Bits and Pieces

Did You See This Drone?

One of our readers sent us an email reporting the sighting of a drone a bit north of Oro Valley.

"This afternoon, about 4:20 p.m., we were sitting on the bench that overlooks our fish pond. We heard the sound of a small motor, then looked up to see what at first appeared to be a small aircraft flying slowly at perhaps 40 mph, maybe 150 feet up, directly over us on a wnw heading. We stood up, went over to a more open area, looked at it and said “it’s a drone!!”

They described it:  "...estimated wingspan of at least 8 to 10 feet.  The drone was yellow and white, with an antenna on top, behind the canopy."

They continued: "Someone was controlling it, but why and for what purpose?"

Did anyone else see this?

Council Agrees To Delay Decision On Olsen Property

Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council agreed to reconsider a prior council passed motion approving development of the Olsen property.

Olsen Property On Moore Road

Council Member Hornat's original motion, as passed by council 7-0, required that the developer improve 2 parks for $80,000 before grading the property.   Now Hornat's want to reverse it. Grade first. Work on the park later.

During consideration of the original motion, Council Member Zinkin had suggested a 2 week delay in approval to make sure that everything was ironed out regarding the property.  His motion was rejected. Now, two weeks later, Council goes: "Opps, You wus right, Mike."

So, rather than a 2 week delay, there is now a 5 week delay.

Two Oro Valley Residents Running For State Offices

"Senate candidate Jo Holt hails from Oro Valley but is no stranger to many Maricopans. Holt unsuccessfully ran against incumbent Sen. Al Melvin in 2012 and is now competing for the open seat against Rep. Steve Smith." (Source)

Mark Finchem "...is a retired police officer and a Realtor with Long Realty. He lives in Oro Valley. He previously ran for a seat on the Oro Valley Town Council. His priority is education reform. He supports sending more National Guard troops to the border. Finchem supports expanding the school voucher program. He is pro-life." (Source)

Bet mom is proud of you, Monica.

Cops Catch Crook

"Oro Valley Police Department arrested Monica Garibay for theft on residents of Brookdale Senior Care Living facility on Monday, Oct. 12. The residents of this facility are vulnerable due to diminished memory capacity." (Source)

"With the cooperation of Brookdale's management, the investigation identified a new employee, as a possible suspect. The Criminal Investigations Unit was able to locate one of the stolen items at a local pawn shop and connected it to Garibay." (Source: Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)

Tonight Is Oro Valley's National Night Out

"The Oro Valley Police Department would like to invite the public to its annual National Night Out. Since 1983, this special crime prevention event has been held by communities across the United States focusing on safety. There will be exhibits and demonstrations along with music, prizes and food. Parents and children will learn about safety in regards to water, internet, poison, drugs and much more. Golder Ranch Fire District and others will also be at the event. The event is being held at the Target Shopping Center at 10555 N. Oracle Road from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 17, 2014."(Source: Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)

Oro Valley Considering Three General Plan Amendments

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There is nothing more unsettling than a general plan amendment.  Its unsettling because a handful of people, some of whom the voters elected, change the land use of property that voters agreed upon in 2005.  Proposed general plan amendments are something on which we keep our eye.

There are three proposed general plan amendments in process.  There are neighborhood meetings conducted before these amendments are ever discussed by the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission for a vote and then to town council, where a super-majority of members, five must approve it before it the amendment becomes effective.

The three proposed general plan amendments are:

• The Olson Property located on the north side of Moore Road between Yellow Orchid Drive and Mystic View Place
• The Miller Ranch, which is a 37 acre property located at the northwest corner of Tangerine and La Canada Drive ; and
• Vistoso Highlands, which is an 18 acre property located on the northwest corner of Rancho Vistoso Boulevard and Vistoso Highlands Drive 

Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department conducts the neighborhood meetings.  The meeting on the Olson property was held this past Thursday.  The neighborhood meetings for the other two properties are listed in the "Upcoming Events" section in the right column of the blog.

The owners of these properties are requesting changes to accommodate greater residential housing density: 

• Olson Property, from Low-Density Residential (LDR) to medium density residential. 
• Miller Ranch, change the land use designation for a portion of the site (approximately 17.3 acres) from Rural Low Density Residential (RLD) and Low Density Residential (LDR) to Medium Density Residential (MDR) 
• Vistoso Highlands,  from Commercial (C-1) to a Residential use 

You may or may not agree that these changes are appropriate.  Regardless, you have the opportunity to express your thinking at the neighborhood meetings, to the Planning and Zoning Commission when it holds two public hearings on the amendment, and to the Town Council, when it holds its public hearing on the amendment.  In other words, a "word to the wise is sufficient." The word?  Be there if you care!

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