Bits and Pieces

Council rejects two of three new taxes
Wednesday night, the Oro Valley Town Council took action on three proposed new taxes. Council approved a commercial use tax, but voted not to approve the proposed telecommunications tax or the proposed commercial rental tax. LOVE will provide a more detailed summary of the Council discussion and votes in next Tuesday’s article.

Arizona State School for Deaf and Blind to move to Copper Creek facility
It looks like the Copper Creek Elementary School Building, which Amphi is closing at the end of this school year, won’t be vacant for long.  The Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) plans to move its Tucson campus into the Copper Creek facility under a proposed multi-year lease with the Amphitheater School District. ASDB officials have said the move would allow the state agency to rightsize Tucson operations moving to the existing school campus rather than maintaining the larger, older facility on Speedway in Tucson. 

"The goal of this move is: (1) long-term sustainability of the agency and the Tucson campus, so that students continue to receive exceptional education opportunities; and (2) decrease operational/overhead costs, in order to have more resources for students and teachers."

According to ASDB, staff and students will move to the facility this summer.  The fall semester will begin at that location. The site will be repurposed for specialized education.  The move provides certainty to the  town and to the residents of Copper Creek that the facility will continue to a well maintained facility. Read more about their decision to move to Oro Valley here.

Town receives land gift... will likely be added to trails system
Also Wednesday, The Oro Valley Town Council approved a gift agreement to accept two parcels of undeveloped desert land adjacent to Honey Bee Canyon Park. Deputy Town Manager Chris Cornelison explained that the donation consists of roughly 33 acres of natural desert, offered at no cost, with property taxes current. The land is zoned as open space under the Rancho Vistoso PAD and includes existing informal trails. The land will be held by the Town for possible future inclusion in broader parks and trails planning efforts. The next step is for staff to complete standard due diligence, including title review and preparation of the deed, with no obligation for the Town to make improvements or incur expenses related to the property. mmCouncil members expressed support, noting that the donation complements Honey Bee Canyon Park. The Council unanimously approved the resolution, with a 6–0 vote.  

Police gain access to statewide investigative data system
Wednesday, the Town Council unanimously approved an agreement allowing the Oro Valley Police Department to participate in a state-supported law enforcement records management and analytics system. Police staff said the system will give OVPD access to data from other law enforcement agencies that do not share the same records platform, improving investigations and officer safety by providing more complete background and contact information. The system will be funded through a one-year state grant administered by the Arizona Department of Administration. In response to council questions, staff said the system meets all criminal justice data privacy standards and that the Town is not required to continue participation if grant funding ends

Council adopts state-mandated zoning code changes
Also Wednesday, the Town Council approved updates to the zoning codes required by recent State of Arizona law changes. We previously reported on these changes. Planning staff explained that the amendments formalize administrative approval for certain non-discretionary development and design review applications, clarify who may appeal administrative decisions and under what conditions, allow earlier submittal of grading and drainage plans, and correct minor code errors. The discussion also addressed a change requiring conditional use permits for building height increases in private school and parks and open space zoning districts, placing final approval authority with the Council. Council members noted that while many of the updates are state-mandated, staff worked to retain local oversight where possible. Changes had been previously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Phased stormwater rate increase approved... will support system maintenance
Later in the meeting, the Council approved a phased increase to the stormwater utility base rate, adopting Resolution R26-02. The increase raises the residential base rate by 67 cents per month, from $4.50 to $5.17, effective July 1, 2026. Two additional increases were also approved, another 67 cents effective July 1, 2027, bringing the rate to $5.84, and a final increase effective July 1, 2028, bringing the base rate to $6.50, a total $2 increase over three years. Commercial properties will see proportional increases based on impervious surface area. Staff said the stormwater base rate has not been adjusted since 2016, a point previously reported in LOVE, and that the phased approach was designed to limit impacts on residents while ensuring the utility can fund operations, meet regulatory requirements, and maintain required reserves. The storm utility fee is part of your monthly water bill.

Ballots for RTA Next all-mail election coming soon
An all-mail election is coming up on March 10 for Pima County voters to decide the future of regional transportation funding through the RTA Next plan. Proposition 418 asks voters to approve a new 20-year regional transportation plan covering roadway, transit, and safety projects across the region. Proposition 419 asks voters to continue the existing half-cent sales tax that funds the Regional Transportation Authority, with no increase in the tax rate. Ballots will be mailed automatically to registered voters beginning February 11 and must be received by 7:00 p.m. on March 10. There will be no in-person voting; participation is by mail only.
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Transparency, Design Standards, and Timing Dominate Discussion of State-Mandated Changes to Routine Development Approval

Town working through challenges presented by HB 2447

Oro Valley Planning and Zoning staff is working to implement HB 2447. As previously reported, that bill requires that most non-discretionary development and design review applications—those that already meet Town code—be approved administratively rather than through public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission or Town Council. Staff and the Town face a number of challenges in implementing the provisions of the bill. They discussed these challenges with the Council during an October 1 study session.

January 1 date for compliance
The most immediate challenge is time. HB 2447 takes effect on January 1, 2026, leaving Oro Valley only a few months to bring its zoning code into compliance. Planning Manager Michael Spaeth told the Council that “this has a deadline of December 31 of this year, so it goes into effect January 1.”

Need to create precise, objective design standards
Spaeth said the Town must rewrite its design standards so that they are specific enough to support administrative approvals without the benefit of public hearings. “With those being administrative reviews now, it kind of ups the game in terms of wanting to make sure those design standards are more precise and really reflect what the Town is after at the end of the day,” he told the Council. The Town intends to create these design standards early next year as part of a Strategic Plan initiative.

Need to specify the appeal process
Staff must also sort out how appeals of administrative decisions will be handled. HB 2447 requires an appeal process, but existing code routes some appeals to the Town Council and others to the Board of Adjustment. Spaeth explained that “literally any decision the Planning and Zoning Administrator makes is an administrative decision under the eyes of code and state law,” and recommended consolidating all such appeals under the Board of Adjustment to avoid confusion and ensure consistency. Councilmember Robb questioned which types of appeals would shift away from Council, saying members should understand “what we’re giving up control of.” Spaeth replied that public art and certain architectural applications currently appealed to Council would now fall under the Board’s authority.

Need to examine the purpose of the town's "Economic Expansion Zone"
Another issue is what to do with the Town’s Economic Expansion Zone (EEZ). The EEZ covers parts of Innovation Park and other designated parcels that were created years ago to encourage business development by allowing faster, staff-level approval of qualifying projects without requiring Council review. Spaeth said that with HB 2447 in place, “that kind of makes a lot of Economic Expansion Zone moot… because now all entitled applications are eligible for administrative review.” Some EEZ features, such as allowing pre-grading to encourage investment, may remain, but most of the zone’s original purpose will disappear.

Must create procedures for expedited and “at-risk” reviews
The new law also requires towns to allow expedited processing and “at-risk” submittals. Spaeth explained that this means applicants can file grading and drainage plans earlier “with the aim of trying to expedite that review process” and that “all applications have to be afforded that opportunity” to request an expedited review and pay the related fee. Developing procedures and fee schedules for these options will take additional staff work.

Town tradition requires maintaining transparency and public confidence
Although HB 2447 eliminates the requirement for public hearings on projects that meet Town code, both staff and Council recognize that residents and Council members will still want visibility into those developments. Once the law takes effect, most site-plan and design approvals will occur outside public hearings, so the Town must find ways to keep the process transparent—such as posting applications or summaries online—and rely on clear, objective standards and accessible appeal procedures. The goal will be to preserve public trust even as the formal avenues for public and Council input are reduced.

Residents will have the opportunity to opine
Town staff will present the proposed zoning code amendments to the Planning and Zoning Commission in November and then to the Town Council in December for formal consideration. If approved, the changes will take effect before the January 1, 2026 deadline set by state law. As Oro Valley transitions to this new system, residents can expect staff to focus on refining design standards, clarifying the appeals process, and ensuring that development reviews—though now administrative—remain transparent and consistent with the Town’s character.

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Read our previous reports on HB 2447 to learn more,

Board Of Adjusment Grants Variance For Building In Front of Oro Valley Hospital

January request for town to vacate land adjacent to property never given so...
In January, we reported that the Phillips Company asked the Oro Valley Town Council to vacate three small pieces of right-of-way at intersections along Tangerine Road. The company had purchased adjoining parcels at Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, First Avenue, and Innovation Park Drive from ADOT after the state abandoned plans for freeway interchanges. Town staff told Council that the three excess right-of-way parcels were not needed for future road use. Still, Council members said they could not consider giving up the land without a site plan and more detail. So, they did not approve vacating these adjoining parcels.

Applicant changes course... sought setback variance so they can  build a medical facility
Undeterred by this, Phillips Company shifted direction. Instead of seeking a right-of-way vacation of the adjacent town property, Phillips filed a request with the Board of Adjustment for a variance to develop the 1.19-acre parcel at Tangerine and Innovation Park Drive, across from Oro Valley Hospital. The property is zoned Hospital in the Rancho Vistoso PAD. Because the lot is much smaller than the zoning assumes, the code’s standard setbacks (100 feet in front, 75 feet in back, and 50 feet on the sides) left no buildable area.

Variance request details
Phillips asked the Board of Adjustment for reduced setbacks to allow construction of a 7,700 square-foot medical office for one of the three sites. They wanted:

• 30 feet front setback (Tangerine side)
• 25 feet rear setback
• 42 feet side setback (Innovation Park side)
• 10 feet side setback (west, adjacent to town-owned right-of-way and a wash)

The company also sought relief from the 660-foot access separation rule to permit a gated, emergency-only exit onto Innovation Park Drive.

Board of Adjustment approved request last week with one condition...
On September 23, the Board of Adjustment reviewed the case. Town staff recommended approval, finding that the parcel’s unusual size and shape created a genuine hardship under the five variance criteria set by state law. Golder Ranch Fire had no objections. After discussion, the Board approved the variances, with the added expectation that the applicant continue coordinating with Oro Valley Hospital on emergency access,

It is up to town staff to enforce that condition

Town staff cannot change or override the Board’s decision, but they are responsible for enforcing it. If the applicant does not follow through with coordination with Oro Valley Hospital, staff can require proof before issuing permits, withhold final approvals or occupancy, or pursue zoning violations. In short, while Council plays no role, staff ensures that the Board’s conditions are met.

What about the other two parcels?
The Rancho Vistoso Boulevard and First Avenue parcels were part of the original January right-of-way vacation request but have not returned for Council or Board action. As of now, the only Phillips parcel with an approved path forward is the Innovation Park site.

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This article follows up on our January report about the Phillips Company’s request for right-of-way vacations along Tangerine Road, updating readers on the company’s new approach and the Board of Adjustment’s recent decision.

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Town of Oro Valley Adopts Updated Building Codes

Town aligns with regional standards
Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council approved new building codes by adopting a set of ten 2024 International Codes. These codes are maintained by the International Code Council (ICC) and updated every three years. Oro Valley last adopted code changes in 2019, when the 2018 editions took effect.

Brings code consistency across southern Arizona
This approval brings Oro Valley’s standards in line with neighboring jurisdictions, including the City of Tucson, Pima County, the Town of Marana, and the Town of Sahuarita. The Golder Ranch Fire District has already adopted the 2024 fire code, and the Town’s amendments align with theirs. Fire officials noted that while new codes address lithium-ion battery storage and solar safety, Oro Valley has required sprinklers in all commercial buildings for more than 20 years, so some changes will have little local effect. The overall goal is to provide consistent regulations for builders and developers across the region.

No impact on existing homes
The codes have no impact on existing homes unless homeowners undertake remodeling, additions, or major system replacements that require a building permit. The updated standards apply only to new construction and permitted remodels. For the first time, the Town also adopted the International Existing Building Code (IEBC), which provides flexible standards for remodeling and reusing older structures. Staff emphasized that this code will make it easier and less costly to adapt existing buildings while maintaining safety.

Minimal added costs for new homes
The costs of these new standards will add about $1,500 to $3,000 to the price of new homes in 2026, largely due to updates in the International Residential Code.

International energy conservation code not adopted
The Council did not adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. According to staff, these codes are very costly, adding $6,000 to $9,000 per home. In addition, there are concerns about software and training readiness. Staff also noted that future revisions may reduce both cost and stringency.

Long-term benefits for those building new homes
Though the updates may raise construction costs, they also bring important benefits. The new standards improve structural resilience against wind and seismic events, strengthen fire safety provisions, and expand accessibility requirements. Over time, updated energy codes are expected to reduce household utility costs by an estimated $300 to $500 per year, improve indoor comfort and air quality, and may also help lower property insurance premiums through improved ISO ratings. Staff noted that Oro Valley’s rating could improve from Class 4 to Class 3 for residential properties and from Class 3 to Class 2 for commercial properties.

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Oro Valley Land Giveaway? Balancing Public Property and Private Profit

Turning public land into private gain
What is the easiest way to make a windfall profit in Oro Valley? Just ask the town to hand over land for next to nothing. Believe it or not, that can happen if the town owns a right-of-way (ROW) next to your property—one that it no longer needs or plans to use. If the town agrees to vacate it, state law says they can’t charge you more than what they originally paid—usually a minimal amount, far below market value. Once it’s yours, you can combine it with your existing property and sell it at full market price, potentially making a significant profit.

Our guess is that this is exactly what Chris Phillips of Phillips Company LLC hopes the town will help him do. Phillips isn’t new to Oro Valley—he’s a resident and has done business with the town before. As manager of DC La Canada LLC, he once owned the dirt lot next to the town’s community center parking lot. In 2022, he traded that land for another piece of property.

Expanding property through town land acquisition
Several years ago, Phillips acquired three state-vacated ROW's at public auction. He now wants to acquire three town owned ROWs that are adjacent to these lots  [Panel Right]. Speaking at last week’s town council meeting, Paul Keesler, Director of Public Works, sought advice from the town council. He said that Phillips wants to combine the three vacated ROWs with vacated land he acquired from the state. The stated reason is to create larger, more developable properties.

Town staff says the land is not needed for public works purposes
Keesler explained that the requested ROW parcels were originally intended for grade-separated interchanges that are no longer needed, and the town has no objections to vacating them, provided that council approval is obtained. He noted that the existing 300-foot ROW along Tangerine Road is sufficient to accommodate future infrastructure needs, including road expansion, drainage, and slope management, making the requested parcels unnecessary for town operations.

Council made it clear: Town must have a compelling reason to vacate land it owns
At the town council meeting, Vice Mayor Barrett expressed strong reservations about vacating the right-of-way (ROW) parcels, stating, “I think we should not give up vegetated natural open space that’s owned by the people of Oro Valley… without an understanding of what will happen to it and what the reason for it is.” She emphasized the importance of protecting the town’s natural open spaces and was hesitant to support the request without clear public benefits. Barrett indicated she might consider the proposal if the applicant provided a detailed site plan showing how the development would generate revenue or improve infrastructure. However, she remained concerned about enlarging the applicant’s property for potential resale or speculative purposes. She stressed that any decision should align with the town’s long-term interests and preserve its open spaces. All council members agreed with her.

These will be very difficult lots to develop
While the town does not oppose the ROW vacation, two key town officials emphasized the significant hurdles the applicant would face in making the land suitable for development.

According to Paul Keesler, Director of Public Works, developing the combined parcels will be challenging due to significant elevation differences, steep slopes, drainage issues, and zoning compliance requirements. He explained that the land sits 10 to 20 feet below Tangerine Road, necessitating extensive grading and drainage solutions, while the site’s natural vegetation and slopes would require costly mitigation efforts. Keesler also pointed out that the preliminary site plan sketches submitted by Phillips do not even remotely meet town code requirements, meaning the project would likely require variances or amendments.

Town Planning Director Bayer Vella echoed these concerns, stating that he is “under no pretension whatsoever that these parcels will be able to achieve code compliance. They won’t. Each one would require numerous exceptions…These are very, very challenging parcels to develop, and that’s probably an understatement.”

Next steps in this ROW vacation process
The next step is for the applicant to submit a detailed site plan that includes a discussion of what it will take for the project to be code compliant. The proposal should also include how the development will benefit the town and its residents.

Our guess is that town council will never hear about this again. However, if they do, there will be a public meeting in which residents can participate.
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OVCN’s Expansion: Pastor Collins’ Interview Ignites Resident Concerns

Pastor Collins of Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) was interviewed on October 15th by KGUN News to discuss the church’s recent change of plans regarding their expansion.

The original plan
As LOVE has previously reported, OVCN’s original plan was to create a sports-based ministry in a rural neighborhood including an indoor multi-purpose sports complex and an outdoor ballfield with stadium lighting. This plan required a rezoning approval. This has resulted in a 4-year long battle with the neighbors who vehemently oppose this expansion as it will severely impact their rural neighborhood and peaceful way of life.

The revised plan
Although OVCN has not formally withdrawn their original plan, their new plan (revealed during a Neighborhood Meeting at the Town Hall on September 26th) is to build a new sanctuary (for which they are requesting a height variance of 40 feet.) The new plan also includes a student center, maintenance building, and a new parking lot to accommodate approximately 600 more vehicles.

The KGUN Interview
Reporter Kenny Darr stated that, “Pastor Collins believes these plans better align with the church’s mission while minimizing potential concerns from neighbors.”

During the interview, Pastor Collins stated,

“We believe that strong churches make for strong communities and so we want to make a difference for our community. We’re not doing that in any intentional way to disrupt or ruin anybody’s life who happens to be in close proximity to our church property here, but we think there’s a high value in what our church is offering our community, and we want as many people in Oro Valley to be able to benefit from that as possible.”

This prompted numerous rebuttals from residents living adjacent to OVCN and from other Oro Valley residents who have been following this saga for the past four years. Below are excerpts from some of those rebuttals.

A small neighborhood church becomes a megachurch
What began as a small neighborhood house of worship has metastasized into an enormous church. With it has come unbelievable traffic transforming a quiet neighborhood into a huge parking lot not only on Sunday but also on other days when the congregation gathers. Hundreds of cars park on both sides of several streets (no sidewalks) leaving unsafe conditions for people who are walking or jogging, people on horses or bikes, and parents with children in strollers.

Pastor Collins says that he wants to serve the community. Where is this community? Congregants are driving -- not walking to this church. Who knows how far they travel to get to the church. A church is a house of worship. So why then do they want to build a multi-purpose facility? Multi-purpose for what? And then a student center. What does that have to do with worship?

This area is already flood-prone. Adding more blacktop and more buildings is going to be a disaster in the making for residents and the horse stables close by. During monsoon season, these streets are impassable because there is no storm drainage. I personally waded several times through flowing water on Loma Linda to get to my home. And this water came from Calle Concordia.

Name withheld by request

Is it a sanctuary or a basketball court?
It amuses me that the new building (that they want a height variance for) is now called a sanctuary and youth center. At our meeting with Pastor Coulter (5 neighbors met with him on August 1st in the church meeting room) he said they needed the height for two basketball courts with stacking seating for multi-purpose use. RLUIPA (the Federal Religious Land Use Act) states that preferences can be given to churches for “religion related activities.” Since basketball courts do not fall under “religion related activities” they have changed the wording of their variance. But if Planning and Zoning approves the height variance, what is to stop OVCN from putting in the basketball courts, which will increase usage of the property and the traffic to most every day and night -- not just Sundays. Well-played OVCN.

Tricia Tozier

Close Encounters of an unwanted kind
Pastor Collins’ comment, “We believe that strong churches make for strong communities and so we want to make a difference for our community” -- My response is that the neighbors are the primary stakeholders of our community and do not want expansion in our community.

In response to Collins’ other comment, “We’re not doing that (expansion) in any intentional way to disrupt or ruin anybody’s life who happens to be in close proximity to our church property here.” -- It has been made abundantly clear that expansion is not welcome. Unintended consequences are intentional if you are informed of the harm, yet you persist.

OVCN's plans are to circumvent the law by repackaging their rezoning expansion plans into a height-variance expansion plan. The net result and intentional harm to the neighborhood are the same.

If not the community, then who is OVCN's expansion serving? Certainly not Jesus. We can't get out of OVCN traffic to get to our own church on time.

Jennifer Jacobson

OVCN has a history of unintended consequences
Pastor Collins claims that they are not intentionally trying to disrupt the lives of those living near the church. Intentional or not, it doesn’t mean that there won’t be unintended consequences or collateral damage.

Case in point: OVCN has already disrupted the neighbors’ lives with their loudspeakers, loud music, bright lights, and high traffic volume. I'm sure that wasn't "intentional" either, but it happened, nevertheless.

And since the church refuses to withdraw their original rezoning request, that signals to me that they have more up their sleeve for the future (as one neighbor speculated during the Town Hall Neighborhood Meeting, “Is this just the camel’s nose under the tent?”)

Diane Peters
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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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Council To Discuss Major Overhaul to Oro Valley Zoning Code For Multi-Family Residences Tonight

Council to consider zoning code amendments for multi family residences 

Tonight, the Oro Valley Town Council is reviewing proposed amendments to the zoning code, specifically focusing on multi-family zoning districts. The meeting is a study session, so there will be no decisions made. The proposed changes aim to simplify and refine the existing code, ensuring clarity and consistency without reducing open space or setbacks. In addition, the changes are intended to address gaps and inconsistencies in the current code, which has not seen significant updates since the 1990s.

Purpose of the amendments 
Staff says that the primary goal of these amendments is to ensure a consistent application of zoning requirements, thereby reducing the need for staff interpretation.  According to staff, the proposed changes clearly define various housing types, standardize building separations, and align different code sections to remove contradictions. This helps in maintaining a uniform standard across the town, ensuring that all housing types and developments are treated equitably.

Proposed Changes are: 

• Simplification and Refinement:
  The proposed code amendments have been significantly simplified and refined, ensuring no reductions in open space or setbacks from adjacent uses. Previous changes to recreation requirements were addressed in a separate code amendment approved in October 2023. 
• Clarification of Housing Types:
  The amendments clearly and accurately define various housing types, ensuring a consistent application of code requirements. This includes detached single-family homes, attached units (side-by-side or front-to-back), and multi-level units (stacked vertically). 
• Building Separations in High-Density Zones:
  The amendments create right-sized building separations within high-density zoning districts (R-6). The distance between townhomes and detached single-family units in these zones will be standardized to 10 feet. 
• Alignment of Code Sections:
  The proposed changes align different code sections and standards to remove contradictions. This includes updates to the Table of Permitted Uses to reflect existing allowances and intents, such as the inclusion of attached townhomes in certain commercial zones. 
• Consistent Application to Reduce Staff Interpretation:
  By providing clear definitions and aligning code sections, the amendments aim to reduce or eliminate the need for staff interpretation. This ensures that the requirements are clear to developers, staff reviewers, nearby residents, and decision-makers.

Why staff believes that these changes are necessary
According to staff,  the existing zoning code has become outdated and often requires staff to interpret ambiguous sections, leading to inconsistencies. The proposed amendments address these issues by providing clear definitions and standards. This ensures that both developers and residents have a clear understanding of the requirements, thereby facilitating smoother development processes and reducing potential conflicts.

Council has previously expressed concern over some aspects of the proposed changes
Tonight's discussion is a continuation of a discussion that started in October 5, 2022. At that time, the Council raised several concerns, primarily about open space, setbacks, and definitions. The staff believes that it has responded in tonight's revised proposal by ensuring no reductions in open space or setbacks and clarifying the definitions to avoid conflicts. The proposed changes also incorporate feedback from the Fire Department and address parking and recreation requirements.

Staff says that the changes are aligned with a 2016 General Plan
According to staff, the proposed amendments align with the goals and policies outlined in the “Your Voice, Our Future General Plan.” By clarifying existing requirements and addressing inconsistencies, the amendments support diverse housing types and effective transitions between different land uses. This reflects sound code administration and indirectly supports the town’s broader development objectives.

Were you notified of these changes?
According to staff, the public has been notified about the proposed amendments through various channels, including HOA notifications, newspaper ads, and postings at Town Hall and on the town’s website. This ensures transparency and allows for community input, reinforcing the council’s commitment to a participatory planning process. The amendments are designed to comply with the General Plan, ensuring that they meet the needs of current and future residents.
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Bits and Pieces (Pre Thanksgiving Edition)

Tree Lighting date set
The holiday tree will be located once again at the Oro Valley marketplace. The lighting ceremony is December 2 at 6 PM. There is also an all day holiday festival taking place that day.

Community Center Milestones 

In October, the Community and Recreation Center (CRC) achieved a record-breaking membership with over 3,200 currently registered members. This is a 51% increase from the prior year, adding 1,077 members. Situated at the heart of our town, the CRC stands as a cornerstone of our community, and this substantial growth underscores the growing enthusiasm of the town’s community's amenity and recreation programs. (Town Manager November Report To Council)

Town upgrades 911 system … adds automatic call back feature

In October, the town upgraded its 911 system. The upgrade introduces a major new feature: Automatic Abandoned Callback (AAC). AAC is designed to call back abandoned 911 calls, providing response prompts. Yes. The majority of abandoned 911 calls are accidental. Still, there is a portion of these calls that originate from individuals in urgent need of emergency assistance. (Town Manager November Report To Council)

Treat the “Yellow Signs” kindly
Property owners, applicants, and/or developers are required to submit applications to the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Staff for proposed land development (e.g., General Plan Amendment, Rezoning, Conditional Use Permit, Grading exception) changes The Town is then required to publicly announce all hearings related to the proposed development. Prominent yellow signs are installed on the property to inform residents about upcoming public meetings. 

These signs contain details about the proposed changes, meeting date/location, and the website/contact information for residents seeking additional details. They serve as a visual prompt for residents to engage and gather information about the proposed developments in their community. Unfortunately, some yellow signs have been defaced, knocked down, or blown over by the wind. To report damaged or fallen signs, please call 520-229-4800.

Town focuses on identifying short term rental registrations... issues violation notices

The following are short-term rental (STR) statistics through October:

• There are 341 STR rental unit listings as of 10/30/23, down from 348 listings the prior month.
• September: 67.5% of STRs are single family units, 31.3% are multifamily units, and 1.2% are unknown type. 
• October: 68.8% of STRs are single family units, 29.9% are multifamily units, and 1.3% are unknown type. 
• 2-3 bedroom rentals constitute 41% and 35.1% of all rental listings, respectively. 
• Of the single family units, approximately 96.% include the entire home as the rental unit.

Town staff assesses STR registrations monthly, initiating a review process at the start of each month to detect any registrations that remain outstanding. Staff issues a violation notice once it has identified a non-registered STR. (Town Manager November Report To Council) 

Council Approves Regulation Changes for New and Rezoned Private Recreational Spaces

Focus on "private" parks

In May 2021, the Oro Valley Town Council endorsed a plan aimed at enhancing the town's parks and recreational infrastructure. This plan, titled the "Parks and Recreation Master Plan," focused on all park areas, one of these was neighborhood and mini parks, originally constructed by developers and now under the ownership  and maintenance of homeowner associations.

Neighborhood and Mini Parks are critical to the parks system

These parks have become essential due to the prevalence of small lots in many Oro Valley residences. The lots lack lack sizeable backyards. Thus, private parks parks play a crucial role in providing a space for leisure and recreational activities. However, most of these parks are relatively compact in terms of acreage and often they lack the necessary amenities.

Current neighborhood and mini parks are small.. lack amenities

The 2021 study undertaken to support this initiative underscored the inadequacy of the existing neighborhood and mini parks in Oro Valley, revealing their inability to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Consequently, a new mandate has been implemented: All new parks of this category must have a minimum size of 2 acres and must be equipped with amenities that align with the requirements of their respective communities. Similar requirements apply to rezoned properties.

No wiggle room out of new requirements

For areas unable to meet these standards but situated in proximity to town-owned facilities, an "in lieu" fee can be paid to the town. In this context, "close" means being within walking distance. The "In Lieu" fee is determined based on factors such as the appraised value of the land that the developer would have been obligated to allocate for the park, the cost of amenities, and any necessary improvements.

Some controversy

The council approved by a 5-2 vote many detailed changes to the current requirements after some considerable discussion. Council Member Solomon, who voted against the measure, felt that the ordnance was muddled with details best left to the developer. For example, he mentioned a requirement for a toddler lots when the town simply does not have a significant toddler population. Solomon noted that staff was “not looking at the real needs of the community.”

Some confusion

Council Member Nicolson, who voted in favor of the measure despite feeling perplexed, acknowledged that the document presented by the staff spanned 25 pages with numerous lineouts. He expressed that it was challenging to navigate and suggested that some form of visual summary would have greatly aided comprehension.

A step forward

The Oro Valley Town Council's endorsement of the "Parks and Recreation Master Plan" represented a significant step toward establishing a unified parks system in the town. That plan addressed the crucial role that Homeowner Association (HOA)-owned and maintained parks play in a community where larger backyards are in short supply. The code changes approved by the council will increase the size and usability of future (and rezoned) HOA parks. This initiative on the part of council and staff underscores the town's dedication to meeting the evolving recreational needs of its residents and improving the quality of life in Oro Valley.

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Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene: A David and Goliath Story

The below speech was written by Oro Valley resident, Ed Clary, and was presented during the Call to Audience at the March 1 Town Council Meeting.
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“This evening, I’d like to discuss the proposed rezone of residential property acquired by the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN).

The Planning and Zoning Commission rejected the proposal [on February 7th] after literally years of the town staff working to bring it into compliance with the General Plan. By the time it gets to the Planning and Zoning Commission, it’s almost unheard of for a project to still not be compliant. Yet, OVCN clearly is so inflexible that it cannot accomplish this.

Nonetheless, they are given endless opportunity after opportunity. OVCN kicks the can down the road while they work to either elect a favorable Council or delay review by the Planning and Zoning Commission until new commissioners are appointed, or they threaten litigation if they don’t get their way, in much the same way that a playground bully threatens -- Give me what I want or else.

From the pulpit, OVCN has equated this situation as akin to the battle between David and Goliath. Interestingly though, OVCN asserts that it is David, despite its at least three deep pocket outside supporters and thousands of congregants all led and organized by impassioned ministers. Goliath, in this scenario, is the Town (who is neutral and has bent over backwards to facilitate the process despite OVCN intransigence) and several dozen neighbors (almost all of whom have been ignored wholesale by OVCN). If it weren’t so disturbing, it would be laughable at every level. Who is bullying whom?

OVCN has threatened a lawsuit which is based on the legal premise that a church can essentially do anything it wants with its land if it asserts that what they want to do or build is required for their religion. Don’t be intimidated. Every legal precept has limits. Example: One cannot yell fire in a crowded theater, the First Amendment notwithstanding.

Sports are wonderful but they are not required to practice one’s religion. If they were, why doesn’t every Nazarene church have such facilities?

Where does this stop? If you approve this, what precedent have you set? Every entity in the Town, be it another church, a business, or a private citizen, will now be able to say, “You approved this for them, you need to approve such an egregious waiver for me, too.” Zoning will cease to have any function or place in Oro Valley.

The Planning and Zoning Commission’s job is to ensure it meets code. It doesn’t – that’s why they rejected it, and that alone should be enough for you to reject it as well. But even if it met code, it’s also your job to decide whether something is a good idea and in the right location or not. And at every level, this isn’t the right location for this project.

So the answer is simple. Do the right thing, vote against the proposal, and let the chips fall where they may -- because if you are intimidated, the law of unintended consequences will wreak more havoc than any lawsuit that OVCN files.”
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Guest View: Diane Peters – Protocol Not Followed During the February 7 Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing for OVCN Rezoning

The February 7th Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was a poorly run meeting as both the Chair and the Town Attorney failed to take control of the meeting.

Chairman Herrington has only been the Chair for about a month or so, so maybe he's not yet confident enough to speak up, but this is where the expertise of the town attorney comes in and he should have spoken up and given some direction.

Below are some of the problems that occurred that evening.

Five OVCN congregants were allowed to speak prior to the Public Hearing
The applicant pulled “a stunt” in scheduling five people from OVCN to speak during the applicant’s presentation rather than later in the evening during the Public Hearing.

Although the Chair did speak up when one OVCN congregant began her speech and suggested that her speech was more appropriate for the public hearing, she was adamant and said, “I was asked to speak as a member of the church and so this is what I’ve prepared.” She then continued with her speech and he allowed it. She should have been told to come back and speak during the public hearing like everyone else.

Four other OVCN congregants were also allowed to speak during the applicant’s presentation rather than during the Public Hearing portion of the meeting as is customary.

OVCN members were allowed to applaud after each OCVN speaker was finished speaking
Prior to the Public Hearing, when OVCN representatives and congregants were speaking at the podium, the OVCN audience was applauding after each speech and the Chair allowed it and did not instruct them to cease from applauding. He did not issue a directive of no applause until it was time for the Public Hearing portion when people opposed to the rezoning would also be speaking.

Pastor Collins spent a lot of time making derogatory comments about the neighbors
What does his opinion of the neighbors have to do with the rezoning and why didn't the Chair or the town attorney stop him and instruct him to change the direction of his speech? I've seen council members call a Point of Order when a speaker becomes disrespectful. Shouldn’t this also be done during Planning and Zoning hearings?

The church’s attorney spoke but never identified himself
After Paul Oland’s presentation (the applicant representing the church), Oland said that the OVCN attorney was going to speak next but he never introduced him by name. When the attorney approached the podium, he also never stated his name. He just launched into his speech and the Chair did not interrupt him and tell him to state his name for the record. Isn't it incumbent on the Chair to interrupt the speaker and require that they state their name and whether they are a resident of Oro Valley?

Speakers from OVCN were allowed to witness to God and Jesus during the meeting
Why is this allowed when it’s irrelevant to the topic being discussed? Others in attendance should not have to be subjected to their religious proselytizing and witnessing to God at these meetings. That is not the purpose of the meeting and it just causes the meeting to drag on for much longer than necessary. Can the chair instruct speakers that this will not be allowed and that they must discuss the rezoning only?

“You’re out of order! This whole hearing is out of order!”
I thought I’d toss in a little Al Pacino humor.

This whole incident reminded me of how the Green Shirts took over the town meetings during the golf course discussions and how no one stopped them despite them being extremely rude to town officials and also to any speakers who spoke in opposition to keeping the golf courses open. The town should be in control of the meetings -- not OVCN, not the Green Shirts, or any group that exhibits this kind of behavior.

This rezoning will now be heard and voted on by the Town Council. I hope the mayor and town attorney will not allow a repeat performance of the breach of protocol that transpired at this Planning and Zoning meeting.

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Diane Peters has lived in Oro Valley since 2003, moving here to escape the humidity of the East Coast. She’s been involved in OV politics and development issues since 2006, including organizing a citizens group in 2014 that spent 9 months negotiating a controversial 200-acre development project. In her past life, she worked in medical research at various University Hospitals in New England. Her interests include reading, writing, nature photography, travel, art galleries, museums, and politics.

Planning and Zoning Commission Votes to Recommend Denial of the OVCN Rezoning!

At last night’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, the commissioners voted 3 to 2 to deny approval of Item A (rezoning to Planned Area Development) and voted unanimously 5-0 to recommend approval of Item B (conceptual architecture for the multi-purpose building and concession building) for the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene.

Excerpts from the Staff Executive Summary
The intent of the proposal is to accommodate a lighted outdoor athletic field (approximately 100,000 square feet), concession building, parking, a new administration office, amphitheater and a multi-purpose building (approximately 75,000 square feet).

Three neighborhood meetings were held regarding this request. Numerous concerns were raised at these meetings including the following:

• Compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood
• Noise impacts from outdoor athletic events
• Lighting impacts from proposed light poles at the field
• Heights of light poles and proposed buildings
• Views
• Traffic and safety
• Parking availability

The Staff Summary addressed the above concerns
The Town admitted that although “Thematically, the proposed uses ‘fit’ in-between the existing church sanctuary site and the CDO High School facilities…the extent of development, however, is incompatible with the area” and “The use of field lighting, outdoor amplification, and associated traffic will impact adjacent property owners.”

The Staff Report also states that “it is important to note that there will be a significant increase in traffic and congestion in the neighborhood.” A condition of approval has been added “that no parking related to OVCN activities may occur in the adjacent public ROW.”

Despite the noise study demonstrating compliance with Zoning Code standards, Town Staff admitted that “noise will still be impactful on adjacent neighbors as no amplified noise currently exists onsite…Moreover, having amplified noise until 10 pm will be disruptive to neighbors…A condition of approval was that amplified noise may not go past 9 pm on Sunday-Thursday and not past 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.”

Town Staff Recommended Approval - Planning and Zoning Commissioners Disagreed
Despite admitting that the proposed development is not compatible with the neighborhood, the staff recommended approval “Based on legal requirements stemming from both Federal and State law.” However, the majority of Planning and Zoning Commissioners remained concerned about the noise and lighting impacts to adjacent residents and that the proposal was incompatible with the General Plan and the rezoning request was denied.

This rezoning proposal will go before the Town Council at a later date for a final decision.

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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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