OVCN Shenanigans Go On and On and On...

The OVCN saga takes on a new twist

Wednesday, we discussed the long history of the OVCN sports expansion zoning change request extravaganza. The request exemplifies how a zoning change request can take on a life of its own. Essentially, the church has been “threatening” to uproot the lives of their neighbors by bringing more traffic, more noise, and more disruption to Oro Valley’s original neighborhood.

Seek a 40' high sanctuary and more

The saga of OVCN’s ongoing impact on the neighborhood continues with a new plan. This plan includes a student center, a sanctuary, a maintenance building, and more than 800 paved parking spaces. Town staff believes these are all permitted uses. The only request is for a height variance for a 40’ building, which can be approved, according to town staff, solely by the Planning and Zoning Commission.  We suspect that decision would be subject to council appeal.  You can watch a video of the latest plan here and read the full two-year history of the OVCN situation here.

Original zoning change request is still "in the works"... so is there more than "meets the eye"?

Notably, the latest plan does not replace the existing zoning change request. That request is currently on hold at OVCN’s request. We wonder: Is this latest plan for a sanctuary with a 40 foot high roof line really just a "stepping stone" for later conversion to an indoor sports facility? Or will it be used as such immediately? 

Residents in the area are not happy with this proposal

Residents will get a chance to learn more and opine at a town led neighborhood meeting on September 26. We suspect they will be against the project. Resident Trish Tozier went to a briefing held by OVCN on the latest proposal. It was brief. She reported on this and voiced her opposition in an August council meeting. Here is what she said.

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25-Year Resident Shares Concerns Over OVCN Expansion

"Mayor Winfield, Vice Mayor Barrett, Council, and Staff, my name is Tricia Tozier. I am a 25-year resident of Oro Valley.

Initial Neighborhood Opposition Since 2022
Let me give you a couple of bullet points about why this OVCN building issue is problematic.  On March 1st, 2022, 14 neighbors presented a letter, as required by the town, outlining our concerns about the proposed rezone. Now, in July 2024, OVCN finally decided it was time to send a letter to these same people, which they did.

Recent Meeting Lacked Substance and Specific Plans
On August 1st, five neighbors, including myself, representing the Concordia Buena Vista group, attended a meeting. The presentation was given by Craig Coulter. Drawings and full-color pictures of their new proposal were shown. However, there were no specifics or definitive plans presented, except that they mentioned a height variance would be needed, and they would ask for the neighbors’ input on landscaping. Woo-hoo. He then asked for input.

Meeting Offered No Real Progress; Concerns Remain Unaddressed
Well, Ed Clary, who was also there, said, "Our concerns remain the same as they have for the last four and a half years. There's nothing to talk about." I must say, it was an uncomfortable meeting, and it adjourned.  There appeared to be no real purpose for the meeting other than perhaps to make OVCN look good. As a result, there was no way to assess the new proposal, aside from the pretty pictures. A few weeks later, OVCN sent a second letter to these same neighbors. It was the same form letter, except this time it included the phrase, “Since you did not respond.”

Lack of Genuine Community Engagement
Really? I was there. Is this what OVCN considers engagement with the community? Even the names were misspelled. Besides Craig Coulter, Gene Hayward, an administrator, and another person named David Williamson were present.

Builder’s Comments Highlight OVCN’s Approach
Williamson described himself as a builder and said he was only there to answer any questions about construction. Since there were no plans, there were no questions for him. But he did add at the end of the meeting that "something will be built there." We said, "Thank you." I’m not sure if it was a threat or a promise.

As an aside, Mr. Williamson owns Fairfield Homes and is the builder of both Mr. Coulter's and Mr. Collins' homes. OVCN describes this as "reaching out." After the meeting and the second letter, the Concordia Buena Vista group can only interpret this whole charade as OVCN saying they will do what they propose when they want."
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