Residents want Solomon to recuse himself...
Residents of Rancho Vistoso have asked the Oro Valley Town Council to remove Council Member Steve Solomon from any discussions regarding the town's potential purchase of the former Vistoso Golf land from owner Romspen LLC. As LOVE reported in November, the council has authorized the town manager and town council to negotiate with Romspen to purchase the property. ...because Solomon has been involved in previous discussions with Romspen, the landowner, that would have resulted in development of some of the property
Rancho Vistoso residents are seeking Solomon's recusal from discussions because Solomon, starting in March, inserted himself into activities with the group Preserve Vistoso , activities that could have resulted in residential development of some of the property. These residents, like many in Rancho Vistoso, want no development of the property. Rather, they want the property to become a natural preserve.
The residents believe that the group Preserve Vistoso has not been operating for the benefit of all. They point to a questionnaire that the group sent out that asked respondents whether it was agreeable that a six acre plot mentioned previously be developed (Panel Right).
Council Member Solomon's activities with Romspen and the group Preserve Vistoso continued at least until the council meeting of November 18. At that meeting, Solomon put forth a motion that would have the town join with a small "working group" he had formed with Romspen's representative to, as he put it, "quickly resolve" the purchase. The working group was to also include Preserve Vistoso and the Vistoso Community Association ("VCA") to, supposedly, represent the residents.
Residents vehemently rejected Solomon's proposal at the November council meeting. Now, they are fearful that any Solomon involvement could result in a "deal" that would see some of the property developed; in particular, a six acre plot on the far east side of the golf course. This would disadvantage residents living in that area.
Residents: The group Preserve Vistoso and the Vistoso Community Association should not be involved
Residents: The group Preserve Vistoso and the Vistoso Community Association should not be involved
These residents assert that only the town can represent the interests of all residents. The group Preserve Vistoso represents only some members of the community. In addition, only a small part of the land is under the auspices of the Vistoso Community Association ("VCA"), the governing master homeowners association. 187 of the 208 acres of the former golf course are under town control. Thus, it is up to the town to take the lead role in resolving this land's use. And the town has acted to do just that.
The group Preserve Vistoso asked this question in mid July during the time when they were soliciting donations for The Conservation Fund (TCF). This was at a time when The Conservation Fund ("TCF") was negotiating a land purchase at Fair Market Value with Romspen. TCF will only purchase the land if the land will have no development. They will place the land in a Conservation Trust, protecting the land in perpetuity.
Residents: The actions of Council Member Solomon and the group Preserve Vistoso may have interfered with the negotiations between TCF and Romspen
We have been told by residents that Council Member Solomon has been in contact from time to time with Peter Oelbaum, managing director of Romspen. Solomon is a sitting Oro Valley Town Council member. Romspen sought an active general plan amendment that would result in significant property development. This is an amendment that Solomon would be opining upon. Perhaps his involvement held out some hope to Romspen that development was possible.
Then, in July, the group Preserve Vistoso sent out the questionnaire on development of the six acre parcel. Perhaps, this reinforced Romspen's impression that the community might be amenable to development of some of the property.
Taken in this light, it makes sense that Romspen rejected the TCF offer. TCF can only offer fair market value for conservation land. Land that can be used for residential development would be far more valuable. Thus, it would be wise for Romspen to reject the offer and see if a better deal would be forthcoming.
Solomon has denied personal benefit from his involvement
Council Member Solomon, in the November council meeting, stated that he had no personal interest in the transaction. He stated that he has been acting on behalf of his constituents.
The group Preserve Vistoso asserts that it has always operated to ensure that the Vistoso property remains open space
Please read our November 24th posting regarding Preserve Vistoso's explanation of their activities. In it, they provide an explanation of their activities which, they assert, are to create a permanent conservation easement on the property.
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Tomorrow and Wednesday we will post two email communications sent to council by residents. These emails substantiate and provide further detail regarding the assertions in this article.
