Nature Preserve Preliminary Remediation Timetable

The following is a press release from The Conservation Fund, owner of the Town of Oro Valley Nature Preserve, regarding the timing of the remediation of the property. LOVE added headings for reader convenience.

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Preliminary schedule released

As many of you know, The Conservation Fund has contracted with Brightview Landscape Services to perform preliminary clean-up of the property on behalf of the Town of Oro Valley to address fire and public safety issues. Below is their preliminary schedule along with maps to show the various areas which are anticipated to be temporarily unavailable for public use to avoid conflict with equipment being used. These are subject to change.

Invasive plant removal and control will be a long term issue for the maintenance of the preserve

We are aware of the invasive species that occupy the property, including Buffelgrass and Fountain Grass. A coordinated effort will be necessary among all parties to adequately deal with long-term removal and eradication. 

Due to the time needed to fully resolve this issue and our interim ownership of the property, that is not within our current capability. 

Effective treatment and removal will need to be on a sustained continuous basis and additional public education is necessary before expending additional significant time and/or expenses. The Town is aware of the concerns being raised and will coordinate as necessary and appropriate once the property is conveyed on or after July 1st.

Please do not remove any material from the property 

Finally, we would like to remind everyone that removal of any material from the property, including plants, cactus, rocks, or sand or gravel is not allowed without permission from The Conservation Fund or the Town of Oro Valley. If you observe any suspicious activity, please contact the Police Department (Non-Emergency) number as follows:

• Call: (520) 229-4900 (Reception answers M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) 
• After-hours is the same number (Listen through all the prompts to get to dispatch)

Additional information forthcoming as developed 

Additional information will be forthcoming as developed. Again, thank you for your continued cooperation and patience as we work to improve site conditions. 

Please feel free to contact me at kkowalsky@conservationfund.org if you have any questions or concerns. 

Kirste Kowalsky 

Southwest Field Representative 

The Conservation Fund

Conservation Fund Details Vistoso "Oro Valley Nature Preserve" Remediation Activities

The following is a press release from The Conservation Fund, owner of the Vistoso Preserve. It was issued last week. We added captions as an aid for the reader.

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It's the "Town of Oro Valley Nature Preserve"

As part of our on-going communication, we want to update the public regarding current actions associated with our interim management of the former Vistoso Golf Course, which we are informally referring to as the “Town of Oro Valley Nature Preserve.” 

We have recently contracted with Brightview Landscape Services to perform preliminary clean-up work of the property in concert with the Town’s direction and input.

Fire and public safety issues remain the initial priority

...including creating a clear, consistent, and sustainable buffer adjacent to existing cart paths and behind the homes that border the property. The current Scope of Work with Brightview involves the following preliminary improvements to the 202-acres as follows:

• Remove sand and debris from all cart paths.
• Trim small shrubs, grasses, and weeds to no more than 5 feet of height from the ground level and within a 5 feet distance on either side of the cart paths.
• Trim trees impacting the cart path to a height of 8 feet using arborist standards.
• Remove sand and debris from within the underpasses.
• Remove noxious weeds from the periphery of the property, and behind homes within 30 feet distance from the property line or common walls. 
• Cut and remove desert broom to ground level. 
• Buffelgrass and fountain grass will be cut to a height of 3-4 inches, with some cuttings to remain as mulch. 
• Mechanical equipment and hand tools will be used for tumble weed abatement reducing all tumble weeds to small particles. 
• Minor amounts of debris will be evenly dispersed on-site. Large mounds will be removed for aesthetics.

Note: Large sections of the Cart Path will be closed during work hours to avoid conflict with equipment being used. Brightview will provide up to 2 weeks advance notice, along with maps, indicating temporarily closed sections. 

Work is expected to begin in April and continue through the end of May / early June

During this timeframe, we remind all residents and visitors that no other work is allowed or authorized on the property without first obtaining approvals from the Town or The Conservation Fund. However, the property will remain open for passive recreational visitor use and enjoyment, subject to the temporary closures as described above.

We look forward to completing this important interim step as we continue to work with the Town towards the donation and transfer of the property on or after July 1, 2022. Additional information will be forthcoming as developed.

Questions?

Again, thank you in advance for your continued cooperation and understanding. Please feel free to contact Kirste Kowalsky (kkowalsky@conservationfund.org) if you have any questions or concerns in the interim. 

Mike Ford 

Nevada and Southwest Director 

The Conservation Fund

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Vistoso Preserve: As Remediation Begins, Property Open For All To Enjoy

The following is a press release from The Conservation Fund, owner of the Vistoso Preserve. It was issued yesterday. We added captions as an aid for the reader.

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Purchase is now complete

Thanks to the generous contributions of over 600 individuals in the community, over $1.8 million dollars was raised, and the negotiation and successful acquisition of the former Vistoso Golf Course is now complete. 

TCF to help fund some initial remediation

Last week, prior to closing, we met with Town of Oro Valley officials and discussed an interim management plan to address immediate life safety and ADA issues. The Conservation Fund made an initial financial commitment towards beginning that work in close coordination with the Town.

Initial focus: Creating a sustainable buffer behind homes that border the property

Before starting we want to have a cogent and consistent plan and focus on the issues of highest priority. Fire and public safety issues are the immediate priority and creating a clear, consistent, and sustainable buffer behind the homes that border the property, and along established paths, is at the top of the list. We have a follow up meeting with the Town on Thu 2/24 to discuss next steps.

The property is "open for visitor use and enjoyment"

During the interim ownership period The Conservation Fund will be managing the property as if it is part of the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department. The guidelines for interim management will be virtually identical to other property under current ownership by the Town. As such, we are advising all residents and visitors that no work is allowed or authorized on the property without first obtaining concurrence from the Town or The Conservation Fund. However, the property is open for visitor use and enjoyment.

Community involvement in remediation welcome once a plan is in place

We sincerely appreciate the concern and work some residents have performed previously and we don’t want to discourage anyone from volunteering to assist in the future. The Town will welcome community involvement and volunteer participation but before any further work is advanced there needs to be a cogent and consistent plan that aligns with long-term management of the property as an open space and natural area. We will remain actively involved and all future actions will be coordinated directly with the Town being thoughtful and deliberate about the future of this unique property.

Mike Ford

Nevada and Southwest Director The Conservation Fund

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Romspen received $4.25 million for the former Vistoso Golf Course

The beginning of a 202 acre preserve

Friday’s announcement by The Conservation Fund that they purchased the former Vistoso Golf course was fantastic news for the community. It marked the end of a long and difficult negotiation with the property owner. More importantly, however, it marks the beginning of a 202 acre nature preserve for everyone in the community to enjoy.

We plan to tell the story of how this all came about. It is indeed a very complicated story.

Today, we start our story with the result: The settlement agreement that was signed for the purchase of the property.

Resulted from a deal that required a “settlement agreement”
“A settlement agreement is a legal contract that resolves the disputes among all parties by coming to an agreement. It is a legal document where all parties in a court case, in civil law, agree to an outcome of any judgment being made in advance.” (https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/what-is-a-settlement-agreement.html). When it comes to the Vistoso Golf Course, there are many issues that needed to be resolved. The most important of which was what development was going to be allowed on the property. There is after all a 6+ acre parcel that is already zoned for apartments. Then there is the 202 acre golf course including a clubhouse that could have been potentially used for a variety of purposes. The settlement agreement states exactly how all of this was resolved.

The deal has six key elements

• 202 acres will be a permanent nature preserve.That is the golf courses.
• 6+ acres, the clubhouse area, will house proximally 132 apartments
• The apartments will be no higher than two stories. The property is zoned for up to a three-story apartment building.
• A small portion, roughly 1 acre, adjacent to the the 6+ acres will be available for use for parking for the apartments.
• No county recapture of property taxes will be incurred by any party as a result of the sale.
  
• Romspen will receive funds as detailed in the panel at right

There are four participants in the deal
Romspen (Vistoso) LLC

Romspen LLC is the owner of the property. They purchased it in 2012 in a bankruptcy proceeding. They operated the golf course until 2016. They shut it down and proceeded to spend the next five years concocting various ways to parse the property for development. They received $4.25 million for their effort.
Ross Rulney

Ross Rulney is a Tucson based developer. He developed "El Corredor" which is located at Oracle and Linda Vista. It is a mixed-use development. Rulney took over that property from a company that was trying to build a motel there. They went out of business.  Rulney is going to build the apartments.. He paid $1.75 million to buy the property. 

The Conservation Fund 

The Conservation Fund ("TCF") is the entity that now owns a golf course. They will be donating it to the town once they find a conservator to manage the settlement agreement such that nothing other than a natural preserve will ever exist on the property. Through the efforts of the residents, TCF raised donations sufficient to pay Romspen $1.615 million. That was the appraised value of the land.

Town of Oro Valley

The town of Oro Valley is the fourth participant in the transaction. The town agreed to pay $885,000 to settle all remaining “disagreements.”  This resolved a "legal dispute."

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Want to learn more? Read the Settlement Agreement here.

Victory at Last: Former Vistoso Golf Course Purchase Complete

The Conservation Fund announced its purchase of the 202-acre former Vistoso Golf Course property

Roughly two years ago, The Conservation Fund and its partners, including the Town of Oro Valley, residents and community leaders, and members of the organization Preserve Vistoso, set out to acquire and protect the property so it could be preserved as a wildlife sanctuary and public recreation destination. Thanks to the generous contributions of over 600 individuals in the community, over $1.8 million dollars was raised, and a challenging negotiation and successful acquisition are now complete.

“Support from the community was phenomenal,” said Mike Ford, The Conservation Fund’s Southwest Director. “We want to thank the Town of Oro Valley, led by Mayor Joe Winfield and Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett, as well as Preserve Vistoso and the hundreds of people who donated to this effort. Thanks to you, Arizona has gained another natural, cultural and recreational resource for all to enjoy.” 

“I want to thank the community for their generosity, as well as my colleagues on the Town Council, Town leadership, The Conservation Fund, and the other parties in this transaction that helped this purchase come to fruition. Preservation of this land will benefit the entire Oro Valley community for generations to come,” said Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield.

The former Vistoso Golf Course property is a crown jewel in Oro Valley. Mountain views and varied desert vegetation, wildlife such as mule deer, bobcats, and birds, and rock formations bearing Native American petroglyphs can all be found on the site’s grounds. When the Vistoso Golf Course ceased operations in 2018, many in the community envisioned a future nature preserve in its place. It has become a popular open space for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.

The Conservation Fund will temporarily hold the property, place a conservation easement on the land, and donate it to the Town of Oro Valley later this year. The conservation easement will ensure that the site will never be developed and will remain an asset for wildlife and the local community. The property will remain open for public access under The Conservation Fund’s interim ownership.

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About The Conservation Fund 

At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states since 1985 to protect more than 8.5 million acres of land, including roughly 975,000 acres in Arizona. www.conservationfund.org

Source: The Conservation Fund Press Release, February 17, 2022

2022: A Year In "Preview"

Six key events...and counting

We foresee six key events in Oro Valley in 2022. Here's our preview.

The former Vistoso Golf Course purchase and designation as a permanent preserve
We expect that the purchase of the former Vistoso Golf Course will be completed within the next few weeks. After that, the land will be gifted by The Conservation Fund" to the town of Oro Valley. This will happen once the land is designated as permanent open space.

Conversion of the former Vistoso Golf property to a preserve
This land will become a permanent part of the town's parks and recreation system. There's a lot of work that needs to be done to clean it up. A decision needs to be made is on what will happen to the “lake." It is our understanding of the town and residents will work together to clean up the property during the remainder of the year.

A decision on the Oro Valley Village Center rezoning
The town Council will hold a public hearing on February 16 at 6 pm regarding the proposed Oro Valley Village Center. That center includes what is now in the Oro Valley marketplace plus large apartment buildings and three hotels. 

The town is also negotiating an economic development agreement with the developer of this property behind closed doors. If the center is approved, there won't be anything built until at least 2023 or 2024.

2022 Elections
There are two candidates who have declared their intention to run for mayor. They represent two different leadership styles; two different approaches to the community. There are six candidates running for three council seats. These candidates are running as teams of three. The candidates are collecting signatures between now and early April so that they can get on the ballot. Our plan is to provide a snapshot of each candidate so that you can decide whose petitions you want to sign. You can sign up to three petitions, though we don’t think that anything will happen if you sign all six since no one checks the signatures.

A 2022-23 Budget with no "Washington Big Bucks"
The process of preparing the budget for next year will start in February. The process concludes in late June. This ain't “your grandfathers Oro Valley.” Oro Valley services have grown substantially in the past three years; and they will continue to grow as the Town adds even more. The 2022-23 budget faces the challenge of not receiving massive government funding. Well at least it doesn't look that way at the moment. Indeed, if the town needs to start relying on it's own revenue resources for funding, the budget for next year is going to be more challenging than it has been in the past.

Drinking water use on Pusch Ridge Golf Course

When the town reopened the Push Ridge Golf Course it also agreed to irrigate the course. That course uses a tremendous amount of drinking water. Using drinking water to irrigate a golf course is simply not the right thing to do during these times of drought. The Pusch Ridge Golf Course drinking water use simply needs to be investigated and reduced by the Town. 

This issue should not be pushed back until 2024 or 2025, which is what appears to be the present plan. Those that support the course are eager to enter into discussions regarding turf reduction and other water use measures. The time to do so is sooner rather than later.

There will be others

We can think of several topics that will become key topics in 2022. One of those is transparency in government. Another is getting back to a normal, non pandemic world. And the beat goes on!

Vistoso Community Association Unanimously Approves Variance, Clearing the Way for Closing on Vistoso Golf Course

The following press release from Preserve Vistoso presents more good news regarding the Vistoso Golf Course. Preserve Vistoso and community members raised $1.8 million for The Conservation Fund to purchase the property  

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Vistoso Golf Purchase clears another barrier

"Jan. 28, 2022 - Congratulations!!! The final hurdle for the sale of the Vistoso property was completed last night as the Vistoso Community Association (VCA) Board unanimously approved a variance that was required for the sale of the 6.3 acres near the clubhouse to local Tucson developer Ross Rulney. As most of you know, the sale of the 202 acres of the Vistoso property as a nature preserve required that the entire 208 acres be sold at the same time.

 
Thanks to Mike Ford from The Conservation Fund (TCF) and the Oro Valley Town Council, Town Manager and Town Lawyer for facilitating the Vistoso property agreement on our behalf. And a special thanks to the VCA Board for its quick response to approve this last-minute requirement for the sale to be completed.

 
What’s next? Once the agreement is signed by all parties in the next few weeks, TCF will place a conservation easement on the 202-acre nature preserve to protect it in perpetuity. Mike Ford will update us once the agreement is signed. TCF is expected to eventually donate the property to the Town of Oro Valley.

 
Ross Rulney will own the property near the clubhouse that always has been zoned high-density residential. As with any planned development, the Town of Oro Valley will review the plans in open sessions with the surrounding communities having a voice in the proposed plans.

 
“It’s been a very long 3-1/2 years but the end is really in sight, '' said Gayle Mateer, President of Preserve Vistoso. “ We expect the closing to happen in the next couple of weeks. We are so grateful for the unwavering support from you, our members, to get us to this point.”
We’ll let you know when closing is complete. We’re almost there!

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Vistoso Golf Purchase Delayed

The following is a press release from the the Town of Oro Valley that was released Friday. The text is the town's. The headings are ours.

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A five party agreement

In December 2021, the Town of Oro Valley agreed to a joint transaction with Romspen Vistoso LLC, The Conservation Fund and developer Ross Rulney that is intended to result in the preservation of 202 acres of the former Vistoso Golf Course as open space and passive recreation in perpetuity. In addition to the 202 acres, the former golf course also includes a 6.3 acre parcel formerly used for clubhouse operations. As a condition of the sale, the agreement requires that both the 202 acre and 6.3 acre parcels be sold simultaneously.

Procedural issues to be resolved

The initial closing date was December 31, 2021 but was extended to January 21, 2022 due to the parties waiting on documentation from the Pima County Assessor that verifies the future use of the 202 acres will not be subject to a tax recapture issue as specified in state law. Pima County officials are actively working on this matter with completion expected in the near future.

Mr. Rulney has agreed to purchase the 6.3 acre parcel for a future multi-family residential development; however, through the due diligence process, an issue has arisen that must be resolved in order for Mr. Rulney to finalize the purchase.

A solution to this issue has been identified, but it requires the Vistoso Community Association (VCA) Board of Directors to consider a variance to a legal classification designation of “Commercial” within the 1996 land tract declarations (related to private CC&R’s) for the 6.3 acre clubhouse parcel to a classification that is consistent with current Town zoning. A variance request has been made by Mr. Rulney to the VCA Board, and the Town supports this request.

Anticipated closing moved to mid February

Due to these outstanding issues, the parties have agreed to an additional extension to February 16, 2022, pending satisfactory outcomes. The terms of the agreement preclude the Town of Oro Valley from providing additional information at this time. The Town and the other parties in this transaction appreciate the patience of our residents as we work cooperatively to bring this purchase to fruition.

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Source

Purchase of former Vistoso Golf Course Nears Completion

Due diligence completed
"The Conservation Fund has completed remaining due diligence and notified all parties of our ability to close on the property as soon as possible. The Sellers’s (Romspen) have signed and delivered all documents, and everything remains in full force and effect. In addition, a parallel agreement involving the purchase of the 6-acre Club House parcel has been signed and approved. Finally, the settlement agreement among the Town of Oro Valley, The Conservation Fund, Romspen, and the private purchaser has been executed.  

Suffice to say this has been a complicated transaction involving multiple parties, two separate escrow agreements, and a host of administrative approvals and legal details. Despite those logistical challenges, everything has come together as planned and we are in complete agreement as we proceed towards closing.  

Purchase of former Vistoso Golf Course expected by January 21st

Our original goal was to close on or before December 30th, but that date has been extended into early January. We have encountered some minor delays that have impacted timing, mostly related to capacity (or lack thereof), traditional end of year activities, holiday leave, and escalating health and safety restrictions common to business and government. However, there are no open issues between Romspen, and the parties and we will make a formal announcement as soon as possible contingent with closing.  

I expect to be able to confirm everything between now and January 21st. In the meantime, we appreciate everyone’s continued support, patience, and understanding. We continue to work with the Town and others relative to future planning and management of the property while under interim management by The Conservation Fund.  

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

Mike Ford 

Nevada and Southwest Director 

The Conservation Fund"

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Vistoso Golf Course Property Fund Raising Goal Achieved

Purchase of the former Vistoso Golf Course

It is my pleasure to announce we have reached our fundraising goal! This monumental milestone will now allow us to acquire and protect the former Vistoso Golf Course property. The key to the fundraising success was attributable to the financial support and generosity from the entire community. In approximately 5 weeks, over 400 individuals contributed towards our goal and the overwhelming support is testimony to the importance of this effort.

Thank you, residents, and friends of Oro Valley!

So, what happens now?

Over the next 30-days we will complete our remaining due diligence in furtherance of closing on or before December 30th. We do not anticipate any issues of substantive challenge and we will make a formal announcement when we officially close and record.

We will also be processing all current donations and pledges, including converting gifts of stock and other securities to cash, directing the collective proceeds to an escrow account. Those that have donated will receive formal acknowledgement from The Conservation Fund for tax purposes associated with your specific contribution. 

Upon closing, the property will be protected in perpetuity. The Conservation Fund will become the interim owner and we will continue working with the Town of Oro Valley towards the eventual donation and transfer for long-term management and ownership -- subject to a conservation easement.

Please accept our sincere thanks for your collective trust and confidence. Your financial generosity, and the valuable input we have received throughout the process, will enable us to create a legacy for everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike Ford

Nevada and Southwest Director

The Conservation Fund

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(Source: Press Release, November 23, 2021, The Conservation Fund)

Community Contributions to Purchase the Vistoso Nature Preserve Top One Million Dollars

The following is press release from the group Preserve Vistoso.

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Oro Valley, AZ, Nov. 8, 2021 -- Preserve Vistoso (501c3) announced today it topped one million dollars of contributions to The Conservation Fund (TCF) to purchase the 202 acres of the Vistoso property in northern Oro Valley as a nature preserve. The fundraising campaign started on October 12 and the community based organization has until December 15 to reach its goal of $1.8 million in contributions.

Preserve Vistoso with its 1,900 members has been committed to saving the property since the Vistoso Golf course closed in late 2018. Since TCF reached an agreement with the property owner to purchase the property by year end, donors have been eager to contribute to save the property as a nature preserve. “Our community’s support to save a large parcel of Sonoran Desert in northern Oro Valley has been incredible,” said Gayle Mateer, “We are more than half way to reach our goal of $1.8 million, but we need support of the community and those who value saving part of the Sonoran desert as open space.”

If the fund raising goal is reached, TCF will acquire the property and place the nature preserve in a conservation easement in perpetuity that will be monitored by a Land Trust. That means the nature preserve will always be preserved as a Sonoran Desert. TCF is expected to donate the property to the Town of Oro Valley.

TCF is a nationally recognized conservation nonprofit501(c)( 3) organization creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, redefining conservation to emphasize its essential role in the country’s future prosperity.

“A conservation easement ensures that the property must remain as a nature preserve in perpetuity,” Mateer said. “The property was a desert golf course and the desert is reclaiming the property. With six miles of paved paths, it is a perfect spot for anyone in our community to enjoy a walk or bike ride and enjoy the Sonoran desert.

Tom Weiskopf designed and opened the Vistoso Golf Course in 1995 with more than 70 percent of the property retained as Sonoran desert habitat. It has spectacular mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, more than six miles of paved trails, three restrooms and trail underpasses for major roads. The area was once home to a Native American village called Sleeping Snake, as evidenced by the petroglyphs that can be found on the property.

More information is available at preservevistoso.org
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Source: The group Preserve Vistoso Press Release

Vistoso Preserve $1.8 Million Fundraising Target Reaches Million Dollar Mark

"This deal is going to get done"

Mike Ford of The Conservation Fund (“TCF”) updated residents on the status of TCF’s purchase of the former Vistoso Golf Course. “This deal is going to get done.” Ford noted at a Zoom meeting hosted by the group Preserve Vistoso on November 5.

$1 Million raised to date for the purchase of the 202 acres

Ford said that $1 million had been raised to date to fund the purchase. The goal is to raise $1.8 million by the end of the year. Ford believes that the purchase of the land from Rompsen LLC will be completed at that time. TCF will create a conservation easement on the property. 

TCG will employ a third party to that the conservation easement is maintained  in perpetuity. TCF will then donate the land to the Town of Oro Valley where the land will become part of the town’s Parks and Recreation system.

Been a "long road" to get to this point

Ford detailed the path that has been taken to make this purchase a reality. Initially, Rompsen LLC, the property owner, rejected a fair market value offer made by TCF in summer of 2020. That discussion included six acres of land that is zoned for high density residential use.

Negotiations were restarted by the town last spring at the urging of Rancho Vistoso Residents.  Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett, Town Manager Jacobs and town outside council Jonathan Rothchild led this

Unlike the  discussion, this discussion separated the six acres of land that is now zoned for his density residential use. The group negotiated on the remaining 202 acres. The fair market value for that property, as agreed to by Rompsen, is a bit less than the $1.8 million being raised. 

Ford stated that the six acres will be sold to a third party by Romspen. That party will develop the land consistent with current HDR zoning.

What Ford did not mention is that the town is a party to the agreement. The details of the town's commitment have yet to be revealed to the public.  

Your help needed
This will be a preserve for all to use, not just those in Rancho Vistoso.  You can help to make it so by donating to TCF. Click here to learn how to do so

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The Conservation Fund: Preserving Open Space Is Par For The Course In Oro Valley

Par for the course 

Mike Ford of The Conservation Fund has penned a lovely article on the saga of preserving the former Vistoso Golf Course as a nature preserve in perpetuity. In it, Ford extols the beauty of the former course. He notes that it is looking especially beautiful after our unusual monsoon season.

Thanks to those who helped

Ford  acknowledges the hard work of Oro Valley Resident Rosa Dailey. “I was first contacted by local leader Rosa Dailey in April 2020, who told me about the property and the groundswell of community support to see this open space preserved and not developed." Dailey had been working on finding a solution long before that. 

Ford also acknowledges the support of the group Preserve Vistoso as well as the support of Takebackov and LOVE.  And, the support of Mayor Winfield and Vice Mayor Barrett. 

The journey continues: From fundraising to a conservation easement

“Once the fundraising is complete and the 202-acre former Vistoso Golf Course is officially purchased, The Conservation Fund will protect the property with a conservation easement, which will legally protect this land for conservation indefinitely. After that, the property will be transferred to the Town of Oro Valley, and a qualified land trust will be named as the long-term property steward who will ensure it adheres to the terms of the conservation easement.”

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Agreement Would Convert Former Vistoso Golf Course to a Nature Preserve

Agreement would convert former Vistoso Golf Course to a Nature Preserve

Preserve Vistoso announced today that The Conservation Fund (TCF) will purchase 202 acres of the former Vistoso Golf Course. TCF will protect the property with a conservation easement as a nature preserve and community trail. The Town of Oro Valley is expected to become the eventual owner. TCF is a nationally recognized conservation nonprofit, 501(c)( 3) organization creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, redefining conservation to emphasize its essential role in the country’s future prosperity. 

Agreement should be final by year end

The property transaction should be final by year-end, contingent on the community raising $1.8 million for TCF to complete the purchase. Last year, community members conducted a successful pledge drive, but TCF’s offer to purchase the property was rejected. Now that an agreement was reached, there will be another opportunity for the community to raise the funds. 

Goal of a “preserve” is at hand

“Our community’s goal to preserve the property is finally close to becoming a reality,” said Gayle Mateer, president of Preserve Vistoso, a 1,860-member community 501(c)(3) nonprofit. “After the Vistoso Golf Course closed in 2018, we formed Preserve Vistoso so the community would have a voice in saving the property as a nature preserve and community trail. Now as a community we need to secure the funds to complete the purchase to save some of the last remaining large parcels of Sonoran desert in Oro Valley as open space.” 

…and it will be spectacular

Tom Weiskopf designed and opened the Vistoso Golf Course in 1995 with more than 70 percent of the property retained as Sonoran desert habitat. It has spectacular mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, more than six miles of paved trails, three restrooms and trail underpasses for major roads. The area was once home to a Native American village called Sleeping Snake, as evidenced by the petroglyphs that can be found on the property. 

Thanks to the community for the support

“Our community would not give up,” Mateer said. “Our volunteers persistently raised the issue of preserving the property with Town Council members and Town management. Preserve Vistoso membership grew as more community members supported our efforts to preserve the property for community use. TCF has been our valued and trusted partner. We also applaud the involvement of Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield, Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett, Town Council members, Town Attorney and Town Manager in negotiations for the purchase. Their support and direction were critical to our success.”

 (Source: October 13, 2021 press release of the organization "Preserve Vistoso")

Fundraising for the Preservation of the Former Vistoso Golf Course Begins Today!

Agreement reached… Now its time to raise funding

The Conservation Fund (TCF) will begin accepting donations toward the purchase of the 202 acres of recreational open space that was once the fairways of the former Vistoso Golf Course. The fundraising will occur over the next 60 days with the purchase projected by the end of December 2021.

It’s been a long road

As those who have been following this saga know, the purchase of the property proved quite challenging and required a strategic partnership approach. The Conservation Fund entered into discussion with golf course owner Romspen LLc in May of last year. Last November, the Town of Oro Valley agreed to join the negotiations. Last month, the sale of the property was agreed upon. 

• TCF will purchase the 202 acres. 
• An outside developer will purchase the six acre parcel that is zoned for residential use. 
• The town will enter into a Global Settlement Agreement to resolve any remaining issues.

The Benefits of Donating to a Nationally Recognized Non-Profit

There are many benefits to TCF’s involvement. Their reputation is above reproach as one of the top-rated conservation organizations in the county, with a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, an A+ rating by Charity Watch, and as an organization that achieves the standards of excellence of the Better Business Bureau.

TCF’s platinum level accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance ensures with a high degree of certainty that your donations will allow the purchase of the former Vistoso golf course to join TCF’s impressive legacy of land preservation in Arizona and throughout the country. With your tax-deductible contributions, 202 acres in Rancho Vistoso, Oro Valley will join the 1 million acres TCF has conserved in Arizona, and 8.5 million acres they have conserved within the US. In Oro Valley our motto is: It’s in our nature and very soon we will have the nature preserve to prove it!

A Conservation Easement makes all the difference!

Once the 202 acres of the former Vistoso Golf Course is purchased, TCF will protect the land with a conservation easement. Think of it as a deed that will forever follow the land allowing certain recreational uses while prohibiting other activities such as development. Imagine never having to fight off another developer! 

While the Town of Oro Valley is expected to be the eventual owner of the property, a qualified land trust will be named as the long-term property steward who will ensure it maintains adherence to the terms of the conservation easement. 

The conservation easement is one of the most value-added features of working with The Conservation Fund to purchase the recreational open space of the former Vistoso golf course. We donate and they do all the work from purchase to protection.

Your help is needed to fund the Purchase

The Conservation Fund has established a goal of raising $1.8 million by December 2021. A designated pledge form will direct all donations exclusively towards TCF’s purchase of the land and establishment of a conservation easement.

Tax-deducible charitable contributions may be made by check, wire transfer, securities transfer, and qualified charitable distribution.

You can view and download the 2021 Romspen Vistoso Project Pledge Form here.
 
All donors should direct questions to: 

Kirste Kowalsky, Arizona Field Representative, kkowalsky@conservationfund.org, 480-332-3012 

Mike Ford, Senior Nevada and Southwest Director, mford@conservationfund.org, 702-655-8167

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Source: Oro Valley Resident Rosa Dailey

Bits and Pieces

Conceptual agreement reached on Vistoso Preserve 

All parties to the sale of the former Vistoso Golf Course and its conversion into a permanent preserve have formed a conceptual agreement. “As there is now no disagreement on any issues of substance, the parties will be working through contracts and legal documents with the goal of completing the deal no later than by close of next week.” (Source: Reader's email)

Once the agreements are signed, fundraising will begin.  LOVE will keep you up to date as we learn more.

Oro Valley Marketplace changes and the water challenge are featured on this week's Jim Horn Oro Valley Podcast talk with LOVE

We are Jim Horn’s Guest on his Oro Valley Podcast this week. We talk about two topics: The proposed changed to the Oro Valley Marketplace and “Water”. We discuss two questions: Are the changes proposed to the Marketplace something the town needs? Can Oro Valley remain an oasis of plentiful water when the rest of the West isn’t? Get updated on the Marketplace proposed changes here. Listen to Jim’s podcast here.

Oro Valley Historical Society membership meeting next Thursday

The Oro Valley Historical Society is holding a membership meeting at the Pusch House at Steam Pump Ranch on Thursday, September 30 at 2:30pm. After the meeting, attendees are welcome to tour this month’s exhibit and enjoy some refreshments.

Fall "Pavement Preservation" schedule available

The town has released its plans for this fall’s pavement preservation schedule. Work starts in late October. This is a program started years ago to refresh our town’s street’s long before they have to be replaced. The program truly does extend the life of our streets. It’s why the condition of our roads is so good. Read what’s going to be done and where here. 

Lots of scams

There are many different kinds of "scams". Seems like more than ever. Visit this FTC link to learn more. We receive emails routinely about being charged for a Norton Security subscription. We have no such subscription. We simply delete the message and we suggest you do the same.

Town Unveils Major Upgrade To Council Chambers

Council cleared up some open items

Last week’s council meeting, was the first in person council meeting since March of 2020.  The council cleared some open items including:

• Approved a resolution to accept an annual subsidy of $34,050 to support the operation of the town’s 9 hole Pusch Ridge Course. The subsidy comes from three homeowner associations that abut the property. The amount will be paid for the next three years.
• Retained Jonathan Rothschild as outside attorney
• Amended the town's water code to penalize water wasting. You can read more about that code here.

Renovated council chambers

The council chambers were renovated and updated to take advantage of the latest technology.  The cost of the renovation was $600,000.   The facility was built and maintained years ago when the town offices were built.  

Click on picture to expand view

Changes include:

• Increased capacity to 190 from 104 persons
• More comfortable chairs
• Improved ADA compliance
• "Loop system" for people with hearing aids
• Better technology including two large monitors and improved lighting for visual quality streaming
• New audio-visual system to enable virtual public participation, boards and commission members, and council members

With the new chambers and in person meeting, the town has changed its council meeting procedures.

The new technology allows residents to participate both in person and virtually. “For agenda items listed as Public Hearings, there is now an option to speak publicly via Zoom if the speaker registers at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting by filling out a “virtual” speaker card. Once a speaker has registered online, they will be provided with additional instructions and a Zoom link on the day of the meeting. The new virtual option also applies to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment, as they are both held in Council Chambers and have Public Hearings.  

Links to register for a virtual speaker card will be included in each meeting’s agenda, which is posted to the Town’s website one week in advance. ”

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Vistoso Preserve Becoming A Reality

Vistoso Nature Preserve to become a reality

Last night, the Oro Valley Town Council met in executive session to finalize next steps regarding the conversion of the former Vistoso Golf Course into a preserve. The council unanimously approved the following resolution:

"...to proceed with a settlement agreement of all disputes [between the town and property owner] Romspen that facilitates The Conservation Fund's purchase of the 202 acres of the former Vistoso Golf Course; that the town council will allow the town to be a party to the resolution of all claims with Romspen and be party to the negotiation to the conservation easement between The Conservation Fund and Romspen, including any consideration acquired by the town; that staff is directed further to the settlement agreement, to involve a third party regarding the purchase of the six acre property owned by Romspen, currently zoned multi family residential."

End of a long journey

Residents are hopeful that his  resolution ends a four year nightmare for the residents of Rancho Vistoso.  Speaking on the motion, Oro Valley resident Rosa Dailey speaking to council observed: "You are going to be known as the council that brought conservation to Oro Valley in a very big way." 

According to Dailey:" This is the end of a long journey."

Naranja Park …. Vistoso Preserve… and more…

Council prioritizes projects in the $25 million Parks and Recreation Bond…but not without controversy
The Town Council set priorities for specific parks and recreation projects to be funded by an approximate $25 million bond that will be issued this fall. The projects are listed in the panel that follows. The bond will be repaid by approximately half of the half percent sales tax the town levies to fund the town’s three golf courses and the community center. Town Manager Jacobs and Town Finance Director Gebhart assured the council that the town will have the funds from the sales tax levy to repay these bonds under any foreseeable circumstance. 

The projects that are included in the bond are in addition to projects included in the 2021-22 Parks and Recreation Budget. $1.3 million in this budget is designated spending for Steam Pump Ranch. According to Council Member Bohen this amount is far too little. “Steam Pump Ranch has never been a priority” and there are many unmet needs. 

Council Members Solomon and Greene voted against the priority list. Pointing to the town’s statistically valid survey of resident parks and recreation needs done just last year, Solomon noted that Naranja Park was not even on the list. Solomon stated that the inclusion of massive funding for Naranja Park in this bond simply does not meet the wishes of the residents. 

Solomon is correct that the survey reflects no significant resident interest in building Naranja Park. This has been true since the day the county gave this stone and mortar quarry to Oro Valley. Naranja Park has never been important to the majority of residents. It has only been important to members of council.

Former Vistoso Golf land purchase negotiations continue… Some resolution perhaps in September

Speaking at last week’s council meetings, Rancho Vistoso residents were complementary of Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett and Town Attorney Jonathan Rothschild “for their diligent, hard work in bringing this matter to closure.” They were speaking in regards to ongoing negotiations regarding the former Vistoso Golf Course. The matter remains in negotiation. 

 
Speaking after executive session, Town Outside Counsel Rothschild stated that Romspen has “agreed” to a specified price for the property. The Conservation Fund has agreed to purchase the property for the appraised value, which will be known in August.” It is possible that the appraised value will be less than meet amount Romspen wants for the property. Thus, the council likely will have to consider legal options, which may include condemnation, to force a resolution. 

Council Member Solomon said: “We are very close.” Residents hope so. “Its’ been three years”, one resident noted. “Time to bring this to a conclusion.”

Council adjourns until September 7 meeting… Will unveil upgraded council chambers

It will be an “in person” meeting in renovated council chambers. Public participation will be available in person. The town will use Zoom participation for public hearings only. Thus, one who wants to participate in the “call to audience” segment will have to do so in person. Town Manager Jacobs stated that the town will provide more information on how these meetings and those of the town’s boards and commission will take place.

Update On Negotiations To Purchase Vistoso Golf Property

The following is a press release from the organization, Preserve Vistoso

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April 26, 2021-- Mike Ford, Southwest Director of Conservation Acquisition for The Conservation Fund (TCF), provided Preserve Vistoso board members an update on progress to purchase the Vistoso  from Romspen Investments. Ford said that the Town of Oro Valley Attorney Jonathon Rothschild and Town Manager Mary Jacobs invited TCF to reengage in discussions for a purchase agreement with Romspen. Any deal is contingent on an appraisal of the property to establish Fair Market Value (FMV). Romspen attorney Pat Lopez agreed to contract for an updated appraisal

Ford said the deal being considered is for TCF to purchase the 202 acres zoned recreational at FMV and place a conservation easement on the property to protect it in perpetuity as open space. Terms of the deal including the purchase price and conservation easement language will be released publicly once the deal closes. The purpose of a conservation easement would be to define exactly what would be allowed and what would be prohibited. It would allow hiking trails, trail heads and parking areas, but ball parks and amphitheaters, for example, would not be allowed on the property.

 In a separate agreement, the six acres where the former club house and parking lot exist, currently zoned high density residential, would be sold to a private developer. Any development of the property would be subject to all existing zoning constraints including building height limits of 35 feet. Ford said that the developer would be known to our community and the plans would be compatible with the 202 open space acres.

If the FMV offer is accepted by Romspen, TCF would hope to close the deal by year end.  While TCF intends to eventually donate the property to the Town, TCF would also select a third party conservation land trust as a steward of the property to protect the natural habitat. 

"This is great news for our community," said Gayle Mateer, President of Preserve Vistoso. “TCF has remained willing to re-engage in the process even after the initial offer to Romspen was rejected last September. Mike Ford's leadership and the Town of Oro Valley's support have made an agreement on the property a possibility. We are cautiously optimistic that Romspen will accept the deal and we can end our three-year nightmare of uncertainty about the property."

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