Bits and Pieces

Oro Vista Apartments Council Hearing Next Wednesday

Next Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council will discuss and decide upon rezoning for the Oro Vista Apartments.  However, the item now appears on the Wednesday meeting agenda as a “consent item.”.  That means that the whoever put the agenda together, which most certainly includes both the Mayor and town manager, don’t think a hearing is required.  In fact, unless the item is “pulled” from the consent agenda by a council member, there will be no discussion.

These  apartments are located on the south east corner of Lambert Lane and La Canada, directly east of Noble Hops restaurants. The lot in question is currently a parking lot. The lot is adjacent to apartments that are already there. You can read about these apartments in our prior posting. The town has posted information on this project. “The proposal would allow for a maximum 3-story apartment design on the vacant parcel adjacent to the Noble Hops restaurant.”

You will need to let one of the council members know if you are interested in having this item discussed by council.

Oro Valley Optimist club to hold “Scramble For Youth” 

The Oro Valley Optimist club is holding its annual “Scramble for Youth” on May 1 at Dove Mountain. It is an event to raise money for Oro Valley programs such as Dispose-A-Med, Camp Fury, Project Graduation, and Police Explorers. Next year perhaps the Optimist Club will hold the event at the Oro Valley Community Center, using the town’s municipal golf course. This will bring added visibility to our municipal golf courses. It will support the homeowner’s association and the town council’s efforts to make our municipal golf courses financially successful.

Northwest Explorer sold

Tucson Local Media, owners of The Explorer, has been sold. The Colorado based owner sold it to Times Media Group. This is the “largest family of free newspapers” in Arizona. It is headquartered in Tempe. According to one Phoenix-based news source, the publications that Times Media buys “ ... have not stood our for their journalistic prowess. Former journalists and editors have complained about low pay and how they have to work on too many of the company’s publications at one time.” 

Portion of multi-use path to close in May

A portion of the CDO shared-use path will be closed for repaving in May. It is the section that travels through the Oro Valley Marketplace.  It will close starting May 5 and will reopen in Mid June.

CDO and Ironwood High Schools in top 20% nationally

US News and world report has issued its 2020 rankings of Best High Schools.  Basis Oro Valley ranks #3 in Arizona and #23 nationally.  CDO ranks #1 in the Amphi School District; #10 in Tucson; #53 in Arizona; and #3172 nationally. It has a 92% graduation rate.  Ironwood Ridge ranks #2 in the Amphi School District, #14 in Tucson; #79 in Arizona; and # 4798 nationally. Its graduation rate is 90%.  Oro Valley’s two public high schools are ranked below five other local public high schools: University High, Catalina Foothills, Tanque Verde High, Empire High School, and Vail Academy. All of these schools are in the top 20% of all high schools in the nation.

Council To Consider Three Items Tonight That Matter To You

There are three items on tonight’s Oro Valley Town Council meeting agenda that are of particular importance to residents. We have previously reported on the three. Click the links if you want to learn more about each.

Broadening the use of the half percent sales tax

The council will consider broadening the use of the half percent “municipal golf- community center” sales tax subsidy. The resolution if approved, would free dollars from the Community Center Fund to be used to support other parks and recreation uses. This is important to you because it will allow the council to use these funds for activities like the build-out of Naranja Park, improvements at Steam Pump Ranch, and completion of the town’s trails system. These are all top priorities of Oro Valley residents per the survey conducted by the town last year. 

This is not a public hearing. That hearing was held at the last council session. The item had been listed on this agenda as a “hearing”; however, that word is now lined-out in the agenda. It may have been the intention of the town to hold a public hearing; however, it could not provide proper 15-day public notice in the “Daily Territorial” for this to happen.

The council conversation on this should be lively.

Study session on the “Town Manager Recommended Budget”
A study session occurs after the regular meeting adjourns. The session is the council’s first look at the 2021-22 Town Manager Recommended Budget. This session is important to you because it involves how your money will be spent next year. There are two big budget non recurring items. One is a decision on funding a $27million plan to pay down the towns public safety pension liability. The other is a decision on funding $26.7million in parks improvements. This includes municipal golf and community center improvements. Decisions on these and other items will be forthcoming in future meetings. Tonight and continuing tomorrow night, the council will hear about the entire budget. We expect department heads to present their request.

The presentations tonight should be informative.

Expansion of Oro Vista apartments
The expansion of the Oro Vista apartments is for building two two-story buildings built on the dirt lot next to Noble Hops Restaurant, facing Lambert Lane. The lot is currently planned for restaurant use. The request is for council to approve a change to the Master Development Plan for the site area and to approve the conceptual site plan.

The council will only discuss this proposal item if one of them pulls it off the consent agenda. Otherwise, it will get blanket approval. Some, perhaps all of the council members visited the site this past Monday. We will learn what they think tonight.

You can view the full agenda for the meeting here. That also provides a link to the zoom meeting.

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

Council approves plan to recruit new Town Attorney

Wednesday night's meeting, the Oro Valley Town Council approved the process for recruiting a new in-house Town Attorney. Human Resources Director Andy Votava outlined a plan modeled after the one used earlier this year to hire the Town Magistrate — posting the position quickly, advertising statewide, and having Council make the final hiring decision. Council members agreed the process should move forward without delay, citing the recent retirements of Legal Services Director Tobin Sidles and Chief Civil Deputy Joe Andrews. Staff was instructed to post the position immediately and return to Council with progress updates as the search advances. (See our previous report on this form more information)

Council approves Parks and Recreation fee increases; begins process to increase stormwater rate 

At Wednesday night’s meeting, the Oro Valley Town Council approved an update to the Parks and Recreation fee schedule and authorized a Notice of Intent to consider future changes to the stormwater utility base rate. The Parks and Recreation action updates fees for facility rentals, programs, and memberships beginning in January 2026. The stormwater item does not raise rates now but begins the required public process to review a possible increase from the current $4.50 monthly fee per household. The Council will hold a public hearing on January 14, 2026, before deciding whether to adopt the proposed stormwater rate changes.

Northbound lane closures on Oracle Road begin Monday 

The Town of Oro Valley’s Street Operations team will close portions of the northbound inside lane on Oracle Road from just south of Suffolk Drive to north of Big Wash Overlook Place between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily, Oct. 20–24, with possible extension through Oct. 29. Crews will perform biannual median maintenance, including tree trimming, weed control, and trash removal. Traffic control and signage will guide motorists, and all lanes will reopen outside work hours. The Town maintains the medians under a longstanding agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Oro Valley's “mystery water line” project on State Lands

At Wednesday's Oro Valley Town Council meeting, Dan Scott, who lives in the Tortolita neighborhood just outside town limits near Tangerine and Thornydale, told the Council that heavy construction equipment had damaged his property from workers claimed to be installing a water line for Oro Valley. The water line is going into the state lands that were later discussed in the meeting. Scott said crews from contractor K.E.&G. entered the area about two weeks earlier, blading a wide path across State Trust land between Thornydale and Shannon Road and removing vegetation without any prior notice to nearby residents. He said neither he nor his neighbors had been informed of the project and asked the Town to explain what was happening. After his comments, no clarification was provided about the purpose or authorization of the work. However, we did see town Water Director Peter Abraham quickly moving to talk to Scott. Wonder what he said? We suspect that the water line is part of the NWRRDS project.  More to follow....

The no parking signs are mostly up

In early September we reported that the Town Council established no-street-parking zones on two major streets where the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene is located. This week, we noticed that “No Parking” signs have been installed along Concordia and the southern portion of Buena Vista. Signs have not yet been placed on Buena Vista north of Concordia. The signs are small—but there are many of them [see panel right]. If you are a member of OVCN, please park in the church parking lot. We’ve been told there is sufficient parking for all parishioners, with overflow parking available at CDO. Street parking during church hours has been a long-standing concern for nearby residents. We don’t yet know when the remaining signs will be installed.

Chamber uses Gen-Zers to push for more apartments in Oro Valley

The push for higher-density housing seems to have become a mission for the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. Earlier this year, the Chamber’s Gen Z Committee met with young professionals who concluded that the Town’s housing policies make it difficult for them to live where they work. The group sent letters to Town officials urging more apartments, townhomes, and mixed-use developments, and their views were featured in an article titled “Gen Z Seeks Housing Focus.”  Wednesday night, several supporters, one who works for the Chamber and leader of the Gen Z group, appeared before the Town Council again, repeating those same arguments and asking that Oro Valley’s draft general plan be changed to remove what they called “bias” against apartments and high-density housing. 

Town accepts Sierra Wash easement but avoids responsibility for broader maintenance

The Town Council approved an easement from the Canada Ridge Homeowners Association allowing the Town to access and maintain recently constructed drainage improvements at the Sierra Wash crossing under Naranja Drive. Staff said the action was necessary to protect the public roadway and underground utilities from erosion caused by storm runoff. Town officials made clear that the Town’s maintenance obligations apply only to the newly installed protective armoring around the culvert—not to the natural wash itself. Several council members noted that other HOAs must continue maintaining their own washes and that the Town would not assume those responsibilities unless a wash directly affects public infrastructure. (Source: The Oro Valley Town Council Meeting, October 15, 2025)

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Guest View-John Musolf: Oro Valley Growth To Have Huge Impact on Amphi School Enrollment

In June, we posted:  "Watch Oro Valley Grow"  In it, we discussed the substantial growth in housing and commerce that is taking place in Oro Valley.

In the following guest view, John Musolf discusses this growth and its substantial impact on the Amphi Schools
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In Oro Valley, Development is on the rise.

In a recent article on February 20, 2013 in the Explorer Newspaper, Paul Keesler, Director of Development and Infrastructure Services for Oro Valley stated:

“For several years, as our nation struggled through a downturned economy, the Town of Oro Valley also experienced a sharp decrease in development activity. Although we are still on the mend, a quick look back to fiscal year 2011‐12 shows that development is on the rise, and there are some very exciting projects in the pipeline”.

Development is good for town growth from both a residential community and business economic standpoint.  [Publisher Note: It is also good from the Town Of Oro Valley's perspective because it collects substantial revenues from construction permits and fees. These fees exceeded the planned amount for fiscal 2013.]

Let’s look at some of the recent residential approvals:

• Ross Rulney: corner of Linda Vista and Oracle -220 apartments
• San Dorado: corner of First Avenue and Oracle – 274 apartments
• Encantada: north of Steam Pump Village – 270 apartments
• Hohokam Mesa:  Rancho Vistoso and Moore Road – 80 homes
• Macaray:  (Donut Hole) end of La Canada – 345 homes
• Parcel 10-T: Rancho Vistoso and Vistoso  Highlands- 25-40 homes

There are also some proposed future developments:

• KAI: First and Palasides – 195 homes
• Miller Ranch:  Neighborhood meetings in progress
• Olson Property;  Neighborhood meetings in progress

What impact will the addition of 694 apartments and in excess of 600-700 new homes have on the classroom size, teachers, and busing for the Amphi School District elementary, middle, and high schools?
It is imperative that the Town of Oro Valley and the Amphi School District hold some public informational meetings to discuss this issue.
What do you think?
John Musolf
Oro Valley Resident

Bits and Pieces

“Lift Plant” Sewer Line replacement in Valley Vista as County sues developer...residents forced to use porta potties and wash stations!

In February, we wrote about subsidence affecting two homes and the sewage lift station in Valley Vista. This development is built on the edge of Big Wash. Two significant events have occurred since then. First, in April, Pima County sued Pulte Homes and all parties involved in building the property in a “placeholder lawsuit.” The suit reminds Pulte that Pulte is responsible for remedying any defects found in the lift station. Second, a few weeks ago, one of Pulte’s subcontractors, Hunter Construction, began replacing the sagging sewer lines in that section of Valley Vista. On Tuesday, residents in the area of the lift station found porta potties and wash stations in the street. There’s one set of these for every two homes. Residents have been informally told they will have to use these facilities until the project is complete. There is no announced timetable for the project’s completion.

FOPRG to focus on water conservation
Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf (FOPRG) are dedicated to enhancing the Pusch Ridge Golf Course while addressing water usage concerns. Over the past few years, the course has grown in popularity, with rounds played increasing significantly from 3,875 in 2019-2020 to an anticipated 19,000 in 2023-2024. Despite this success, the use of potable water remains a challenge.

To tackle this, FOPRG has introduced a new mission focusing on water advocacy. They aim to educate the community on water-saving techniques through newsletters featuring tips, strategies, and events. Additionally, they plan to collaborate with the Town and Indigo to implement water conservation measures, such as reducing turf, using drought-resistant grass, and improving water usage audits. This dual approach seeks to balance the recreational benefits of the golf course with sustainable water management practices. (Source: FOPRG Newsletter)

Red Lobster is no more

Red Lobster closed its Oro Valley location earlier this month. The chain has been facing significant financial challenges nationally, including high lease and labor costs, and substantial losses from promotions such as the expanded all-you-can-eat shrimp deal. Earlier this month they filed for bankruptcy. The company plans to use the bankruptcy proceedings to restructure its finances, optimize its real estate footprint, and pursue a sale of its assets. Despite these challenges, Red Lobster intends to keep some of its locations open and operational during the restructuring process.

Oro Valley Receives Federal Grant for Stormwater Improvements
The Town of Oro Valley's Stormwater Utility has secured $210,990.75 in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 through the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (AZDEMA) and FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This grant will enable essential upgrades to the box culvert outlet structure on Sierra Wash at Via Mandarina, addressing localized erosion concerns and enhancing community safety and infrastructure resilience.

Town Manager Jeff Wilkins emphasized that the funding will maximize the utility of Stormwater Utility Fee dollars, aiding the finalization of the fiscal year budget. The project, set for completion within FY 2024/2025, will proceed following Town Council endorsement. The federal grant, complemented by a $70,330.25 local match from the Stormwater Utility Fee, highlights Oro Valley's commitment to infrastructure maintenance and proactive risk mitigation. This grant marks the second DEMA allocation for Sierra Wash improvements, following previous funding in 2019. (Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Courts Remodeling Project on Time… and potentially under budget
Judge Hazel, the presiding magistrate of the Oro Valley Court system, provided an update on the remodeling of the Town court at the TMRB study session last month. Last year, LOVE reported on the need for this remodeling. Nothing has changed regarding that need since then. "We are now entering the construction phase. Phase one includes the attorney meeting room and the jury assembly room. Everything is going as planned, and a year from now, everything will be completed," Judge Hazel stated during a recent Courts Study Session.

Hazel emphasized being a steward of the town’s investment. Total bids for the project came in a million dollars less than planned. "That doesn’t mean it’s going to come in that way. That’s why we have to be vigilant throughout the whole process," she cautioned during the Courts Study Session. (TMRB Council Study Session, May 9, 2024)

Timetable for the Oro Valley Marketplace revisioning “Revealed’
Town staff projects that the hotel to be built at Oro Valley Marketplace will go online in February 2026. They anticipate that the Tangerine Road apartments will be available for occupancy in May 2027, and the Oracle Road apartments will be available for occupancy in May 2029. (TMRB Study Session May , 2024)

Enjoy Disc Golf at Pusch Ridge Course
The town is offering disc golf at the Pusch Ridge Golf Course from 7am to 7pm until September 22.

"Oro Valley: Watch Us Grow"

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Perhaps Oro Valley should change its slogan from "Its In Our Nature" to "Oro Valley: Watch Us Grow".   This is because Oro Valley is going to grow substantially  over the next few years based on currently approved plans.

Here's a glimpse into the future.



Commercial Activity
Here's the latest from the town's commercial progress status report:

• 3 memory care facilities are coming (Innovation Park, Villa Fatima and Oro Valley Medical Care).  
• Securaplane just broke ground for its new facility in Innovation Park.  
• LA Fitness is completing construction.  
• CVS and Paradise Bakery are coming to town (Oracle and First)
• There are "planned uses" for residential and commercial at 
• Tangerine and La Cholla (Khan Property)
• Oracle and Linda Vista (Oracle Vista Centre)
• Oracle and Hardy (Palisides at Oro Valley)
• Rancho Vistoso north of Safeway and
• Rancho Vistoso and Moore Road (Vistoso Town Center)

These are all listed in this month's Oro Valley Economic Development Commercial Project Status Report.

In addition, the town also lists 40 commercial sites for business location opportunities.  (Source)  There are marketing brochures online that discuss each site.  One, for example, describes a hotel opportunity in innovation park.

Single-Family Units
According to Oro Valley Planner David Williams, there are 508 single family homes in various stages of development or development review:

Multi-Family Units
Planner Williams also tells us there are 789 apartments in construction or approved for construction in three separate locations along Oracle Road:

Future Annexations
Certainly, Oro Valley will consider future annexations east of Oracle and Ina, perhaps convincing Westward Look to join our ranks. (Read: Oro Valley annexation brochure)

Our Analysis
All this adds up to substantial growth for Oro Valley.  It is something upon which we should build our thinking as we begin, this fall, the process of updating our general plan.

There has never been and there never will be a way to prevent growth.  Oro Valley is a beautiful town.  Oro Valley has great potential. We need to build a plan that retains what we love and accommodates the newcomers.
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Inside Oro Valley’s Economic Playbook: What’s Working, What’s Not, and What’s Next (Part 1)

Economic development is essential to the long term financial viability of Oro Valley 

On Thursday, Mayor Winfield will deliver a “State of the Town” address. We suspect that a key focus of his remarks will be on the town’s economic viability.

Oro Valley cannot simply raise sales taxes to boost revenue. This makes economic development and careful fiscal management essential to the town’s long-term financial health. Over time, Oro Valley must continue to revitalize its economy to sustain the revenue needed for its services.

Oro Valley has tried many things in the past to spur economic development. Some things have worked. And some have not.

Oro Valley has long pursued diverse strategies to drive economic development, in its efforts to sustain financial viability. From accelerating business approvals to expanding housing options, the town has explored multiple pathways to attract businesses and residents alike. Some approaches, like developing sports tourism and maintaining a strong public safety record, have shown tangible benefits.  Others, such as efforts to streamline planning or create shovel-ready business sites, have encountered challenges. Here's what's been tried over the years. Click the links to learn more about each.

1. Streamlining development approvals
The EEZ (Economic Expansion Zone)
This strategy aimed to speed up development in Innovation Park by simplifying the approval process for businesses in Innovation Park; notably removing neighborhood meetings and Planning and Zoning Commission reviews. Although intended to reduce delays, it hasn’t led to noticeable new developments in Innovation Park, suggesting limited effectiveness.
Integrating the Planning and Zoning Department with Economic Development
Former Town manager Mary Jacobs made an organizational change that attempted to allign planning and zoning and economic goals by placing the Planning and Zoning Department under the Economic Development Department. This has created a situation in which planners also become mediators between developers and residents.

2. Preparing infrastructure for building
Shovel-Ready Lots in Innovation Park
By preparing land for quick business setup, the town hoped to attract companies ready to establish themselves. Despite the investment, the initiative hasn’t drawn interest from businesses, partly because available lots don’t meet the scale or accessibility requirements many businesses desire, such as highway access or larger parcels. After all, in reality, more of all is 10 miles from interstate 10 whether you travel west or south.

3. Housing expansion
Increasing rooftops
Based on the idea that more housing would attract businesses to serve a larger population, this approach has expanded Oro Valley’s residential community but hasn’t attracted significant business diversity beyond healthcare and other personal services. This trend highlights that more rooftops alone do not meet business attraction goals.
Adding multifamily dwelling units (apartments)
A similar approach focused on increasing rental options to attract employees for potential high-paying jobs. However, demand is currently lukewarm; For instance, the Linda Vista rentals have had substantial vacancies, suggesting that the need for upscale apartments may be overestimated.

4. Tourism and sports attractions
Use Parks and Recreation facilities to attract visitors to the town
Oro Valley has invested in sports venues to attract visitors, and while there’s limited town data, activities like aquatics events do bring non-residents to the area. Sports facilities have had success in driving local economic activity, particularly in hospitality and dining sectors.
Make Oro Valley a destination or visitors
Recently, Oro Valley took over as its own Destination Marketing Organization, aiming to bring more tourists directly rather than relying on regional efforts. Early efforts, including partnerships for sports events and planning public art tours, are underway, but it’s too soon to assess the overall impact.

5. Expansion through annexation
Annex for growth
Oro Valley has used annexation to incorporate nearby areas, both residential and commercial. Commercial annexations bring tax revenue and support public services, while residential expansions provide initial fees but may add long-term service costs without corresponding revenue.

6. Developing a knowledge economy
Incubate businesses
Through a partnership with the University of Arizona, the Oro Valley Innovation Center serves as a business incubator. The aim is to foster startups that remain and grow within the community, though progress is gradual due to the incubation timeframe and risk of external acquisitions relocating businesses.

7. Public Safety as an economic incentive
Maintain strong public safety
Oro Valley’s reputation for safety is a draw for both residents and businesses, exemplified, years ago, by Rancho Vistoso’s willingness to be annexed for dedicated police coverage. Public safety remains a foundational element of Oro Valley’s appeal.

8. Digital promotion and policy adjustments
Build an award-winning website for businesses to explore the town
The “Choose Oro Valley” website serves as a digital face for the town’s economic efforts, recognized for excellence in design and functionality, aimed at attracting potential investors and residents. We have no idea if this generation significant leads. But it appears to be a good start.
Amend the General Plan to switch from residential to a commercial and back
Historically, General Plan amendments allowed for changes in land use. These are changes that allow the land to be used in a manner that was not approved by the voters. These changes are made in response to whatever the current market supposedly supports. The approach has shifted under different administrations, with fewer amendments in recent years, reflecting an adherence to the voter approved 2016 general plan.

Here's what's really worked

Over the past decade, Oro Valley has experienced notable population growth. Combined with significant inflation and the taxation of internet purchases, this population growth has increased town sales tax and state shared revenues. Yes. We think that many people moved here did so because of the Town's terrific public service presence.  We have not seen, however any significant new businesses that offer . What we have seen is something that should've been anticipated: An increase in medical and personal service businesses.

Tomorrow we take a look at Oro Valley's current community and economic development plan, a plan that was put in place five years ago. It is a bit different from what the Town did historically.

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Councils Have Done Much To Build The Oro Valley Business Base But Results Have Not Happened

Economic Development continues at a slow pace

In March, the town issued seventeen single family residency permits. Also in March, there were few new business projects listed by the town. In total, businesses that are coming to Oro Valley are the same types of businesses that we reported in February.  We concluded then that most businesses that are opening in Oro Valley are focussed on serving the adult community (Read: "Oro Valley is an Adult Community")

Town Councils have tried to do much over the years to bring businesses to Oro Valley

"Rooftops strategy"

The Hiremath led councils embarked on a "grow the rooftops" strategy. The result of that strategy can be seen today with La Posada, a senior living that is is being built north of the CDO Wash, behind Home Depot. Yes. That project will bring more people to our community. But will it bring more businesses to the community or will it simply add to traffic in the area?

Two Economic Development Directors

The Winfield Council now has its second Oro Valley Economic Development Director. Neither the first Director nor the current Director have brought any significant business to our community with one exception, that being Leonardo Electronics. That company, however, has yet to break ground, though the project was announced in December of 2021. (Source: March Town of Oro Valley Economic Development Status Report.)

Easing requirements in economic enterprise zones

The Council, at the urging of former town manager Mary Jacobs and the then current Economic Development Director, eased the permitting codes ("EEZ"). That council approved blading the desert in Innovation Park to create "shovel-ready lots." The hope was that businesses would come to Oro Valley. After all, Oro Valley has an easier permitting process and land that is ready for construction. Well, that hasn't happened either.

A friendlier Planning and Zoning Department

Jacobs, under the Winfield Council, attempted to make it a bit easier for Developers to build in Oro Valley by putting the Planning and Zoning Department under the Director of Economic Development. The goals of Economic Development Department and Planning and Zoning Department are not the same. The Economic Development Department  seeks to build the commercial base of our community. The Planning and Zoning Department is supposed to make sure that whatever is built is built within code specifications. Their job is to protect the community, not to grow it.  Today, the Planning and Zoning Department tries to negotiate between residents and developers, rather than simply doing their code [and Genera Plan] enforcement job.

An example of this relates to the request of the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene [OVCN] to rezone land next to the church at Concordia and Buena Vista so that they can build a major sports complex. The residents are united against this proposal. They have been steadfast in their position that there is no compromise that will result in their supporting that facility in that area. Yet, many times, the Planning and Zoning Department has talked with the residents, urging some sort of compromise. That is not the Planning and Zoning Department's job. Their job is to process the application in the same manner in which all such applications are processed. 

"Choose Oro Valley" Website

The town created a website that won an award from the Arizona Association of Economic Development. That website is chooseorovalley.com. The focus of that site is to attract bioscience companies, like Roche. It is quite comprehensive. One can see available sites and buildings and tax incentives. It displays Oro Valley's key industries.

The site falsely states that "the population of Oro Valley is balanced across all age segments." We know it is not balanced. Any business with a serious intent is going to look at the 2020 Census Data, like we did, and see that that statement is false. Indeed, even the town’s own Parks and Recreation Master Plan acknowledges that “…the town exhibits an unbalanced distribution among major age segments.”  We are an over 55 community.  Putting false information on the web sit reduces the credibility of all the information on the site.

Shovel ready sites

The first of the two Economic Development Directors convinced the Council that the reason Oro Valley was not being selected by companies was that the town had no “shovel ready sites.” These are sites that are graded without a specific site plan.  So, the town approved blading the desert in Innovation Park to do just that. This happened in September 2020.

Working with the State of Arizona

The town also receives leads from the State. None of these have panned out to date. Many of these leads seem to have more of an industrial need. Something Oro Valley doesn't want. It's important to face reality. Everybody wants clean businesses in technology. What makes Oro Valley unique? We don't know.

From Oro Valley Marketplace to Oro Valley Village Center

Last year the Council approved a bold revisioning of the failed Oro Valley Marketplace. It is call the Oro Valley Village Center. It is being revisioned on the premise that the area needs to build its own population density in order to support businesses in the center. The vision is for hotels and apartments, adding more density to the town. Nothing has happened to the Center since the approval.

The “Business Incubator”

In December of 2020  the University of Arizona opened a “business incubator” in Innovation Park to house startup companies . The hope is that one of the startups will take hold and flourish in Oro Vally, It is too soon to tell if this initiative will pay off.

Council's recent "Economic Vitality" revisit produces nothing new

Last week the Town Council held a study session on its strategic plan. "Economic Vitality" is one area they discussed. As Vice Mayor Barrett noted, the study session was an update of the existing strategy. The session was not a discussion on how to replace it.  The focus of the plan is to do the same things that the town has been doing to meet the following goals:

• Support local businesses
• Attract employers in key business sectors
• Attract commercial businesses to our centers
• Increase visitors (Via $400,000 annually given to  "Visit Tucson" to generate 28,000 hotel room nights. That's $14.29 per night.

To date, these actions have failed to produce significant tangible results

Town Councils have done much to build the business base in this town. Perhaps it is the impact of the Pandemic. Perhaps it is the impact of the three-year economic meltdown that has happened since the Pandemic. Regardless, the town has yet to see results in their efforts to bring significant new business to the community.

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Bits and Pieces

Council Member Greene identifies potential major corporate member for Oro Valley Municipal Golf 

Oro Valley Municipal Golf has four corporate members. It needs more. During last week’s council study session on the budget, Council Member Mo Greene told town park’s director Kristy Dias Trahan that the owner of Westward Look told him that he was looking for a place for the resort’s guest to play golf. After along pause (she was dumbfounded) she said that she would follow up. Here’s a “shoutout” to Council Member Greene. 

Oro Valley experiencing exceptional drought conditions…Tucson area is 10% drier

The 20 year drought continues. “The Southwest US has experienced some of the greatest changes with the decadal shift more than 10% drier” according to the national weather service. During this same time period its hotter by about 1/2 degree annually during the past thirty years. We’ve included a panel with map showing the changes in both precipitation and temperature. 

Oro Vista apartment architecture approved 

The expansion of the Oro Vista apartment complex was an administrative approval and not a zoning approval. The property was zoned long ago for apartment use, according to Town Planning and Zoning head Bayer Vella. That is why the item was on the consent agenda. 

Council Member Jones-Ivey made sure that council publicly discussed the item at last weeks’ council meeting. As it turns out, this is item is on the agenda for the approval of the architecture of the property. Council discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission’s request that the stone front of the building as it faces Lambert Lane be increased. The council rejected this. 

Mayor Winfield noted: “I think it is incredibly unfortunate that the view of the Catalinas [from Noble Hops] will be lost” once the facility is built, but the town can not do anything about that since the project was approved by a previous council. Also, the property manager, Beztak, said they would continue to investigate what may be a lack of adequate parking for the commercial property that houses Noble Hops and other establishments once the apartments are built. 

 Council approved the measures 6-0 (Council Member Solomon Absent)

Bits and Pieces

Audubon Certification effort gains momentum at Pusch Ridge Golf Course
Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf report steady progress toward Audubon Sanctuary certification, an effort that blends environmental stewardship with community involvement. Volunteers and course staff are working through 18 identified projects, ranging from wildlife and habitat inventories to water conservation planning and public education. New signage, plans for bat and bird houses, a proposed butterfly garden, and outreach to nearby HOAs and the Oro Valley Town Council all point to a long-term commitment to improving environmental practices on the course. With the planning phase complete and six certification categories still ahead, organizers describe growing momentum and continue to welcome volunteers to help move the effort forward. (Source: Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf January newsletter)

Fiber expansion moves into contract phase at Rancho Vistoso

The January Vistoso Community Association newsletter highlights an important next step in bringing fiber-optic service to Rancho Vistoso. After the Town approved Ripple and Wyyerd to install the “last mile” of fiber, the VCA Board is now negotiating contracts with both companies to protect HOA infrastructure in the public rights-of-way, including landscaping, decorative rock, and irrigation systems. The Board is scheduled to vote on the contract language at its January 29 meeting, a decision that will help shape how high-speed internet is rolled out while safeguarding community assets. (Source: Community Association January newsletter)

Town releases friendly snapshot of 2025 Town Financial Results

The Town of Oro Valley has released its Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, offering residents a clear and accessible overview of the Town’s financial position. Unlike the more detailed and technical Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the PAFR summarizes key information such as revenues, expenditures, net assets, debt, financial ratings, and historical trends in a format designed for the general public. The report is intended to help residents better understand how the Town is managing its finances. Download the report here. (Source: Town of Oro Valley media release)

ASDB move to Copper Creek Elementary causes “Heartburn” for ASDB families

Plans to relocate the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) Tucson campus to the soon-to-be-closed Copper Creek Elementary has created frustration and concern among ASDB families and students. After the Amphitheater School District voted to close Copper Creek and ASDB signed a five-year lease to operate there, many ASDB parents said they felt shocked and dismayed by both the closure and relocation announcement and expressed uncertainty about how the transition will affect their children’s education. At Monday's community meeting, ASDB parents voiced disappointment that the session ended early amid heated exchanges, saying they left with more questions than answers about services, transportation and the future of specialized support. The session ended early after parent emotions ran high and the discussion became heated, prompting organizers to close the meeting before all questions from families could be addressed. Some parents said they were skeptical about how ASDB’s collaboration with local districts will work and worried about accessibility challenges for families who rely on consistent, tailored support as their children adjust to the new campus setting.  Families also raised concern that the move would separate deaf and blind students who are currently educated together on the Tucson campus, disrupting long-standing programs and peer support networks. It is alleged that only deaf students will attend Copper Creek and that visually impaired students will go to a cluster site at TUSD. (Source: Various local news reports)

Oro Valley business growth and community planning advance side by side

Recent Town updates point to steady economic activity alongside continued community planning. In December, Oro Valley issued eight new business licenses spanning storefront, office, and home-based enterprises, while several tenant improvement permits signal new activity at key centers such as Oro Valley Marketplace. At the same time, construction continues on the 320-unit Oro Valley Marketplace Apartments, with utilities underway and a pedestrian tunnel nearing completion. These development updates appear alongside reminders in the Town’s Vista newsletter encouraging resident participation in long-range efforts such as the OV Trails Connect Master Plan and the Path Forward process, reflecting a parallel focus on near-term growth and long-term community priorities: (Source: Town of Oro Valley, January 2026 Economic Development Update and January/February 2026 Vista Newsletter)

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Some Thoughts Until September

Here’s what to look for this summer
Every other year LOVE takes a summer break. It happens when there is no town election. Fortunately, this year, there is none….though we do expect a “doozy” next year as there will be three council seats up for election.

While we are away, however, we continue to follow Oro Valley happenings.We will do that again this year. We will report events to you when we return in September. We do have a list of  things to keep an eye on while we’re away. 

Here are some of the things we expect to be reporting about in September

Making the Naranja Park entrance pedestrian safe now

This is our number 1 priority. The current pedestrian situation is completely unacceptable. The town has said that they are planning to do some things. We figure that they should have done a lot by September 12, our return date.

Any decision the council made regarding plans for the Vistoso TrailsNature Preserve

The town has completed a Master Plan study on to build the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. At one point, the study’s findings became so challenging that the lead outside consultant on the project quit. To many residents in the area, the final plan, which will be reviewed with council, is too elaborate and far more invasive to life for those who live around the golf course.

Jeff Wilkins

Jeff Wilkins will have completed his first quarter as Oro Valley Town Manager. We wil (try to) interview Wilkins to report his first impressions of our town.

Outrageous Giveaway 2

The Council may consider yet another investment in the Oro Valley Marketplace (aka Oro Valley Village Center). This one for about $12 million. They are under no obligation to do so; but town staff has been in negotiations with the developer and center owner Town West for 18 months to do just that. It will be very interesting to see how Council handles this.
 

The “Big Sports Complex” Affair

Then, of course, there is the matter of the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) wanting to obliterate the lifestyle of those who live in the “Original Oro Valley.” The project is a major sports complex at their Concordia/Buena Vista location. It requires council approval of zoning changes to make this a reality. We don’t know when the next hearing is on this; but it is a huge problem for those who need to protect the lovely lifestyle that area affords.

The Oro Valley Housing Survey

Town staff has completed a survey of town housing needs. Many believe that the survey questions biased responses to favor more apartments…more congestion in Oro Valley… a more “balanced”community.  Regardless, the allure of federal funds that will become available to the town as it grows to subsidize low income housing will become very alluring. You ought to be concerned if you want Oro Valley to remain a single family residential community. As one resident wrote: “Federal funds may dictate “Section 8” to achieve the - financially attainable housing - which is not a fit for this community.” Beware: That from which you wanted to escape by moving to Oro Valley may follow you here.

Use of potable water on town owned parks and the Pusch Ridge Golf Course

The town continues to use potable water for irrigation at Riverfront and Kreigh Parks, at the Pusch Ridge Golf Course, and in serving CDO high school. Reclaimed water would be a better solution. We think, but we don’t know, that the cost of bringing reclaimed water to these facilities is prohibitive. The town has discussed further treating the reclaimed water, purifying it, and inserting it into the potable water supply. It’s all talk at this point but something does need to be done.

We will also keep an eye on other things like

…the July court appearance of Sabrina Garcia, the person who was driving the car that killed a teenager and her half sister on St. Patrick’s Day. It happened near the entrance to Naranja Park…thus, our obsession with getting the town to do something to improve pedestrian safety now.

Meanwhile, enjoy your summer.

We certainly do plan to do so

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Guest View-Diane Peters: Who's Really To Blame For Oro Valley's High Density Developments?

Many Oro Valley residents have stated their displeasure with all the high density developments that have been approved since Mayor Hiremath and Councilmembers Hornat, Snider, and Waters took office in 2010. The three new apartment complexes on Oracle Road have been most frequently cited.

In response, someone, has attempted to take the onus off the Majority-4 by claiming, in a published letter entitled "Laughable Presentation,that all three apartment complexes on Oracle Road were approved by a unanimous vote. The writer specifically named Councilmembers Burns, Garner, and Zinkin as partaking in those unanimous votes.

The writer was wrong.

• All votes were not unanimous. 
• Zinkin and Burns were not on council when these approvals occured. 
• Garner voted against two of the three complexes.

These are the FACTS as stated in the public record:

Encantada at Steam Pump ~ 270 apartments:
This rezoning was approved in April 2011. Mike Zinkin and Brendan Burns were not on council. They took office on June 6, 2012, so how could they have voted to approve a rezoning that took place in 2011? The Conceptual and Architecture Plans for this project were approved in May 2012, but it would still be another month before Burns and Zinkin would take office.

El Corredor at Oracle and Linda Vista ~220 apartments:
This one required a Major General Plan Amendment to convert 13 acres to high density residential. That vote took place in December 2011. Zinkin and Burns were not on council and Bill Garner voted against it. When the high density rezoning for this project was approved in May 2012, Zinkin and Burns were still one month shy of having any voting powers on the town council.

Villas at San Dorado ~ 274 apartments:
This rezoning was approved in April 2012. That’s right… Zinkin and Burns were still not on council and Bill Garner was absent that night. Yet the writer claimed that all three of them voted to approve it! When the Conceptual Site Plan was approved in November 2012, Zinkin and Garner were opposed.

Then council member, now current council candidate, Steve Solomon voted to approve all of these:

• Encantada: Solomon approved the rezoning, the Conceptual Site Plan, and the Architecture Plan.
• El Corredor: Solomon approved the Major General Plan Amendment and the rezoning that followed.
• Villas at San Dorado: Solomon approved the rezoning. He lost his bid for re-election the following month.

If you want to protect what’s left of our scenic views, and you want YOUR VOICE to continue to be heard, please join me in re-electing Brendan Burns, Bill Garner, and Mike Zinkin to the Oro Valley Town Council.

Diane Peters
Oro Valley Resident

Solomon Uses Scare Tactics

The other day, council candidate Steve Solomon dropped a "scare flyer" on the doorsteps of some. This one alleges that Burns, Garner and Zinkin have "pledged to close and sell your golf course-destroying your home value." Oh my. Tragedy to follow! What will these poor residents do?

We wouldn't be surprised to see more flyers, saying that incumbent candidates plan to "gut the police force;""take your gun rights;" kidnap and  your children and grandchildren.

Heck. Solomon will make anything up. And those who live only on "sound bites" will believe it.

The fact is: The supporters of the challengers would like you to vote from fear.

Solomon will feed you any "horse petuti" that he thinks that you will swallow!

Here's what one Oro Valley resident thinks about Solomon's behavior.
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TIRED OF THE SOLOMON FALSEHOODS? 

Four years ago, Steve Solomon ran for Council in an attempt to retain the seat that he was appointed to by the Majority-4 in 2010. Since being beaten in the 2012 primary, no one has seen hide nor hair of Mr. Solomon. He has not been present at any Council meeting, board or commission meeting, and has not volunteered for any Town project. Now, after all this time, he reappears.

Solomon is a "big developer", "big projects" guy.

On April 20, 2011, Solomon voted to rezone the property where the HSL apartments now stand in Steam Pump Village. On Dec. 7, 2011, Solomon voted to approve a Major General Plan Amendment to allow for the apartments at Linda Vista/Oracle. On April 18, 2012, Solomon voted to rezone the property to allow for the apartments at First/Oracle. On May 2, 2012, Solomon voted to approve both the conceptual site plan and architecture plan to allow for the Encantada Apartments at Steam Pump Village to be 3 stories high.

Now Mr. Solomon is trying to tell you that he will save the Police and SRO's. In fact, the current council increased the number of SRO's by a 7-0 vote, and when have the police been threatened? He’s taking credit for forming Dial-A-Ride when it was a concerted effort by citizens and multiple council members after Solomon voted to eliminate funding for Coyote Run, the town’s former transportation service for the elderly and disabled.

Now he is telling the people who live adjacent to the golf courses that, if you do not elect him, your property values are going to diminish.  (See right panel)  Next he will tell you he laid the cornerstone to the library and Town Hall.

Solomon is telling you that the incumbents have pledged to close and sell the golf course. This is absurd. The incumbents are the only candidates who have offered any alternatives to the continued losses incurred by golf. Evert incumbent has also stated publicly that they want to include the People in finding alternatives to stop the continued losses from the golf operation.

Solomon is n got going to save your property values. He has not offered one solution to stop the recurring losses from the golf course operation. His “plan” is to do nothing and thereby continue to lose more than $1,000,000 annually for at least the next 5 years. His “plan” could result in the need for a property tax because Oro Valley cannot afford five more years of these substantial losses.

Solomon was bad for Oro Valley during his 2-year tenure as an appointed Councilman. He has done nothing to help our town since his defeat in 2012. It would be a serious mistake to return Mr. Solomon to Town Council.
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Romspen received $4.25 million for the former Vistoso Golf Course

The beginning of a 202 acre preserve

Friday’s announcement by The Conservation Fund that they purchased the former Vistoso Golf course was fantastic news for the community. It marked the end of a long and difficult negotiation with the property owner. More importantly, however, it marks the beginning of a 202 acre nature preserve for everyone in the community to enjoy.

We plan to tell the story of how this all came about. It is indeed a very complicated story.

Today, we start our story with the result: The settlement agreement that was signed for the purchase of the property.

Resulted from a deal that required a “settlement agreement”
“A settlement agreement is a legal contract that resolves the disputes among all parties by coming to an agreement. It is a legal document where all parties in a court case, in civil law, agree to an outcome of any judgment being made in advance.” (https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/what-is-a-settlement-agreement.html). When it comes to the Vistoso Golf Course, there are many issues that needed to be resolved. The most important of which was what development was going to be allowed on the property. There is after all a 6+ acre parcel that is already zoned for apartments. Then there is the 202 acre golf course including a clubhouse that could have been potentially used for a variety of purposes. The settlement agreement states exactly how all of this was resolved.

The deal has six key elements

• 202 acres will be a permanent nature preserve.That is the golf courses.
• 6+ acres, the clubhouse area, will house proximally 132 apartments
• The apartments will be no higher than two stories. The property is zoned for up to a three-story apartment building.
• A small portion, roughly 1 acre, adjacent to the the 6+ acres will be available for use for parking for the apartments.
• No county recapture of property taxes will be incurred by any party as a result of the sale.
  
• Romspen will receive funds as detailed in the panel at right

There are four participants in the deal
Romspen (Vistoso) LLC

Romspen LLC is the owner of the property. They purchased it in 2012 in a bankruptcy proceeding. They operated the golf course until 2016. They shut it down and proceeded to spend the next five years concocting various ways to parse the property for development. They received $4.25 million for their effort.
Ross Rulney

Ross Rulney is a Tucson based developer. He developed "El Corredor" which is located at Oracle and Linda Vista. It is a mixed-use development. Rulney took over that property from a company that was trying to build a motel there. They went out of business.  Rulney is going to build the apartments.. He paid $1.75 million to buy the property. 

The Conservation Fund 

The Conservation Fund ("TCF") is the entity that now owns a golf course. They will be donating it to the town once they find a conservator to manage the settlement agreement such that nothing other than a natural preserve will ever exist on the property. Through the efforts of the residents, TCF raised donations sufficient to pay Romspen $1.615 million. That was the appraised value of the land.

Town of Oro Valley

The town of Oro Valley is the fourth participant in the transaction. The town agreed to pay $885,000 to settle all remaining “disagreements.”  This resolved a "legal dispute."

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Want to learn more? Read the Settlement Agreement here.

Bits and Pieces

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"The Oro Valley Aquatic Center is partnering with the Fitter & Faster Swim Tour this spring to provide a swim clinic with six-time Olympic medalist Matt Grevers and NCAA Champion Annie Chandler. The clinic will be held May 19, 2013 at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center, 680 W. Calle Concordia." (Source: Town Of Oro Valley press release)
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Hold on to your wallets.  Pima County is beginning the process of planning its spending for 2014. Part of that planning is the planning for bond issuances. Yes. Most heavily indebted County in the state by far actually plans how to incur more debt. One of the items being considered is a $30 million bond offering to promote Geo tourism.  "The County is already working with the University to develop a concept for a geotourism center where visitors would get more information on just about any topic that makes the Old Pueblo so special."  (Source)
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There is a large tract of land that is being bladed that abuts to the west side of Oracle Road, north of steam pump village.  It is being bladed in preparation for the construction of 288 apartment units. These will be known as: "Encantada at Steam Pump."  The apartments are being built by HSL Steam Pump Properties, an operation of developer Humberto Lopez' HSL Tucson-based operation.   We have written previously about this property.  

Next week's Oro Valley Town Council meeting  includes a consent agenda item for allowing the developer "...to utilize a portion of the Town-owned park property adjacent to their project for recreation and drainage purposes."    The park is a small area that abuts the CDO Wash paved trail.   the agreement with the developer requires that they maintain this park. (Source)
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This week's widely-reported robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank in Rancho Vista also reminds us  that Oro Valley is not immune from crime.   This is not the first time that a robbery has occurred in that area.   The Bank of the West in Rancho Vistoso was robbed in late December.

According to crimereports.org,  a website  into which both the county and the town use to report crime,  there were 32 crime incidents in just one week in Oro Valley.  Most of these are thefts.  A few of these  are assaults.

One of the unfortunate consequences of growth in population and density is a growth in crime.    Last nigh's shooting at Oracle and First is yet another example.  The once quiet suburb of Oro Valley is now becoming a small city.   As it grows so will its crime.
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Here's a reminder of some upcoming events from Parks and Rec:

Saturday, March 9:  MOVE Across 2 Ranges Hike  (Start in Catalina State Park)
Saturday, March 9:  2nd Saturday at Steam Pump Ranch
Friday, March 15:   Aquatic Center Grand Opening
Saturday, April 13: Settlers Days at Steam Pump Ranch
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91 trees along Woodshade Trail (goes back to dog park fr RV Blvd) have been identified for removal because they are "dead, dying, infested or diseased."
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Bits and Pieces

$53,756.46

That is what the town spent in legal fees to defend the law suit on its rejection of a voter referendum on the purchase of the El Conquistador Country Club.

Tangerine Road Widening Construction Begins Early in 2016

The Town of Marana is the lead agency for the Tangerine Road widening project. They have chosen a contractor and are currently 90% complete with their plans. According to project manager Jose Rodriguez,the community should start seeing the utility and communication construction process starting somewhere around September or October of this year. The actual road construction should then begin in January or February of next year.

The Oro Valley Scenic Corridor: Kneader's Bakery Coming To Oro Valley
Apparantly, the business community thinks Oro Valley nees yet another "Bakery-Cafe." This time it's "Kneaders". It will be on the east side of Oracle Road, south of Linda Vista. It will be in front of the apartments called "El Corredor." Kneaders will be about 4,100 square feet. It will have inside and outside eating as well as a drive thru.

Kneaders is a franchise chain, operating in some Western states. It has one location in Tucson on Wilmot. Offerings include such healthy delights as their several "Kneaders Famous" sandwiches, the all important Panini in various 'ingredients', a crab roll, and a Tuscan sandwich.

The restaurant will be sited within 100 feet of Oracle Road.

Can anyone explain to us what happened to maintaining Oracle Road scenic corridor?

Kneaders will likely bring yet more low paying retail jobs to our community.

Hornat Contributes To Tucson Politics
Earlier this year, Oro Valley council member Joe Hornat contributed $100 to the PAC of City of Tucson Ward 4 council member Shirley Scott. According to our source, an individual who is very savvy about the politics of Tucson: "Shirley has been on the Tucson council for almost 2 decades and is considered to be one the main architects of its demise. It is interesting to see that Hornat wants to see 4 more years of one of the region's worst elected officials."

Oro Valley Fall Parks and Rec Guide available online
"The Fall 2015 Parks and Recreation Program Guide is the Town of Oro Valley's biggest edition ever, with expanded recreational offerings including golf, tennis, personal training, aquatics, archery, kids' camps, art and more! With the addition of the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, there are now more activities and special events to enjoy." View it here.