The narrative that “more rooftops” are needed to justify more retail presence continued as the justification for approving a general plan amendment. This is an amendment of a commercial parcel located near the first avenue and Tangerine Intersection. We call this the Kai Property because it, like the entire Silverhawke area, is owned by the Kai family.
The justification was stated a last week's zoom.us public meeting by Paul Oland of Paradigm Land Design, the land engineering company representing the owner.
Request at odds with town's "economic development strategy"
The owner is presenting this general plan amendment to reduce commercial land at a time when the town's economic development strategy is to increase commercial land and to speed its development.
There are many uses for commercial property other than the neighborhood shopping center that the developer presented in 2015, when the entire Silvehawke land mass was amended. The property could be used for a variety of non retail commercial needs as currently zoned. Some of these could be very specific to the area such as medical offices or a workout facility.
Lots of rooftops proposed
This latest proposal shows a road connecting First Avenue and Tangerine Road. As for the land use, Oland presented five alternatives, none of which are binding if and when the amendment is approved:
- 10 apartments, 2-stories each, a gated community
- 100 plus 1-story casitas with a tiny recreation area
- Senior care facility and independent senior living housing
- A cluster of townhomes
- 55 single family homes like Silverhawk
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| Terrain has not changed since 2015 amendment |
Tim Bohen: "What's really happened since 2015 to require this amendment?"
There were two audience questions. Oro Valley Town Council candidate Tim Bohen referred to the slide at right. The slide highlights the area north of the property. Its hilly nature, according to Oland, blocked the line of sight from Tangerine Rd, making the property unsuitable for retail use.
Bohen had asked what has happened between 2015 and today to cause the need for a change in land use. After all, the terrain was the same in 2015 as it is today. Oland did not respond directly to that question. Rather, he repeated his assertion that Oro Valley needs more rooftops.
Bohen had asked what has happened between 2015 and today to cause the need for a change in land use. After all, the terrain was the same in 2015 as it is today. Oland did not respond directly to that question. Rather, he repeated his assertion that Oro Valley needs more rooftops.
The second question from an attendee was about Kai Drive being connected to Tangerine Road. Could a traffic-safe connection to Tangerine Road be made? Town Engineer Keesler said that the town will look into this as part of the application process.
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