Town staff seeks to forge compromise
The Town of Oro Valley Planning and Zoning staff is trying to forge a compromise on the OVCN request to build a sports complex. The proposal is unanimously opposed by the residents who will be impacted by it.According to the residents, there is no compromise. The sports complex will forever change the character of the neighborhood. It will ruin the “quiet enjoyment” of their property.
There were many other issues discussed at the focus meeting
The residents reiterated this position at a Town-led focus group meeting of October 24. Even so, after that meeting, a town staff member phoned one of the residents to suggest that they develop the parcel with a compromise proposal.
Nearby residents don’t want a middle ground
At the focus group meeting, town staff asked the residents if there was a middle ground with which they would be comfortable. A resident responded: “No. We had open space when we bought this property. There was 10 acres of beautiful ranch land behind me for 40 years.”
At the focus group meeting, town staff asked the residents if there was a middle ground with which they would be comfortable. A resident responded: “No. We had open space when we bought this property. There was 10 acres of beautiful ranch land behind me for 40 years.”
Residents don’t trust OVCN due to past broken promises
It is difficult to reach a compromise if the people involved in reaching the compromise don’t trust each other. In this case, the residents in the area don’t trust OVCN. They look back at history to explain why.
They contend that OVCN does not follow the current PAD requirements: One resident noted:“The first thing they [OVCN] did when they got the property was they took out the gate that used to be across the entrance that was called for in the PAD. They also chopped down a bunch of trees that were out front that were called for in the PAD.”
Another resident noted: “After OVCN took over the last property, they took out all the vegetation that had helped reduce some of the noise.” Town staff, rather than asking why the PAD requirements had not been followed, asked the applicant what could be done to reduce the noise. Their question was off topic.
Another resident noted: “After OVCN took over the last property, they took out all the vegetation that had helped reduce some of the noise.” Town staff, rather than asking why the PAD requirements had not been followed, asked the applicant what could be done to reduce the noise. Their question was off topic.
Residents point to other reasons for lack of trust. Several years ago, when the possibility of a sports complex was brought before them, residents asked how the complex was going to be funded. OVCN representative Paul Oland told them that it was none of their business. He pointed out that it is "a private company."
The company with whom OVCN is partnering is a nonprofit organization. It is not a “private company.” We discussed this company, Upward Sports, extensively in Monday’s article.
Residents contend that OVCN has pushed it too far
It was the residents who first allowed OVCN to be expanded; then to host various events in the parking lot. One resident noted: “We live there…24-hours a day. They have an audible burglar alarm that goes off all times of the day and night…My wife and I have lived there for 30 years and we’ve put up with this the whole time. Before, we always said “yes” [to the church’s requests] and now is our chance to say “no” because you guys pushed it too far.”
There were many other issues discussed at the focus meeting
Noise
According to Oland, Oro Valley does have a noise ordinance. “As traffic increases there will be more vehicle noise but it will not be out of character [for the area]. We’re not going to have people out there revving their engines.”
Missing “green belt”
During the Neighborhood Meeting last spring, a resident stated that the original OVCN leadership promised a Green Belt around the existing facility and that OVCN should be committed to honoring the agreements that their previous leaders made with the neighbors. Neither town staff nor the applicant appeared to have any knowledge of this agreement, but town staff agreed to look into it.
Water use
According to Oland, Oro Valley does have a noise ordinance. “As traffic increases there will be more vehicle noise but it will not be out of character [for the area]. We’re not going to have people out there revving their engines.”
Missing “green belt”
During the Neighborhood Meeting last spring, a resident stated that the original OVCN leadership promised a Green Belt around the existing facility and that OVCN should be committed to honoring the agreements that their previous leaders made with the neighbors. Neither town staff nor the applicant appeared to have any knowledge of this agreement, but town staff agreed to look into it.
Water use
The field will not use water. It will have artificial turf.
Outdoor concerts
OVCN is not planning to use the complex for concerts. There will be music when there is an outdoor service. The current complex plan includes a screen wall to mitigate the noise. According to town staff, the town’s zoning code has established noise standards and guidelines with which OVCN must comply. There are also noise nuisance requirements that are enforced by the police department.
Public Hearing Postponed
The focus group meeting was so contentious that the Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing scheduled for the following Monday was postponed.
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Want to know more about this situation. Read LOVE’s extensive coverage.
Want to know more about this situation. Read LOVE’s extensive coverage.
