Elisa Hamblin, Long Range Principal Planner, presented on the following
- Purpose
- Two areas of town selected for this project
- Overview of concept plan
- Focus/vision
- Three themes: OV Destination; Walk, Bike, Ride; Delight in Nature
- Community Outreach
- Social Media Engagement
- Walk the Block event on February 11, 2017
- Input received from community mostly positive
- Results from votes on architectural design and transportation
- Next steps
- Recommending approval on concept plan from Commission to Town Council
- Encourage community to Join the Conversation
- Public/private partnerships are a key component in making Main Streets happen. Businesses in the two areas have expressed willingness to work with the Town on project.
Questions/concerns that were raised by the Commission and addressed by staff:
- In general, what three positive or negative comments were most expressed?
Chair Hurt opened the public hearing.
Paul Loomis, Oro Valley resident and former Oro Valley mayor, spoke of his concerns:
- As former mayor, he is very familiar with Main Streets. We are challenged by making promises we can't keep with respect to traffic flow of the two locations selected. All the recommendations are already in the General Plan, Town Design Guidelines and Town Code. He would like the Commission to either approve the concept plan, but not allow further work, or deny the concept plan. He gave the Commissioners a letter he wrote with more detail of his reasons.
Dennis Rasinski, Oro Valley resident in Cañada Hills, spoke of his concerns:
- According to the plan, the walking trails go through holes 2, 3, 4, 15 and 16 on the golf course. This is not a good situation for golfers or walkers. If there are plans to close the golf course, this will negatively affect the values of at least 100 homes with golf course views. At least two gated communities will also be affected if people are walking through. He asked the Commission to carefully review as this can affect a lot of people.
Dick Eggerding, Oro Valley resident, spoke in support of Item 2:
- The General Plan has been approved and passed. Main Streets is just the implementation of what has already been approved. Understands the rational of traffic concerns; but working in partnership with businesses is a huge economic benefit for the entire community.
Dave Perry, Oro Valley resident and President of Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of Item 2:
- Suggest everyone keep eye on big picture; continue to evolve the community. Understands and recognizes the challenges, but staff has done a wonderful job and the project should continue.
Shirl Lamona, Oro Valley resident, spoke of her concerns:
- She shared data from 2013 traffic count reports: over 21,000 cars pass through both areas a day. Selected areas are not conducive to pedestrian traffic; she learned this firsthand at the Walk the Block event.
Chair Hurt closed the public hearing.
Questions/concerns that were raised by the Commission and addressed by staff:
- What is the vision for the three main traffic arteries through the town?
- How will traffic be affected with the possible annexation of Arroyo Grande?
- If concept plan is approved, what resources will be devoted to further development?
- Could the Oro Valley Marketplace be rezoned to have Main Streets located there?
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner
Hitt
and seconded by Commissioner
Gribb
to recommend approval of the document known as the "Oro Valley Main Streets Concept Plan".
Vice Chair Barett made the following comments after the motion was made and seconded:
She would like to move approval, but feels people in the community are more interested in other projects such as the fields at Naranja Park. She also feels better adopting the plan for the Lambert/La Canada area as opposed to the Oracle area.
Clarification was made that the Commission's role is to recommend to Council; once approved, further research and study will be done on the project.
MOTION carried, 5-0.
Patty Hayes, Senior Planning Technician, presented on the following:
- Applicant's request
- Location
- Photos
- Conditional Use Permit criteria
- General Plan Criteria
- Recommendation
Applicants Jay Loche (project manager), Justin Moffitt (network designer) and Steve Frost (Amphi IT Director) presented on the following:
- This project will increase speeds ten-fold for the Amphitheater school district
- Reviewed current conditions versus upgrade
- Cable lines will attach to existing poles within the Oro Valley area
- More durable network; will not be affected by weather
Chair Hurt opened the public hearing.
No speakers present.
Chair Hurt closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Swope stated he attended the neighborhood meeting in February and wanted to reiterate some additional facts that were not mentioned tonight for the benefit of the Commission. He spoke of the cost analysis: the overhead work cost is approximately $36,500; underground work cost is approximately $124,000 (including excavation, road closures, and time). Work needs to be completed by July 1 to meet funding schedule.
Mr. Frost stated that the school district is receiving a 60% discount on this service and the completion date is based on the school's fiscal year of July 1 - June 30.
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair
Barrett
and seconded by Commissioner
Hitt
to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit to allow the Amphi School District to install a fiber optic cable on the existing utility poles located on the north side of Calle Concordia, east side of Calle Buena Vista, and the south side of Hardy Road, based on the finding that the proposal is consistent with the Conceptual Use Permit Review Criteria.
Commissioner Swope made the following comments after motion was made and seconded:
He hopes the Commission will remain vigilant and dedicated to preserving and protecting our scenic views. The views make Oro Valley a very special place to live. We should be mindful of the impacts of towers and always look for opportunities to always go underground when possible.
MOTION carried, 5-0.
Council Liaison Rodman provided the following updates:
- Town Council recently passed the change in the Zoning Code at the last meeting regarding taglines on signs based on the Commission's recommendation.
- At the next council meeting, Council will be considering the Main Streets Concept Plan as well as the Steam Pump self-storage facility.
- Frequency of bi-monthly meetings will depend on number of pending items.
Bayer Vella, Planning Manager, presented the following Planning Division updates:
- A Neighborhood meeting scheduled for March 22 on the Saguaros Viejos East rezoning
- The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting has two items currently scheduled
- Staff is currently assembling Planning Department Work Plan
- Initiative to consider merging the Conceptual Design Review Board responsibilities with the Planning and Zoning Commission commences on March 13. A team has been established to study key decision points to amend the Zoning Code to merge the two boards. Intent is to present the concept formally before the Commission in May and Town Council in June.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner
Swope
and seconded by Commissioner
Hitt
to adjourn meeting.
MOTION carried, 5-0.
Chair Hurt adjourned the meeting at 7:21 p.m.
Prepared by:
Jeanna Ancona
Senior Office Specialist
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the regular session Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 7th day of March, 2017. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.