time. There is no reason that we foresee why that process can't start immediately, while Tobin is the active Town Attorney.
Second, there is the public hearing on the Innovation Park Economic Expansion Zone fast track approval process. This is item 3A on the regular agenda. You should expect discussion of adding a requirement that there be at least one public hearing for all such projects. The Oro Valley Planning and Zoning staff recommendation as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission includes no such hearing requriement; even though residents have spoken of the need for it at neighborhood meetings and at the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing on it. Their pleas have been ignored. So much for the value of community input as perceived by some who work at town hall.
Third, there is approval of two additional monument signs for the Fry's Gas station. These signs would be located along LaCanada and Lambert Lane. This is item 4 on the regular agenda. Talk about overkill. Does a "Town Of Excellence" really need five monument signs in one area? Did sign's help The Loop survive? Did signs help "Down Home Delight's" Survive? The answer, of course, is no. The Fry's gas station will be a destination store because one can get discounts on gas. Therefore, people will find it.
Fourth, there is item 6 on the main agenda. This item will change the way Council Members can add items to the council's agenda.
Recall last week we posted how items get on the Oro Valley town council agenda. Three days after this posting, we learned that there are some on council who want to change this process. They want to make it more difficult for you and for you those in the minority on council to get an item on the agenda.
In essence, implementing item 6 would meant that four members of council need to approve an item for addition to the agenda and not two. The result is that minority members of council will likely not be able to add agenda items. We don't see a need to change a procedure that is not broken. Its not as if Council Members are requesting to add frivolous items. It would be best if this change would simply "die a quiet death."
Perhaps there will be some health disagreements among council members on these four items. Perhaps, some "fireworks". We will be there. We hope that you are too.
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Showing posts with label Fast Track. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fast Track. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Speed In A Construction Zone In Oro Valley-It Will Cost You!
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Last night, the Oro Valley Town Council voted for double fines for speeding in a construction zone. This brings town fines in line with state law. The fines double only when workers are present.
In other items, the council approved to rescind its agreement to fund TREO since TREO no longer requires municipalities to pay for membership.
During the call to audience, resident John Musolf voiced the need to the town to create and publish a "Code of Ethics". Resident Bill Adler asked that the council consider that public input be added to fast track project approval process which will be considered by council at the next session. This process applies to Innovation Park construction projects.
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Last night, the Oro Valley Town Council voted for double fines for speeding in a construction zone. This brings town fines in line with state law. The fines double only when workers are present. In other items, the council approved to rescind its agreement to fund TREO since TREO no longer requires municipalities to pay for membership.
During the call to audience, resident John Musolf voiced the need to the town to create and publish a "Code of Ethics". Resident Bill Adler asked that the council consider that public input be added to fast track project approval process which will be considered by council at the next session. This process applies to Innovation Park construction projects.
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Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Planning and Zoning Commission Approves "Fast Track" For Innovation Park Projects
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Last night, the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission by a 6-0 vote approved the "fast track" approval process for Innovation Park projects.
Citizens have spoken and written about the need to have some public input, hearings, into the process. Commissioner Cox commented that he thought some public input should be put into the process but voted for it without any public input. Resident Bill Adler stated that comments by Paul Keesler and Dave Williams that public input sometimes hurts the current process were offensive to him. Dave Perry, head of the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce commented that the chamber fully supports "fast track" with not changes.
The commission approved version of the "fast track" plan does not include public input.
Next Up: This item will be on to the October 3, 2012 Town Council meeting for public hearing and vote.
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Citizens have spoken and written about the need to have some public input, hearings, into the process. Commissioner Cox commented that he thought some public input should be put into the process but voted for it without any public input. Resident Bill Adler stated that comments by Paul Keesler and Dave Williams that public input sometimes hurts the current process were offensive to him. Dave Perry, head of the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce commented that the chamber fully supports "fast track" with not changes.
The commission approved version of the "fast track" plan does not include public input.
Next Up: This item will be on to the October 3, 2012 Town Council meeting for public hearing and vote.
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Monday, August 20, 2012
Oro Valley Opens Public Discussion Of "Fast-Tracking" Innovation Park Projects
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In "Fast Tracking Innovation Park" we discussed a process that Oro Valley is considering. It is the fast-tracking of construction project approvals for projects that are to be built in Innovation Park. The idea is to create an "overlay district" for this area.
Fast-tracking would apply when the developer agrees that the project will meet or exceed all exiting Oro Valley zoning and construction requirements. Instead of time-consuming board reviews and approvals, town staff would administer the entire approval process. There would be no public hearings.
One reason for fast-tracking Innovation Park projects is a belief that doing such would give Oro Valley a competitive advantage over other towns when attracting business. This is because fast-tracking should reduce construction process timing by six months or more, saving not only time but also money. A second reason is that faster construction means that the facility is open more quickly, thus bringing jobs to Oro Valley more quickly.
In June, the council asked the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department to further study fast-tracking.
The town is seeking public input.
The following meetings are planned:
"On Monday, August 20, the Town will host stakeholder meeting to solicit input. Invitees include Sanofi-Aventis, Ventana-Roche, Oro Valley Hospital, Vistoso Partners, Southwest Parks and Monuments, Cottonwood Properties, Rancho Vistoso HOA, Venture West and Innovation Corporate Center tenants.
A meeting for residents and the general public will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Ventana-Roche cafeteria, 1910 E. Innovation Park Drive. An overview and timeline of the project will be presented, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Subsequent to these meetings, a public hearing will be scheduled with the Town of Oro Valley Planning & Zoning commission for further consideration of the overlay district." (Source: Oro Valley Press Release, August 16 2012)."
We hope that many of our neighbors will participate.
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In "Fast Tracking Innovation Park" we discussed a process that Oro Valley is considering. It is the fast-tracking of construction project approvals for projects that are to be built in Innovation Park. The idea is to create an "overlay district" for this area.
Fast-tracking would apply when the developer agrees that the project will meet or exceed all exiting Oro Valley zoning and construction requirements. Instead of time-consuming board reviews and approvals, town staff would administer the entire approval process. There would be no public hearings.
One reason for fast-tracking Innovation Park projects is a belief that doing such would give Oro Valley a competitive advantage over other towns when attracting business. This is because fast-tracking should reduce construction process timing by six months or more, saving not only time but also money. A second reason is that faster construction means that the facility is open more quickly, thus bringing jobs to Oro Valley more quickly.
In June, the council asked the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department to further study fast-tracking.
The town is seeking public input.
The following meetings are planned:
"On Monday, August 20, the Town will host stakeholder meeting to solicit input. Invitees include Sanofi-Aventis, Ventana-Roche, Oro Valley Hospital, Vistoso Partners, Southwest Parks and Monuments, Cottonwood Properties, Rancho Vistoso HOA, Venture West and Innovation Corporate Center tenants.
A meeting for residents and the general public will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Ventana-Roche cafeteria, 1910 E. Innovation Park Drive. An overview and timeline of the project will be presented, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Subsequent to these meetings, a public hearing will be scheduled with the Town of Oro Valley Planning & Zoning commission for further consideration of the overlay district." (Source: Oro Valley Press Release, August 16 2012)."
We hope that many of our neighbors will participate.
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Tuesday, August 7, 2012
"Fast Tracking" Innovation Park
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There is a proposal afoot, initiated by former Council Member Barry Gillaspie, to "fast track" development in Innovation Park (East of Rancho Vistoso Blvd and North of Tangerine). The proposal would allow development to bypass all board reviews, public hearings and approvals as long as the development meets or exceeds PAD/Zoning/General Plan requirements ("code"). A project that is being "fast tracked" would be reviewed and approved by town staff only. It is being worked on by the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department and will be discussed by council in September,
Sound a bit scary? Well, it is. But think about the upside. Fast tracking could accelerate construction six to nine months, speeding jobs to Oro Valley. It would also would make Oro Valley a more attractive place to located versus other communities because reduced reviews and reduced time to construction means less cost to business and a friendlier business climate. In addition, if a project meets or exceeds "code" then board reviews and approvals are really a waste of time.
We think that this proposal conceptually makes sense. We think that the seven council members can probably agree to it.
We think, however, there are many potential problems in implementing it. Here are a few:
"Fast track" puts trust in the hands of a few people: Those who are called "town staff". Now, its not that I don't like these guys. It's just that I don't trust that they will make decisions that enforce the "codes". This is because they sponsor code changes to council that are not consistent with the general plan. For example, they have proposed to change the criteria for what a minor amendment to the plan is. They have also proposed adding an entirely new zoning code, multi-use, to our codes even though voters rejected it in 2005. It seems to us that they want to substitute their judgment for that of the people. Is it wise to give them the power that "fast track" would bestow on them?
What, exactly does "meeting code" mean? If a proposed structure is one inch taller than "code" what happens? Is the entire project immediately subject to board reviews and public hearings for all aspects of the project or just for the height requirement? Or can the "town staff" simply look the other way?
Where are the "checks and balances?" What reporting will "town staff" make on these projects? To who will they make them? If a "voliation' is detected, who will enforce it?
What is the time limit for "fast track?" If a development starts on the "fast track", delays the project for whatever reason, such as the economy or financing turning down, does the project move of the "fast track"?
There will be no public hearings on a "fast track" project. This is a loss of civic input that has been so important to our community.
Finally, does "fast tracking" a project really provide a competitive advantage to Oro Valley such that it will attract business to our town? If so, does the benefit outweigh the potential negative impace of the issues we raise?
What do you think?
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There is a proposal afoot, initiated by former Council Member Barry Gillaspie, to "fast track" development in Innovation Park (East of Rancho Vistoso Blvd and North of Tangerine). The proposal would allow development to bypass all board reviews, public hearings and approvals as long as the development meets or exceeds PAD/Zoning/General Plan requirements ("code"). A project that is being "fast tracked" would be reviewed and approved by town staff only. It is being worked on by the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department and will be discussed by council in September,
Sound a bit scary? Well, it is. But think about the upside. Fast tracking could accelerate construction six to nine months, speeding jobs to Oro Valley. It would also would make Oro Valley a more attractive place to located versus other communities because reduced reviews and reduced time to construction means less cost to business and a friendlier business climate. In addition, if a project meets or exceeds "code" then board reviews and approvals are really a waste of time.
We think that this proposal conceptually makes sense. We think that the seven council members can probably agree to it.
We think, however, there are many potential problems in implementing it. Here are a few:
"Fast track" puts trust in the hands of a few people: Those who are called "town staff". Now, its not that I don't like these guys. It's just that I don't trust that they will make decisions that enforce the "codes". This is because they sponsor code changes to council that are not consistent with the general plan. For example, they have proposed to change the criteria for what a minor amendment to the plan is. They have also proposed adding an entirely new zoning code, multi-use, to our codes even though voters rejected it in 2005. It seems to us that they want to substitute their judgment for that of the people. Is it wise to give them the power that "fast track" would bestow on them?
What, exactly does "meeting code" mean? If a proposed structure is one inch taller than "code" what happens? Is the entire project immediately subject to board reviews and public hearings for all aspects of the project or just for the height requirement? Or can the "town staff" simply look the other way?
Where are the "checks and balances?" What reporting will "town staff" make on these projects? To who will they make them? If a "voliation' is detected, who will enforce it?
What is the time limit for "fast track?" If a development starts on the "fast track", delays the project for whatever reason, such as the economy or financing turning down, does the project move of the "fast track"?
There will be no public hearings on a "fast track" project. This is a loss of civic input that has been so important to our community.
Finally, does "fast tracking" a project really provide a competitive advantage to Oro Valley such that it will attract business to our town? If so, does the benefit outweigh the potential negative impace of the issues we raise?
What do you think?
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