County outlines eviction assistance program On May 20, Pima County staff presented the Emergency Eviction Legal Services, EELS, program to the Oro Valley Town Council. The program provides legal assistance, rental aid, shelter access, rehousing help, and job referrals for tenants facing eviction. Since its creation in 2021, the County reports that 3,725 households have received legal services, 3,500 have received rental assistance, and more than 80% of households leaving emergency shelter moved to positive housing destinations. Annual program costs include about $1.8 million for rental assistance and $400,000 for legal services. Most program clients, about 80%, live within the City of Tucson.
Indoor recreation center proposal being considered at Suffolk and Oracle
A proposed commercial project near the northeast corner of Suffolk Drive and Oracle Road would bring a roughly 25,000 square foot family recreation center, restaurant, and retail space to the site. According to Town materials, the proposal includes an indoor Kids That Rip (KTR) action sports facility featuring trampolines, sport courts, obstacle courses, and other family recreation uses. The project requires rezoning from Residential Service, R-S, to Neighborhood Commercial, C-N, along with a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 25,000 square foot single tenant family recreation center that exceeds the zoning code’s standard 5,000 square foot tenant limit. The project underwent a March neighborhood meeting that, according to Town staff, generated a mix of resident support and concerns, including questions about traffic, drainage, flooding, noise, and neighborhood compatibility. Some residents supported having a local indoor family recreation option. The company has six locations in the Phoenix area. (Project details)
OVPD reports: Some e-bikes may be considered motorcycles under Arizona Law
The May/June OVPD CrimeFighter newsletter says officers are seeing a “significant increase” in juveniles operating electric dirt bikes and other non street legal vehicles on Oro Valley roads and multi use paths. The department warned parents that some high powered vehicles marketed as e-bikes, including certain Surron, Talaria, and similar models, may legally qualify as motorcycles under Arizona law, requiring registration, insurance, and a motorcycle endorsement. OVPD said illegally operated vehicles may be stopped and impounded.
