Board Upholds “Sanatorium” Interpretation. Opens Door For Assisted Living And Memory Care On Vacant Parcel North of Safeway

Board decided what is permitted, not what will be built
The Oro Valley Board of Adjustment on Monday upheld the Town Planning and Zoning Administrator’s interpretation that the term “sanatorium,” a permitted use under the Rancho Vistoso Planned Area Development, can include assisted living and memory care. The decision does not approve a development on the vacant parcel immediately north of Safeway. It answers only the zoning question of whether those uses can fall within the PAD’s existing “sanatorium” designation.

The Board upheld staff’s interpretation after relatively little discussion. Members did not issue findings or explain why they agreed with staff’s reading of the PAD. 

A permitted use is not an approved project
This does not mean that a “sanatorium” is being built there. It means only that assisted living and memory care may be proposed because the Rancho Vistoso PAD permits those uses under the term “sanatorium.” Any actual development proposal would still have to go through the Town’s normal development review process. Staff would first review the proposal for compliance with applicable zoning and development requirements. The applicant would then be required to hold at least two neighborhood meetings, and the project would undergo review of issues including traffic, landscaping, walls and architecture. If the applicant seeks a rezoning or amendment to the PAD, Town Council approval would be required.

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A difficult parcel with a long history
The approximately eight acre commercial parcel has been the subject of development proposals before. LOVE first wrote about plans for what we called “tiny homes” in 2021. That eventually became the Avilla Homes proposal for single story rental housing. Residents raised concerns about converting commercial land to residential use, compatibility with nearby homes, and especially access and traffic. The parcel is hemmed in by existing development and has limited ways to move traffic in and out. In January 2024, the Town Council unanimously rejected the Avilla proposal. LOVE later wrote that the Avilla experience showed how sustained resident involvement can shape the review of a difficult development site.

The traffic problem extends well beyond this parcel
Those access concerns are part of a much larger transportation issue surrounding Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, Woodburne Avenue and the northern Safeway entrance. Town staff has already identified the area as needing improvement. Public Works Director Paul Keesler told the Council earlier this year that the Woodburne and Safeway northern access area has experienced roughly five to six crashes a year. The Town had budgeted about $747,000 in roadway impact fee funding for changes that included lane reconfiguration, increased left turn storage and median reconstruction. Staff later reconsidered that plan as additional development proposals emerged in the area.

Sprouts proposal adds another piece to the puzzle
One of those proposals is Vistoso Marketplace, a planned commercial center across Rancho Vistoso Boulevard that is expected to include a Sprouts Farmers Market as its anchor. The project caused staff to look at the entire area rather than simply repair the Woodburne intersection. By August, staff was recommending that a future traffic signal be placed at the Safeway northern entrance, directly across from the proposed Vistoso Marketplace access. Keesler told the Council that a signal at that location is warranted even under existing traffic conditions. The parcel involved in Monday’s Board of Adjustment hearing sits immediately beside an intersection the Town is already trying to redesign while another significant commercial development is being planned across the street.

Monday answered only the first question
The Board of Adjustment settled a narrow issue. Under the existing Rancho Vistoso PAD, assisted living and memory care qualify as a permitted “sanatorium” use. It did not decide whether a particular facility should be built on this parcel or whether a future site plan will adequately address traffic, access and compatibility with surrounding properties. Those questions remain for another day. Given the history of this parcel, a proposed Sprouts development across Rancho Vistoso Boulevard and the Town’s ongoing work on the surrounding roadway system, that future review may prove far more consequential than Monday’s zoning interpretation. 

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Council Considers Addressing Land Use Code and Data Centers

Oro Valley considers getting ahead of the issue
Tomorrow, the Oro Valley Town Council will consider whether to begin reviewing the Town Code as it relates to data centers. As it stands now, Oro Valley does not appear to have development regulations written specifically for large-scale data centers. That leaves the Town relying on existing zoning categories and development standards for a type of use that can differ significantly from a conventional office, warehouse or industrial building. At a minimum, we expect that Council will consider whether the code should be clarified or amended so that any future proposal is evaluated under standards that reflect Oro Valley’s community values.

Southern Arizona communities are doing the same
Oro Valley is not alone. Local governments across Southern Arizona have been examining the same issue. Marana adopted specific data center regulations in 2024 and is now considering additional requirements dealing with noise and decommissioning. Tucson adopted regulations for large-scale data centers in August 2026 following a year-long review. Pima County is currently developing its own zoning-code text amendment, including standards for development, design and noise mitigation, after the Board of Supervisors initiated the process in 2025.

A land use with unusually large land and community impacts... but not as much economically

The issue is a complex one. Large data centers can occupy dozens or even more than 100 acres and contain hundreds of thousands or more than a million square feet of buildings. They can require extraordinary amounts of electricity, in some cases enough to power roughly 100,000 homes, while water use can vary considerably depending on the cooling system employed. They can also require substations, backup generators and extensive mechanical equipment. Construction can create hundreds or thousands of temporary jobs and generate significant construction sales tax revenue. However, once operating, these facilities may provide relatively few permanent jobs compared with their size and investment. Significant property tax revenue can also be generated by a data center. That revenue, however, would not go directly to the Town of Oro Valley because the Town does not levy a property tax. Thus, communities must weigh potential tax and economic benefits against concerns involving water, power infrastructure, noise, building scale, nearby residential uses and the amount of land devoted to a relatively low-employment use.

Barrett called for a such a proactive review
During her election campaign, Mayor-elect Melanie Barrett made her position clear. “I am against Data Centers in or adjacent to Oro Valley,” she wrote, adding that, if elected, she would “...review our Town Code to see what can be done to address this issue proactively.” Barrett cited concerns about water and energy demand, limited long-term employment and potential effects on Oro Valley’s quality of life. She also pointed to the large State Trust Land parcels adjoining Oro Valley as areas that could someday attract interest from data center developers. (Source: Melanie Barrett campaign website.)

Setting the rules before a proposal arrives
Wednesday’s discussion does not put a data center proposal before the Council, nor does it commit the Town to any particular regulation. It begins a more basic conversation about whether Oro Valley should establish the rules before such a proposal arrives. Given what neighboring jurisdictions are already doing, reviewing the Town Code now gives Oro Valley an opportunity to decide in advance where, if anywhere, large data centers should be permitted and what protections should be required for residents, water resources and the character of the community.

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Bits and Pieces

Oro Valley earns national financial reporting award for fourteenth consecutive year
The Town of Oro Valley has received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for its report covering the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The award recognizes financial reports that are clear, accessible and useful to the public, including how well they explain a community’s financial position and use of taxpayer resources. Oro Valley has now received the award for 14 consecutive years.

New town "Community Report" tracks progress on Town priorities
Oro Valley’s first Community Report is essentially a progress report on the Town’s 2026-27 Strategic Plan, covering work completed during fiscal year 2025/26. It is organized around seven focus areas and highlights specific projects, outcomes and performance measures rather than simply listing Town activities. For example, the report says the Town treated or repaired 58 lane miles of roadway, provided 76,213 transit rides, and issued more than 9,000 WaterSmart leak alerts. It also reports on projects ranging from the OV Trails Connect Master Plan and Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve to the new police facility, water infrastructure and financial stability measures. Read the report.

Protect your property from deed and title fraud
The latest OVPD "CrimeFighter Newsletter" highlights deed and title fraud, a scheme in which someone uses forged documents, stolen personal information or a false identity to transfer, sell or borrow against property they do not own. OVPD notes that vacant land, rental properties, second homes and properties owned free and clear can be especially attractive targets because fraudulent activity may be harder for the legitimate owner to notice. Residents are encouraged to periodically check their property records, watch for unexpected notices involving ownership, liens or mailing-address changes, and sign up for free alert services. These include the:

• Arizona Early Real Estate Sales Alert System
• Pima County Recorder Fraud Notify

Proposition 431 Election Guide and outreach sessions now underway

The Oro Valley’s official 2026 election publicity pamphlet has been mailed to every household with a registered voter. The guide includes information about Proposition 431, OV’s Path Forward, along with key election dates and voting information. Residents can also view the pamphlet online or pick up a printed copy at the front lobby of any Town building.

The Town is also continuing its Proposition 431 outreach efforts. Residents will be able to stop by Town information booths to learn more this month:

• The Farmers Market at Steam Pump Ranch on October 10
• OV Spooktacular at James D. Kriegh Park on October 17
• Rancho Vistoso Fall Festival at Moore Loop Park on October 24. 

In addition, the Town is also offering presentations to HOAs and other local groups that want more information about the proposed General Plan before voting. Request a presentation by contacting the Town’s OV’s Path Forward team or calling 520-229-4836.

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October at Steam Pump Ranch

Happy October, Oro Valley! 

With monsoon season over and temperatures more moderate, the Oro Valley Historical Society invites residents to visit historic Steam Pump Ranch. The Pusch House Museum is open each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, where visitors can see artifacts uncovered during the Society’s summer digitizing project. Self-guided tours are free, and volunteers are available to answer questions and provide additional information. Donations are gratefully accepted to help keep Oro Valley history alive.

A busy October 10 at the Ranch
October 10 will bring several activities to Steam Pump Ranch. The first-place prize in the Jim Click Raffle for Millions, a Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Roush Edition, will be on display. Raffle tickets are $25 each or five for $100, and all proceeds from tickets sold by Oro Valley Historical Society volunteers go directly to the Society. More information is available at millionsfortucson.org.

Helping foster children
Gap Ministries will also participate October 10 as part of the Historical Society’s Be Our Ranch Guest program, which invites nonprofit organizations to connect with the Oro Valley community. Requested donations to help foster children include condiments, spices, peanut butter and jelly, syrup, and canned and boxed goods. Donations may be dropped off at the Pusch House Museum. Learn more at gapmin.com.

Explore the Ranch with a naturalist
Visitors can also take a gentle one-hour guided tour of Steam Pump Ranch with a naturalist who will share information about the area’s plants, wildlife, geology and people. Tours begin at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. and conclude at the Society-maintained Heritage Garden, where visitors can see a replica Hohokam pit house.

Artists capture Steam Pump Ranch
The Sonoran Plein Air Artists will be at the Ranch from 8 a.m. to noon October 10, creating paintings inspired by the Catalina Mountains, historic buildings, farmers’ market activity and Heritage Garden. Visitors will have an opportunity to watch the artists work in real time. More information is available at Sonoran Plein Air Painters.

Day of Caring comes to the Heritage Garden
On October 17, the Historical Society will participate in the United Way Day of Caring from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. United Way volunteers will join Society volunteers in the Heritage Garden to plant, harvest, prepare beds, dig irrigation holes, spread wood chips and perform other work that helps the garden grow. Those interested in participating can learn more at United Way of Tucson.

More art on October 24
Artists from the Southern Arizona Arts Guild will visit Steam Pump Ranch on October 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., using the Ranch as inspiration for their work. Two Guild artists have previously donated artwork to the Oro Valley Historical Society, and those pieces are displayed in the Museum. Additional information is available at ovhistory.org.

Growing roses in the desert
On October 26, the Tucson Garden Club will meet at the Parks and Recreation office at Steam Pump Ranch for a presentation by Terry Swartz of the Tucson Rose Society. Attendees will learn how to select, plant and care for roses in the desert and will take a short walk to the Heritage Garden to see the rose garden created through collaboration between the Historical Society and Tucson Garden Club. The presentation is free, with donations accepted. More information is available at tucsongardenclub.com.

A not-too-scary Halloween visit
The month ends October 31 with another opportunity to visit the Pusch House Museum and see its historical artifacts. The Historical Society promises the visit will not be scary, although it notes that previous investigations of the nearly 150-year-old house have suggested visitors and volunteers may not always be alone.

Laugh and learn at the library
One October event takes place away from Steam Pump Ranch. On October 7 at 1 p.m., the Oro Valley Historical Society will present a program at the Oro Valley Public Library featuring Roger Nichols, a Society Board member and Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona. Nichols will share a collection of American Indian cartoons gathered over 30 years in a presentation designed to be both informative and entertaining. The program is free, with donations accepted to support the Society’s work preserving Oro Valley history. More information is available at ovhistory.org.

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Oro Valley Can Cover the 2027 CAP Cut. But Can It Cover Future Growth?

The 14% CAP 2027 and 2028 delivery cut can managed...
Last week, LOVE reported that the proposed State Trust Land annexation could eventually require roughly 1,000 acre-feet of water a year, about 10% of Oro Valley’s current CAP allocation. We also noted that CAP conditions have worsened since Water Utility Director Peter Abraham raised concerns last year about supplying that land. 

...but it requires a new water utilization strategy
Beginning in 2027, Oro Valley is expecting about a 14% reduction in CAP deliveries. At the September 14 Water Utility Commission (WUC)  meeting, Mitch Basefsky, Stakeholder Outreach Coordinator for the Central Arizona Project and Abraham explained how that reduction is expected to affect Oro Valley. Abraham said the Town anticipates losing a little more than 1,400 acre-feet of CAP deliveries in 2027. But he does not expect that reduction to create an immediate water shortage for current customers. Here's how Abraham plans to manage the reduction.

The Arizona Water Bank is expected to make Oro Valley whole
Oro Valley already has an agreement with the Arizona Water Banking Authority (AWBA) that allows the Town to obtain replacement water during shortages. Abraham said more than 600,000 acre-feet is stored in the Tucson Active Management Area and that Oro Valley has access to a portion of that water. His current plan is to use the Water Bank to offset the projected CAP reduction and effectively restore the Town to its full 10,305 acre-foot CAP allocation for planning purposes.

Oro Valley also has substantial stored water of its own and NWRRDS will help bring in more
Abraham said Oro Valley currently has just under 30,000 acre-feet of long-term storage credits in the Tucson Active Management Area and expects that amount to continue growing. The Northwest Recharge Recovery Delivery System is also expected to begin operating in early 2027, reducing groundwater pumping and giving the Town additional flexibility in how it uses its CAP supply. 

But NWRRDS is not a quick fix. First, NWRRDS does not increase Oro Valley’s water entitlement. It gives the Town a better way to recover and deliver water to which it is already entitled, reducing reliance on groundwater and improving flexibility in how the Town manages its existing supplies. Second, as we reported in August, it will take time for the Town to introduce NWRRDS water into the Oro Valley water system because it has different water chemistry than the groundwater currently delivered to customers, requiring the Utility to carefully blend and monitor the new supply as it is introduced into the distribution system. 

These protections are intended to buy time... they are not permanent solutions...
The important point is that Abraham, speaking at the commission meeting, did not describe these measures as a permanent answer to declining Colorado River supplies. He said the Town’s firming strategies (backup water-supply measures) were created for situations like the one now developing and are intended to “buy us the decades we need” to develop the next set of water supply solutions.

Replacing or augmenting any significant piece of the CAP water supply is decades off

Arizona is actively studying long-term water sources, including desalination, imported water, reuse and brackish groundwater. But projects capable of replacing a meaningful share of Colorado River water remain in the study and planning stages. State planning documents have acknowledged that some projects could take as long as 30 years to implement. That means Arizona may have to manage declining Colorado River supplies for many years before any new source can replace or augment a significant portion of CAP water.

That brings the 852 State Land annexation question back into focus
The September discussion does not change what LOVE reported last week. Oro Valley appears well positioned to manage the expected 2027 CAP reduction given what Oro Valley  is today. The longer-term question is different. 

Why should Oro Valley make a permanent commitment to supply water to a new area at a time when CAP deliveries are being reduced, future CAP projections remain challenging, long term solutions are decades away and the Town will be increasingly reliant on stored water and other firming strategies to protect its existing customers?

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Publisher Note: The agreement requiring the CAP reduction must be approved by the Arizona Legislature. As of this date, that approval has not occurred. 

Flock Cameras in Oro Valley: Safety, Surveillance and Safeguards

Flock sits at the center of a growing privacy-versus-public-safety national debate

There is quite a bit of discussion about traffic surveillance systems going on both nationally and locally. The main character in that discussion is a company called Flock Safety. It is one of several companies that provide automated license plate reader systems that photograph passing vehicles, record plate and vehicle information, and make those records searchable by law enforcement. The debate centers on whether collecting and sharing this information on large numbers of people who are not suspected of a crime intrudes on individual privacy and constitutional rights, or whether the systems are a reasonable and useful law-enforcement tool. Oro Valley is one of Flock’s many customers in Arizona.

One view has been presented to council at almost every meeting for the past two years…Flock is “bad”
For about two years, two speakers affiliated with Deflock Tucson have regularly appeared during the call-to-audience portion of Town Council meetings. Deflock Tucson’s objective is to end the use of Flock and similar automated license plate reader systems, which it considers a form of mass surveillance. At meeting after meeting, the speakers have made essentially the same points: The cameras record the movements of people who are not suspected of crimes, the data can be shared across jurisdictions, the systems can be misused, and existing safeguards and audit procedures are not sufficient to protect privacy. So far, their appeals have not led the Town Council to change course, but they have remained steadfast in their effort to have Oro Valley discontinue the system.

OVPD says Flock has become an important investigative tool
OVPD says its Flock system now includes 20 cameras strategically located throughout Oro Valley. The cameras are owned and maintained by Flock Safety. According to the department, the system is used to develop investigative leads, locate vehicles connected to crimes, identify wanted subjects and assist in active investigations. Lt. Kevin Peterson told LOVE that Flock also provides an officer-safety benefit by helping police locate vehicles associated with potentially dangerous individuals and can save officers and detectives significant time. He emphasized that Flock does not replace traditional investigative work, but gives officers another resource that can make that work more efficient and effective.

OVPD says safeguards are in place to ensure proper use
The department retains Flock data for 30 days, explaining that crimes are not always reported immediately and investigations may begin days after an incident. OVPD says Oro Valley data is shared only with agencies it approves, with standing access limited to local and state agencies in Arizona; requests from outside Arizona are reviewed case by case and must have a verified criminal-justice purpose. The system also includes audit tools designed to flag unusual activity, including repeated searches by an officer, searches outside the agency network and repeated searches of the same plate. OVPD says the system has assisted in cases involving stolen vehicles, arrest warrants, missing persons and other investigations, including a kidnapping solved within hours and the arrest of an out-of-state suspect wanted in connection with a double homicide.

Flock dominates Arizona’s license plate reader market
Flock is by far the largest provider of automated license plate reader systems in Arizona. A volunteer-maintained statewide inventory currently identifies about 1,920 Flock cameras in 43 Arizona communities, representing about 84% of the identifiable plate readers in those cities. The figures are not an official census, but they show the size of Flock’s footprint compared with competitors. Some other Arizona communities use similar technology from other companies. Marana and Phoenix use Motorola’s Vigilant system rather than Flock, while Tucson Police partners with Axon for license plate readers and live-video cameras.

Oro Valley’s top public safety record gives us confidence
Oro Valley also has a long record as one of Arizona’s safest communities. SafeWise ranked it Arizona’s safest city in 2025 and third safest in 2026. We have confidence that OVPD understands which law-enforcement tools are appropriate and how they should be used. Based on what we have learned, Flock appears to be a useful and properly controlled tool that fits squarely within OVPD’s public-safety mission.
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Click here to view the OVPD Flock Safety Portal

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Bits and Pieces

Town has no proof that TAC was to blame for Franke resignation

Last month, we wrote about the Tourism Advisory Commission(TAC) Then, earlier this month we reported that the Town Council had voted to dissolve it. One point we wanted to examine further was the assertion by Town Manager Jeff Wilkins and Mayor Joe Winfield that Crystal Franke, the Town’s former tourism and marketing manager, resigned to take another position because of her experience with the TAC. We had asked Franke directly, and she neither affirmed nor denied that assertion. So we specifically asked the Town for documentation showing that Franke herself had identified TAC as a reason for leaving. The Town could not provide such documentation. All it provided was an email from Wilkins to the Council attributing Franke’s resignation to TAC. We then asked a second time and were told that the town had provided all information it had on the matter. Our conclusion: Saying something is so does not make it so.

Wall Street Journal features Oro Valley as a great place to retire

A recent Wall Street Journal article on retirees moving to lower-tax states featured Oro Valley residents Earl and Pat Vittitoe, who moved here from Illinois. They chose Oro Valley after visiting Earl’s aunt and were attracted by a 55-plus community with pools, golf, Arizona’s climate and the area’s outdoor lifestyle. Earl told the Journal that they have never had second thoughts about the move. The article also profiled retirees who relocated to Lakewood Ranch, Florida; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Henderson, Nevada. Oro Valley was one of the communities highlighted as offering retirees a combination of lifestyle and financial advantages. (Source: Wall Street Journal, September 16, 2026.)

Town releases simplified 2027 town budget guide

The Town of Oro Valley has released its FY 2026/27 Know Your Town’s Budget summary, a resident-friendly guide intended to make the Town’s finances easier to understand. The guide explains how the budget works, how Town funds support services and facilities, and key facts such as Oro Valley not having a municipal property tax. Town Manager Jeff Wilkins said the summary is intended to improve transparency and help residents better understand how public dollars are used. (Source:  Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Amphi implements barrier between CDO and the Aquatic Center parking lots...creates a problem with parking for shared events
The Amphitheater School District has closed the stairway connecting the Canyon del Oro High School east parking lot with the Town’s Aquatic Center parking lot at James D. Kriegh Park. For years, with District permission, the Town has used the school lot for overflow parking during major Aquatic Center events as well as other events. Closing the stairway means visitors who park in the east lot must now walk around the school property and enter the park from Calle Concordia, a considerably longer route that will be especially difficult for people with physical limitations. The stairs have also long provided a direct route to school for students living nearby. As the panel shows, the access has now been blocked by substantial fencing. It is welded to the railing. We do not yet know why the District closed the stairway or whether the decision was coordinated with the Town. LOVE will investigate.

Aquatic Center late afternoon parking problem getting harder to ignore
Parking at the Aquatic Center is becoming increasingly difficult in the late afternoon and evening, particularly when CDO Little League is using much of Kriegh Park. During these times, the Aquatic Center lot can fill completely, forcing Aquatic Center users to compete for limited nearby parking [see panel left]. The recent closure of the stairway from the CDO High School east parking lot has made the problem worse by eliminating an overflow parking access point that had been used for years. The Town needs to address this parking problem so Aquatic Center users have reasonable and reliable access to the facility.

HallOVeen Spooktacular returns October 17
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation will hold its free HallOVeen Spooktacular on Saturday, October 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at James D. Kriegh Park, 23 W. Calle Concordia. The family-friendly event will include a Trunk-or-Treat hosted by local businesses, music, jumping castles, food trucks, kids’ crafts and other activities.

Friday Night Concerts at Steam Pump Ranch return tonight
Oro Valley’s free Friday Night Concert series returns to Steam Pump Ranch beginning tonight. The concert features Rainy Daze. It runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Additional concert dates are October 2, October 23 and November 6, featuring Your Money’s Worth, Good Trouble and Ones All Band. Residents can bring a chair or blanket and their own food, while food trucks will also be available. Admission and parking are free; outside alcohol is not permitted.

Tourism consultant named Oro Valley destination marketing manager
Kevin “Addy” Coleman is Oro Valley’s new Destination Marketing Manager. Coleman brings more than 25 years of tourism marketing consulting experience, much of it with Tucson-based Madden Media, a Tucson-based marketing agency specializing in travel, tourism and destination marketing. There, Coleman worked as a consultant to destinations around the country, specializing in destination strategy, digital marketing and measuring results. The Oro Valley position is a significant change for Madden.  Rather than advising tourism organizations from the outside, Coleman will be responsible for delivering results. (Source: OV Edge September 2026, Linkedin)
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