It Sounds So Innocent (Part 2): Residents Question Motive and Need For Height Variance

Residents raise concerns over height variance for OVCN expansion
At the September 26, 2024, open house, Oro Valley residents voiced significant concerns about the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene's (OVCN) request for a height variance to build a 40-foot-tall sanctuary. The meeting, hosted by the town’s planning department, allowed residents to ask questions and express their worries about how the variance would impact their neighborhood.

Impact on views and property values
Several residents questioned how the proposed height of the sanctuary would affect their scenic views and property values. The 40-foot structure would exceed the current zoning limit of 24 feet, leading one resident to ask, “How is this going to impact the property values and the view for the neighbors?” Town staff acknowledged the concerns but noted that the height variance request was within the bounds of what the zoning code allows for certain structures like auditoriums.

Skepticism about the necessity of the height...Concerns about basketball courts in the sanctuary

Residents questioned whether the requested height was genuinely necessary for a sanctuary, with some expressing skepticism about the church’s intentions. One resident directly asked if the height was being justified for an “all-purpose room,” noting, “We were told it would have two basketball courts, and that’s why you need the extra height.” In response, Oland stated, “The height is necessary to support the sanctuary’s stadium-style seating, not for basketball courts.” He emphasized that the building is intended for worship services, and while the church might offer recreational programs, its primary purpose remains religious.

Granting a variance may set a precedent for future expansion
Another major worry among residents was whether the height variance would set a precedent for further expansions in the future. Several people asked if the request was part of a larger, long-term development plan, raising concerns about the potential for continuous construction projects. One resident remarked, “Is this part of a bigger, longer project? And if that’s the case, all the numbers we see tonight would be moot.” Oland reassured residents that the current request was not connected to any future expansions and that the church’s focus was solely on meeting the needs of its growing congregation.

Tomorrow we explore the many resident concerns expressed in other areas
In addition to the height variance, residents raised many other questions during the meeting. These included concerns about increased traffic from the new parking lot, noise levels from ongoing church activities, and potential flooding issues due to increased paved surfaces. Michael Spaeth informed residents that while these areas were part of the entitlement for the land and did not require approval, the neighborhood meeting provided an opportunity for residents to shape what was being done. In the next article, we will dive deeper into these concerns and provide a detailed look at the broader discussions that took place during the meeting.

Tomorrow: Residents believe proposed expansion ads risks to the community