Guest View-Tim Tarris: Facts are Hard To Ignore

Oro Valley resident Tim Tarris presented the following to the Oro Valley Town Council last Wednesday. It regards the pending request by the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene to build a sports facility next to the property. You can read more about here.

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I would like to begin with a quote from John Adams:

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

I would like to present some facts and end with a quote.

• The property the applicant wishes to expand into is currently residential and would require a zoning change for them to proceed.
• 100% of the adjoining neighbors are opposed to the rezone and have protested in writing. Almost 150 residents of the neighborhood are also opposed.
• Those predominately in favor attend the church but do not live nearby.
• The Planning & Zoning Commission has ruled against the rezone.
• The church has threatened legal action against the town if not approved.
• The Concordia/Buena Vista Group resolve remains constant
• A rezone from residential to commercial would set precedent and open a Pandora's box of disturbing possibilities in our town

These facts confirm what we all know. 

This is absolutely the wrong project for a residential neighborhood. And everyone knows it, including the applicant.

There are however, promising alternatives. The church, working together with the town and/or third parties can achieve success by finding a different, far more appropriate location. It is a win for the town, the church, the neighborhood and all of Oro Valley.

And finally, Abraham Lincoln was credited with saying:

"If I'd had more time, the Gettysburg Address would have been shorter."

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