Residents of the Valley Vista subdivision in Oro Valley are increasingly frustrated by the deteriorating condition of their streets. Visible settlement, sinkholes, and shifting pavers have become common sights, raising serious concerns about the safety and durability of the infrastructure. This after being "inconvenienced" by the repair of sinking sewer pipes and water damage at the sewerage lift station.
These issues have left many questioning whether anyone is taking their concerns seriously.
The genesis of the problem lies in floodplain construction
The roots of Valley Vista’s problems can be traced back to its construction within the Big Wash floodplain, a decision highlighted in a February 2024 LOVE article titled “Homes Built in Big Wash Floodplain”. The subdivision was built on backfilled soils prone to subsidence, especially when exposed to water infiltration. These geological challenges were not adequately addressed during construction, leading to the infrastructure failures now plaguing the community.
Discrepancies in town communication fuel resident distrust
Confusion and suspicion among residents have been exacerbated by conflicting information from town officials. A significant point of contention is the depth of street excavation required to properly address the street issues. While a geotechnical report from Ninyo & Moore recommended 48 inches of excavation, Town Engineer Paul Keesler communicated a much shallower 17-inch depth to residents. This discrepancy has led to growing distrust, with residents questioning the accuracy and transparency of the information provided by the town.
Lack of updates from town officials creates communication gaps
Adding to the frustration is the lack of consistent communication from town officials. According to an email chain dated September 2, 2024, the Town Council has not been updated on the situation at Valley Vista since February, leaving residents in the dark about the ongoing efforts to address the problems. Key stakeholders, such as the geotechnical engineers from Ninyo & Moore, have also been excluded from recent communications, further fueling concerns about whether the full scope of the issues is being transparently addressed.
The genesis of the problem lies in floodplain construction
The roots of Valley Vista’s problems can be traced back to its construction within the Big Wash floodplain, a decision highlighted in a February 2024 LOVE article titled “Homes Built in Big Wash Floodplain”. The subdivision was built on backfilled soils prone to subsidence, especially when exposed to water infiltration. These geological challenges were not adequately addressed during construction, leading to the infrastructure failures now plaguing the community.
 |
| Worried residents hope to get answers this week |
Confusion and suspicion among residents have been exacerbated by conflicting information from town officials. A significant point of contention is the depth of street excavation required to properly address the street issues. While a geotechnical report from Ninyo & Moore recommended 48 inches of excavation, Town Engineer Paul Keesler communicated a much shallower 17-inch depth to residents. This discrepancy has led to growing distrust, with residents questioning the accuracy and transparency of the information provided by the town.
Lack of updates from town officials creates communication gaps
Adding to the frustration is the lack of consistent communication from town officials. According to an email chain dated September 2, 2024, the Town Council has not been updated on the situation at Valley Vista since February, leaving residents in the dark about the ongoing efforts to address the problems. Key stakeholders, such as the geotechnical engineers from Ninyo & Moore, have also been excluded from recent communications, further fueling concerns about whether the full scope of the issues is being transparently addressed.
What happens here matters to the town (and to you)
What happens with these streets is crucial. Once the town formally accepts them, they become town property, making the town responsible for their maintenance. It's imperative that all faults and issues with all the streets in Valley Vista be thoroughly identified and resolved before any handover occurs. Right now, it’s Pulte Homes' responsibility to address and fix these problems. If left unidentified or unresolved, these issues will be the town's burden, and by extension, your burden a a taxpayer. The town must ensure these all of these streets are in top condition before assuming responsibility.
An "open house" scheduled for September 12th aims to address concerns
In response to mounting concerns, the Town of Oro Valley has scheduled an open house this Thursday from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Oro Valley Council Chambers. This meeting will be an opportunity for residents to learn more about the upcoming street replacement project and to voice their concerns directly to town officials and representatives from Pulte Group. The open house will feature several stations covering topics such as the breadth of the work, the cross-section of the streets being repaired, the project schedule, and the involvement of Pima County Wastewater.
An "open house" scheduled for September 12th aims to address concerns
In response to mounting concerns, the Town of Oro Valley has scheduled an open house this Thursday from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Oro Valley Council Chambers. This meeting will be an opportunity for residents to learn more about the upcoming street replacement project and to voice their concerns directly to town officials and representatives from Pulte Group. The open house will feature several stations covering topics such as the breadth of the work, the cross-section of the streets being repaired, the project schedule, and the involvement of Pima County Wastewater.
But one council member doesn't think the "open house" goes far enough
One council member, Tim Bohen, opposes the open house format chosen for the September 12 meeting. Bohen has been following Valley Vista situation closely. In fact, he is the only Council Member doing so. He tells us that the standard practice in Oro Valley has been to hold recorded, sit-down meetings where all attendees can ask questions, receive answers, and make public comments in a transparent manner. This traditional format allows for a clear record and ensures that everyone hears the same information. In contrast, the come-and-go Open House format cannot be effectively recorded, making it difficult to hold officials accountable.
Bohen is also concerned about Town Engineer Paul Keesler's previous statements, which he believes have been proven untrue and were part of an effort to create separate narratives for the Council and the residents. He views the Open House as another tactic to avoid full transparency and accountability, further complicating the already tense situation at Valley Vista.
LOVE's Opinion: Valley Vista residents need to organize into a cohesive group and act in a united manner to address this and possible future issues
Valley Vista residents have yet to organize as a cohesive group, instead waiting individually for updates from Town staff. Perhaps they believe that the Town is acting in their best interest, but history shows otherwise. Town staff played a role in encouraging the Council to approve the general plan amendment and zoning change in 2017 and subsequently approved the necessary permits throughout the development process. This indicates a level of complicity. At some point, a significant mistake was made—perhaps the Town did not thoroughly investigate the quality of the soil being brought into the area. In addition, a review of the project's history reveals that soild concerns were never discussed before the Planning and Zoning Commission or the Council in 2017.
There is plenty of blame to go around!
- - -
