Bits and Pieces

Former Vistoso Golf Course is now "Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve"

The Oro Valley Town Council selected a name for the former Vistoso Golf Course preserve. They did so a this past Wednesday's town council meeting. 

There were 1,500 unique names submitted by more than 2,500 residents in a contest to name the former course. The council selected from among the top three as voted by town residents. The name, Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve," received the the most resident votes and was the final selection of council.

Oro Valley Village Center (aka Oro Valley Marketplace) visioning continues
Town West returned to the Oro Valley Town Council Wednesday night to seek guidance as they prepare to resubmit their plan for the Oro Valley Village Center to council. They were seeking guidance on the height of the two hotels. 

According to Keri Silvyn, Town West attorney, the hoteliers (Springhill Suites Marriot and Hilton Hampton Suites) require four floor buildings. That means a height of 49 feet plus 10 added feet for architecture. That brings the height 10 feet greater than the PAD permits. All council members were in favor of the increased height. 

The discussion then turned to the location of one of the hotels. Most members favored putting that hotel on Oracle as opposed to it being Tangerine. The other hotel will be in the entertainment area. 

Town West will continue the process, resubmitting their proposal to town staff. According to Silvyn, the development conforms with all other PAD requirements.

Sharp to speak at OVSBC meeting next week

Mayoral candidate Danny Sharp will be the guest speaker on May 25 at an Oro Valley Social & Business Club (OVSBC) gathering. The event is from 5-7pm at the Fork and Fire Grille in the Oro Valley Marketplace. The event is $20 cash at the door and includes food and music. Cash bar. OVSBC supports local restaurants, small businesses and Veterans/First Responders. This is not a candidate fundraising event.

Oro Valley invites community to Naranja Park groundbreaking ceremony 

ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (May 17, 2022) – The Town of Oro Valley is ready to break ground on the Naranja Park Expansion Project, a multi-million-dollar investment that will bring new amenities to this already established park. Community members of all ages are invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, which will be held Tuesday, May 31 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Naranja Park (810 W Naranja Drive). The groundbreaking will feature remarks from Parks and Recreation Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan and Mayor Joe Winfield. Following the ceremony, families are invited to stay and play at Naranja Park with free commemorative kites made specifically as a keepsake for the event.. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release)

Town unveils third mural

There's a new mural in Oro Valley. According to Town Manager Mary Jacobs, "The mural was inspired by the beautiful starry nights in Oro Valley and the beautiful desert colors." The mural is on the concession stand in Riverfront Park. The town's other murals are at James D Kreigh Park and the Oro Valley Marketplace.

Town of Oro Valley accepting applications for Planning and Zoning Commission vacancy 

 ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (May 19, 2022) – The Town of Oro Valley is accepting applications to fill an immediate vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission.  To serve on an Oro Valley commission, members must be residents of Oro Valley, be able to attend the designated meetings and complete the Town’s Community Academy within their term. Planning and Zoning Commission members serve two-year terms. Those interested in applying can visit the application process on our website. The vacancy will remain open until filled. The Planning and Zoning Commission holds public meetings and makes recommendations to the Town Council on matters relating to the General Plan, zoning code amendments, rezoning and other land use requests. The commission meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Oro Valley Council Chambers.

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Bits and Pieces

Voting is now open for contest to re-name former Vistoso Golf Course property 

"ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (April 26, 2022) ––The Town of Oro Valley is excited to announce that the top 10 names have been selected, and online voting is now open for Round Two of Name OV’s New 202-Acre Outdoor Space! – the contest to name the soon-to-be acquired 202-acre outdoor property formerly known as the Vistoso Golf Course. Voters may select up to three of the 10 names (vote here). One vote per person. Voting is restricted to Oro Valley residents only. For residency verification, a name and street address will be required when casting a vote. Voting will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, 2022." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release)

Oro Valley launches new Community and Economic Development website 

"ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (April 28, 2022) ––The Town of Oro Valley is excited to announce the launch of a new Community and Economic Development website (link) that serves as a one-stop resource for site selectors and current and future Oro Valley businesses. The website, chooseorovalley.com, was announced yesterday during the Oro Valley Economic Outlook and Spring Business Expo, presented by the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce at El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release). 

"Heroes Run" on May 14

Three local organizations are sponsoring "The Veterans and First Responders Memorial Run" on May 14. It is a run for first responders: Police, Fire and Emergency and health care workers. This is the link to sign up.

Oro Valley Releases Summer Program Guide 

The Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Summer Program Guide is available online at orovalleyaz.gov. It is a full listing of summer camp options, classes, special events and recreational facilities available to you this summer. (Source: Oro Valley Vista, May, 2022)

Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf seek your help during this budget cycle

The group, Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf, are seeking help in focusing town budget funds on the course. "We don’t expect Pusch Ridge Golf to be transformed into Augusta National. We do believe there are some modest investments that can be made to improve the experience and make this course more environmentally sustainable for the long term...We are asking all Friends to reach out to the Mayor and Town Council for their help. Learn more here.

"Battle Of The Bands" starts tonight at 6:30pm at Steam Pump Ranch

"Local high school rockers will perform live in front of an audience and will have the chance to win some great prizes! Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and will get one song fully recorded and edited by a local professional recording studio. The event is free to the public so please come and cheer on these talented young musicians! We recommend brining a blanket or chairs. Food trucks will be on site with treats available to purchase."

Bits and Pieces

Kreigh Park Easter "Eggstravaganza" tomorrow
Tomorrow, the town is hosting an Easter event. It is called the "Oro Valley Easter Eggstravaganza". It is an annual egg hunt that includes crafts, games, jumping castles, food trucks and other fun activities! Easter egg hunt divided by age groups: 9:30 a.m.: Ages 9-10 | 9:50 a.m.: Ages 6-8 | 10:10 a.m. : Ages 3-5 | 10:30 a.m. : Ages 0-2"

It is at Kreigh Park from 9am to Noon.

Town of Oro Valley is "flush with cash"
"With the Town now two-thirds of the way through the fiscal year, revenues continue to significantly outperform budget expectations. In addition, expenditure savings are anticipated in the Town’s major funds. The General Fund and Community Center Fund in particular, should end the fiscal year with substantially higher fund balances than projected." (Town Finance Director February 2022 Financial Update To Council)

Multi-Use Path heads toward Rancho Vistoso Blvd
The CDO multi use path runs from along the CDO, terminating at the Oro Valley Marketplace. There is a turnoff at the end that connects it to a  paved path that Pima County created along Big Wash. That paved path runs under Tangerine and heads north along the east side of Big Wash. At present, that paved path ends at a bit north or the Oro Valley Hospital. The Pima County Regional Flood Control District built that path. It is extending it this month with an added 3,100 linear feet. Next fiscal year it will complete the extension to Rancho Vistoso Blvd. (Source: Town Manager Executive Report, April 2022).  

Town of Oro Valley signs interim agreement to takeover Vistoso Nature Preserve
Town Manager Mary Jacobs "signed a Cooperative Interim Land Management Agreement with The Conservation Fund this week, paving the way for the future acceptance of the property. This agreement describes our respective responsibilities during TCF’s interim holding period of the property and the donation terms. We are making final reviews of the Conservation Easement, which will be recorded prior to the transfer to the Town. TCF is keeping residents and stakeholders apprised of the progress they are making on the initial clean-up of the property, which will be completed later this month.' (Source: Town Manager Executive Report, April 2022)

Remediation of Vistoso Nature Preserve continues
Work continues on the Vistoso property.  According to The Conservation Fund: Work in the northern area of the property is underway and Brightview is on schedule to complete efforts to improve access along the cart path, trim vegetation, prune trees, and remove debris from the underpasses by April 22nd. To date, they have cleared over 1 1⁄2 miles of the cart path. The remainder of the path in its entirety along the upper portion will mowed by the end of next week." (Source" The Conservation Fund Press Release, 4-7-22)

Reduce your speed on Oracle, from Concordia to Tangerine Road
The state has reduced the speed on Oracle from Calle Concordia to Tangerine Road from 50 to 45 mph. This is because it is repaving that section of the road. The first step is remediation of curb and sidewalk ramps. The turn lanes and side streets will be milled and paved during the months of April and May, and the main lanes will be milled and paved during the months of June and July.  Please slow down.

Bits and Pieces

Friend's of Pusch Ridge Golf Celebrate Year End

"We will be celebrating our incredible season of golf with a morning shotgun scramble on May 5th – Cinco de Mayo! Our growing circle of “Friends” has so much to be thankful for – we hope you will join us to toast exceeding our goal of 10,000 rounds played (unofficial projection is 12,500 through the end of March), Indigo Golf’s course restoration and incredible team, the Town of Oro Valley’s improvements and partnership with FOPRG, three successful leagues and players of all ages that enjoy fast, fun and affordable golf day after day!" (Source)

Tomorrow: Celebrate Oro Valley returns to Steam Pump Ranch
"Celebrate Oro Valley is returning in-person to Steam Pump Ranch this Saturday! After the annual event went virtual last year because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Town is excited to share with you the growing story of Oro Valley with free, family-friendly activities and performances. This year’s highlight is “Horses throughout Southwest History,” with a special performance by the Charros y Modelos de Arizona dancing horse show. Make sure you join the fun on Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Steam Pump Ranch (10901 N. Oracle Road)." (Event web site)

New Map of Vistoso Preserve

"Our neighbor, Laura Malick Smith, has created a map [below right] of the Vistoso Nature Preserve to help us navigate the trails. It includes the names of the former golf course holes, references nearby communities, and shows adjacent streets, underpasses, and restrooms. Mayor Winfield stated that the Town of Oro Valley has plans to open the restrooms soon after it acquires the property on July 1, 2022.' (Source)  

Moore Road asphalt overlay construction begins April 11
"Traffic on Moore Road will be delayed as constructions crews begin asphalt overlay starting April 11. During construction hours, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, only one lane of Moore Road between La Cholla Boulevard to King Air Drive will remain open during construction, which means drivers will have to wait and follow directions from a construction flagger (or occasionally a pilot vehicle), to safely drive through the construction area. Speed will be reduced in the construction zone to 25 mph. Drivers should follow traffic signs, expect an average delay of 10 minutes and use alternative routes when possible. Construction is scheduled to finish early June, weather permitting." (Source: Town of Oro Valley  Press Release; April 6, 2022)

Candidates make it official

Candidates for Mayor and Council filed their petitions this week. Their candidacy is official, unless the signatures are questioned and invalidated.... which is not going to happen. Here is who filed and the number of signatures:

                 Candidates for Mayor

• Daniel G. Sharp – total signatures = 674
• Joseph Winfield – total signatures = 1326 

              Candidates for Council 

• Melanie Barrett – total signatures = 857
• Joe Erceg – total signatures = 640 
• Charlie D. Hurt - total signatures = 555 
• Joyce Jones-Ivey – total signatures = 709 
• Josh Nicolson – total signatures = 780 
• Bill Rodman – total signatures = 576 

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Bits and Pieces

Contest to name Vistoso Preserve

"The Town of Oro Valley is excited to announce a contest to name the soon-to-be acquired 202-acre outdoor space, formerly known as the Vistoso Golf Course. Thanks to a community effort (details below under “Background”), this property will be preserved as passive recreational space in perpetuity for all to enjoy. Now, the Town needs your help with naming the property, so we’re kicking off Name OV’s New 202-Acre Outdoor Space! - a contest that includes two rounds of public participation and a prize package valued at more than $1,700." (Source and Details)

Loop path surface repair has now begun

Crack repair has begun on the Loop path from La Cholla to La Canada along the CDO wash. The work should take about three weeks and once the cracks are all repaired, the entire path will be seal coated and striped. The date for that work should be available shortly. Detours on the path will only be made available if the construction zone has ample space and safety can be preserved. (Source)

Keep Oro Valley beautiful

"Keep OV Beautiful is a volunteer-driven program in which community members work together to pick up litter and roadside debris. In addition to being unsightly, litter and roadside debris can be a safety hazard for motorists and is harmful to wildlife. Help keep our Oro Valley views immaculate by participating in the Keep OV Beautiful program." Learn more on how to become involved in this program.

Sign code amendment hearing this Tuesday

The Planning and Zoning Commission is holding a public hearing this coming Tuesday at 6 PM in Town Council Chambers. They will discuss and possibly take action regarding a proposed zoning code amendment to the sign standards. The purpose of the amendment is to simplify the Town’s sign standards related to banners, window signs, and other related items. Residents can attend and comment on this case. Learn more here.

"Neighbors raise money to preserve open space"

AZCentral.com (formerly called the Arizona Republic) published an extensive article on the effort of residents to preserve the former Visoso Golf Course as open space in perpetuity. Read the article.

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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Bits and Pieces

What’s ahead for the Vistoso Preserve
”The Conservation Fund will hold the property until July 1, 2022.  They will provide some limited maintenance for the property until that time and can provide you with the scope of work. “The Town will open and maintain the restrooms beginning July 1, 2022 and will focus on addressing various public safety concerns in the short term.  We will involve the community in developing a plan for the property that conforms to the conservation easement sometime next fiscal year.” (source: Email from Mayor Winfield).

Friends of Pusch Ridge Ridge Golf: Why we care about water

"Climate change. Droughts. Changing weather patterns. Infrastructure needs. Bigger bills.   Water is a controversial topic, especially in dry climates like the Sonoran Desert. Yet our website includes water-related articles and we may from time to time share other information regarding water use.  

You might ask why? Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf is not a conservation group, we don’t have a political agenda, and we are not water experts.  Simply put, we are supporters of the Pusch Ridge Golf course, and as supporters we recognize that our “Fast, Fun, Affordable” golf course requires a certain amount of water.   Our job is to do our best to ensure that PRGC remains the thriving, valued town amenity and commercial enterprise it has proven to be - nothing more, nothing less." 

View their August 2021 article on Water Conservation here  and their  February 2022 article title “Water is Vital to Economic Vitality” here.  (Source: Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf, February 16 Newsletter)

2022-23 Budget process starts... Staff compensation will be one focus area
"Departments are fully engaged in the budget development process for next fiscal year, and my team and I are carefully reviewing local, regional and state data for trends that will impact revenues and expenditures." The town hired a consultant to perform a staff compensation study. The result of the study will be included in the budget. (Source: Town Manager's Executive Report To Council, February 2022). 

The last compensation study the town performed in 2014 resulted in significant across the board staff compensation increases, the creation of self-funded insurance, and an on site health and wellness clinic (Source).

2021 Popular Annual Report is available
Want to know what's going on financially with the town but don't want to dig through the traditional annual report? Then the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 is just for you!

"Each year, the Town of Oro Valley produces an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), which outlines the Town's financial position and operating activities, and includes audited financial statements; however, due to its length and scope, the ACFR is not very reader-friendly. In order to make the Town's financial information more accessible to the public, Oro Valley began producing the award-winning PAFR in 2012. The PAFR includes a summary of accomplishments, net assets, activities, revenues, expenditures, debt and financial ratings and a snapshot of historical trends in these areas. To view the PAFR online, click here or search for PAFR at www.orovalleyaz.gov." (Source: Oro Valley Vista, March 2022)

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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