Our Hope For Oro Valley As We Begin 2019

Why the heartburn about the Moore/La Canada intersection?
According to an independent study commissioned by the town, this intersection does not warrant a traffic signal until 2026. So, what's the rush to put in a traffic light or a rotary? Three things have changed since the study was done: Tangerine is open and the two new schools are in place. Update the warrant analysis. Find out if and when a traffic control is warranted. Make the decision based on fresh facts. Why not spend the $1 million at Steam Pump Ranch or on Parks instead of getting the Town all inflamed over a subject that is not warranted?
Why the heartburn over the proposed state lands annexation?

Every public meeting indicates that the citizens want no part of this annexation. The Town’s Planning and Zoning Administrator has told us publicly that, in the long run, this annexation will cost Oro Valley. There are concerns about how the proposed land is going to be zoned. There is concern about the loss of the desert and wildlife, the water usage, and the lack of compliance to the General Plan.

Why the heartburn over the town run Overlook restaurant?
This is a business that is in direct competition with private enterprises. This is a business that has continued to lose money. The Town Manager insists on keeping it open to feed the golfers. Do we really need a full service restaurant to feed golfers when a beverage cart will suffice?

Why the heartburn over 45 holes of golf?
The contracted golf study told us that 27 holes was the best plan, the Town Manager insists on 36 holes. Common sense and empirical losses indicate otherwise. This drain, created by our ex-Mayor, and ex-Council people Hornat, Snider, and Waters, with the assistance of current Council members Solomon, Pina, and Rodman must end SOON. Hopefully this answer will come about before the end of 2019.

Why the heartburn over the direction the voters want Oro Valley to take?
Just a few months ago, voters ousted Hiremath, Snider, Waters, and Hornat. They ousted them because residents were tired of the developer driven decisions; because they were tired of the lack of  decision making transparency; because they wanted their views both heard and reflected in council decisions; and because they wanted conformance to the General Plan. The mandate was clear. Now it's time to move forward and get the job done.
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Expansion: A Daunting Oro Valley Challenge

In 2016, the residents of Oro Valley approved a general plan. There is a map that is part of the general plan (adapted below). This map shows the current boundaries of Oro Valley. It is within these boundaries that all of us are neighbors. And it is within these boundaries that the town must provide essential services, such as water and police protection. It is within these boundaries from which Oro Valley collects sales taxes, the primary source of town operating revenues.

The map also shows an area that extends beyond the boundaries of the town. This area is unincorporated Pima County land. It is land which Oro Valley can attempt to annex to our community. The "State Lands Annexation and Rezoning" is one example of land that is not part of Oro Valley but is within it's planning boundary. The resort, Westward Look is another example. All the businesses on Oracle Rd, from Orange Grove north are also examples of properties included in the planning area.

The planning area is huge

Oro Valley Town Limit and Planning Area

Attempting to bring unincorporated Pima County land into Oro Valley presents both a challenge and an opportunity to the new council.

Mayor Hiremath's theory was that business will locate in Oro Valley if Oro Valley has more rooftops. Thus, the community saw many general plan amendments and zoning changes that did, indeed, enable more rooftops. As we will discuss Wednesday, there are many more rooftops to come.

A change in direction provides many options
The people of Oro Valley clearly stated in this past election that they don't like the rooftops strategy. They want Oro Valley to have a "small town feeling."

Why expand at all?
If Oro Valley no longer has a "rooftops strategy", then getting more buildable land through amendments or through annexation is no longer a sole reason for change.

What, therefore will the new council do regarding expansion of Oro Valley's boundaries?

The General Plan does not mandate expansion.

It's up to council.

So, the first question the council must answer: Why expand at all?
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Town Council Chambers
11,000 La Canada Drive

4:00 PM ~ Golf Study Session
Open to the Public

Presentations by Town Manager, Mary Jacobs and Troon President, Rob DeMore. Also a possible discussion by the mayor and council regarding the future of the Community Center and golf courses.

6:00 PM ~Town Council Regular Session

Pay special attention to:

Consent Agenda, Item E

Resolution…with regard to the approximate 934 acres of State Land (Tangerine South and Tangerine North) the Town intends to pursue annexation, and does not have nor does it intend to adopt, regulations requiring the fencing of open range livestock grazing or prohibiting mining on State Land annexed into the Town.”

The Town claims that this is “a standard formality related to livestock grazing and mining” and that the “Town Staff does not anticipate either of these activities to actually occur on these two parcels.”

You can view the agenda HERE