During the early Hiremath years, Council Member Bill Rodman sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. These are years in which Oro Valley moved toward over-development. Rodman was at the epicenter of it all.
Rodman's record shows that he is a proven leader in over-development. From 2012-2016, while on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Rodman demonstrated his bias by approving wealthy land owner and developer requests.
Want proof? Just look at his voting record while on the Planning and Zoning Commission
During these years, Rodman rarely saw a General Plan amendment or rezoning he did not like. Rodman approved the following while he was on the Planning and Zoning Commission:
- Increased building heights for El Corredor apartments;
- Approved a General Plan Amendment, ESL Amendment, and Rezoning for a 5-story retirement community (the abandoned Nakoma Sky project) on 79.5 acres;
- Voted to approve rezoning 45 acres from R1-144 to R1-7 (144,000 sqft to 7,000 sqft lots) on Naranja near La Cholla;
- Approved rezoning 149 acres at Tangerine and First Ave ["Kai" property] from 3 acre lots to Medium Density Residential and commercial;
- Supported a Major General Plan Amendment of the Olsen property from Low Density Residential and open space to Medium Density Residential.
This is just a sample.
Rodman brought his over-development bias with him when he was elected to Town Council in 2016. From 2016 to 2018, while Hiremath was in control of council, Rodman approved thirteen General Plan amendments and/or rezoning requests. Indeed, he voted for one of these General Plan Amendments while he was a council member for less than three hours!
The only reason Rodman has not shown his over-development bias in the past two years is that you, the voters, replaced the Hiremath council with a council that was far more resident friendly, and far less developer friendly.
We need leaders who put the people first
Yes. Incumbent Bill Rodman has demonstrated “proven leadership” but unfortunately it’s been directed at steering developer projects through and around Oro Valley’s General Plan process, Environmentally Sensitive Lands rules, and town zoning codes.
This might be a good thing for developers.
But it is a bad thing for the residents of Oro Valley.
Let’s be sure to elect council members that place residents, not developers first.
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Jack Stinnett is an Oro Valley resident. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served on Minesweepers and Destroyers. After his military service, Jack was employed as an engineer and plant manager in the Nuclear Power industry, a factory manager in the automotive industry, and Vice-President of a worldwide engine components business. Jack finished his career as President and CEO of Morris Material Handling in Milwaukee. He and his wife, Connie, moved to Oro Valley in 2011. Jack was a member of Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Commission from 2012-2014, serving as Chairman in 2013-2014. He enjoys woodworking, biking, and visiting his grandchildren.
