Maracay Homes Will Fill the "Donut Hole"

Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council, 7-0, approved the conceptual site plan for a 345 single family home development to be constructed in Rancho Vistoso.   The property, often called the "donut hole", is located at Moore Road, Rancho Vistoso Blvd and LaCanada, as we reported in March.

The developer, Maracay Homes of Scottsdale, will build the project in 6 distinct gated neighborhoods.  The development will surround 8 of the back 9 holes of the Vistoso Golf Course.  The lots will range from 4,000 to 11,000 square feet. The total property is 123 acres.

The property was once known by native americans as "Sleeping Snake Village." It has been cleared for development by the State as all artifacts have been removed.

It is likely that the development will have its own sub homeowners association under the Ranch Vistoso master homeowners associations.  The associations are responsible for maintaining private roads, local parks and local recreation areas.

 "Rancho Vistoso we see as being a signature opportunity for us," noted Tom Lemon of Maracay Homes, at the hearing. He continued,  "Its an opportunity to expand our footprint in Oro Valley....We really tried to understand the [existing] residents' issues."

Paul Oland of WLB Management touched on the the larger issues that residents expressed during neighborhood meeting and how these issues were mitigated in the conceptual design:

• Increased the home set back from the golf course to recognize how the golf course actually "plays"
• Reconfigured the traffic connections at Pebble Creek and LaCanada to accommodate increased traffic.  Town staff anticipates minimal traffic impact from on La Canada for the property.
• Reduced some homes to one story, as Tom Lemon mentioned, along the western edge of the golf course to continue the views of existing homes.  The existing homes are located across the golf course.

"The existing entitlements on this property is for 1,100 units," Oland noted. Some areas are presently  designated as high density, which allows 3-story, multi-density.  The Maracay plan does not propose that. "We're going from 9 homes per acre that's allowed, down to less than 3."

Mayor Hiremath asked why Maracay was going to build a third of the homes that they could put on there.  Oland responded: "Its a function of market demand. Oro Valley is where people want to live. People want to come and they want to move up here. As Tom mentioned this [development will have homes that are]  all the way...up to executive level housing that is being proposed and those market segments demand a certain size lot....There is a lot of offering here."  

The developer noted that they are expecting a premium price for the lot given its location, views and proximity to the golf course and that they are confident that the course will be in operation of a long time.

---

This project looks like a win for everyone.  "I can't envision any better development" for that property, noted one neighbor.

---

Bits and Pieces

---
Scottsdale-based Macaray Homes is planning to build 350 homes in 6 gated sections in what is called: "The Donut Hole".    That is an area of 117 acres. It sits inside an golf course area.  It is bounded by LaCanada on the west, Moore Road on the south, and Ranch Vistoso Blvd on the east. (Map)

Macaray has four developments in the greater Tucson area, two of which are located in Marana (Dove Mountain and Tangerine/Thornydale).  Home prices there start at $260,000 for these properties.

This project is about 117 acres of single family detached dwellings with a recreation area and a connected system of walking paths. There will be 3 or 4 different lot sizes proposed. The proposed density appears to be far below that permitted by zoning." (Source: Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Department).

• Lot Sizes: Approximately 4,000 sq. ft. to 12,000 sq. ft.
• Stories: 1 and 2-story · Individual gated communities · 
• Recreational areas
• Pedestrian trail network 

Current zoning is high density residential on the northern portion of the property; medium density in the mid portion; and a nix high density-medium density on the southern portion.  This zoning would allow up to 1,125 units.  The 350 announced size is less than a third of that.
---

A 28 lot, medium density residential property is planned for Rancho Vistoso.  It is to be located at the intersection of Rancho Vistoso and Vistoso Highlands drive.
---
"The Oro Valley Conceptual Design Review Board approved plans for Oracle Vista, a 65-bed skilled nursing and memory care facility near North Oracle Road and East Desert Sky Road, north of East Linda Vista Blvd. The 26,000 square foot facility will be a one-story building with two courtyards. Oracle Vista would be operated by a company called Frontier. The board approved of the plans at its March 12 meeting. The development will next go before the Oro Valley Town Council." (Source)
---
Did you notice the new signage on the motel in xxx? It's now a Holiday Inn Express.
---
The Greater Oro Valley Chamber is sponsoring a golf tournament on April 20.
--
"A new report shows there were more than 9,742 deaths in Pima County last year, that's up from 8,383 in 2011. Also last year, more than 300 people died from drug overdoses, mostly oxycodone and morphine related. Cardiovascular disease was the top cause of death followed by chronic alcohol abuse. "(Source)
---
Oro Valley Town Council Members Hornat and Zinkin are on the scoping committee for the 2015 general plan update. They are working with town staff to develop the process for the update.
---

Guest View-John Musolf: Oro Valley Growth To Have Huge Impact on Amphi School Enrollment

In June, we posted:  "Watch Oro Valley Grow"  In it, we discussed the substantial growth in housing and commerce that is taking place in Oro Valley.

In the following guest view, John Musolf discusses this growth and its substantial impact on the Amphi Schools
---

In Oro Valley, Development is on the rise.

In a recent article on February 20, 2013 in the Explorer Newspaper, Paul Keesler, Director of Development and Infrastructure Services for Oro Valley stated:

“For several years, as our nation struggled through a downturned economy, the Town of Oro Valley also experienced a sharp decrease in development activity. Although we are still on the mend, a quick look back to fiscal year 2011‐12 shows that development is on the rise, and there are some very exciting projects in the pipeline”.

Development is good for town growth from both a residential community and business economic standpoint.  [Publisher Note: It is also good from the Town Of Oro Valley's perspective because it collects substantial revenues from construction permits and fees. These fees exceeded the planned amount for fiscal 2013.]

Let’s look at some of the recent residential approvals:

• Ross Rulney: corner of Linda Vista and Oracle -220 apartments
• San Dorado: corner of First Avenue and Oracle – 274 apartments
• Encantada: north of Steam Pump Village – 270 apartments
• Hohokam Mesa:  Rancho Vistoso and Moore Road – 80 homes
• Macaray:  (Donut Hole) end of La Canada – 345 homes
• Parcel 10-T: Rancho Vistoso and Vistoso  Highlands- 25-40 homes

There are also some proposed future developments:

• KAI: First and Palasides – 195 homes
• Miller Ranch:  Neighborhood meetings in progress
• Olson Property;  Neighborhood meetings in progress

What impact will the addition of 694 apartments and in excess of 600-700 new homes have on the classroom size, teachers, and busing for the Amphi School District elementary, middle, and high schools?
It is imperative that the Town of Oro Valley and the Amphi School District hold some public informational meetings to discuss this issue.
What do you think?
John Musolf
Oro Valley Resident