September starts a new season for Oro Valley. The election is over. The council is returning to work after a month’s hiatus (like LOVE). A new council, which is the same as the current council, was ratified in a three minute special council meeting on August 24. They will be seated in November. They’re rested. We’re rested. So, let’s get going!
There are zoning changes and one general plan amendment pending. Public hearings have occurred on all of these. Some have occurred in recent weeks. Here’s a quick update of what is to come..
Some pressing business in the queue
General Plan amendment and zoning change requests
- A rezoning project and general plan amendment and for 85 to 90 rental homes of one or two stories to be located at the southeast corner of LaCholla and Tangerine. This property is currently in the general plan for neighborhood commercial and low density residential use. The change to high density residential use will require a five person council member approval, if it comes before council. There’s lots that will happen before that. Lots of neighborhood opposition to this one.
- Avila Rancho Vistoso East is a rezoning project that would allow tiny rental homes located just north of Safeway on Rancho Vistoso Blvd. Lots of neighborhood opposition to this one too. And there’s another of these, Avila Rancho Vistoso West, in the queue also. This would add 125 tiny rental homes. The property is located at the west corner of Tangerine and Rancho Vistoso Blvd.
- Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene wants to build a sports complex next to its Concordia and Linda Vista location. Yes. Lots of opposition to this one too. This is a rezoning project.
- Town West has yet to submit a revise plan for the Oro Valley Market Place rezoning. We expect this to be filed in the not too distant future. We don’t expect a lot of opposition to this as long as the applicant keeps the building height within a reasonable limit and maintains a reasonable building setback.
Conditional Use Permits
There are also conditional use permits being requested for…
- A storage and RV Storage facility in the mostly vacant, shovel-ready Mercardo Del Rio “Plaza”. This is behind the Rooney Ranch Shopping Center
- Another storage facility at the southeast corner of LaCholla and Lambert Lane
- And yet another one at La Canada and Tangerine
- A car wash in the Oro Valley Marketplace
Zoning code amendments
There are town staff recommended zoning code amendments that are working through the process and will eventually find their way to town council. Last night, for example, the Planning and Zoning Commission considered changes to the development review process; and, as a separate discussion, changes to recreational requirements for residential and multi-family units.
New regulations
Tonight, the council will consider regulations regarding vacation and short term rentals. Among other things, the regulations may include a licensing requirement.
Water: “The Elephant In The Room”
Most of these projects have two things in common: When completed, they will use lots of water. They will add to traffic congestion.
Town assurances aside, residents are concerned about their ability to get the water they want at a reasonable price to do the things they moved to Oro Valley to do; like have a pool or a nicely landscaped property. They should not be asked to squash their dreams so others can move here.
The council’s position appears to be one one of ignoring the water issue entirely, relying on water conservation penalties and assurances by the town water administrator that the town has an assured water supply of 100 years.
Congestion: “The Other Elephant In The Room”
The council has never addressed traffic congestion. Oracle Road, from Tangerine south, will be a higher traffic corridor than it is today once the apartments planned along that road are built. The Rancho Vistoso Blvd-Tangerine intersection will become much more congested. Residents who use Woodburne Avenue will be negatively impacted.
The future holds even more
Add to all of this, the continued buildout of the town’s park system… the golf courses’ irrigation… a possible community center rebuild… use of drinking water to water public parks… the need for a new police station… use of reclaimed water… A 2025 General Plan.
All of this is yet ahead.
LOVE will report as it sorts out.
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