Bits and Pieces

"Crimefighter" focuses on internet safety for kids

This month's edition of "Crimefighter," a publication of the Oro Valley Police Department, focuses on internet safety for kids. The article provides a list of internet use guidelines for you to share with children and a list of basic guidelines for parental supervision. The article includes links for additional safety tips and videos. You can read the entire newsletter from the link we have provided.  You may want to sign up for "Crimefighter" and other Town of Oro Valley publications.

Aquatic Center Reopens

"The Oro Valley Aquatic Center has reopened after a temporary closure in December for improvements to the pump room, circulation and filtration, along with general maintenance and cleaning. The previous pool filters had reached the end of their useful lives and were replaced with modern, deep-bed filters. Although not noticeable to the eye, these filters allow for finer filtration to ensure a high standard of water quality for swimmers. To accommodate for the size of the new filters, the Aquatic Center’s pump room plumbing was expanded to the east. This new area will soon be enclosed and resulted in no loss of deck space for the public." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

OVCN is on a "mission"

This past Sunday, Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene minister Chris Collins informed congregants that the Planning and Zoning Commission had not approved the Church's rezoning request.  Collins expressed his disappointment but emphasized his resolve to turn this setback into a victory.  OVCN sees their request in entirely religious terms. The defeat of the measure by the commission was based on the commission's conclusion that the sports complex which will sit on the property adjacent to the church is simply not suited for the character of the neighborhood of which it is a member. It also is not suited to the 2016 General Plan. The next hearing on the request is March 1. We expect a large turnout.

OVCN-A matter of perspective for some

A long dialogue on Nextdoor voiced poster opinions on the OVCN rezoning request. One of the posters included a map [panel right] to support their assertion that the size of the OVCN sports complex will be small in relation to the size of the "existing high school, park and swim complex." That is correct. However, it's not relevant to the rezoning request.

What we found interesting was the picture the commenter posted. The picture they posted is the one on the bottom right of the panel. It severely visually understates the impact on the adjacent neighborhood, as show on the picture on the top, because it includes a very small portion of the residential area. Even the map on top, which is the one the town uses, understates the area impacted.  There are many homes to the south and further west that are concerned about the impact.

 

We have to give the commenter credit for deceptiveness. The map is rather clever way of implying that the rezoning is a not "big deal".

Oro Valley issues call for Board and Commission Vacancies

The Town of Oro Valley is accepting applications from residents who are interested in serving on a Town Board, Commission or Health Care Benefits Trust, which was just recently approved by Council. These volunteer groups provide an opportunity for residents to be active in Town government.  These are:

• Health Care Benefits Trust
• Historic Preservation Commission
• Planning and Zoning Commission 
• Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee
• Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Board

You can apply here.

Council approves drive-thru use for NW Corner of Naranja and La Canada

This past Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council voted 6-1 to approve a drive-thru use for a multi-use facility that will be built on the NW corner of Naranja and LaCanada. The drive-thru use had been opposed by some residents because it will increase traffic at an already busy intersection.  Paul Oland, representing the applicant, pointed out that the uses for which the property are currently approved would result in even more congestion than his client proposed. Read about that project here.

Shannon Road pavement and reconstruction project begins Feb. 21, drivers should expect traffic delays 

"The Town of Oro Valley will begin the Shannon Road pavement and reconstruction overlay project on February 21. During construction, Shannon Road from Lambert Lane to Naranja Drive will be limited to one lane of traffic with speed reduced to 25 mph. Drivers should expect delays. Please see details below. The project is expected to finish by April 14." (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Bits and Pieces

Want to keep you kids safe from social media? Here's you chance.

There is a free social media awareness event on January 14 at 10am.. It is a screening of "Childhood 2.0 Documentary". It is being hosted by the Tucson Police Department and is recommended by the Oro Valley Police Department (Source: 12-29-22 Tweet).  "Life has changed thanks to technology and social media. ...learn about what youth face in today's world and how to keep them safe."

"This event is directed toward parents and their youth who have access to the internet and social media based activities. It is meant to provide parents with awareness information for engaging with their youth about the dangers of the online world. This film includes mature subject matter and may not be suitable for younger children who do not have access to the internet."

Yes. Life has certainly change and social media is a danger to kids.. Its the home of bullying... abuse... harassment.  The screening is free. It is at the TPD Miracle Mile stations. Learn more and reserve a spot here.

Town Council assigns commission and board liaisons for 2023

The Town of Oro Valley has six commissions and boards. In addition, it has seven outside agencies in which it is involved. Each calendar year, the council assigns a council member as a liaison to each. Their job is to attend meetings and report back to the full Council. This year's assignments are in the panel at right. They were approved at the December 7 town council meeting.

Hearing on coffee drive thru next Tuesday

The Planning and Zoning Commission will be holding a hearing regarding allowing a drive through coffee shop across from Bruegger's Bagels at Naranja and La Canada. This is from one or our readers: "I ... want to voice my concerns about the medical plaza going in on Naranja and La Canada. I'm all for it except the proposed coffee shop on the very corner. It will cause havoc with traffic! Traffic is bad enough with all the current building in Oro Valley along with Ironwood HS. If Naranja was widened like La Canada and La Cholla I wouldn't see a problem. Also, we have Bruegger's Bagels adjacent to the plaza where most folks hangout now. I just don't think it's a good idea." Learn more about the project here.

Also next Tuesday, hearing on car wash in the Oro Valley Marketplace

Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to enable development of a"Surf-Thru Car Wash" on ~1.61 acres located at the southwest corner of Oracle Road and Water Harvest Way, within the existing Oro Valley Marketplace.  It will be located near "In-Out Burger".  Once the building is done... well.. it will look like a car wash.  Learn more about that project here.

And, yet again, also next Tuesday...  hearing on storage and office facility where the giant saguaro use to live

Planning and Zoning Commission will also hold a hearing on allowing a 112,000 square foot mixed use self-storage facility with 4,000 square feet of retail, located near the northwest corner of Tangerine Rd and La Cañada Dr. Once there was a giant saguaro there. It stood majestically directly where the road extension is now. The town moved it to extend La Canada north of Tangerine. They paid an outside company $25,000 to do the job. Three months later, the saguaro was struck by lightening. And died.  Read more about yet another storage facility request here.

Riverfront Park Playground closing for month

"The Riverfront Park playground will be closed from Monday, January 9 to Friday, February 3 for improvements. The Town will be replacing steps and decks on the play structure and removing the recycled rubber fall surface and replacing it with wood fiber. We appreciate your patience during this improvement and we invite you to use the playgrounds at Naranja Park and James D. Kriegh Park." (Source: “This Week In Parks and Recreation” 1-5-23)

Participate in survey on best ways to engage residents in developing the next General Plan
"The Town of Oro Valley invites residents of all ages to participate in a brief survey to identify the best ways to engage the community as the Town prepares for the next General Plan, which will be on the ballot in 2026. The survey, which is open now through January 26, can be taken by multiple members of the household." Access the survey here.  Learn more about the General Plan here.  (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release, 1-5-23) 

Mixed Use Amendment Is A Top Priority According To Council and Staff

Every two years, the Oro Valley Development and Infrastructure Department, with the approval of Oro Valley Town Council, embarks on "planning initiatives." These initiative are to comprise no more than 15% of the department's actual workload. They are activities that are undertaken in addition to the normal activities of the department.

At the July 3 council meeting, the Oro Valley Town Council approved the priorities of the planning initiatives for the next two years.

How The Plan Is Developed
Town planner Chad Danes noted that "The work plan is drawn from a number of areas."  These are the general plan, the strategic plan, and other council approved initiatives.  Danes noted that the planning workplan is the "primary tool used to implement the general plan."

Past Achievements
Achievements from the 2010 plan include:

• Sign code update
• Adding a CN Zoning district to the zoning code
• Amended recreational area requirements
• Adopting design standards
• Streamlining the development process, including creating the conceptual design review board
• Initiated the 2015 general plan update

High Priority Items: 2013-2015
The 2013-2015 plan is comprised of 14 projects.

The top priority is develop the 2015 general plan update.  Second is to do some planning around Naranja Park in conjunction with the studies that the council has approved regarding future park plans.

Third on the list is to develop a minor general plan amendment to the code for a "mixed use" designation.   This would be done before it would be defined.  WHY?  According to Council Member Lou Waters, other towns have a mixed use code so Oro Valley should also have a mixed use code.  

Another high priority planning item, #4, is to develop updated criteria for granting conditional use permits.  Town staff feels that the current standards are simply not adequate for the types of decisions that need to be made today.

Defining the nature of the Tangerine Road corridor from Oracle to I-10 is also on the list.  The objective, as stated by Council Member Zinkin, is to insure that it becomes a "corridor" and not simply another road with 100 stop lights!  "In terms of development, this is probably one of the most critical things Oro Valley is going to do," observed Council Member Joe Hornat at the meeting.

During the meeting Council Member Burns observed that a 14 item project list for 15% of the department's workload as rather foolhardy in that only a handful, hopefully the top items, are going to get done.  Nonetheless, the 14 item was approved as submitted by council, 6-0 (Garner absent).
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