Guest View: LOVE Contributor ~ Our little town is in trouble

Below are just four of the many reasons why our little town is in trouble.

(1) Our Group-Think Town Council is pushing rampant growth
I do not support the pro rampant growth mindset of the current council. I am concerned about political relationships that they have with developers, realtors, etc. I never dreamed that Oro Valley would have 4-5 story buildings.

I strongly feel that the council has evolved into a “group think” situation. This is not a healthy way to do business. It’s unproductive and stagnant. Where is the analysis and counterpoint? Our town needs individual thinkers who can bring fresh and innovative ideas; not people who echo each other. The latter is what I am seeing.

I’m educating myself as much as I can with Oro Valley websites, newspaper articles, and town hall meetings, etc. I’ve actually learned more than I wanted to know. Our little town is in trouble and it starts with the people running it.

(2) Town Council ignores what the majority of citizens want
The purchase of the golf courses followed by the Naranja Park Bond proposal made it transparent that the Town Council doesn’t have an interest in what the majority of citizens want. Post-bond-voting comments made by council members really concern me; words like “we’ll find a way.” The very fact that the bond issue seriously divided the people of Oro Valley to a point of very nasty behaviors was disturbing. There were hidden or subdued plans that surfaced. I was not proud to live in Oro Valley. That’s not the town I chose to move to.

It is also disconcerting to witness a council member “roll eyes” when a resident is speaking during a town hall meeting. That’s very unprofessional and disrespectful to all.

(3) Town Staff manipulates data
I’m also concerned with the Town’s manipulation of data and/or facts. At a recent “Main Street Forum” there was a press release stating that there was an overwhelming positive response to the proposal. Let’s see. According to the Town, approximately 350 people attended the Walk the Block event out of about 42,000 residents. That’s less than 1% of the population. Yet, the headlines said it was highly supported.

The council actually thinks that Oro Valley residents are supporting the Main Streets concept. Wrong. Our local government is deceiving the public with their pro-growth movement. Why? Because their developer campaign contributors are backing them and vice-versa.

I’m really tired of the manipulation of data from surveys and events. It’s wrong and that’s all there is to it.

(4) Oro Valley has become “Traffic Congestion Valley”
Lastly, I’m following the Main Streets Proposal very carefully. I can’t imagine why anyone would want more traffic and congestion at Oracle and First or at Lambert and La Canada. There are already plenty of vacant commercial spaces at Oro Valley Marketplace.

There’s not a small-town, down-home feel to excessive traffic and noise.

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Editor’s Note: Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider, and Waters are up for re-election this year. The primary election is in August. You have the power to change the pro-growth, tax hiking, blade-and–grade-the-desert groupthink that they have subjected us to for the past 8 years. You can vote them out in August.

Oro Valley Main Streets Project: Get Involved ~ Walk the Block and Take the Survey

The Town of Oro Valley is hosting a “WALK THE BLOCK” event on Saturday, February 7 from 4 to 7 pm at the intersection of Lambert Lane and La Canada Drive. The event provides Oro Valley residents the opportunity to understand the Main Streets concept, ask questions and share their thoughts about the project.

What is Oro Valley Main Streets?
The Main Streets project is not a typical “downtown Main Street.” It is focused on creating and connecting existing town center areas to enhance Oro Valley's lifestyle and economy. Two Main Street areas are proposed: One at Lambert Lane/La Canada and one at Oracle Road/First Avenue.

(Additional details on the origin of the project).

Planning and Zoning Commission Discussion
The Oro Valley Draft Concepts Plan was presented at the November 15, 2016, Planning and Zoning Commission Study Session. Commissioners and Oro Valley residents asked questions and made various suggestions including:

• Using Oro Valley Marketplace as the “community gathering area.” 
• Public/Private partnerships.
• Bonds.
• Roadblocks from AZDOT on Oracle Road
• Oro Valley's lack of a “tourist draw.

Additionally, Nancy McClure, 1st Vice President of CBRE with 30 years of experience in commercial real estate, shared her insights on retail in the Tucson metro area.

•  “Retail follows rooftops.” OV needs greater density and should allow more apartments.
• Oro Valley currently has more retail than they can support.
• “Build it and they will come” is not happening now. 
• Oro Valley needs to streamline the process for commercial development.
• Shopping center owners have leases with major tenants that include “no build zones.” In other words, there is no chance of keeping big box stores (Home Depot, Target) if their visibility is blocked.
• Leave the multi-use paths as they are. Retail will not work there. 

 (You can listen to that meeting here)

Main Streets Concept Plan 60% Draft, November 2016
The Draft Concept Plan states that the Town will need to seek out private partners for Main Streets to be successful. As of November 15th, none have stepped forward.

In public/private partnerships, the Town, businesses and developers share their skills and assets. They work together to deliver something of use for the general public. Through joint effort success becomes more attainable. 

For instance, the Town of Oro Valley could incentivize development improvements and public amenities by creating opportunities in the zoning code. The Town could allow more intense development on a site than previously permitted, increasing its value. A private developer could then build new buildings, while also putting in place desirable improvements. The Town could also provide revenue subsidies.” 

Other financing methods could include regional bonds and Town capital improvement programs.

It’s Time for YOU to get Involved
Oro Valley Planning Staff needs residents to share their views in order for them to refine the concept plan and “get the formula right.” Input obtained from the roughly 100 adults residents at the Main Streets seminars last year may not reflect the overall desires of the community. Invite your friends to take the walk with you on Saturday to learn more and share your ideas.

Why is this so important? Because several of the financing options under consideration could impact your taxes. 

Make YOUR preferences known
Do you want wider sidewalks lined with trees and benches along Lambert Lane so you can walk to the Main Street shops?

Do you want street parking on La Canada Drive near the Lambert Lane intersection? How would this impact the bike lane? Or traffic flow during peak travel times?

Do you want a shuttle from First and Oracle to Lambert and La Canada? If you drive to one of those shopping areas, would you want to take a shuttle to the second location instead of driving to it?

Do you want more apartments?

Do you want a splash pad or playground equipment located in these Main Street areas or would you prefer that they be incorporated within the park system?

Are “Main Street areas” important to you? If yes, how much should the Town (i.e. you the taxpayer) spend to create and provide for ongoing maintenance of these gathering, dining and shopping areas? 
Apart from the Public/Private Partnerships, how should the Town fund the Main Streets project? Property tax? Increased sales tax? Bonds?

Do you want an overpass or underpass so you can cross La Canada safely? For comparison, the Oracle Road Wildlife Crossing cost $11 million and was paid for with the 2005 voter-approved RTA sales tax. [Source: Arizona Daily Star] Although it wouldn’t cost that much due to the smaller scale, it would still be a sizeable expense and may result in increased taxes in Oro Valley. 

Let YOUR VOICE be heard!
You can help shape this project. Put on your walking shoes and Walk the Block. E-mail the Mayor and Councilmembers or share your thoughts with them at a Town Council meeting. Take the online survey here.
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The author of this article prefers to remain anonymous.