A dream in the eyes of a few, Oro Valley has become a flourishing community. Today, Oro Valley is much more than founding fathers Jim Kreigh, Ken Holford, and Steve Engel ever imagined. From a budget of a few dollars to a budget approaching $150 million…. from a population of a few thousand to a population of almost 50,000,
Last week, the Oro Valley Historical Society chronicled the events that led to the town’s incorporation.Today we focus on what our founders wanted Oro Valley to be.
The first general plan shared a modest but bold vision
Residents approved the town’s latest General Plan in 2016. They were asked to wade through 126 pages. Because it was so broad, it is a plan that one could use to justify whatever they wanted to justify.
That was not the case with the 1981 General Plan. That plan was five pages. Yes five pages long. Voters did not have to wade through it to understand it. It took minutes, not hours, to read. What the residents wanted Oro Valley to be was stated clearly.
Unlike the town's current Economic Development efforts to bring major businesses to Oro Valley, the voters in 1981 did in want to have businesses that provide jobs for the residents. In the area of housing, the focus was to be on low density residential developments, not on "cluster" housing, though the concept of clustering does appear in the plan as a means of protecting the environment. Oracle Road was to be a scenic corridor. That land, according to the plan, should be used for low density uses. In the area of roads, the Founders envisioned a "balanced transportation system" by letting "traffic pass through the town with minimum disruption to the interior. They specified that Oracle Road, a State maintained road, be the only "high speed" roadway in the town. They even envisioned having a "public transit route system."
Today, Oro Valley is most certainly not Tucson but in some important ways it is not what the Founders envisioned
Oro Valley has stayed true to what the Founder's wanted in two areas
First, the town is a residential community. Only a handful of major businesses are located in Oro Valley, despite the efforts of some councils to change that. On the other hand, the town has many businesses that serve its senior population. Second, the town's roads are the best in the State. The road system is dominated by Oracle Road, Oro Valley's only "high speed roadway".
The Town has not remained true in three areas
Yes. The focus on single family residences has remained throughout the years. But, the current council and prior council wanted and have increased density with multi-familly residences. These residences now and in the future will populate Oracle Road, thus increasing traffic. Oracle Road today is really not a "scenic corridor". Finally, Oro Valley is primarily a town of small lot homes clustered in neighborhoods. The number of low density developments are much as they were twenty-plus years ago. Since that time, cluster housing has been and remains the primary residential home building vehicle.
Today, marks the start of Oro Valley's 50th year. Next April, a big celebration is due.
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