Bits and Pieces

Hardy Road to close for Carmack Wash improvement project March 27-31 

"ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (March 22, 2023) – The Town of Oro Valley is announcing road construction on Hardy Road between the Northern Avenue roundabout to Calle Loma Linda from March 27 – 31 to address erosion within the shoulder areas at the low flow water crossing of Carmack Wash. The section of road will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during construction." Hardy Road between the Northern Avenue roundabout to Calle Loma Linda will be closed. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Winfield asks: "Does Sun City really need street lights?"

Town staff is budgeting to replace circuit three street lights in Sun City. Mayor Winfield, however, wonders why the town should continue to provide a street light service to Sun City. It is, after all, the only place in town that has street lights. Winfield asked this question at the CIP study session last week. The answer: Maintaining those lights was part of the agreement when the town annexed Sun City 45+ years ago. Perhaps, though, time to re-examine that.

Asphalt costs skyrocket...increasing road costs... and we will pay more for roads

The cost of asphalt, like the cost of everything else has skyrocketed, according to Oro Valley Director of Public Works, Paul Keesler. More costly asphalt comes at a bad time, as several Oro Valley major roads will need replacing over the next few year.

One of these Rancho Vistoso Blvd.  (Source: Keesler remarks to council at CIP study session of May 15, 2023).

Roads are paid from the Highway Fund. The gas tax which town gets from the State funds that fund.  When the highway fund is short of money, funds are transferred from the Capital Fund. That fund get its money from the General Fund. Thus, we may all be paying for at least some portion of road costs in the future.

Crooks can be very creative

"On Feb. 20, OVPD Detectives arrested a suspect involved in organized retail theft. The case originated from the Oro Valley Neighborhood Walmart in January 2023 when the suspect would scan items, use a credit card that gets declined and then leave with the merchandise. There were 10 cases with five different agencies and about $2,445 in total losses. The suspect is facing charges of organized retail theft/burglary/aggravated shoplifting/ fraud/trafficking in stolen property, and computer tampering."

(Source: Town of Oro Valley Town Manger Report, March 2023, p2)

Pusch Ridge Golf rounds ahead of plan

Pusch Ridge Golf rounds are pacing ahead of last year, according to Tony D'Angelo, President of Pusch Ridge Golf speaking to the Council in the Call To Audience section f last week's Council meeting.

 "We are confident that rounds will exceed the Town budget for total rounds for the season before the end of this month." This, as Tony noted, despite the area's uncharacteristic cold and rainy winter. 

Tony attempted to remind the Council that the town is committed to maintaining the land in a manner commensurate with a resort regardless of whether it is a golf course.. As a result,  the town needs to include some investment in the land even if the Council chooses to close the court in two years. No such costs are included in the Town Managers tentative 2023-2033 Capital Improvement Program.(Source: D'Angelo remarks to Council on May 15, 2023 and email to LOVE).

Tony's group created an advertisement that runs on the Golf Channel.  You can watch it at left.

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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

Significant increase in traffic on La Canada
This is one of the unintended consequences of rebuilding La Cholla Blvd. The traffic during busy times is heavy southbound in the morning and northbound in the afternoon. This is because of the closing of LaCholla from Lambert Lane to Hardy.  Leave yourself extra time.

The rebuilding of LaCholla will be completed this summer. It is Oro Valley's last major corridor to be built.

LOVE celebrates 13 years of continuous publishing
We forgot to mention it last week. LOVE went live on February 5, 2007.  We have published continuously ever since. That's about 3,200 posts and about 1 million views. A pretty nice accomplishment for 2 people who just want to make Oro Valley a great place to live.

Our first posting was about how the residents of our community got "hoodwinked" into voting to give $23.5 million in sales tax revenues to developer Vestar to build the Oro Valley Marketplace. We were promised an upscale shopping experience and we got a Walmart and a movie theatre. We thought that it was wrong for the town to give away sales tax revenues. The State Supreme Court agreed. Such tax giveaways are not allowed anymore.

Over the years, there have been many people involved in publishing LOVE. Some you know. Some you don't. We want to thank them for all they have done and for all they do for LOVE and for Oro Valley.

Source: Explorer, 2/12/20, p 4

"Bits and Pieces" copied by Explorer
One of our readers informed us that the Explorer, a local advertiser "newspaper", used the title of this column to post a column of its own called "Bits and Pieces." This appeared in their February 12 edition.

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

And we are flattered!

The Explorer is certainly free to post a column like our "Bits and Pieces". We would hope that they come up with their own title for it. In fact, we even have some ideas for them.

Happy Valentines Day
Today is Valentine's Day.

 "The holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. It came to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century." (Source)

We always thought it was a day created by the candy and gift card makers to sell stuff in the offseason. ( :-) )

We're not right on that. But we do think that our explanation makes sense.

Enjoy the day!
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Not Quite Ready: Lambert Lane Construction Continues

"Update on road construction at Lambert Lane & La Cañada Drive

Oro Valley, Arizona (July 17, 2017) – Although Lambert Lane re-opened to drivers on June 30, there is still a tremendous amount of work being performed at the Lambert & La Cañada intersection, and motorists should continue to exercise caution and vigilance when driving through this area. Once completed, this section of Lambert Lane, west to Hacienda Hermosa, will be four lanes wide with a left-turn lane and a right-turn lane in each direction, plus a bus pullout on southbound La Cañada and another pullout on eastbound Lambert. The project is slated for completion later this year.

WORK COMPLETED SO FAR

So far, crews have performed critical infrastructure work, including adjustment and installation of utilities, and grading and moving more than 60,000 cubic yards of soil to widen the roadway and reduce the height of the hill to improve safety and visibility. Extensive slope stabilization work has been performed on both sides of the streets via construction of soil nail walls. New traffic signals have been installed, and old ones have been removed. Some of the paving work has been completed, and work has begun on erosion control materials and stormwater control measures, with the installation of storm drain pipe and catch basins.

WORK THAT WILL BE PERFORMED OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS

In the coming months, as crews wrap up the final stages of road paving and curb installation, new striping and signage will follow. They’ll also complete some of the major safety features, such as the installation of a concrete sidewalk on the north side of Lambert, and the construction of a 10-foot-wide, multi-use path on the south side of the road. Stormwater efforts will continue, with the placement of a storm channel on the north side of Lambert. Residents and motorists will also notice some aesthetic enhancements, as architectural treatments are applied to the soil nail walls, and decorative rock and metal cacti are installed throughout the project. Lastly, native vegetation will be replanted (along with the installation of new irrigation lines).

HOW TO STAY INFORMED

There are three great ways to learn more about this project and stay informed about future updates: · Check out the project photo album on Facebook. (You do not need to have a Facebook account to view the pictures).

• Click or copy/paste this link into your browser: https://www.facebook.com/pg/orovalleyazgov/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10157078502702524· 
• View the project webpage at: bit.ly/lambertlane2 · 
• Subscribe to the “Roads & Development” email list for detailed notifications on this project as well as future projects. http://bit.ly/subscribeOV.

UPCOMING LANE RESTRICTIONS

The Town of Oro Valley is grateful for the community’s patience and safe driving during this time. Please be mindful of ongoing work in the area and traffic control measures such as barricades and reduced speeds. The Town will issue “Traffic Alerts” when significant lane restrictions will be put into place, impacting your daily drive.

Two such alerts include the following (dates subject to weather): ·

•  7/24/17—7/28/17: Lane restrictions on northbound and southbound La Cañada at Lambert for median curb removal, grading, new curb construction and backfill.
•  8/4/17—8/7/17: Severe lane restrictions in all directions for median grading and paving.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Lambert Lane Phase II Project was launched to improve safety and visibility along Lambert, while widening the roadway to accommodate additional travel lanes, multi-modal enhancements, curbs and landscaping. The work is being performed by Granite Construction, Inc., and the project is funded by the Pima Association of Governments."

(Source: Town Of Oro Valley Press Release)