Guest View: Mike Zinkin – What Happened to the Founders’ Vision?

The Founders' Vision has been lost over the past 12 years
The reason the people incorporated Oro Valley was because they did not want to be governed by Tucson or Pima County. They wanted to protect the views, avoid traffic and pollution problems, prevent congested development, and preserve the small town feel. However, this has all but become history.

Look at how much has changed regarding allowances for developers and business establishments
We now have a 7-story retirement community under construction, a plot of land (the Marketplace) that will soon have numerous hotels and apartments, we have pre-graded lots that will be “shovel ready,” and a Council majority that doesn’t appear to adequately study the issues and simply follows staff desires, thereby disregarding the people’s wishes.

I was on the Developmental Review Board when we refused to allow In and Out Burger to have their crossed palm trees (the Council supported our decision). We did not allow the Target store to have a red “Target” sign (their trademark target could be red, but the store name had to fit the color palette of the shopping center). The blue wedge in the Best Buy store was reduced in size. There were no flashing signs allowed in store windows. A lighted sign could say ”Open” but it could not flash. A-frame signs were not allowed.

Look at how much has changed within the town council
The Vice-Mayor position used to be a ceremonial role that rotated among the existing council members. Now the Vice-Mayor serves a 4 year term that does nothing in my opinion but fulfill the ego of the individual.

We used to have Council on Your Corner meetings which allowed for two-way communication between the public and the council, instead of the council hiding behind the dais and limiting public speaking time to 3 minutes with no interaction. I remember having these meetings during the budget process to gauge the desires of the people. It now seems that the Council does not put forth any effort on the budget. They simply give staff what they want.

The Council used to care and consider the results of valid surveys. They used to ask questions of staff during budget study sessions, rather than being lectured by staff about their wishes. The Aquatic Center was a result of this belief, not splash pads and BMX tracks, which have very little constituent support.

The current Council liaison to the Amphi School Dist. does not fulfill the responsibilities put forth in Town Policy 9. When I brought this to the attention of the Councilmember, the response was, “I have not nor plan to ignore my responsibilities as Amphi Liaison. Covid has redefined this responsibility and relationship. I am requesting that the policy reflect those changes. I continue to receive and review the monthly agenda for both the Executive and General Meeting and attend as needed.” However, there has been no change to the current policy.

The Vice-Mayor voted no on an allocation of funds to support the State mandated General Fund. She said she was a “protector of the People’s money” yet insisted on a Splash Pad at Naranja Park.

Town leaders don’t seem to care about the Town’s waste of water
The Mayor refuses to realize there is a water problem in Oro Valley, as well as the Nation. Not one penny in the FY 2023/24 recommended budget is allocated to reducing the Town’s wasteful use of potable water on it properties (such as James Kriegh and Riverfront parks and the Pusch Ridge golf course.)

Major agreements with developers are not disclosed to the public
Some of you may criticize me regarding the El Con golf courses purchase in 2014, however, remember that it was a 4-3 vote. Now we have mostly 7-0 votes. The re-elected majority usually votes as a block. They allowed the former Town Manager to spend money without Council authority, as well as enter into agreements without Council oversight. There is an Economic Development Agreement with Town West that has never been made public and there is a lack of transparency. Agreements made with the developer of the high-density development in the Vistoso Preserve were also never disclosed to the public.

We’re heading in the wrong direction
Oro Valley government used to care about views, traffic, the environment, and appropriate use of monies. Now we are no different than Tucson and Marana.

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Mike Zinkin and his wife have lived in Oro Valley since 1998. He served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009, the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012, and the Town Council from 2012-2016. He was named a Fellow for the National League of Cities. He was a member of the NLC Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee. He was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge.

Oro Valley Village Center Is A Mini City

The Oro Valley Village Center is a mini city

One 75 foot high apartment building will sit on the site. Another apartment 59 foot high. These apartments will house approximately 1,300 people. Add to this three hotels and commercial/retail buildings. 

All this on 112 acres of land. 

It is a mini city.

The mini city will have its own entertainment center, one that will be maintained in part by the town; its own movie theater; its own supermarket; its own restaurants.

Oro Valley Village Center is a bold vision... bolder than envisioned in the General Plan

The Oro Valley Village Center is more than just a plan to revitalize the Oro Valley Marketplace, a revitalization that is sorely needed. No. It is vision of Oro Valley that is not included in the town's "Your Voice, Our Future 2016 General Plan." It is  a concept so bold in design, so unique in concept, and so complex that it will likely take years to build and may never become a reality as proposed given what has become an ever changing world.

Council has been told: "This is all or nothing deal." There is no "wiggle room."

The developer, Town West LLC, has made it abundantly clear that this is all or nothing project. They are willing to invest $335 million in Oro Valley only if the project is economically viable. The only economically viable project they have proposed is this project, a project that increases the population density on the land far beyond what was envisioned in the town's zoning codes, or in the town's general plans.

Project requires a zoning code that the town does not have

The apartment buildings have to be 75 feet and 59 feet in height to accommodate the underneath parking. Above ground, underneath parking is required because the land on which the apartment is going to be built is not big enough to accommodate code required outside parking. Less setback is needed from the roads because there simply is not enough land to accommodate the apartment building if the setback is enforced per code.

What this project needs is city like zoning: High population density. High rise buildings. 

Oro Valley simply does not have a zoning code to accommodate the project. Thus, the applicant's request for fifteen zoning variance requests.

The task before council is daunting

Tonight, the Oro Valley town Council will hold a public hearing on the requested changes. The council may or they may not decide tonight to approve or deny some or all of the zoning variance requests that are sought.

Tonight, town council will have to answer the fundamental question on behalf of all of us who live and love Oro Valley: Do we want our town to have a mini city at the intersection of Oracle Road and Tangerine? Is this what we want for our town? If so, then is granting the fifteen zoning variance requests the right way to do it? Or is there a better way? For example, should town staff create a new pad designation for such a mini city? Should council then approve this project based on that new pad designation? A designation that would allow minimum setbacks, tall buildings, and shared recreational space. A designation that would allow for less protection of sensitive lands and view sheds.

Tonight: Tell the Town Council if you do or do not support this project

You don’t need to be real specific in terms of why you do or do not. You just need to let them know how you feel about it. It is important for the Council to hear your voice because this will be the first time and may be the only time this will happen. 

The meeting starts at 6 o’clock at Town Council Chambers. 

See you there.

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Big Changes At Oro Valley Marketplace On Display Tonight

Big changes are planned…

…for the Oro Valley Marketplace. Many of these will require town council approval of general plan amendments and zoning code changes. Tonight, the town will host a discussion of these changes at a neighborhood meeting via Zoom. You can join the meeting using this link. 

Apartments… Hotels… Entertainment Center 

Town West Realty, the project owner and developer, is proposing five separate changes (see panel) to the property. According to project representative Kerry Sylvan, “Town West is committed to repositioning and reimagining the property” for the benefit of existing residents and newcomers.

If approved, the project will result in:

• Three hotels with a total of 362 rooms and proposed heights of 49 feet;
• A five story, 500 unit luxury complex near Tangerine Road; 
• A four and five story, 229 unit luxury apartment complex near Oracle Road
• An entertainment and water park area built in a wash inside the Marketplace

Council approvals required

Much of what the applicant wants to build will require council approval because the land is planned for or zoned for only some of what they want to do. These include:

• Allowing apartments
• Reducing building setbacks and landscape buffer yard requirements along Tangerine and Oracle Road
• Increasing building heights up to 49 feet
• Building an entertainment center in a designated wash

You can watch an introductory video on the project here.

The town has yet to determine when the project will be heard by the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission and then by the Town Council.

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Note: The panel is the original submission by Town West.  The numbers in the text reflect the plans as shown in the project video.

Public Hearing Tonight on Apartments at Lambert Lane and La Canada

Public to discuss multi-family building

The town will conduct a second public hearing tonight regarding a potential three story multi-family building ("Apartments") located on Lambert Lane, east of Noble Hops. 

Hearings and eventual council architectural approval are needed before the property can be built. The property is part of the El Conquistador Planned Area Development (“PAD”) that was established in 1983. Apartments are a permitted use in the PAD. 

In addition, the height of the proposed apartments is 36 feet. This exceeds a limit of 24 feet. This limit was determined as part of a 2003 council granted grading exception.  The property was intended for restaurant use.

Plan is to build on south side of lot, away from Lambert Lane

According to Beztak Companies, the applicant and landowner, the site has been vacant for thirteen years. They have had one serious inquiry regarding use of the land for a restaurant in the past seven years. 

The applicant wants to build apartment units on the south side of the property (see panel right). They will be set back from Lambert Lane. There will be one building containing 16 units, with 1 story closest to Lambert on the north; and 3 stories along existing apartments to the south (see panel below).

A unique apartment proposal

This Beztek apartment proposal is one of seven apartment proposals the town is considering or anticipating. It is unique for two reasons. First is its location. Most of the anticipated apartment units are located along Oracle Road. The result would be to cluster apartment residents in one area. They would certainly not be geographically dispersed within the community. This proposal, however, puts the units in another area, promoting diversity of housing physically. Second, the apartments are really an addition to the existing apartments. 

Three primary resident concerns

During a prior hearing those attending voiced concerns in three areas Increase in traffic; parking capacity regarding Noble Hops; and the impact of the building on the view of the Catalina Mountains. The applicant has supposedly addressed these in their latest plans and we will hear more about this tonight. For example, they changed the location of the building and the architecture to set it back from Lambert Lane.  This allows the exposure (from Noble Hops) of the majority of the mountain view. In addition, the new plan is for fewer apartments (from 19 to 16) and for a smaller footprint for the building.

Click this link to learn more about this project and how to participate in this hearing tonight. You can also watch a video describing this project.

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LOVE has written an extensive analysis of potential apartments in Oro Valley. You can read that here.

Major Rezoning For Apartments Under Consideration

Town considers more apartments
The The Town of Oro Valley commissioned a study of apartments. "The purpose of this study is to provide information to assist the governing body in evaluating Oro Valley’s housing mix and upcoming apartment proposals." (Source)

The study is a follow on to action item 135 in the 2016 Your Voice Our Future General Plan. That action item called for "Developing a housing plan that addresses the needs of a diverse community." (2016 General Plan Page 81).

Almost 3,000 apartments now

"Oro Valley currently has 12 apartment communities with a total of 2,961 units, 790 of which were completed in the last five years....Oro Valley has 19,295 housing units and apartments represent a 15.3% share of all Oro Valley housing units."(Source: Report Page 10).  By our estimate, apartments house approximately 8,400 residents. The occupancy rate is 96%,

The town is zoned for an additional 95.5 acres of apartments. The Town is currently processing five apartment proposals that would add 1,036 units, housing approximately 2,400 residents. The average rent is $1,123 per month. There are two more anticipated requests that would add 712 units housing approximately 1,660 residents.

Many more on the way.. if council chooses

There are five apartment complex request under consideration and two more are anticipated. If all are approved, they will add 1,748 apartments to the town's inventory, increasing apartment capacity by 59%. 

Two of these requests require no council approval. These are circled with a solid line in the map at right. They total 83 apartments. 

The other five of these seven requests require rezoning of 83 acres to accommodate 98% of the planned units. 

Thus, residents, through council, have 'control' over what happens with these as resident participation in the process will be required.

Oracle corridor the target

All but one of the seven complexes will be built on or near Oracle Road as can be seen in the panel map. These 1,665 apartments will add about 3,000 cars along Oracle Road daily. 

Oracle traffic will increase substantially

Traffic on Oracle Road, which is already heavy, will be even heavier. The area most hard hit will be from Hardy to Ina Road, an area with high traffic accident rates and long light cycles. The problem is that Oro Valley does not have the businesses to employ these several thousand household workers. And it likely that Oro Valley will not have added jobs for many years to come. Like it or nor, Oro Valley is a commuter community.

The report is an advertising circular supporting apartment construction in Oro Valley 

We urge each LOVE reader to download and read the report. It alleges that it debunks all alleged concerns residents have had regarding apartment growth. Some of the "concerns" are simply foolish such as the impact on our community of lower income families. We've not heard that voiced as a concern.

The issues it does address are done in a very superficial way.

For example, one alleged concern is that the school system does not have capacity to house a  significant number of new students. Don't worry! According to the report:  "Renter household sizes tend to be smaller, with fewer children, resulting in less of an impact on schools than new single-family homes. That may be true but it does not provide real data for consideration.

The report also dismisses the issue of possible crime increase because of an increase in household density as not supported by fact. Seems to us that a thief could ride the bus up and down Oracle Road and have a party since that's where all the apartments are.

There are many other, important issues that need to be considered such as the density of housing and its impact on Oracle Road, as we've mentioned, and the substantial increase in water use. 

The report will be heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission tonight.

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Guest View: Alyssa Page ~ More desert destruction on the horizon

The Town of Oro Valley is moving forward with extraordinary urgency regarding the State Trust Land (885 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert) that lies at the northwestern edge of Oro Valley. The reason for the urgency is a mystery, but here is what we know so far.

On August 28th, Primary Election Day, the Town of Oro Valley residents voted to replace the incumbent mayor and council with Joseph Winfield (mayor) and Joyce Jones-Ivey, Josh Nicolson and Melanie Barrett (town council). The newly elected officials ran on the platform of responsible development and improving compromise and balance between residents and developer interests.

The very next morning, August 29th, the Town staff were out pounding their notorious yellow “Public Meeting” signs into the ground announcing two neighborhood “public meetings” on September 13th and 20th regarding the State Land annexation.

Proposed Rezoning Area
(Source: Town of Oro Valley)

Why have the meetings within one week of each other? The typical purpose and timeline of neighborhood meetings is to gather information from the first meeting, then make alterations based on resident input which is then presented at the second meeting. Most neighborhood meetings are weeks apart or even a month or more apart. Seven days is highly unusual, and hardly allows for any changes or compromise.

Here is the potential real problem
Once two neighborhood meetings have been held, the minimum requirement has been met. At this point, the proposal moves forward to Planning and Zoning and then to the Town Council for approval.

Where is the real community outreach and compromise with the people who live around this area?

Real public input should include the following
After the two neighborhood meetings, there should be smaller group meetings with neighbors in each unique area; north, south, east, and west of the property. If that sounds like a lot of little meetings, that’s how many different and diverse neighborhoods there are around these 885 acres. All of these people will be affected by this rezoning and annexation. Therefore, each of these surrounding neighborhoods needs to be listened to individually. These meetings should all happen after the September 20th meeting after which we should gather together again for one or even two large neighborhood meetings, to finalize the compromises. That would be real public input and involvement.

Other concerning and mysterious details
In the original Tangerine State Land Rezoning and Annexation documents posted on orovalleyaz.gov the following dates were listed.

Meeting Dates-
1. First neighborhood meeting – September 13,
2. Second neighborhood meeting – September 20, 2018
3. Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing – October 8, 2018*
4. Town Council hearing – October 24, 2018*
(*Tentative and subject to change)

However, by Friday, August 31st, the Planning and Zoning and Town Council hearing dates were removed and replaced with “To be Determined.”

Is the staff and council’s intent to push this rezoning and future annexation through prior to the new council being sworn in in November?

What is being presented on September 13th
High-density Condo, Apartment (up to five stories high) and Townhome parcels. Upwards of 1500+ units and potentially over 1500+ single family homes on small 5500 sq ft lots. In all there will be 3000+ units, plus additional commercial sites all on 885 acres.

This is the largest rezoning and annexation in Oro Valley in over a decade. Let’s get this deal done right and not rush into rezoning deals that Oro Valley and her residents will later regret and resent.

Please come to both neighborhood meetings on September 13th and 20th. Your presence is needed.

Click HERE to read the Town notice of the two meetings.
Click HERE to read the project fact sheet.
Click HERE to read Tim Stellar's article in the Arizona Daily Star.  Read what Mayor Hiremath and Mayor-elect Joe Winfield have to say about this rezoning.
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Alyssa Page is a wife, mother, writer, photographer and community activist. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a BFA in Photographic Design and a minor in Communications.

REMINDER: Mark Your Calendars ~ Two Important Town Meetings This Week

Once again, we know that this is a busy time of year for many people but we hope that each of our readers will make an effort to attend at least one of these important meetings.

Tuesday, December 12th at 6 PM

Community Meeting – Town Council Chambers

Golf Courses Update

Special meeting with Town Manager, Mary Jacobs.

Ms. Jacobs will review the Golf Consultants’ recommendations (from the $50,000 Golf Consultants’ Report) and also where the Town currently stands in the process of evaluating golf operations. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback.

The final recommendation to Council will be presented in January 2018.

Wednesday, December 13th at 6 PM

Public Meeting/Neighborhood Meeting – Hilton El Conquistador

Proposed Development - Commercial/Senior Care/Apartments

25 acres located on the NE and SE corners of Oracle Road and El Conquistador Way
This project is located within the Oracle Road Scenic Corridor.

The applicant is proposing to rezone the property FROM single-family residential R1-144 (144,000 sf lots), Resort District and Technology Park TO Planned Area Development with an underlying zoning designation of Neighborhood Commercial.

NOTE: This property is owned by HSL Properties (Humberto Lopez, who infamously dumped the money losing golf courses on the town and who has donated almost $80,000 to the campaigns of all 7 current sitting council members.)

$15,730 to the 2014 Election campaigns of Hiremath-Hornat-Snider-Waters
$25,750 to the 2015 Recall Election of Hiremath-Hornat-Snider-Waters
$38,000 to the 2015 Election campaigns of Pina-Rodman-Solomon

LOVE Email: Oro Valley Resident Reflects On What Oro Valley Will Become

We do receive emails from our readers from time to time that express how many feel about the commercialization of Oro Valley. This, from resident Lou Dudas, was written before the election. It is, nonetheless, relevant to the situation in which Oro Valley finds itself.
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I read with interest Ryan's (Hurtung) pithy and seemingly well-intentioned comments.


One is tempted to quibble with his perspectives as some sort of Johnny-come-lately. I wince every time someone uses expressions as "scenic corridor" or as one of our town's self-appointed senior statesman proudly informed me that the coming development was indeed the realization of our "historic gateway".

Ryan's hopes of balancing developer interests with the desires of its resident citizens sounds like democracy in action. Democracy as defined "when two wolves and a lamb vote for what to have for lunch".

My main reaction to the goings-on in our recall efforts concerns the more fundamental question of the continued town growth trajectory
...recently pronounced publicly by the mayor. His thrust is to grow the town, encourage cluster homes, increase rooftops, build more apartments instead of homes, increase the number of retailers, develop sports tourism, accelerate and increase the size of the business community, and most importantly (and perhaps not well understood by a seemingly docile citizenry), transform Oro Valley (how very Obama-like) from a retirement community to a "collectivism" by subordinating individual rights to group rights! (Maybe Bernie Sanders has struck gold here.)

It appears that the focus of the recall has been largely on the golf course fiasco, even as the debate rages over another General Plan which will undoubtedly continue the mayor's vision for a more robust, business-driven, tax generating town.

Issues of managing massive apartment complexes, with their eventual control and cost need not be of concern to ordinary residents. There is no fear that these complexes may develop into future slums, add to traffic, spike pollution levels, and escalate the costs of burgeoning town infrastructure staff, police, fire,water demands, and a divided citizenry.

Our mayor seems bent on increasing the sheer size of Oro Valley to pay for all the growth
I expect that people who moved here when the town was smaller can readily appreciate the impact of growth. If originally a town of 15 or 20,000 seemed about right, now that we're nudging into say closer to 45 or 50,000, perhaps the mayor will be particularly pleased if he can grow it to 100,000 or more.

If the residents who came here years ago wanted to live in a denser, business-like atmosphere, they may have instead moved to the Phoenix area and enjoyed the ambiance of a bustling place to live.

The most telling result of the recall effort it the ferocity of the recalled members in their self-defense and the incessant attacks on the citizen candidates. The divisiveness of the council/staff has produced a hostility which can be expected to continue into the future. No amount of trumped-up support/endorsement by the police/fire, Explorer/Army general/attack dogs/shill candidates/recalcitrant judges/clerks will erase the bitterness of an aggrieved citizenry.

Those recalled should remember to not foul the place they live.

Lou Dudas
Oro Valley Resident

Bits and Pieces

Meet the new candidates tomorrow
"Just a friendly reminder that you can meet three Town Council candidates this Saturday, June 27th and sign the petitions to help get them on the November ballot. The event is from 9am - 3pm at the Town Council Courtyard and at the Oro Valley Public Library. Refreshments will be served. Please see the attached flyer." (Source: Steve Didio email)

In light of the "insanity" that occurred at town hall Wednesday when Hiremath recall papers were filed, lets hope that only those interested in meeting the new candidates attend this event.

Petitions submitted to recall Mayor Hiremath

Oro Valley, Arizona (June 25, 2015) - At approximately 10 a.m. yesterday, June 24, 2015, signatures for a recall petition for Oro Valley Mayor Satish I. Hiremath were delivered to the Town of Oro Valley Clerk's Office. The petitions were submitted by the Oro Valley Citizens for Open Government Committee.

The Oro Valley Clerk's Office has 10 days in which to process the petitions and verify that the total number of signatures eligible for verification is equal to or exceeds the minimum 2,765 required signatures.

Pima County will then have 60 days in which to verify the signatures before the petition process moves forward. Once the county verifies the signatures, they will come back to the Oro Valley Town Clerk for a final check before they are legally filed. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Press Release) 

Group forms to oppose Pima County Bond
Taxpayers Against Pima County Bonds has formed. According to a group press release: 

"The real myth is “new bonding will not affect your property taxes.” The fact is, last year on my tax bill, I paid almost $170.00 under the category "county bonds secondary." This represents almost 5% of my total tax bill! It does NOT include the roughly $1,385 I pay in other secondary property taxes, many of which are also bonds for other things. And secondary property taxes are in addition to the primary property taxes we pay. Bonds DO affect your taxes! Pima County now wants to borrow close to $816 Million. This is a 57% increase over what Pima County currently owes. If my taxes on the existing Pima County Bonds are $170 a year, what can I expect them to go up to after they borrow another $816 Million? It's basic economics, the more you borrow, the more you need to pay back! " (Source: Taxpayers Against Pima County Bonds Press Release)

Their webside is pimabondfact.com

 Hecker Leads Pima County Bond Support
"A group in support of the Pima County bond proposal has formed and begun to lobby the public to vote for the $815 million bond plan. The group, called "Yes on Pima County Bonds", held a news conference Monday to announce the effort.

Tucson attorney and chairman of the Pima County Bond Advisory Committee Lawrence Hecker is listed as the group’s chairman.

Business consultant and former Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities chairman Steve Eggen is treasurer of the group." (Source: Arizona Daily Star

Do you think that Hecker has a conflict of interest being chairing the Pima County Bond Advisory Board and now leading the cheerleading effort?

"Waters: From CNN To Council"
Rose Law Group published an exclusive interview with Council Member Lou Waters.

Entitled: "From CNN anchor desk to Oro Valley Town Council", the article asked why he ran for office. "Service always has been in my DNA, so I ran and won . . . twice." Later in the article he notes: "Far too many of our “politicians” will say or do anything to remain in office. And far too many things they say are just not in the best interests of the constituents they serve."

Rock Ridge Apartments Needs Tenants
Rock Ridge Apartments are located on the west side of Oracle Road, just south of Lambert Lane. The've been in town a long time. They need tenants. And the prices actually look pretty interesting. Want to learn more?

We imagine that apartment pricing in Oro Valley is going to get even better for the consumer as Russ Rulney's apartments, located just south of Rock Ridge on the east side of Oracle near completion. It is a monster development.

Oro Valley Releases Latest Crime Statistics

Oro Valley Police Department has issued their latest crime statistics.  Almost have of Oro Valley's accident intersections are at 3 major intersections. Oracle and Magee are, once again, at the top of the most frequent collision intersections.  Next are LaCanada and Tangerine and Tangerine and First Avenue.

The report includes information on how quickly police reach the scene of an incident, traffic or otherwise.  90% of the time or more officer response is at or under the allotted time for a particular incident priority. For example, our police responded to 97% of top priority incidents within one minute. There were 14. (Source)


Coffee with a Cop This Morning 
 "The Oro Valley Police Department is excited to announce its June Coffee with a Cop event located at Jerry Bob's, 10550 N. La Cañada Drive, Suite 140 . It will be on Friday, June 26, 2015 from 7 to 9 a.m. This marks the one year anniversary of its inception." (Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)

November Sees The Q and Brew 10K
"On Your Left Fitness is excited to partner with the North Tucson Firefighter’s Association (NTFFA) in hosting the Q and Brew 10K Run/Walk in conjunction with NTFFA’s BBQ Cook Off. Over 30 firefighter teams will be cooking up mouth-watering BBQ for you to enjoy after your run." The race is Saturday, November 21 in Oro Valley. (Source) On Your Left also sponsors a Test N Tune events at Steam Pump Ranch.

Heather's Corner: "What Has Happened To Oro Valley?"

Allow me to vent. I know a lot of the critics of the LOVE blog believe we are all retired old naysayers just looking for an opportunity to contradict whatever the majority four on Council suggest. I contribute regularly to this blog, am 38 years young, a mother of two children under five, and I believe the majority four have done a lot of good for the community.

I am also not against growth or expansion. I was raised in Silicon Valley and appreciate the value of diversity, high paying jobs, and housing options. My first Silicon Valley apartment, if you can call it that, was a converted attic in what is considered to be a very posh little town. My rent was $400.00 more than our current mortgage on our Oro Valley home. Down the road were subsidized apartments for those needing financial assistance. And up the road was a home listed for $11,000,000.00. I get it. But it was done in such a way that cohesively married all socio-economic levels because nothing stood out. Not mansion nor apartment complex. Not the 7-Eleven nor the boutiques.

But I have to ask: What is the vision for our quaint town of Oro Valley? I ask myself this every time I drive down Oracle Rd. from Linda Vista Blvd. to the Oro Valley Marketplace, which I have endearingly re-named "Apartment Row." I feel especially less than sentimental about the metamorphosis of our town as I pass the Jurassic mammoth apartments by 1st. Ave. I know this topic is a dead horse but aren't those in charge at all worried by these massive irreversible footprints scarring the look and feel of our town? Do they drive "The Row" and bask in the grandeur of these atrocities? I know there are so many other town issues at the forefront of their attention that these apartments are probably a distant memory, but was this the vision they had in mind? Do they drive by these goliaths on their way home or to the store or movies and say, 'Darn it, those look good!'?

I don't have a degree in architecture, city planning, or the like. All I have are my layman's eyes telling me "Apartment Row" is for lack of a better word, blatant. There is no subtlety amongst these giants. They are the most obvious of landmarks, to those unfamiliar with Oro Valley, on a major traveled road into our town, (with Oro Valley Marketplace and the hospital a close second and third but farther down the beaten path.) These apartments are to Oro Valley what the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco, the Gateway Arch is to Missouri, and the Space Needle is to Seattle. Of course those of us that experience all that our great town has to offer, realize that Steam Pump Ranch, Catalina State Park, or even "The Tree of Knowledge," outside of our library, are several examples of our true and prideful landmarks. Unfortunately if you don't know they exist, you'll blink and miss them.

I have chosen to blindly trust those in charge that their vision for our town over the next five, ten, twenty years, are more advanced than what my uneducated eyes can conceive. That, and because the damage has already been done. And with that, time will tell. Until then I'll close with the words of my father-in-law, whom recently visited from Canada, after being away for some time, and viewed the apartments in their current state:

"What in the world happened here?"

Thanks for the opportunity to vent.

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Heather Nenadovich has lived in Oro Valley a total of five years. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Arizona. Her husband is Canadian so she is a hockey fan by default and so are her two very clever children. When not being a mommy, she enjoys hiking in Catalina State Park, hand building pottery, and gardening. Her favorite things about living in Oro Valley are the towns recognition of art and culture, their commitment to preserving nature and the Christmas parade. (Also anything from GMG Chinese Bistro.)

Bits and Pieces

Shannon Road South Of Ironwood Ridge High School Major General Plan Amendment Withdrawn

Shannon Road Partners and Roberta J. and Dale G. Manning have withdrawn their general plan amendment request for 77 acres located south of Ironwood Ridge High School on the east side of Shannon Road. The land designation is rural low density residential and significant resource area. The request was to designate it low density residential, medium density residential and urban services boundary.

"Please note that the applicant may resubmit at some point in the future. If an application is received, neighbors will be notified consistent with Town noticing procedures and additional neighborhood meetings and public hearings will be required."

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact town planner Matt Michaels @ mmichels@orovalleyaz.gov or (520) 229-4822. (Source)
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Rents Highest In Oro Valley 

"Rents were highest in the Oro Valley/Catalina submarket, at an average of $838 per unit, and the lowest average per unit of $512 was registered in the South Tucson/Airport area."   This from a recently released report by commercial realtors Cushman & Wakefield.

"Cushman & Wakefield analysts associated the slight rental gains of the past years with the lack of job growth within the region, and they expect minimal growth until significant hiring occurs in the market." (Source)
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Four Arrested For Shoplifting and Credit Card Theft at Kohls

Oro Valley Police Officers arrested two male and two female suspects inside Kohl's for shoplifting.  More than $1,200 of stolen merchandise was taken. During the investigation a large quantity of identification cards from Arizona and Illinois were located belonging to numerous victims, along with blank checks and stolen credit cards. (Source: Oro Valley Police Department press release)
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Oro Valley Police Assert That HiVE Works

"While the [accident] cases at Oracle and Magee are the highest, Oro Valley Police say the data shows a 4.5 percent drop since traffic officers began enforcing its high visibility enforcement, or HiVE, patrols in 2012. Injury-related accidents also dropped by 50 percent in the last year, police said." (Source)

The focus of the HiVE activity is on Oracle between Suffolk Road and Magee.

The data to which the police refer are they town's latest crime statistics.  Most traffic accidents in the second quarter of this year involve Oracle Road.

So, please do slow down and drive patiently on Oracle Road.
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Riverfront Park Fields Closed For Over-Seeding

For the first time in many years, The Town Of Oro Valley has over-seeded the soccer fields at Riverfront Park.  Finally, Oro Valley will look beautiful to our winter visitors.

The fields will reopen for use October 19.
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Bits and Pieces

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Last Week, Oro Valley Finance Chief, Stacey Lemos, reported to town council that actual Oro Valley sales revenues were less than projected because sales tax audit recoveries were less than expected. Her explanation: Some of the contractors being audited are not longer in business.
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Town Council still needs to decide if the town should "repay" the contingency fund for the $2.1 they agreed to pay TEP to fund the under-grounding of wires on Oracle and Tangerine.
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An article in the Daily Star discussed the development of almost 500 apartments coming to Oro Valley. We've discussed this in various prior postings.  Oro Valley is no longer a small town.  It is fast becoming a city.  The article is a puff-piece about the Steam Pump Ranch HSL Properties apartments. It extols the virtues of these upscale apartments and how needed they are because of all the business growth and Oro Valley.

Oro Valley's biggest challenge however is that it is landlocked. As we have already noted in a previous posting regarding safety this week, there's no easy way to get in and out of Oro Valley.   La Canada south of Ina Road is unusable and will be that way for another 18 months.   The reconstruction of the Ina and Oracle interchange has begun.  There are often long lines of traffic in all directions during the day.   The future doesn't look any better because there will still only be two southbound roads after these projects are completed.
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Oro Valley is launching The virtual art gallery—part of the Town’s new website. It can be found online. "Taking it a step further, the Town will also be hosting monthly public art tours, where residents and visitors can reserve a spot on a tour van for an in-person, narrated tour of the Town’s many public projects. Beginning May 23, 2013, and recurring on the 4th Thursday of each month, these free tours will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are limited to 12 people, and can be made online." (Town Of Oro Valley Press Release)  It will cost the town approximately $50 per month for this service.  (Source: Oro Valley Economic Development Department) That sounds low to us, given the cost of gas, insurance, drivers, maintenance.
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This morning, The Oro Valley Police Department  is hosting "Drug Awareness Day For Fifth Graders" at Riverfront Park from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.  "The Oro Valley Police Department's Dispose-A-Med program will also be on site to collect unused or expired medications for proper disposal." (The Oro Valley Police Department Press Release)
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The The Oro Valley Police Department a list of the town's top 10 accident intersections for the first quarter of this year.  Here's the list.  Our advice: Driver Beware.

• Oracle and Magee                  12
• Oracle and Suffolk                   7
• Oracle and El Conqistador       6
• Oracle and Pusch View Ln      6
• Innovation and Tangerine        4
• Oracle and Steam Pump          4
• Tangerine and Rancho Vis      4
• La Canada and Naranja           3
• McGee and Northern              3
• Oracle and Hardy                   3

Its no coincidence that Oracle Road is the culprit in all but 3 listings.  Its huge volume of 50 mph traffic make it the ideal candidate for an accident/

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Shop Oro Valley runs from May 1 thru July 1.  "Participation is simple. Just bring your receipts to Oro Valley Town Hall, located at 11000 N. La Cañada Drive, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winners will be announced each Friday at 5 p.m. The final prize, a $500 Oro Valley Marketplace gift card donated by Vestar, will be announced on July 1, 2013. All weekly winners are eligible for the final drawing.." (Town Of Oro Valley press release)
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