We are not sure that most people realize it, but working groups have always been a critical part of the development of the Oro Valley General Plan. In 2016, for example, one working group changed the way major proposed land use changes were considered in the general plan. Here's what happened.
How a 2016 working group changed how proposed major land use changes are considered in the general plan process
One of the most important parts of any general plan is the land use map, which designates how all land within the town is to be used. In Oro Valley, land has already been designated. Any change requires a General Plan amendment, a process that is often time-consuming and complex.
One of the most important parts of any general plan is the land use map, which designates how all land within the town is to be used. In Oro Valley, land has already been designated. Any change requires a General Plan amendment, a process that is often time-consuming and complex.
During the creation of the 2016 "Your Voice, Our Future" General Plan, four major land use changes were intentionally left off the land use map. That decision was a deliberate choice by the resident working group responsible for this part of the plan. Prior to that, proposed land use changes were included in the general plan. In 2000, some were very bold. They were so bold that the year 2000 general plan, which contained many proposed land use changes, went through two resident votes to finally get approved in 2005.
At a Town Council meeting in December 2017, Bayer Vella emphasized the significance of this decision, stating that "...the backbone of the entire effort was a resident group, a resident team of, that was a committee, some 40 folks that met on 30 occasions to design the plan. These participants, along with the development committee and other involved committees, agreed that significant changes to the General Plan land-use map should not be made behind closed doors. They explicitly requested that future councils handle land-use map amendments on a case-by-case basis, with a customized and specific focus, ensuring that each neighborhood's unique circumstances were considered.” The goal was to avoid making significant changes without proper public engagement, ensuring that each amendment received the attention it deserved.
This approach marked a significant shift from how land use changes had been handled in previous general plans. In this instance, a working group made a substantial difference.
Get in the game
Resident working groups will use the feedback from residents gathered over the last year to help forge goals, policies and actions. They will meet between January – May 2025. The group will determine the number of meetings meet to produce a plan that reflects what residents want. Meetings will mostly take place online with some in-person opportunities. You can become an integral part of creating the OVPathForward by signing up for one of the five working groups [panel above-right]. Here's a link for you to do so.
This approach marked a significant shift from how land use changes had been handled in previous general plans. In this instance, a working group made a substantial difference.
Simms: Working groups matter
Speaking to council earlier this month, Milini Simms, Town of Oro Valley Principal Planner and OVPathForward project leader, underscored the importance of these groups:
"There are some areas where alignment is needed because the direction from residents isn't clear. These areas will be the focus of resident working groups, aiming to achieve alignment through a balanced approach. For example, one area of focus is how growth is managed. Residents were divided on whether Oro Valley should become more self-sufficient, with places to live, work, and play within town limits, or remain a suburb where people go out of town for services.”
Simms provided an example. In essence, the plan must be a blend of all viewpoints held by Oro Valley residents—not simply the views of a majority. “Looking at the numbers—55% and 42%—it might seem easy to pick a winner or a loser. However, this approach could alienate roughly 19,000 residents and potentially lead to an unsuccessful plan.”
She continued: “The resident working groups will be tasked with taking a non-binary approach, finding nuances and ways to achieve balance in a plan that represents the entire community.”
Speaking to council earlier this month, Milini Simms, Town of Oro Valley Principal Planner and OVPathForward project leader, underscored the importance of these groups:
"There are some areas where alignment is needed because the direction from residents isn't clear. These areas will be the focus of resident working groups, aiming to achieve alignment through a balanced approach. For example, one area of focus is how growth is managed. Residents were divided on whether Oro Valley should become more self-sufficient, with places to live, work, and play within town limits, or remain a suburb where people go out of town for services.”
Simms provided an example. In essence, the plan must be a blend of all viewpoints held by Oro Valley residents—not simply the views of a majority. “Looking at the numbers—55% and 42%—it might seem easy to pick a winner or a loser. However, this approach could alienate roughly 19,000 residents and potentially lead to an unsuccessful plan.”
She continued: “The resident working groups will be tasked with taking a non-binary approach, finding nuances and ways to achieve balance in a plan that represents the entire community.”
Get in the game
Resident working groups will use the feedback from residents gathered over the last year to help forge goals, policies and actions. They will meet between January – May 2025. The group will determine the number of meetings meet to produce a plan that reflects what residents want. Meetings will mostly take place online with some in-person opportunities. You can become an integral part of creating the OVPathForward by signing up for one of the five working groups [panel above-right]. Here's a link for you to do so.
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