HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning and Zoning Commission - 2/3/2015 MINUTES
ORO VALLEY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
AMENDED AGENDA
February 3, 2015
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Rodman called the February 3, 2015 regular session of the Oro Valley
Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Bill Rodman, Chairman
Bill Leedy, Vice-Chair
Greg Hitt, Commissioner
Frank Pitts, Commissioner
Melanie Barrett, Commissioner
Charlie Hurt, Commissioner
EXCUSED: Tom Drazazgowski, Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
Joe Hornat, Council Member
Lou Waters, Vice-Mayor
Joe Andrews, Chief Civil Deputy Attorney
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Rodman led the Planning and Zoning Commission members and audience in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO AUDIENCE
There were no speaker request.
COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS
February 3, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Page 1 of 8
1. COUNCIL LIAISON UPDATE
Council Member Hornat updated the Planning and Zoning Commission and audience
on the following:
- Senior Care codes have been continued
- Accelerator location has changed
- Ventana has a 25,000 foot expansion planned
- El Conquistador Country Club purchase was approved by Town Council
- Kai Property North was approved by Town Council
- Nakoma Sky was approved by Town Council
- 1/2 percent sales tax dedicated to the El Conquistador Country Club purchase was
approved by Town Council
- Conditional Use Permit for Caliber Collision will be heard by Town Council on
February 4th
- Environmentally Sensitive Land Ordinance was removed from the February 4th Town
Council agenda
- Court case pending for the petitions on the purchase of the El Conquistador Country
Club
2. DISCUSSION ITEM: SELF INTRODUCTION OF PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION MEMBERS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
COMMISSIONERS TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO THE COMMUNITY AND
EACH OTHER.
Each of the Planning and Zoning Commissioners gave a brief introduction and
background on themselves.
REGULAR AGENDA
1. REVIEW AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 6, 2015 REGULAR
SESSION MEETING MINUTES
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair Leedy and seconded by Commissioner
Hitt to approve the January 6, 2015 Regular Session meeting minutes
MOTION carried, 6-0.
*2. PUBLIC HEARING: REQUEST TO REZONE A 16.3 ACRE PROPERTY
LOCATED WEST OF THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF TANGERINE ROAD AND LA
CANADA DRIVE FROM R1-144 TO R1-7 AND APPROVE TWO ESL FLEXIBLE
DESIGN OPTIONS RELATED TO MODIFIED REVIEW PROCESS AND REDUCED
FRONT BUILDING SETBACKS, OV914-006
February 3, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Page 2 of 8
Chad Daines, Principal Planner, presented the following:
- Requests
- Project Overview
- Zoning Map
- Background
- 2014 General Plan Amendment
- Rezoning Request
- Flexible Design Options
- Environmentally Sensitive Lands
- Access Map
- Public Participation
- General Plan
- Recommendation
David Laws, Permitting Manager, responded to a question from the Commission in
regards to drainage.
Stacey Weaks, Norris Design, representing the applicant, presented the following:
- Vicinity Map
- Approved Development Plan
- Approved General Plan Amendment
- Rezoning Application
- Development Patterns
- Residential Master Plan
- Planning Elements
- Viewshed Study
- Sunkist Road
- Front Building Setback
- Rezoning Overview
James Hardman, Desco Southwest, responded to a question from the Commission in
regard to the time line for the proposed technology park.
Chairman Rodman opened the public hearing.
Greg Patchen, non Oro Valley resident, commented that this in an unacceptable
encroachment of Sunkist Road between La Cholla and La Canada. Mr. Patchen would
like to know the background and history of the applicant in building of subdivisions,
maintaining habitat and being rigorous and conscientious about following through with
their commitments to the officials of the Town. Speaking of hydraulics and the wash,
there is an inlet side and an outlet side to culverts and the detention basins that Mr.
February 3, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Page 3 of 8
Laws is speaking about would be one big very ugly concrete device and would need
multiple inlets on the north side of Tangerine Road to channelize the water velocity
safely. There is a lot of equestrian activity on Sunkist Road and the traffic volumes will
be a problem.
Barbara Benedict, Oro Valley resident, requested the proposed project revert back to
the vision of the General Plan. Ms. Benedict suggested that this rezoning be denied
based on inconsistency with the overall vision of the General Plan. The Town vision
points to a well planned community that uses its resources to balance the needs of
today against the needs of future generations. At the neighborhood meetings open
space was the discussion and mixing one and two stories. She doesn't see this in the
proposed project. She doesn't understand the rush and suggested placing a
moratorium on any housing such as the one being proposed.
Chuck Boreson, non-resident, stated that the County has maintained most of the dirt
portion of the road. There is a portion of the dirt road that is a private easement that is
not maintained by the County. Should this project be approved, who will maintain and
be held liable for the new paved road?
Pat McGowan, non-resident, expressed his concern with the light pollution that will be
reflected into his home. The proposed project affects their rural lifestyle, which
includes: horses, neighbors riding horses, kids on quads, and kids on bikes. Mr.
McGowan just can't see where the proposed project is consistent with the area. There
has been discussion about the wash being beat up; the wash is beautiful.
Sarah McGowan, non-resident, asked the Commission to deny the proposed project for
the 16-acre parcel of Miller Ranch and the proposed entry way. When they bought their
home they were told the 16-acres directly south of them would remain as intended,
suburban ranch. The building of 37 homes is inconsistent with the surrounding large
parcels and does nothing to restore the land that the applicant has said has been
depleted by ranching in the past. Ms. McGowan does not see how building homes,
driveways, roads, streetlights, etc. restores this open space or riparian area. That
parcel of land is home to deer, coyotes, bobcats, quails and many other indigenous
forms of life and the building of these homes would not be in the name of
conservation. The burden of this neighborhood should not fall squarely on the
shoulders of the current residents along Sunkist Road. The burden of this should be the
sole responsibility of Oro Valley.
Susann Duperra, non-resident, stated that the building density is 2.3 homes per acre.
The reality is it more like 4.4 - 5.5 houses per acre. There are areas that the developer
cannot legally build on. The reality is that the proposed project is not medium
density, it's more like high density. Ms. Duperra raises livestock (sheep and
goats). Her lifestyle is not compatible with these homes. What kind of complaints is
February 3, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Page 4 of 8
she going to be receiving on a regular basis? There should be some assurance that the
property values will be maintained and not destroyed by a small community that is
zoned high density.
Amber Peterman, non-resident, stated she maintains the dirt road with her red
tractor. Sunkist Road is a rural community and is asking the Commission to deny the
proposal.
Nolan Reidhead, non-resident, commented that prior to living on Sunkist Road he lived
in Oro Valley and is aware of clustering of homes and the amount of traffic that is
generated from subdivisions. Mr. Reidhead is concerned with the traffic on Sunkist
Road and La Canada, as well as no sidewalks, equine traffic and the bus stop on
Sunkist Road with children walking home. Without the ability to maintain traffic with
sidewalks and other areas, this is a big concern. Mr. Reidhead went on to comment
that there is no need for the tech park with other parks empty nearby and is asking the
Commission to deny the proposal.
Richard Paquette, non-resident, commented that Sunkist Road is not maintained by
Pima County. Sunkist Road is paved half way because the residents paid to have the
road improved and paved. The net result is the community makes repairs to the road
and keeps the road maintained. What are the residents supposed to do with increased
traffic with the 37 proposed homes? This is a 144% increase in traffic flow through an
area that has no physical means of support. Mr. Paquette strongly recommends that
an environmental survey be done on this proposal.
Adelina Kempner, Oro Valley resident, commented that the gate on Sunkist Road was
removed about four years ago that stopped thru traffic. Ms. Kempner stated that the
discussion to have only one ingress and egress to the development on Sunkist Road
should not be left to an accelerated modified review process. The developer knew all
along that the proposed project was a narrow skinny development and knew about the
challenges of egress and ingress off Tangerine now suddenly a revelation that Sunkist
Road is the ingress and egress and should be implemented. After all the major reviews,
the ingress and egress through Tangerine Road has been deleted entirely and the
access to the residential development has been switched to Sunkist Road. This is a
significant change done without the proper review done for impact upon the
neighborhood. A neighborhood meeting after the major review milestones have passed
is not adequate to protect the public's interest. The impact of the ingress and egress
off of Sunkist Road was never part of the earlier public record and discussion and the
screening mechanisms in place to protect the interest of neighbors have effectively
been bypassed. You can never know the long term impact of opening up Sunkist Road
because this analysis has never received due process. Mr. Kempner respectively
asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to reject the ingress and egress on Sunkist
Road.
February 3, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Page 5 of 8
Chairman Rodman closed the public hearing.
David Laws, Permitting Manager, responded to the access to and from the proposed
property.
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair Leedy and seconded by Commissioner
Pitts to recommend denial of the Miller Ranch Rezoning from R1-144 to R1-7, based on
the finding that the request is not consistent with the General Plan, specifically on the
determination with respect to compatibility of the proposed project with areas
surrounding especially to the north and west.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
3. YOUR VOICE, OUR FUTURE PROJECT UPDATE AND REVIEW OF
COMMITTEE PROGRESS
Elisa Hamblin, Senior Planner, presented the following:
Your Voice Our Future Project
The General Plan
Who is responsible?
The Public Participation Plan
How to make it happen
Project schedule
Phone Survey
A Sound Phone Survey
Elements Enjoyed Most About Living in Oro Valley
Elements Enjoyed Least About Living in Oro Valley
Biggest Challenges Facing Oro Valley in the next ten years
Importance of various qualities that might describe Oro Valley's future
Key Values Confirmation
Methods of Engagement
Media Coverage and Publicity
Community Events
Online Participation
Survey Methods
Survey Results
Vision and Guiding Principles
Oro Valley's Vision
Guiding Principles
Tracking and Progress
Committee Formation
February 3, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Page 6 of 8
Committee Work
Committee Challenges
The Workbook
Continued Outreach
Next Steps
Get Involved
4. YOUR VOICE, OUR FUTURE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
LIAISON UPDATE
Commissioner Leedy gave an overview of the Your Voice Our Future update:
- Impressed by the extraordinary amount of outreach that the Town has engaged in
trying to get the community involved
- Ms. Hamblin is doing a terrific job and likes the way she directs the meetings and
works with a broad variety of opinions
- A couple of different committees, exploring what constitutes a major general plan
amendment and what constitutes a minor general plan amendment and what is the
criteria that must be satisfied to achieve each of these.
- Zoning Code says something different than what the general plan states
- Challenges we face are the very fundamental subject of whether or not the general
plan should be prescriptive or general
- Guiding principle that in the end it is going to guide or narrow the focus of this activity
with two limiting factors: authority and capacity
PLANNING UPDATE (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)
Chad Daines, Principal Planner, presented the following Planning Update:
- Town Council agenda for February 4th
- Upcoming neighborhood meetings
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair Leedy and seconded by Commissioner
Hitt to adjourn the February 3, 2015, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 8:47
PM.
MOTION carried, 6-0.
February 3, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Page 7 of 8
Prepared by:
/01% / AO
Ar Afral
Roseanne Flores
Recording Secretary
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the
regular session of the Planning and Zoning Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 3rd
day of February 2015. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a
quorum was present.
February 3, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission Page 8 of 8