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DRAFT MEETING SUMMARY
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ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS (ESL)
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fa= PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING # 14
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February 11, 2010
4-6p
HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM
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11000 N. LA CANADA DR.
PAC Members Present:
Bill Adler
Susan Simms
Doug McKee
Steve Solomon
Philip Kline
Don Chatfield
Steve Taillie
Oro Valley ESL Team Members Present:
David Williams
Bayer Vella
Karen Berchtold
Joe Andrews
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 4:02 p.m.
2. January 28, 2010 meeting summary
Under item #2, David Williams requested the phrase "agreed" be changed to "acknowledged
the concern," and Karen Berchtold agreed to make the change.
3. Open space section: draft discussion
Bayer Vella stated that the discussion topics are: open space maintenance and criteria.
Maintenance:
The group needs to further define when open space should be maintained by the HOA
versus the Town.
Bayer Vella conducted research to define maintenance costs. It is not possible to come up
one defined formula because there are too many variables. However, he cited the example
of a 27 acre habitat area for pygmy owls; the cost of maintenance was calculated to be
$96,000.
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Steve Solomon voiced his objection; developers are asked to provide the open space, and
then provide money to maintain it, as well. Don Chatfield noted the Sonoran Institute works
with developers on this issue, and one option is to fund maintenance through lot transfer
payments. Steve suggested that the group better define the term "maintenance."
The group discussed whether the Town should carry the primary role in open space
maintenance. Currently, the Town relies on HOAs to maintain open space. Larger areas,
such as major flood control lands, are maintained by Pima County. Bill Adler feels that the
Town should be responsible for maintaining all open space areas. Doug McKee feels several
options should be provided. Steve noted an observation: the Town's track record shows they
do not want to take on the responsibility of paying for this, but they need to be willing to.
Philip Kline agreed.
The majority of the group agreed that maintenance should be a Town responsibility, unless
the HOA elects to do it. The group concluded that criteria are needed to determine whether
open space is of regional or community significance.
Criteria:
Don Chatfield directed the group to page 6, paragraph D.1.b.iv. He suggested that the term
"significantly different" may create a large loophole. The group agreed the paragraph should
be removed, and to delete some of the criteria for granting flexibility.
The group discussed the paragraph that addresses economic development growth areas.
Don Chatfield cautioned that some businesses seek environmental and recreational assets
1 because they perceive them as an asset for their employees, and cited the example of
Ventana Medical Systems. Bayer Vella said the flexibility provision is based on Pima
County's experience; the County has some flexibility in their negotiating process. He also
cited Scottsdale, where the City Manager can provide reductions. Neither of these are based
on criteria.
The group agreed that the Town Council will likely impose flexibility, so it makes sense to
provide criteria. On page 6, paragraph (2), revisions may be needed. Doug noted that the
off-site mitigation provision could be a problem.
4. Review and discussion of Design Requirements Section
The group agreed to postpone the review of this section to the next meeting.
5. Discussion of Future Agenda Items
The group would like an update on the Cultural Resources components for the next meeting.
Doug suggested that perhaps staff could include a discussion regarding the feasibility of
developing impact fees that would go towards open space maintenance.
6. Meeting adjourned at 6 p.m. Prepared by:
Karen Berchtold
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Acting Principal Planner
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