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AGENDA
ORO VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR AND STUDY SESSION
OCTOBER 18, 2023
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE
For information on public comment procedures, please see the instructions for in person and/or virtual
speakers at the end of the agenda.
To watch and/or listen to the public meeting online, please visit
https://www.orovalleyaz.gov/town/departments/town-clerk/meetings-and-agendas
Executive Sessions – Upon a vote of the majority of the Town Council, the Council may enter into
Executive Sessions pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes §38-431.03 (A)(3) to obtain legal advice on
matters listed on the Agenda.
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1.Pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.03 (A)(3) and(A)(4) for legal advice and direction regarding Liebowitz v. Town
of Oro Valley
2.Pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.03 (A)(3) and (A)(4) for legal advice and direction regarding Lowe v. Town of
Oro Valley
RESUME REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
1.DIRECTION TO ATTORNEYS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING THE LOWE V. TOWN OF ORO VALLEY CLAIM
2.DIRECTION TO ATTORNEYS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING THE LIEBOWITZ V. TOWN OF ORO VALLEY CLAIM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
UPCOMING MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS ON CURRENT EVENTS
Spotlight on Youth
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT ON CURRENT EVENTS
ORDER OF BUSINESS: MAYOR WILL REVIEW THE ORDER OF THE MEETING
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
CALL TO AUDIENCE – At this time, any member of the public is allowed to address the Mayor and Town Council
on any issue not listed on today’s agenda. Pursuant to the Arizona Open Meeting Law, individual Council
Members may ask Town Staff to review the matter, ask that the matter be placed on a future agenda, or respond to
criticism made by speakers. However, the Mayor and Council may not discuss or take legal action on matters raised
during “Call to Audience.” In order to speak during “Call to Audience” please specify what you wish to discuss when
completing the blue speaker card.
PRESENTATIONS
CONSENT AGENDA
(Consideration and/or possible action)
A.Minutes - October 4, 2023
REGULAR AGENDA
3.DISCUSSION, PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROPOSED ZONING CODE
AMENDMENTS TO THE PRIVATE RECREATION AREA REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL
SUBDIVISIONS, MULTI-FAMILY, AND MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS
A. RESOLUTION NO. (R)23-38, DECLARING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ORO
VALLEY ZONING CODE CHAPTER 23, ZONING DISTRICTS, CHAPTER 26, PROVISIONS FOR
RECREATION AREA, CHAPTER 31 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER RELATED SECTIONS IN
ATTACHMENT 1 AND FILED WITH THE TOWN CLERK, A PUBLIC RECORD
B. PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE NO. (O)23-04, PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS TO THE ORO
VALLEY ZONING CODE CHAPTER 23, ZONING DISTRICTS, CHAPTER 26, PROVISIONS FOR
RECREATION AREA, CHAPTER 31 DEFINITIONS AND OTHER RELATED SECTIONS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS (The Council may bring forth general topics for future meeting agendas. Council may not
discuss, deliberate or take any action on the topics presented pursuant to ARS 38-431.02H)
ADJOURNMENT OF THE REGULAR SESSION
STUDY SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
STUDY SESSION AGENDA
1.DISCUSSION REGARDING TOWN OF ORO VALLEY SPONSORSHIP POLICIES FOR COMMUNITY
EVENTS AND TOURISM EVENTS AND DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY THAT ALLOW THE TOWN
MANAGER TO SIGN SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor and Council may, at the discretion of the meeting chairperson, discuss any Agenda item.
POSTED: 10/11/23 at 5:00 p.m. by dt
When possible, a packet of agenda materials as listed above is available for public inspection at least 24 hours
prior to the Council meeting in the office of the Town Clerk between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Town of Oro Valley complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If any person with a disability
needs any type of accommodation, please notify the Town Clerk’s Office at least five days prior to the Council
meeting at 229-4700.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
The Town has modified its public comment procedures for its public bodies to allow for limited remote/virtual
comment via Zoom. The public may provide comments remotely only on items posted as required Public Hearings,
provided the speaker registers 24 hours prior to the meeting. For all other items, the public may complete a blue
speaker card to be recognized in person by the Mayor, according to all other rules and procedures. Written
comments can also be emailed to Town Clerk Michael Standish at mstandish@orovalleyaz.gov for distribution to
the Town Council prior to the meeting. Further instructions to speakers are noted below.
INSTRUCTIONS TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS
Members of the public shall be allowed to speak on posted public hearings and during Call to Audience when
attending the meeting in person. The public may be allowed to speak on other posted items on the agenda at the
discretion of the Mayor.
If you wish to address the Town Council on any item(s) on this agenda, please complete a blue speaker card
located on the Agenda table at the back of the room and give it to the Town Clerk. Please indicate on the blue
speaker card which item number and topic you wish to speak on, or, if you wish to speak during Call to Audience,
please specify what you wish to discuss.
Please step forward to the podium when the Mayor calls on you to address the Council.
1. For the record, please state your name and whether or not you are a Town resident.
2. Speak only on the issue currently being discussed by Council. You will only be allowed to
address the Council one time regarding the topic being discussed.
3. Please limit your comments to 3 minutes.
4. During Call to Audience, you may address the Council on any matter that is not on the agenda.
5. Any member of the public speaking must speak in a courteous and respectful manner to those
present.
INSTRUCTIONS TO VIRTUAL SPEAKERS FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS
Members of the public may attend the meeting virtually and request to speak virtually on any agenda item that is
listed as a Public Hearing. If you wish to address the Town Council virtually during any listed Public Hearing,
please complete the online speaker form by clicking here https://forms.orovalleyaz.gov/forms/bluecard at least 24
hours prior to the start of the meeting. You must provide a valid email address in order to register. Town Staff will
email you a link to the Zoom meeting the day of the meeting. After being recognized by the Mayor, staff will
unmute your microphone access and you will have 3 minutes to address the Council. Further
instructions regarding remote participation will be included in the email.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Town Council Regular Session 1.
Meeting Date:10/18/2023
Executive Session Liebowitz v. Town of Oro Valley
Subject
Pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.03 (A)(3) and(A)(4) for legal advice and direction regarding Liebowitz v. Town of Oro
Valley
Summary
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
Town Council Regular Session 2.
Meeting Date:10/18/2023
Executive Session Lowe v. Town of Oro Valley
Subject
Pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.03 (A)(3) and (A)(4) for legal advice and direction regarding Lowe v. Town of Oro
Valley
Summary
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
Town Council Regular Session 1.
Meeting Date:10/18/2023
Submitted By:Tobin Sidles, Legal
Department:Legal
SUBJECT:
DIRECTION TO ATTORNEYS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING THE LOWE V. TOWN OF ORO VALLEY CLAIM
RECOMMENDATION:
None
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Claim for a trip and fall case on Rancho Vistoso.
BACKGROUND OR DETAILED INFORMATION:
None
FISCAL IMPACT:
TBD
SUGGESTED MOTION:
I MOVE to direct our attorneys to proceed as directed as discussed in Executive Session.
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
Town Council Regular Session 2.
Meeting Date:10/18/2023
Submitted By:Tobin Sidles, Legal
Department:Legal
SUBJECT:
DIRECTION TO ATTORNEYS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING THE LIEBOWITZ V. TOWN OF ORO VALLEY
CLAIM
RECOMMENDATION:
None
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Claim regarding a bicycle accident near El Conquistador
BACKGROUND OR DETAILED INFORMATION:
None
FISCAL IMPACT:
TBD
SUGGESTED MOTION:
I MOVE to direct our attorneys to proceed as directed in Executive Session.
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
Town Council Regular Session A.
Meeting Date:10/18/2023
Requested by: Mike Standish Submitted By:Michelle Stine, Town Clerk's Office
Department:Town Clerk's Office
SUBJECT:
Minutes - October 4, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
N/A
BACKGROUND OR DETAILED INFORMATION:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
SUGGESTED MOTION:
I MOVE to approve (approve with the following changes) the October 4, 2023 minutes.
Attachments
10-4-23 Draft Minutes
D R A F T
MINUTES
ORO VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR SESSION
OCTOBER 4, 2023
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 5:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Winfield called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Joseph C. Winfield, Mayor
Melanie Barrett, Vice-Mayor
Tim Bohen, Councilmember
Harry Greene, Councilmember
Joyce Jones-Ivey, Councilmember
Josh Nicolson, Councilmember
Steve Solomon, Councilmember
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1.Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03 (A)(3) to receive legal advice and A.R.S. §38-431.03 (A)(4) for possible litigation
regarding the notice of claims regarding Naranja Drive
Motion by Mayor Joseph C. Winfield, seconded by Councilmember Harry Greene to go into
Executive Session at 5:31 p.m., pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03 (A)(3) to receive legal advice and
A.R.S. §38-431.03 (A)(4) for possible litigation regarding the notice of claims regarding Naranja Drive.
Vote: 7 - 0 Carried
Mayor Winfield announced that the following staff would be joining Council in Executive Session:
Town Manager Jeff Wilkins, Deputy Town Manager Chris Cornelison, Town Attorney
Nathan Rothschild, Legal Services Director Tobin Sidles, Attorney from Humphry and Peterson, P.C.,
representing the Municipal Risk Pool, and Town Clerk Mike Standish.
RESUME REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 6:00 PM
10/4/23 Minutes, Oro Valley Town Council Regular and Study Session 1
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Winfield resumed the Regular Session at 6:09 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Joseph C. Winfield, Mayor
Melanie Barrett, Vice-Mayor
Tim Bohen, Councilmember
Harry Greene, Councilmember
Joyce Jones-Ivey, Councilmember
Josh Nicolson, Councilmember
Steve Solomon, Councilmember
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Winfield led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
UPCOMING MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Town Clerk Mike Standish announced the upcoming Town meetings.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS ON CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Jones-Ivey encouraged citizens to attend and participate in the Canyon Del Oro Project
Graduation event, Who Killed Tim Burton, to be held on October 13, 2023.
Mayor Winfield reported that he had attended an event to honor Jeremy Tarbet, Canyon Del Oro High
School's Automotive Technology Teacher, who had been awarded a $50,000 check from Harbor Freight
Tools for his teaching excellence. Mayor Winfield also reported that a ribbon cutting ceremony would be
held on Friday, October 13, 2023, for the grand opening of the Oro Valley Harbor Freight Tools location.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT ON CURRENT EVENTS
Town Manager Jeff Wilkins reported the following information:
The Oro Valley Community Academy would start on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
The Town had posted a video on YouTube called Know Your Town's Budget Fiscal Year 2023-24.
The Town had released a new This is Oro Valley podcast segment, regarding Parks and Recreation
activity programs.
The Town's HallOveen Spooktacular event would be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, and
costumes are encouraged.
10/4/23 Minutes, Oro Valley Town Council Regular and Study Session 2
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Mayor Winfield reviewed the order of business and stated the order would stand as posted.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
There were no informational items.
CALL TO AUDIENCE
Oro Valley resident Devin Smith voiced her concerns regarding the proposed Oro Valley Church
of the Nazarene rezoning request.
Oro Valley resident Mike Zinkin voiced his concerns regarding Town Policy 6.
Oro Valley resident Tim Tarris voiced his concerns regarding the proposed Oro Valley Church of
the Nazarene rezoning request.
Oro Valley resident Ann Young voiced her concerns regarding the proposed Oro Valley Church of
the Nazarene rezoning request.
PRESENTATIONS
There were no presentation items.
CONSENT AGENDA
A.Minutes - September 20, 2023
B.Resolution No. (R)23-36, authorizing the Town of Oro Valley (TOV) to enter into an
Intergovernmental Grant Agreement (IGA) with the City of Tucson (COT) for the purposes of
coordinating federal financial aid to obtain three (3) new replacement buses using the FTA
Urbanized Area 5307 Grant
Motion by Mayor Joseph C. Winfield, seconded by Councilmember Josh Nicolson to approve
Consent items (A) and (B).
Vote: 7 - 0 Carried
REGULAR AGENDA
1.RESOLUTION NO. (R)23-37, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE A LAND
WATER CONSERVATION GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000 FOR THE
NARANJA PARK SKATE/PUMP TRACK
Interim Parks and Recreation Director Matt Jankowski presented item #1 and provided an
overview of the grant award process.
10/4/23 Minutes, Oro Valley Town Council Regular and Study Session 3
Motion by Mayor Joseph C. Winfield, seconded by Councilmember Harry Greene to approve
Resolution No. (R)23-37, accepting a $1,000,000 grant award from Arizona State Parks Land
Water Conservation Fund.
Discussion ensued amongst Council and staff regarding item #1.
Motion by Mayor Joseph C. Winfield, seconded by Councilmember Harry Greene to approve
Resolution No. (R)23-37, accepting a $1,000,000 grant award from Arizona State Parks Land
Water Conservation Fund.
Vote: 7 - 0 Carried
2.DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING HOA CONTRIBUTIONS FOR GOLF
THROUGH THE COMMUNITY CENTER FUND
Councilmember Solomon introduced the item and explained the reason it was requested.
Discussion ensued amongst Council and staff regarding item #2.
The following individuals spoke regarding item #2.
Oro Valley resident Tony D'Angelo
Oro Valley resident John Cronin
Oro Valley resident Mike Zinkin
Oro Valley resident Richard Crocker
Oro Valley resident Niranjan Vescio
Oro Valley resident Steve Jones
Discussion continued amongst Council and staff regarding item #2.
Motion by Councilmember Steve Solomon, seconded by Councilmember Harry Greene to move
that Council direct town staff to meet with the HOA's contributing to the Golf Community Center
fund, regarding the detailed financials.
Discussion continued amongst Council and staff regarding item #2.
Councilmember Solomon requested an amendment to the main motion to remove the language;
staff to meet with the HOA's, and to add the language; to provide a report to the HOA's instead.
Seconded by Councilmember Greene.
Motion by Councilmember Steve Solomon, seconded by Councilmember Harry Greene FINAL
MOTION AS AMENDED to move that council direct town staff to provide a report for
the HOA's contributing to the Golf Community Center fund, regarding the detailed financials.
Vote: 7 - 0 Carried
10/4/23 Minutes, Oro Valley Town Council Regular and Study Session 4
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Solomon requested a future agenda item for the November 1, 2023, Council
meeting to include discussion and possible action regarding the formation of a Golf Advisory
Commission, seconded by Councilmember Greene.
Vice Mayor Barrett requested a future agenda item to include discussion and possible action of a
potential timeline or time limit for the public process of rezoning applications, seconded by
Councilmember Nicolson.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE REGULAR SESSION
Motion by Mayor Joseph C. Winfield, seconded by Vice-Mayor Melanie Barrett to adjourn the
Regular Session at 7:21 p.m.
Vote: 7 - 0 Carried
Mayor Winfield recessed the meeting at 7:22 p.m.
Mayor Winfield reconvened the meeting at 7:31 p.m.
STUDY SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Winfield called the Study Session to order at 7:32 p.m.
STUDY SESSION AGENDA
1.PRESENTATION AND POSSIBLE DISCUSSION REGARDING PLANS FOR THE TOWN'S 50TH
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Communications and Marketing Administrator Misti Nowak presented the proposed plans for the
Town's 50th Anniversary Celebration and included the following:
Strategic Plan Objective + SMART Goals
Budget
Sponsorship and Support
Primary Planning Component and Department Assignments
Primary Planning Components and Tentative Deliverables
Discussion ensued amongst Council and staff regarding Study Session item #1.
Council provided comments to staff and asked that staff explore the following activities and/or
events for the Town's 50th Anniversary Celebration. Council also asked that staff return with an
updated budget that meets the expectations for the Town's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Provide a parade for the 50th Anniversary Celebration
Host a big one-day Celebration event in April, to include various activities and games,
bouncy houses, live music, and food vendors
10/4/23 Minutes, Oro Valley Town Council Regular and Study Session 5
Further address opportunities to increase bandwidth by reaching out to the community,
groups, and Tribal Council for involvement opportunities
Plant 50 trees, possibly at Naranja Park or throughout the community
Provide various tournaments to highlight the Town's resources
Explore the concept of the OV 50 Bingo Card
Tap into local music talent
Provide school presentations
Public art scavenger hunt
Explore the feasibility of hiring an event planner to assist with organizing events
Continue planning of year-long celebration event to include monthly themes
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Winfield adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
__________________________________________
Michelle Stine, MMC
Deputy Town Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular and study
session of the Town of Oro Valley Council of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 4th day of October 2023. I further
certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
__________________________________________
Michael Standish, CMC
Town Clerk
10/4/23 Minutes, Oro Valley Town Council Regular and Study Session 6
Town Council Regular Session 3.
Meeting Date:10/18/2023
Requested by: Bayer Vella, Community and Economic Development
Submitted By:Milini Simms, Community and Economic Development
Case Number:2201754
SUBJECT:
DISCUSSION, PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROPOSED ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS TO THE
PRIVATE RECREATION AREA REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS, MULTI-FAMILY, AND
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS
A. RESOLUTION NO. (R)23-38, DECLARING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ORO VALLEY ZONING CODE
CHAPTER 23, ZONING DISTRICTS, CHAPTER 26, PROVISIONS FOR RECREATION AREA, CHAPTER 31 DEFINITIONS
AND OTHER RELATED SECTIONS IN ATTACHMENT 1 AND FILED WITH THE TOWN CLERK, A PUBLIC RECORD
B. PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE NO. (O)23-04, PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS TO THE ORO VALLEY ZONING
CODE CHAPTER 23, ZONING DISTRICTS, CHAPTER 26, PROVISIONS FOR RECREATION AREA, CHAPTER 31
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER RELATED SECTIONS
RECOMMENDATION:
Item A: Staff recommends approval of this administrative function to declare the proposed amendment a public record.
Item B: The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended conditional approval, subject to revising the language to ensure
the main playground structure is 100% fully shaded, but allowing standalone structures that are secondary in size and
location, such as a swing set, to be unshaded. The proposed code and associated ordinance has been updated to address
this condition.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Item A (Attachment 1): This is solely an administrative function to declare the proposed amendment as a public record.
Item B (Attachment 2): The purpose of the proposed code amendments is to update the private recreation area requirements,
including the size, type of amenities and in-lieu fee options for new residential subdivisions, multi-family and mixed-use
developments. If approved, the proposed code amendments will only apply to private recreation areas in all new residential
developments. With the exception of the increase in the private recreation area size requirement, which is only applicable to
rezoning requests. The code amendments will not apply to:
Public parks
Existing private recreation areas unless redevelopment is proposed
Project Origin:
Examining and updating the Town's private recreation area requirements was an objective in the Town Council's Strategic
Leadership Plan (SLP). Specifically, as part of the SLP, the Town Council directed staff to examine methods that would "
prioritize larger neighborhood area parks and amenities as outlined in the Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment."
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan identified the park size and amenities that homeowner associations should provide to
meet the recommended level of service standards. The plan states, "homeowner associations should be expected to develop
16 acres of neighborhood parks by 2035. It is recommended that the size of each neighborhood park be no less than 2 acres.
If the developer cannot provide a park of this size, the Town should consider receiving cash in-lieu." Additionally, basketball
courts, playgrounds and ramadas in private recreation areas are recommended. These recommendations were based on
significant community input that was collected during the Parks and Recreation Master Planning process, including a
town-wide survey.
Process:
Staff's research and key aspects of the code amendment were presented at study sessions to the Planning and Zoning
Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Town Council for guidance. A complete list of the comments and
questions with staff responses is included Attachment 3. This information was also discussed with the Southern Arizona Home
Builders Association (SAHBA) and staff reached out to the Metropolitan Pima Alliance (MPA) in August 2022.
To help respond to some of the feedback and gather additional input, board members of HOAs with private parks were
surveyed. The survey had 18 responses, representing 24 private recreation areas. Despite the low response rate, the
surveyed. The survey had 18 responses, representing 24 private recreation areas. Despite the low response rate, the
information is helpful in providing some insight about private parks. The survey identified the type of amenities and location as
primary determinants of a park's use and benefit to the community. An analysis of the survey responses is included in
Attachment 4.
The research, study session feedback, survey responses and stakeholder input were used to create a refined code draft. This
draft was presented to PRAB, SAHBA and the Metropolitan Pima Alliance (MPA) in August 2023.Two additional focus group
meetings were held with SAHBA to gather feedback and address some concerns. A letter from SAHBA is included in
Attachment 5 with staff responses in Attachment 6.
Proposed Code Amendments:
The proposed code amendments aim to meet the objectives of the SLP and incorporate elements of feedback provided from
the PRAB, PZC, Town Council, the survey, and stakeholders.
SLP: Prioritize larger neighborhood area parks.
1. Consolidate recreation areas
Objective: Create adequately sized, meaningful recreation areas that provide a central focal space for gathering,
passive and active amenities.
Existing code: There is no mechanism to consolidate the private recreation areas.
Finding: This can result in smaller, scattered parks throughout a subdivision or residential development. The utility of a
park significantly decreases when it gets too small.
Feedback from Study Sessions & HOA's:
Agreement from all three bodies (PZC, PRAB and Town Council) that larger, consolidated parks are best.
However, special circumstances may arise warranting flexibility.
All three bodies were concerned with the mechanics and feasibility of requiring adjacent subdivisions to develop
larger, shared recreation areas.
Almost half (47%) of the survey respondents (HOA board members) agreed that having one, larger, centrally
located private park is better than having multiple, smaller, private park areas spread throughout the
development.
Location and accessibility were themes throughout the survey responses. Both were key determinants for
the usability of a park.
Proposed code:
Requires private recreation areas be consolidated into no more than 2 areas, unless further distribution is
warranted and approved by the Town Council. Factors that warrant further distribution include site constraints
(e.g., topography, drainage, etc.), improved access or the ability to provide a better variety of amenities.
The requirement for adjacent subdivisions to develop a larger, shared recreation area would only apply to areas
where a rezoning or master-planned development (e.g. Rancho Vistos and Capella) results in more than one
residential subdivision. An example of a larger, shared recreation area that resulted from the rezoning process is
the park between Alterra and Valley Vista. Due to the limited amount of land remaining in Oro Valley, both
scenarios are most likely to occur if land is annexed into the Town.
2. Increase or establish the size of recreation areas.
Objective:Improve utility and use by creating larger parks with more space for amenities.
Existing code:
The zoning code requires 1 acre/ 85 units (equivalent of 512 sf/ lot) of private recreation area for all new
residential subdivisions.
There is not a clearly defined amount of recreation space required for multi-family and mixed-use developments.
Instead, those zoning districts have an open space requirement to include a tot lot (if applicable). Indoor
recreation is also required in R-6, a multi-family zoning district.
Finding: Oro Valley's recreation area size requirement for single-family subdivisions is low compared to some other
southern Arizona jurisdictions. The portion of open space that must have amenities for passive and active recreation is
unclear for multi-family and mixed-use developments.
Feedback from Study Sessions:
The proposed increase was positively received by the Planning and Zoning Commission, Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board and Town Council to meet the need for larger, neighborhood parks.
PRAB and Town Council directed staff to ensure the open space requirement for multi-family zoning districts is
maintained.
The PZC and Town Council guided staff to require the recreation area for apartments on a per-unit basis (similar
to single-family subdivisions).
Proposed code:
Increase the amount of private recreation area to 900 sf/lot for all rezoning requests to develop detached
single-family homes, attached townhomes or patio homes.
There are no changes to the amount of open space required in all multi-family and mixed-use zoning districts.
Instead, the code stipulates the portion of the open space must be a recreation area.
For apartments, the amount of recreation area proposed is 400 sf/unit. This is an increase to the amount of
recreation area currently provided in apartments.
3. Prioritize high-value recreation areas.
Objective: Increase utility by eliminating very small parks with little space for amenities while providing an equitable
alternative for smaller residential projects.
Existing code: There is no minimum size requirement for private recreation areas in the code. Town Council may
approve an in-lieu in exchange for providing private recreation areas if the subdivision has access to a public park and
this alternative approach is beneficial to future residents. In-lieu fees may satisfy a portion or all of the private rec
requirement. In-lieu fees are collected once, prior to construction and used for improvements to town park facilities.
Finding: This can result in very small private recreation areas with minimal space to provide a variety of amenities.
Private recreation areas less than a 1/4 acre in size have low recreational value.
Feedback from Study Sessions & HOA's:
Agreement that very small parks have limited capacity to provide usable and meaningful recreation space.
PRAB had concerns about automatically requiring an in-lieu fee instead of a minimum park size.
Town Council provided guidance to require in-lieu fees be used at private or public park facilities within a 1/2 mile
distance from the associated project.
Survey respondents with smaller parks identified the location and type of amenities, including shade structures,
as the main determinants of their use and frequency.
Proposed code:
Requires an in-lieu fee for private recreation areas that are 1/4 acre or less, so no more smaller parks are
developed.
The ability to request an in-lieu fee for larger subdivisions is maintained but further restricted to only satisfy the
portion of the rec area that is more than a 1/4 acre. Requests must show access to a public rec area within a 1/2
mile of the project.
Collected in-lieu fees must be used for improvements to the public recreation facility closest to the subject project.
Over the course of the study sessions, a suggestion was made to use in-lieu fees private recreation areas that are
in proximity to the subject site. In consultation with the town's legal department, using in-lieu fees on private
facilities is outside of the town's authority. The town cannot require a developer to contribute to a private park
space, nor can we require an adjacent subdivision to open their park to residents outside of their area.
SLP: Proritize amenities.
4. Provide meaningful amenities
Objective: Ensure a variety of passive and active amenities for all ages and abilities is provided.
Existing code/Finding:
There are no specific provisions in the Zoning Code to ensure meaningful amenities in private rec areas.
Other than indoor rec and a tot-lot, the code does not specify the number or type of amenities required in
multi-family or mixed-use developments.
Feedback from Study Sessions & HOA's:
Agreement that a variety of amenities for all ages and abilities encourages park use.
Seating, shading, and pedestrian connectivity were highly ranked as amenities most used and needed in private
recreation areas by survey respondents. Nearly all (94%) of the respondents found these amenities important to
the usefulness of a park.
The PZC raised concerns about the amount of irrigation needed in larger parks and ensuring there is adequate
shade over play areas.
PRAB was concerned about ongoing costs for residents to maintain amenities, such as the shade structures.
All three bodies gave guidance to ensure a variety of amenities are provided to serve future residents' needs.
Specifically, PRAB was concerned with having duplicate amenities and the Town Council asked for flexibility to
approve comparable amenities not listed in the code.
Proposed code:
Requires minimum amenities for every private recreation area, such as seating, shade structures, and pedestrian
connectivity.
Updates to the menu of active and passive amenities to incorporate more variety, and allow flexibility to use
comparable amenities not included on the list. The proposed code also allows the Town Council to replace
proposed amenities to reduce duplication and/or improve the variety of amenities provided.
Irrigation - Only allows 15% of the total private recreation area to be natural turf, unless a sports field or similar
amenity is approved by the Town Council. The 15% of natural turf must be for activity (free play, gathering) and
not decorative.
Play equipment shading - Requires 100% of play equipment and the associated fall zone (safety area around all
equipment that is typically 6 feet) to be fully shaded, which is an increase to the existing code. However,
standalone equipment such as swing sets must be spaced away from other equipment and have a substantial fall
zone for safety. To address this nuance and the Planning and Zoning Commission's condition of approval,
language was added to allow the Planning and Zoning Administrator to reduce or waive the shading requirement
when the structure is detached and peripheral to a main structure or requires a fall zone of more than 6 feet.
The proposed code amendments are supported by the General Plan's guiding principles and policies. The Planning and
Zoning Commission (for draft minutes, see Attachment 7) recommended conditional approval subject to revising language to
ensure the main playground structure is 100% fully shaded, but allowing standalone structures that are secondary in size and
location, such as a swing set, to be unshaded. This condition has been addressed in the proposed code amendment presented
to the Town Council.
BACKGROUND OR DETAILED INFORMATION:
Review of current private recreation area requirements in the Zoning Code was prioritized by the Town Council through the
Review of current private recreation area requirements in the Zoning Code was prioritized by the Town Council through the
Strategic Leadership Plan FY21/22-22/23:
Review Town codes related to recreation amenity requirements for residential subdivisions and recommend updates
that will prioritize larger neighborhood area parks and amenities as outlined in the Parks and Recreation Needs
Assessment.
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan identified specific items needed to improve the level of service in private recreation
areas. This included constructing larger, neighborhood parks (no less than 2 acres) with space to provide basketball courts,
playgrounds and ramadas.
In coordination with the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Department and PROS Consulting, planning staff conducted
extensive research to identify methods to prioritize larger private recreation areas and enhanced amenities for more
meaningful recreation areas.The proposed changes prioritize the objectives of the SLP and also achieve greater parity with
the requirements of other jurisdictions in southern Arizona, particularly Pima County.
Key findings and associated solutions were presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB), Planning and
Zoning Commission (PZC) and Town Council through study sessions held in 2022 and 2023. Additional public input was
gathered from residents and key stakeholders through:
A survey (Attachment 4) to HOA boards responsible for private parks was conducted to understand the value of smaller
parks, use of amenities and maintenance needs.
Several meetings with key stakeholders representing the development community, through the Southern Arizona Home
Builders Association (SAHBA) and Metropolitan Pima Alliance. A representative from the Arizona Multi-housing
Association was also informed of the code changes. Please see the "public notice and outreach" section of this report
for specifics.
The proposed code amendments aim to meet the SLP objectives and incorporate some of the feedback from the study
sessions, stakeholder meetings and survey.
DETAILED ANALYSIS:
Key elements of the proposed code amendments (Attachment 2) are provided below, followed by the study session
feedback/survey responses in italics and staff responses.
SLP: Prioritize larger neighborhood area parks.
1. Consolidate recreation areas
Objective: Create adequately sized, meaningful recreation areas that provide a central focal space for gathering,
passive and active amenities.
Existing code: There is no mechanism to consolidate private recreation areas.
Finding: The existing code can lead to smaller, scattered parks spread throughout a subdivision or residential
development. The utility of a park significantly decreases when it gets too small.
Proposed code amendment :
Require private rec areas to be consolidated into no more than 2 areas for individual residential projects.
Require adjacent subdivisions resulting from rezoning or within master-planned areas to have larger, shared
recreation areas.
Feedback from Study Sessions and HOA's: Agreement from all three bodies (PZC, PRAB and Town Council) that larger,
consolidated parks are best. However, guidance was given from PRAB and the Town Council to allow further distribution, if
warranted, for projects developing in phases or to locate the recreation area within a 1/2 mile from the residents it is intended
to serve.
Flexibility to allow further distribution on a case-by-case basis was supported by the survey. Almost half (47%) of the
respondents agreed having one larger, centrally located private rec area was better than having several, smaller recreation
areas spread throughout the development. The other half (52%) were mostly neutral with some respondents in disagreement.
The mechanism and feasibility of requiring adjacent subdivisions, which may be built by different developers with separate
homeowner associations, to develop larger, shared recreation areas was a key concern from PRAB, the Planning and Zoning
Commission, and Town Council.
Staff responses and additional code changes: Flexibility to allow Town Council approval of further distribution when warranted
due to topography, to meet or exceed the 1/2 mile distance requirement or to provide a better variety of amenities is included
in the proposed code language.
The requirement for adjacent subdivisions to develop a larger, shared recreation area would only apply to areas where a
rezoning or master-planned development resulted in more than one residential subdivision. Master development plans are
already required by code for larger areas that need to be cohesively designed. An example of a recent master planned area
is Capella, located near the northwest corner of La Cholla Blvd. and Lambert Lane. The Capella plan lays out the residential,
commercial and recreation areas for the entire 207 acre area. These types of developments typically have a master HOA,
similar to Rancho Vistoso (also a master-planned community) that is responsible for all of the recreation areas.
An example of a rezoning that resulted in a shared recreation area is the park between the Alterra and Valley Vista
subdivisions in Rancho Vistoso. Due to the limited amount of large pieces of land remaining in Oro Valley, both scenarios are
only likely to occur through annexations.
2. Increase or establish the size of recreation areas.
Objective: Improve utility and use by creating larger parks with more space for amenities.
Existing code:
Requires 1 acre per 85 units (512 sf./unit) for single-family subdivisions.
There is no rec requirement for multi-family or mixed-use developments. Rather, the multi-family zoning districts
have an open space requirement that includes the required recreational amenities, such as a tot lot.
Finding: Oro Valley's recreation area size requirement for single-family subdivisions is low compared to some other
southern Arizona jurisdictions. The portion of open space that must be used for passive and active recreation is unclear
for multi-family and mixed-use developments.
Proposed code:
Increase the amount of private recreation area for residential subdivisions to 900 sf/unit when a rezoning is
required.
Establish the portion of open space that must be useable rec area for townhomes, patio homes, or apartments.
Feedback from Study Sessions: The proposed increase was received positively by PRAB, PZC and Town Council to meet
the need and recommendations in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Town Council had concerns that an increase to the required rec size could be unlawful as a taking. Guidance to ensure the
open space requirements for multi-family zoning districts are maintained was received from both PRAB and the Town Council.
The PZC and Town Council also guided staff to require rec space for apartments on a per unit basis (similar to single-family
homes).
Staff responses and additional code language: The proposed increase from 512 sf/unit to 900 sf/unit will only apply to
rezoning applications for compliance with State law.
The amount of open space required in each multi-family zoning district is maintained. The proposed code amendments clarify
that a portion of the open space must be usable for recreation with passive (e.g., walking paths) and active (e.g., ball courts)
amenities.
Upon further research of other Arizona jurisdictions and existing developments within Oro Valley, the recreation requirement
for apartments is proposed at 400 sf./unit. This reflects a similar amount of open space currently provided in OV apartments
but does require more of the open space to be an amenitized rec area. It is more than required by some other
jurisdictions. The chart below shows the amount of recreation area required for each housing type.
3. Prioritize high-value private recreation areas
Objective: Increase utility by eliminating very small parks with little space for amenities while providing an equitable
alternative for smaller residential projects.
Existing code: There is no minimum size requirement for private recreation areas in the code. Town Council may
approve in-lieu fees to satisfy a portion or all of the recreation area requirements for residential subdivisions. Approval is
based on proximity to a public park facility, the amount of the in-lieu fee, and benefit to future residents.
Finding: Since there is no minimum size requirement for private recreation areas, small private recreation areas with
minimal space to provide a variety of amenities may be constructed. Private recreation areas less than a 1/4 acre in
size have low recreational value.
Proposed code:
Require in-lieu fees for private recreation areas that are 1/4 acre or less. This equates to a residential project that
has 21 residential units or less or a rezoning with 12 residential units or less.
Maintain the ability for Town Council to approve an in-lieu fee for larger subdivisions but restrict it to only satisfy a
portion of the rec area requirement. This ensures some recreation space is installed in residential projects
requiring more than 1/4 acre of rec space.
Feedback from Study Sessions and HOA's: Agreement that smaller parks have limited capacity to provide usable and
meaningful recreation space.
PRAB had concerns about automatically requiring an in-lieu fee rather than a minimum size for a recreation area. Additional
concern about the use of in-lieu fees on private or public facilities further than a 1/2 mile away from the subject project was
provided by the Town Council.
To help understand the value of mini parks (1/4 acre or less), staff surveyed HOA boards that are responsible for private
recreation areas of all sizes. Most (71%) respondents with mini parks stated they were used often - very often because of
their location and types of amenities, including shading. Location and the types of amenities, including shading, were also the
primary determinants for smaller parks that were rarely used.
Staff responses and additional code language: Requiring an in-lieu fee for projects that would have private parks smaller than
a 1/4 acre ensures enough usable space is available to provide the minimum amenities required (shading, seating, pedestrian
connectivity) and a variety of amenities to appeal to residents. It also provides an equitable alternative for smaller residential
projects. Smaller projects could range from 3 units to 21 units. Staff finds requiring every project to have a minimum 1/4 acre
rec area will have a larger, inequitable impact on a 3-unit project than a 21-unit project.
Language requiring in-lieu fees to be used for public rec facilities closest to the associated project has been included. The
suggestion to use in-lieu fees in private recreation areas that are closer to the subject development was considered. However,
this would be outside of the town's authority. In consultation with the town's legal department, the town cannot require a
developer to contribute to a private park space, nor can we require an adjacent subdivision to open their park to residents
outside of their area.
Historically, very few requests to utilize an in-lieu fee have been made (roughly 3 in the past 20 years). The new requirement
to automatically collect in-lieu fees for parks a 1/4 acre or less will also be a rare occurance. Only 10 of the 52 existing
private recreation areas were less than a 1/4 acre.
SLP: Prioritize amenities.
4. Provide meaningful amenities.
Objective: Ensure a variety of passive and active amenities for all ages and abilities is provided.
Existing code/Finding:
There are no specific provisions in the Zoning Code to ensure meaningful amenities in private rec areas.
Other than indoor rec and a tot-lot, the code does not specify the number or type of amenities required in
multi-family or mixed-use developments.
Proposed code:
Requires minimum amenities such as seating and shade for every recreation area and updates the menu of
active and passive amenities allowed.
In addition to the minimum amenities, every recreation area must have at least 1 active and 1 passive amenity.
For every additional 1/2 acre, another active or passive amenity must be included. These requirements apply to
residential subdivisions, multi-family and mixed-use developments.
Feedback from Study Sessions and HOA's: Agreement that a variety of amenities for all ages and abilities encourages park
use.
Survey respondents identified the type of amenities as a main determinant for a private park's useability. Seating, shading and
pedestrian connectivity were very important amenities, supported by 94% of respondents.
PRAB had concerns about duplicate amenities being installed. Similarly, the Town Council provided guidance to allow
flexibility to approve comparable amenities unlisted to meet residents' needs (e.g. seniors) and achieve a variety of amenities.
The PZC raised concerns about the amount of turf allowed in bigger parks and the amount of shading provided over play areas.
Staff responses and additional code language: The proposed code includes language to allow the Town Council to replace
proposed amenities with others or approve comparable amenities not listed in the code in order to achieve a high variety and
meet the needs of future residents.
With regards to irrigation, the code amendments maintain the limitation of natural turf (15% of the total recreation area) in
private rec areas unless a sports field or similar amenity is approved by the Town Council. The 15% of turf area must be used
for activities and not for decorative purposes.
Lastly, the code amendments require all play equipment and the associated fall zone to be fully shaded. This is an increase
from the existing code which only requires small play equipment (or a portion of larger pieces) to be shaded. This will likely
result in play equipment being clustered together to fit under one shade structure. However, consideration should be given to
standalone equipment that must be spaced out from others or require a substantial fall zone (e.g. swingsets). The Planning
and Zoning Commission recommended conditional approval to address this nuance. Since the Planning and Zoning
Commission meeting, language has been added to allow the Planning and Zoning Administrator to reduce or waive the
shading requirements for detached play structures that are peripheral to a main play structure or those that require a fall zone
greater than 6 feet.
GENERAL PLAN COMPLIANCE
The proposed code amendments are in conformance with all the applicable guiding principles and policies in the General
Plan. This includes the 7 following guiding principles, goals or policies (out of 113):
Guiding Principle: Provide more parks, recreation and cultural opportunities for all ages.
Guiding Principle: Keep Oro Valley a family-friendly community.
Goal E: A high-quality parks, recreation and open space system that is accessible, comprehensive, connected,
integrated, and serves the community’s needs.
Policy CC.1:Promote the overall physical and social health of the community.
Policy CC.2: Provide appropriate park facilities and services for residents of all ages in the community.
Policy CC.3: Link existing and planned neighborhoods with parks and open spaces by incorporating paths and trail
facilities.
Goal V: Neighborhoods that include access and effective transitions to open space, recreation and schools and that are
supported by shopping and services which meet daily needs.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND OUTREACH
Public notice has been provided as stated below.
All HOAs in Town were notified of this hearing
Ad in the Daily Territorial Newspaper
Public hearing notices were posted at Town Hall and on the Town's websites.
Staff's research and key aspects of the proposed code
amendment were presented to the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board (PRAB), Planning and Zoning
Commission, and Town Council for guidance.
An update on the proposed code amendments was
provided to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on
August 1, 2023 (click here for recording of meeting). A
complete list of questions and comments received from
these study sessions and the August meeting with
PRAB, along with staff responses, is included in
Attachment 3.
In addition to the town's decision-making bodies, staff
also gathered feedback from key stakeholders in the
development community through the Southern Arizona
Home Builders Association (SAHBA), Metropolitan Pima
Alliance (MPA). A representative from the Arizona
Multi-Housing Association was also informed of the
changes.
MPA had several clarifying questions about the dedication of private rec areas to the Town, amenities to benefit future
residents, rec requirements for apartments, and the ability to further distribute rec areas (more than 2 times) when
warranted.
A representative from the Arizona Multi-Housing Association also had several clarifying questions regarding the
recreation requirement for apartments.
SAHBA had several concerns that are detailed in a letter in Attachment 5 . The primary areas of concerns are listed below
with staff responses in Attachment 6.
Consolidating recreation areas
Increase in recreation area size (applicable to rezoning requests only)
In-lieu fee calculations
Amenity requirements
Shading over playground equipment
Review process
Staff met with a small focus group of SAHBA members on August 31 and September 27, 2023 to further discuss their
concerns and the proposed code amendments. Some concerns addressed in the proposed code amendment include:
Requiring tot lots in all residential projects - Staff initially proposed tot lots in all projects. However, to prioritize the
needs of future residents, the existing code provision has been maintained, which includes a playground in the list of
potential amenities instead of making it a requirement. The exception is for apartments with more than 50, 2-bedroom units.
Clarifying the process for recreation area plans - Recreation area plans require consideration by the Planning and
Zoning Commission and Town Council during the development review process. However, a recreation area proposed to
be dedicated to the town (over 3 acres) must also be considered by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Shading - Per the Planning and Zoning Commission's condition of approval, this concern has been addressed
Clarification of enhanced amenities - Clarification that community swimming pools in single-family residential
subdivisions are an enhanced amenity is provided in the code amendment.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
On September 5, 2023, the Planing and Zoning Commission (Attachment 7) recommended conditional approval of the
proposed code amendments, subject to revising the language to ensure the main playground structure is 100% fully shaded,
but allowing standalone structures that are secondary in size and location, such as a swing set, to be unshaded . To fulfill this
condition, language was added to allow the Planning and Zoning Administrator to reduce or waive this requirement when a
play structure is detached and peripheral to a main play structure or requires a fall zone greater than 6 feet (e.g. a swing set).
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
The proposed code amendments provide provisions to priorize larger private recreation areas and enhance amenities to
ensure private parks are functional for residents in subdivisions, multi-family and mixed-use developments. The proposed
amendments support the objective of the SLP item adopted by the Town Council and incorporate feedback received from the
study sessions, survey and stakeholders.
The proposed code amendments are in conformance with the General Plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended conditional approval, subject to revising language to ensure the main playground structure is 100% fully
shaded, but allowing standalone structures that are secondary in size and location, such as a swing set, to be unshaded. This
condition has been addressed in the proposed code amendment being presented to Town Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
SUGGESTED MOTION:
The Town Council may consider the following motions:
ITEM A:
Item A: I MOVE to (Approve or Deny) Resolution No. (R)23-38, declaring the proposed amendments to the Oro Valley Zoning
Code in Attachment 1 and, as filed with the Town Clerk, a public record.
ITEM B:
I MOVE to APPROVE Ordinance (O)23-04, proposed code amendments to Chapter 23, Chapter 26, Chapter 31, and other
related sections of the zoning code based on the finding that they are in conformance with the General Plan.
OR
I MOVE to DENY Ordinance (O)23-04, proposed code amendments to Chapter 23, Chapter 26, Chapter 31, and other related
sections of the zoning code based on the finding__________________.
Attachments
ATTACHMENT 1 - Resolution (R)23-38
ATTACHMENT 2 - Ordinance (O)23-04
ATTACHMENT 3 - STUDY SESSION FEEDBACK AND STAFF RESPONSES
ATTACHMENT 4 - PRIVATE PARK SURVEY
ATTACHMENT 5 - SAHBA LETTER
ATTACHMENT 6 - STAFF RESPONSES TO SAHBA LETTER
ATTACHMENT 7 - PZC DRAFT MINUTES 9.5.2023
Staff Presentation
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RESOLUTION NO. (R)23-38
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA, DECLARING AS A
PUBLIC RECORD THE PRIVATE RECREATION AREA CODE
AMENDMENTS, ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT “A” AND
FILED WITH THE TOWN CLERK
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ORO
VALLEY, ARIZONA, that the Private Recreation Area Code Amendments, attached
hereto as Exhibit “A”, three copies of which are on file in the Office of the Town Clerk,
is hereby declared to be a public record, and s aid copies are ordered to remain on file
with the Town Clerk.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Oro Valley,
Arizona, this 18th day of October, 2023.
TOWN OF ORO VALLEY
Joseph Winfield, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Michael Standish, Town Clerk Tobin Sidles, Legal Services Director
Date: Date:
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EXHIBIT “A”
Amendments to Chapter 22, Chapter 23, Chapter 26, Chapter 27, and Chapter 31 of the Zoning Code.
Deletions shown with strikethrough and ADDITIONS shown in all CAPS.
Section 22.9.C. Authorities
DEPARTMENT OR
AGENCY
TABLE 22-9B. REVIEW AUTHORITY
Planning and Zoning Reviews features related to site, landscape, and architecture
design for compliance with applicable zoning requirements,
design principles and standards, and the general plan
Public Works Reviews features related to drainage, floodplains, and roadways
for compliance with adopted street and drainage standards
Water Utility Reviews features related to water use and infrastructure
Parks and Recreation Reviews features related parks and recreation facilities,
including trails for compliance with the applicable maps, plans
or policies
Police Department Reviews features related to public safety and police protection,
SUCH AS CONFORMANCE TO CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH
ENVIRONMENT DESIGN (CPTED) ELEMENTS.
Fire District Reviews features related to public safety and fire protection for
compliance with adopted fire codes
Pima County Wastewater Reviews features related to sewage disposal
Arizona Department of
Transportation
Reviews right-of-way and intersection design for land abutting a
state highway
Utilities and other
agencies
All applicable utilities and other agencies affected shall review
for compliance with their adopted codes
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Section 23.7 Property Development Standards for Multi-Family Residential
Districts
B. R-4 Townhouse Residential District
The provisions of Section 23.4 and the following additional requirements shall apply in this district.
1. Density
The minimum gross land area per dwelling unit shall be five thousand four hundred fifty (5,450)
square feet.
2. Open Space AND RECREATION Requirements
A minimum of ten percent (10%) of the total gross land area of the development shall be set
aside AS OPEN SPACE IN THE FOLLOWING PROPORTIONS, for recreation uses or other common
landscaped areas unless the overall density of the development is less than five (5) units per acre.
The Town Council may waive this requirement because of the relationship of the development to
an existing public park or recreation area.
a. RECREATIONAL SPACE SHALL BE PROVIDED, SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION
26.5 AND THE FOLLOWING:
i. All accessory buildings for recreational purposes shall not occupy more than
fourteen percent (14%) of the total area reserved for recreational uses and other
common landscaped areas.
b. THE REMAINDER OF THE REQUIRED OPEN SPACE SHALL BE PROVIDED IN COMMON
OPEN SPACE.
C. R-4R Resort District
The provisions of Section 23.4 and the following additional requirements shall apply in this district.
1. Density
a. The minimum gross land area per guest room shall be four thousand two hundred fifty
(4,250) square feet.
b. The minimum gross land area per dwelling unit shall be fifteen thousand (15,000) square
feet.
c. The total acreage required by subsections B.1.a and b of this section shall not exceed the
gross acreage of the property.
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2. Open Space AND RECREATION Requirements
a. Buildings may cover COVERAGE SHALL NOT EXCEED an aggregate area of twenty-five
percent (25%), excluding parking areas.
b. SITES DEVELOPED WITH RESIDENTIAL USES SHALL PROVIDE RECREATIONAL SPACE,
SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5.
c. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH A RESORT, AND ACCESSIBLE TO
RESIDENTS, MAY BE CREDITED TOWARDS THE RECREATION REQUIREMENTS.
D. R-S Residential Service District
3. Open Space AND RECREATION Requirements
a. There shall be a minimum of thirty-six percent (36%) of the net lot area in open space.
b. Open space shall be provided in the following proportions:
i. A minimum of twelve percent (12%) of the net lot area shall be provided as
frontage open space to provide a setting for the building, visual continuity
within the community and a variety of spaces in the streetscape, except that
the frontage open space shall not be required to exceed fifty (50) square feet
per one (1) foot on public street frontage, excluding drives.
Exception: Where a lot has two (2) or more street frontages, there shall be no
less than twenty (20) square feet of open space per one (1) foot of street
frontage for one (1) street, and no less than ten (10) square feet of open space
per one (1) foot of street frontage, excluding drives for other street(s). In no
case shall a building be closer than twenty (20) feet to the front lot line.
ii. A private outdoor living space shall be provided adjoining each dwelling unit
equal to a minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the gross size of the dwelling
unit, except that dwelling units above the first story shall provide space equal
to a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the gross size of the dwelling unit.
Outdoor living space on the ground level may be included in the open space
requirements.
iii. SITES DEVELOPED WITH RESIDENTIAL USES, OR A COMBINATION OF
RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL USES, SHALL PROVIDE RECREATIONAL
SPACE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5.
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iv. The remainder of the required open space shall be provided in common open
space.
E. R-6 Multi-Family Residential District
3. Open Space AND RECREATION Requirements
Development of all R-6 zoned property shall provide a minimum of thirty-five percent (35%) of
the net lot area as open space in the following proportions:
a. Each lot shall contain a minimum of two hundred fifty (250) square feet of usable
outdoor living space for each dwelling unit, exclusive of front yards. (MOVED TO
SECTION 26.5)
b. SITES DEVELOPED WITH RESIDENTIAL USES, OR A COMBINATION OF RESIDENTIAL AND
NON-RESIDENTIAL USES, SHALL PROVIDE RECREATIONAL SPACE SUBJECT TO THE
REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5 AND THE FOLLOWING:
b. Not less than fifty percent (50%) of said required space shall be provided in a single
common area, with a minimum dimension of twenty (20) feet at any point. (MOVED AND
REVISED IN SECTION 26.5.C.1).
i. Portions of THE REAR AND SIDE yards (excluding the front yards) which are
contiguous with, and an integral part of, the outdoor living space may be included in
calculating the area and minimum dimensions of such space. THE RECREATION AREA.
ii. Pools and paved recreation areas may be developed AS PART OF in the required
common space.
c. A private outdoor living space shall be provided adjoining each dwelling unit, equal to a
minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the gross size of the dwelling unit, except that dwelling
units above the first story shall provide such space equal to a minimum of ten percent (10%)
of the gross size of the dwelling unit. Outdoor living space on ground level may be included
in the open space requirement.
i. Outdoor living areas shall be reasonably accessible to dwelling units served
ii. Driveways and landscaping within driveway areas shall not be included in
calculations of outdoor space.
f. The remainder of the required open space shall be provided in landscaped or natural
COMMON open space.
7. Recreational Facilities
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a. Wherever there is constructed on a lot, or contiguous lots, multiple dwellings which
have fifty (50) or more dwelling units, an active outdoor recreational facility shall be
provided for the occupants of said units. In addition to the active outdoor recreation area,
an indoor recreational facility shall also be provided for the occupants of said dwelling units.
The recreational facility may be used as the leasing, sales, or manager’s office, but that use
may not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the gross floor area. The balance of the facilities
shall include group meeting facilities and facilities for exercise, table sports, and games.
(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.1)
b. Wherever there is constructed a multiple dwelling which has twenty (20) or more
dwelling units, there shall be provided on the lot site of said multiple dwellings a play area
for children. Said play area shall be separated from any private access ways and public
streets by a fence or wall. The tot lot requirement shall be excluded from a senior citizens
development. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.1)
Section 26.5 Provision of Recreational Area
A. Applicability
The provision of recreational facilities shall be required of all residential subdivisions, MULTI-FAMILY
OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS, except those located within the R1-36, R1-43, R1-144, and R1-300
Zoning Districts, unless utilizing the lot size reduction flexible design option enabled by Section 27.10.
B. Recreational Area Plan Submittal and Approval
1. The developer shall submit a LANDSCAPE AND recreational area plan AS PART OF THE
PRELIMINARY PLAT OR DEVELOPMENT PLAN SUBMITTAL PACKAGE. THE RECREATION AREA
SHALL to include the minimum improvements for recreational purposes as required by
subsection D of this section.
2. The LANDSCAPE AND recreational area plan shall be submitted and reviewed by Town Council
concurrently with the preliminary plat. SUBJECT TO RECOMMENDATION BY THE PLANNING
AND ZONING COMMISSION AND APPROVAL FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL, CONCURRENTLY
WITH THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OR DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
3. Approval of the plan by the Town Council, after review and recommendations by the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board (for public recreational areas and the Planning and Zoning
Commission (for private recreational areas) shall be a prerequisite to approval of the final plat
(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.E.2).
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3. All recreational area plans shall be reviewed by the Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) for
conformance to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) design elements
contained in subsection D.5 of this section. (MOVED TO THE TABLE 22-9B)
4. HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION OR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT REQUESTS TO MODIFY EXISTING
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES modification of facilities and amenities depicted on the approved
recreational area plan ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
a. Modifications deemed necessary and beneficial to provide for the recreational needs of
residents THAT MAINTAIN PARITY WITH THE QUANTITY AND TYPE OF AMENITIES
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED are REVIEWED AND MAY BE APPROVED subject to approval by
the Parks and Recreation Director (RECREATIONAL AREAS DEDICATED TO THE TOWN
ONLY) and THE Planning and Zoning Administrator (PRIVATE RECREATIONAL AREAS).
b. All modifications shall conform CONFORMANCE to the provisions of this code.
C. Minimum Recreation Area Standards
1. THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF RECREATION AREA AND PRIVATE OUTDOOR SPACE ARE
ESTABLISHED IN TABLE 26-1 AND SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
A. RECREATION AREAS SHALL BE PROVIDED IN NO MORE THAN TWO COMMON AREAS
UNLESS FURTHER DISTRIBUTION IS APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL DUE TO ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING:
i. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS SIZE, SHAPE OR TOPOGRAPHY APPLY TO THE
PROPERTY
ii. THE DISTANCE FROM RESIDENTS THE RECREATION AREA IS SERVING MEETS OR
EXCEEDS THE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5.C.2.
iii. THE VARIETY OF AMENITIES PROVIDED MEETS OR EXCEEDS THE
REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5.D.
B. RECREATION AREAS SHALL NOT BE NARROWER THAN SIXTY (60) FEET WIDE AT ANY
GIVEN POINT UNLESS APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL DUE TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
i. THE RECREATION AREA IS A TRAIL OR LINEAR PARK
ii. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS SIZE, SHAPE OR TOPOGRAPHY APPLY TO THE
PROPERTY
8
C. A REZONING OR MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT RESULTS IN MORE THAN ONE
RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION SHALL PROVIDE SHARED RECREATION AREAS TO:
i. MAXIMIZE SPACE TO CLUSTER AMENITIES
ii. LOCATE IN A CONVENIENT AREA THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL RESIDENTS FROM
THE ASSOCIATED SUBDIVISIONS
D. LINEAR PARKS, AS DEFINED BY THIS CODE AND DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION D.2.H. OF
THIS SECTION, ARE ACCEPTABLE AS A PORTION OF RECREATION AREAS WHEN THEY
SERVE TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO AMENITIES AND OPEN SPACE NETWORKS.
TABLE 26-1: RECREATION AREA STANDARDS
HOUSING TYPE MINIMUM RECREATION
REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM RECREATION
REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE
TO REZONING APPLICATIONS
DWELLING UNITS, SINGLE-
FAMILY
512 SF PER UNIT 900 SF PER UNIT
DWELLING UNITS, ATTACHED,
INCLUDING TOWNHOMES OR
PATIO HOMES
512 SF PER UNIT 900 SF PER UNIT
APARTMENTS
400 SF PER UNIT 400 SF PER UNIT
A TOT LOT IS REQUIRED FOR APARTMENT COMPLEXES THAT
HAVE 20 OR MORE, TWO (2) + BEDROOM UNITS, UNLESS THE
COMPLEX IS AGE-RESTRICTED FOR SENIORS.
AN INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY IS REQUIRED FOR
APARTMENT COMPLEXES WITH 50 UNITS OR MORE.
E. IN-LIEU OF CONSTRUCTING THE REQUIRED RECREATION AREA, RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS,
MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS REQUIRING ONE-QUARTER (¼) ACRE OR LESS
MUST PROVIDE A FEE PER SECTION 26.5.F.1.a.
1. An area shall be devoted to and designated as “recreational area” on the preliminary plat
which equals a ratio of one (1) acre to every eighty-five (85) dwelling units. (MOVED TO TABLE
26-1).
1. The Recreational area(s) shall be usable and accessible by all subdivision residents WITHIN
THE INTENDED SERVICE AREA.and shall provide amenities that best serve the needs of the
development. THE LOCATION OF RECREATION AREA(S) SHALL MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
a. POSITION WITHIN ONE-HALF (½) MILE, OR A 10-MINUTE WALK FROM ALL RESIDENTS IT
IS INTENDED TO SERVE.
9
b. CREATE A CENTRAL FOCAL SPACE THAT IS HIGHLY VISIBLE FOR GATHERINGS, PASSIVE
AND ACTIVE ACTIVITIES.
c. ACCESSIBLE VIA SIDEWALK, WALKING PATH, TRAIL, BICYCLE OR SHARED USE PATH BY
ALL RESIDENTS WITHIN THE SUBDIVISION, MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
AND SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
i. AT LEAST ONE ACCESS ROUTE TO THE RECREATION AREA SHALL COMPLY WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA).
ii. ACCESS ROUTES SHALL BE SHOWN ON THE RECREATION AREA PLAN.
d. COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL
DESIGN (CPTED) ELEMENTS:
i. NATURAL SURVEILLANCE - EMPHASIS ON VISIBILITY OF THE RECREATIONAL
FACILITIES, ALSO KNOWN AS “EYES ON THE STREET,” TO DETER
UNAUTHORIZED USERS AND ACTIVITIES.
ii. ACCESS CONTROL - USE OF DESIGN ELEMENTS TO DENY ENTRANCE TO
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO UNAUTHORIZED USERS AND ACTIVITIES.
2. PASSIVE RECREATION AREAS SHOULD BE LOCATED WITHIN PROXIMITY TO NATURAL OPEN
SPACE AREAS AND/OR CONSERVED, ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS.
3. RECREATIONAL AREAS SHALL NOT INCLUDE LAND SUCH AS PEAKS, RIDGES, LAND
FRAGMENTS, LAND RESTRICTED BY TOWN POLICY, CONDITION OR ORDINANCE, AND LAND
DETERMINED UNUSABLE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES BY TOWN COUNCIL.
4. SHALLOW RETENTION BASINS (FLOOD-PRONE AREAS) MAY BE APPROVED FOR USE AS
RECREATION AREAS SUBJECT TO RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE TOWN ENGINEER AND
PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR. DECISIONS MAY BE APPEALED TO THE TOWN
COUNCIL.
3. Upon review and recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Town
Council may allow environmentally sensitive open space (ESOS) to be credited toward the
recreation requirements of this section, to the provisions of the environmentally sensitive lands
ordinance (ESLO). The applicant may receive a credit for this property at a one to one (1:1) ratio
for a maximum of one hundred percent (100%) of the required recreational area.
Credit may be obtained only when the following criteria are met:
a. The area shall be determined to contain significant, unique, and desirable
environmental, scenic, or cultural features.
b. The area shall be delineated as common area, designated with a conservation easement,
with ownership to be held in common by the homeowners’ association or the town.
c. The area shall be accessible via sidewalk, walking path, trail, and/or bicycle or shared use
path by all residents within the project. (SECTION MOVED TO 26.5.D.3.C.)
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D. Recreational Area Plan Standards IMPROVEMENTS AND AMENITIES
1. Site Location TRAILS
a. Recreational areas shall be a focal point for passive and active recreational activities and
provide a meaningful place for neighborhood gatherings and activities. Recreation areas
shall be placed in a highly visible area of the subdivision that is accessible via sidewalk,
walking path, trail, and/or bicycle or shared use path by all residents within the project.
(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.2)
b. Linear parks, as defined by this code and described in subsection D.2.h of this section,
are acceptable when they serve to improve access to recreational amenities and open space
networks. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.1.)
c. Passive recreation areas should be located within proximity to natural open space areas
and conserved, environmentally sensitive lands. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.2)
d. Recreational areas shall not include land, such as peaks, ridges, land fragments, land
restricted by Town policy, condition or ordinance, and land determined unusable for
recreational purposes by the Mayor and Town Council. Shallow retention basins (flood-
prone areas) may be approved for use as recreational areas subject to recommendations by
the Town Engineer and Planning and Zoning Administrator. Decisions may be appealed to
the Town Council. (MOVED TO 26.5.C.2).
A. In cases where a recreational area lies adjacent to a trail identified within the Eastern
Pima County Trails System Master Plan and/or the Oro Valley Trails Map and their
subsequent updates, a connection shall be provided between the recreational area and said
trail.
B. TRAILS AND ASSOCIATED SIGNAGE SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PIMA REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM MASTER PLAN STANDARDS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
TOWN’S PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, AND SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
i. TRAILS SHALL BE POSITIONED IN A MANNER TO AVOID NATIVE VEGETATION AND
MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL OF EROSION.
ii. TRAILS SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED TO ENSURE MINIMAL MAINTENANCE.
iii. ALL TRAIL EASEMENTS MUST BE A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FIVE (25’) WIDE, UNLESS
OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
iv. TRAILS SHALL BE DESIGNATED FOR PERMANENT, NON-MOTORIZED USE, UNLESS
OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
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C. MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE TRAILS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOMEOWNER
ASSOCIATION OR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY.
D. DETAILED DESIGNS SHALL BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE LANDSCAPE AND RECREATION
AREA PLAN AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
i. SURFACE TREATMENT
ii. EROSION CONTROL MEASURES
iii. PLACEMENT OF SIGNAGE PER SECTION 26.5.C.5.
2. Recreational Facilities Improvement Standards RECREATION AREA IMPROVEMENTS AND
AMENITIES
a. Recreational area improvements shall be appropriate to the anticipated needs of the
development. DETAILED DESIGNS SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR EACH PROPOSED AMENITY
WITH THE LANDSCAPE AND RECREATION AREA PLAN final plat.
b. Equipment installed within the recreational areas shall comply with the provisions of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
C. IF PROVIDED, RESTROOM FACILITIES SHALL BE LOCATED IN A HIGHLY VISIBLE AREA AND
SHALL BE FREE OF SHRUBS THAT REACH A MATURE HEIGHT GREATER THAN THREE (3) FEET.
D. RECREATION AREA IMPROVEMENTS SHALL BE APPROPRIATE TO THE ANTICIAPTED NEEDS
OF RESIDENTS. AREAS MUST INCLUDE A VARIETY OF AMENITIES TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS
OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.
E. EACH RECREATION AREA MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AMENITIES, AT A MINIMUM:
I. SEATING SUCH AS A BENCH, PICNIC TABLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR AMENITY
II. TRASH RECEPTABLE AND/OR PET WASTE STATION
IV. VEHICLE AND BICYCLE PARKING PER SECTION 27.7
V. SHADING PROVIDED BY BUILT STRUCTURES, OR COMBINATION OF BUILT
STRUCTURES AND NATURAL VEGETATION.
VI. PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN ALL AMENITIES
VII. Provision of One (1) active and one (1) passive amenity AS SPECIFIED IN TABLE 26-2
for the first one-half (1/2) acre or portion thereof.
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a. For every additional one-half (1/2) acre (ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST HALF not
fractions), an additional passive and active AMENITY use shall be provided. up
to the maximum provided by the following subsections.
b. A MAXIMUM OF FIVE (5) PASSIVE AND THREE (3) ACTIVE AMENITIES ARE
PERMITTED WITHIN A SINGLE RECREATION AREA, UNLESS SUFFICIENT SPACE
HAS BEEN PROVIDED AS DETERMINED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING
ADMINISTRATOR OR THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
i. A single park area may contain up to five (5) passive amenities. Examples of passive
amenities include turf areas, benches, picnic tables, shade structures, barbecue grills,
pathways, etc. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.D.2.F).
ii. A single park area may contain up to three (3) MAJOR amenities. Examples of active
amenities include basketball courts, volleyball courts, bocce courts, horseshoe pits, par
courses, etc. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.D.2.F).
F. THE TOWN COUNCIL MAY REQUIRE DIFFERENT AMENITIES WITHIN A SUBDIVISION,
MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT TO ACHIEVE MORE VARIETY OR APPROVE
AMENITIES NOT SPECIFIED IN TABLE 26-2, YET COMPRABLE IN USE, ACCESSIBLITY AND
FUNCTION.
G. WHEN APPROPRIATE TO THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS, TOT LOTS SHALL BE REQUIRED. TOT
LOTS SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM:
I. PLAY EQUIPMENT AREA.
II. DRINKING FOUNTAIN.
III. SEATING AREA ORIENTED TOWARDS THE PLAY EQUIPMENT.
TABLE 26-2: RECREATION AREA AMENITIES
ACTIVE AMENITIES PASSIVE AMENITIES
SWIMMING POOL BARBECUE GRILLS
BALL COURT (BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL,
PICKLEBALL, TENNIS)
BOCCE BALL OR HORESHOE PIT
RAMADA PICNIC TABLE
PLAYGROUND OR TOT-LOT SWING SET OR STANDALONE PLAY STRUCTURE
RECTANGULAR TURF FIELD SMALL TURF AREA OR PAR COURSES
WORKOUT/FITNESS EQUIPMENT WALKING PATH
COMMUNITY GARDEN DOG PARK
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IV. TRASH RECEPTACLE(S).
V. BICYCLE PARKING WITH A FOUR (4) BICYCLE MINIMUM CAPACITY.
VI. PICNIC TABLE.
VII. LIMITED TURF AREA FOR ACTIVITY AREAS ONLY (LESS THAN FIFTEEN PERCENT
(15%) OF TOTAL RECREATIONAL AREA) MAY BE PROVIDED.
H. Linear parks SHALL may be utilized to satisfy the recreational requirements of this
section. Required amenities BE A MINIMUM WIDTH OF TWENTY-FIVE (25’) FEET AT ANY
GIVEN POINT AND include, at a minimum:
i. A shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
ii. Seating area.
iii. Landscaping.
iv. Drinking fountain, if located within one hundred (100) feet of a potable water line.
v. Trash receptacle(s).
vi. Pet waste removal station(s).
vii. Exercise stations MAY BE INCLUDED may be located within linear parks.
The location of the amenities along a linear park is subject to the approval of the Planning and
Zoning Administrator. and PRLCR Director.
I. INDOOR RECREATION AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
i. THE INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY MAY BE USED AS THE LEASING, SALES, OR
MANAGER’S OFFICE; HOWEVER, THAT USE MAY NOT EXCEED THIRTY PERCENT
(30%) OF THE GROSS FLOOR AREA.
ii. THE REMAINDER OF THE SPACE SHALL INCLUDE PASSIVE OR ACTIVE AMENITIES
SUCH AS GROUP MEETING SPACE OR COMMUNITY RECREATION ROOMS WITH
EXERCISE EQUIPMENT, TABLE SPORTS, GAMES, OR OTHER SIMILAR AMENITIES.
3. Credit for Enhanced Amenities OR ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE OPEN SPACE (ESOS)
A. Credit for the additional cost of enhanced recreational amenities, including community
swimming pools IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS, splash pads, skate/BMX
parks, fully improved sports fields, and other amenities approved by the Planning and
14
Zoning Administrator, may be obtained against the recreation area requirement in
subsection C.1 of this section based on the following criteria:
i. The applicant shall submit a cost estimate summarizing the following:
a) Value of the land and cost of the improvements and amenities that would
be required by this code.
b) Value of the land and cost of the improvements and enhanced amenities
proposed as alternative means of compliance.
ii. Credit for the additional cost of the enhanced amenities may be received in the
form of a reduction to the required recreation land area.
iii. The extent of the credit shall be determined by the value of the enhanced
amenity as determined by the Town. The maximum reduction of recreation
area requirement is one-half (1/2) acre.
B. Credit for improved indoor recreational space, UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED, may be
obtained subject to the following criteria:
i. Improved community recreation rooms, community centers, gymnasiums,
performance space, or other recreation space accessible to all residents of a
development shall receive credit at a ratio of three to one (3:1) against the
area requirement contained in subsection C.1 of this section.
ii. Each active and passive amenity contained within an indoor recreational
space shall receive a credit to the recreational amenity requirements
contained in subsections D.2.e.vii, D.2.c, and D.2.d of this section at a one-to-
one (1:1) ratio.
C. UPON REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY
BOARD, TOWN COUNCIL MAY ALLOW ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE OPEN SPACE (ESOS)
TO BE CREDITED TOWARD THE AMOUNT OF RECREATION AREA BEYOND THE
ALLOWANCES PERMITTED IN SECTION 27.10 AND SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS ORDINANCE (ESLO). THE APPLICANT MAY RECEIVE A
CREDIT FOR THIS PROPERTY AT A ONE TO ONE (1:1) RATIO FOR A MAXIMUM OF ONE
HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF THE REQUIRED RECREATIONAL AREA. CREDIT MAY BE
OBTAINED ONLY WHEN THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE MET:
i. THE AREA SHALL BE DETERMINED TO CONTAIN SIGNIFICANT, UNIQUE, AND
DESIRABLE ENVIRONMENTAL, SCENIC, OR CULTURAL FEATURES.
15
ii. THE AREA SHALL BE DELINEATED AS A COMMON AREA, DESIGNATED WITH A
CONSERVATION EASEMENT, WITH OWNERSHIP TO BE HELD IN COMMON BY
THE HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY OR
THE TOWN.
iii. THE AREA SHALL BE ACCESSIBLE VIA SIDEWALK, WALKING PATH, TRAIL,
AND/OR BICYCLE OR SHARED USE PATH BY ALL RESIDENTS WITHIN THE
PROJECT.
g. When appropriate to the needs of the residents, tot lot amenities shall be required. Tot
lots shall include, at a minimum:(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.D.2.G)
i. Play equipment area.
ii. Drinking fountain.
iii. Seating area (may include benches or seat walls) oriented towards the play
equipment.
iv. Trash receptacle(s).
v. Bicycle parking with a four (4) bicycle minimum capacity.
vi. Picnic table.
vii. Limited turf area for activity areas only (less than fifteen percent (15%) of total
recreational area) may be provided.
gh. Linear parks may be utilized to satisfy the recreational requirements of this section.
Required amenities include, at a minimum: :(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.D.2.H)
i. A shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
ii. Seating area.
iii. Landscaping.
iv. Drinking fountain, if located within one hundred (100) feet of a potable water line.
v. Trash receptacle(s).
vi. Pet waste removal station(s).
vii. Exercise stations may be located within linear parks.
16
VIII. The location of the amenities along a linear park is subject to the approval of the
Planning and Zoning Administrator and PRLCR Director.
4. Play Equipment Standards
a. Applicant shall submit evidence that play equipment complies with the current
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards for playground
equipment.
b. Playground surface materials, including certified wood fiber, shredded rubber,
poured-in-place surfacing, or other acceptable material approved by the Parks and
Recreation Director, shall be placed at a minimum depth of twelve (12) inches
under the equipment.
c. No play equipment shall be located within thirty (30) feet of any road right-of-way,
driveway or alleyway, parking area, or single-family residential lot or single-family
residential zone unless AN ARCHITECTURALLY COMPATIBLE WALL, PERMANENT
FENCE, OR SIMILAR an acceptable barrier is provided AND APPROVED BY THE
PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR.
d. ALL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND ASSOCIATED FALL ZONES must be fully shaded
with a UV-resistant sunshade or other appropriate shading material, or structure as
approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator. and Permitting Division. THE
PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MAY REDUCE OR WAIVE THIS
REQUIREMENT IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:
i. THE STRUCTURE IS DETACHED AND PERIPHERAL TO A PRIMARY
STRUCTURE.
ii. THE STRUCTURE REQUIRES A FALL ZONE GREATER THAN 6 FEET, SUCH
AS A SWING SET.
e. Play equipment or apparatus with a footprint of two hundred fifty (250) square feet
or less must be fully shaded with a UV-resistant sunshade or other appropriate
shading material or structure as approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator
and Permitting Division.
f. At least fifty percent (50%) of play equipment or apparatus must be fully shaded with
a UV-resistant sunshade or other appropriate shading material, or structure as
approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator and Permitting Division. This
requirement shall be applied only to play equipment or apparatus with a footprint
of two hundred fifty (250) square feet or greater.
g. To maximize the safety of children, play spaces shall be located to provide maximum
visibility from surrounding homes.
h. Play equipment shall not be located on a slope greater than four percent (4%).
17
5. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Elements(MOVED TO SECTION
26.5.C.2.d)
a. Recreational area design shall consider the following CPTED elements:
i. Natural Surveillance
Emphasis on visibility of the recreational facilities, also known as “eyes on the street,”
to deter unauthorized users and activities.
ii. Access Control
Use of design elements to deny entrance to recreational facilities to unauthorized
users and activities.
5. SIGNAGE
a. All recreational areas shall post at least one (1) sign at the primary entrance(s) stating:
i. Hours of operation.
ii. Park/recreational area rules.
iii. Trespassing notice for unauthorized users, including citation of applicable
ordinances/statutes.
iv. Notice that all dogs must be kept on a leash (unless an approved off-leash area
has been designated).
v. Emergency (911) contact information to report suspicious or criminal activity.
vi. If A recreation area is privately operated, homeowners’ association contact
information to report maintenance or safety issues.
b. If a neighborhood watch program exists, a sign shall be posted at the primary
entrance(s) to the recreational area.
c. If the recreational area abuts an environmentally sensitive lands (ESL) area, a sign shall
be posted every AT one hundred (100) feet FOOT INTERVALS ALONG at the border of
the ESL area. The sign shall conform to the ESL sign requirements per the
environmentally sensitive lands ordinance (ESLO).
d. IF THE SUBDIVISION, MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDES PRIVATE
OR PUBLIC TRAILS, DIRECTIONAL TRAIL SIGNS SHALL BE POSTED AT ONE HUNDRED AND
FIFTY (150) FOOT INTERVALS ALONG THE TRAIL OR, AT ONE HUNDRED (100) FOOT
INTERVALS IF ABUTTING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS AREA.
6. LIGHTING AND RECREATION AREA HOURS
a. All lighting shall be consistent with the standards of Section 27.5, WITH THE EXCEPTION
OF 27.5.H. (RECREATIONAL FACILITIES).
18
b. ALL LIGHTING MUST BE FULLY SHIELDED and turned off by 10:00 p.m.
c. If no lighting is provided, recreation area hours shall be limited to daylight hours only
and shall be posted on the informational sign(s) at the park entrance(s) required by
subsection D.5 of this section.
E. Facilities Installation, Ownership and Maintenance
1. Private Recreational Facilities
a. In cases where the recreational facility is to be privately owned, ALL SHARED
recreational AREAS INCLUDING AMENITIES, PRIVATE OR PUBLIC TRAILS WITHIN THE
PROJECT LIMITS facilities and ASSOCIATED parking improvements shall be
completed and in place by the time thirty-five percent (35%) of the building permits
are issued. Prior to release of the required bond or assurance, the developer shall
provide written documentation to the Town that all mechanisms are in place to
protect the rights of the RESIDENTS homeowners (i.e., liability insurance).
b. Private recreational areas, and improvements IN A SUBDIVISION shall be owned and
maintained by a mandatory membership homeowners association (HOA) created
by covenants. If the HOA fails to adequately maintain the required recreational
facilities, the Town may cause the property to be maintained and may cause a lien
to be placed on the property, subject to and inferior to the lien for general taxes
and to all prior recorded mortgages and encumbrances of record.
2. Public Park Facilities
a. In cases where the required recreational area is at least three (3) acres in size and is
located adjacent to a public thoroughfare, dedication to the Town may be accepted.
In this case, the parkland shall be owned and maintained by the Town. The
subdivider shall, without credit:
i. Provide full street improvements and utility connections including, but not
limited to, curbs, gutters, street paving, traffic control devices, lighting,
street trees, and sidewalks to land which is dedicated pursuant to this
section;
ii. Provide solid masonry fencing along the property line of that portion of the
subdivided lots contiguous to the dedicated land;
iii. Provide improved drainage through the site; and
iv. Provide other improvements and amenities that the Town Council
determines to be essential to the acceptance of the land for recreational
purposes. Subsequent improvements, if any, shall be developed and
maintained by the Town.
19
b. REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC DEDICATION ARE SUBJECT TO RECOMMENDATION BY THE
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION AND APPROVAL BY THE TOWN COUNCIL.
c. When park land is dedicated to and accepted by the Town, the provisions of
subsection B.1 of this section shall not apply.
F. In-Lieu Fee Option
1. IN-LIEU FEES USED TO SATISFY THE RECREATION AREA AND ASSOCIATED AMENITY
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, APPLY AS FOLLOWS:
a. RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS, MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS REQUIRING
A RECREATION AREA OF ONE-QUARTER (¼) ACRE OR LESS MUST PROVIDE AN IN-LIEU
FEE.
b. ALL OTHER RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS, MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS
MAY REQUEST USE OF AN IN-LIEU FEE TO SATISFY A PORTION OF THE RECREATION AREA
REQUIREMENT. REQUESTS ARE SUBJECT TO SECTION 26.5.2 AND A MINIMUM ONE-
QUARTER (1/4) ACRE MUST BE PROVIDED ONSITE WITH AMENITIES PER SECTION
26.5.D.2. The remaining portion of the recreation improvement obligation shall be
applied to on-site recreation area(s) and WITH amenities per the provisions of this code.
c. IN-LIEU FEES CANNOT BE USED TO SATISFY ANY REQUIRED PRIVATE OR PUBLIC TRAIL
IMPROVEMENTS.
1. In lieu of the required private recreational area or public park land dedication and required
recreational facilities. The Town Council may approve an alternative proposal for an in-lieu fee
that aids in the development or improvement of Town parks or recreational facilities. All
subdivisions containing forty-three (43) lots or less may utilize the in-lieu fee option.
2. Subdivisions of eighty-five lots or more may elect to utilize the in-lieu fee option for up to fifty
percent (50%) of the total cost of recreation area improvements as determined by the recreation
area in-lieu fee calculation definition. The remaining portion of the recreation improvement
obligation shall be applied to on-site recreation area(s) and amenities per the provisions of this
code. In-lieu fee proposals shall meet all of the following conditions:
2. REVIEW OF IN-LIEU FEE REQUESTS
a. IN-LIEU FEE REQUESTS ARE SUBJECT TO RECOMMENDATION BY THE PLANNING AND
ZONING COMMISSION AND APPROVAL BY TOWN COUNCIL. In-lieu fee requests shall
meet the following:
i. The subdivision, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL OR MIXED-USE
DEVELOPMENT has or can provide legal and physically constructed
access to an existing Oro Valley public park, a park location WITHIN
ONE-HALF (½) MILE, OR A TEN (10) MINUTE WALK FROM THE
20
SUBDIVISION OR DEVELOPMENT. identified in the Town Parks, Open
Space and Trails Master Plan, or other location approved by the
Parks and Recreation Director.
ii. The total amount of the in-lieu fee determined by the recreation
area in-lieu fee calculation is, in the opinion of the Planning and
Zoning Administrator (PZA) and PRLCR Director, sufficient to fund a
specific park development or improvement project for an existing
facility.
b. In evaluating a REQUEST TO UTILIZE THE IN-LIEU FEE OPTION proposal under this
section, the Town Council shall consider the impact on the property resulting from a
change in the standard requirements for recreational space, the advantages and
disadvantages of the proposed alternatives, the benefits afforded to the subdivision
from the alternative proposal and the relative values to the community afforded by
the alternative proposal as compared with the standard requirements.
3. FEE CALCULATION AND DETERMINATION
a. A WRITTEN APPRAISAL REPORT PREPARED BY AN APPRAISER SHALL BE SUBMITTED
TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND PARKS AND RECREATION
DIRECTOR TO DETERMINE THE IN-LIEU FEE.
b. THE REPORT SHALL BE BASED ON THE IMPROVED VALUE OF THE LAND, INCLUDING:
i. THE COST OF THE LAND REQUIRED FOR THE RECREATION AREA
ii. THE COSTS FOR STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES REQUIRED IN SECTION 26.5.D.
iii. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS
iv. NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE (I.E., ROADWAYS, DRAINAGE WATER,
ELECTRIC, TELEPHONE AND SEWER) REQUIRED TO SERVE THE RECREATION
AREA AREAS.
c. THE TOWN MAY ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A THIRD-PARTY APPRAISER, AT THE
APPLICANT’S SOLE EXPENSE, TO EVALUATE THE ACCURACY OF THE REPORT.
d. The recreation area in-lieu fee shall be determined by the Town, with a written
appraisal report prepared by an appraiser acceptable to the Town. PLANNING AND
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR. The
determination of the recreation area in-lieu fee shall consider, but not necessarily be
limited to, the following:
i. Approval and any conditions of the conceptual site plan. AN
ASSOCIATED GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT OR REZONING
ii. The general plan
iii. Conditional zoning
iv. Property location
21
v. Off-site improvements facilitating use of the property
vi. Site characteristics of the property
e. The recreation area in-lieu fee calculation shall be based on the improved value of
the land, including structures and facilities required by Section 26.5, design,
construction costs, and having the necessary infrastructure (i.e., roadways, drainage
water, electric, telephone and sewer) installed to serve the park areas. (MOVED TO
SECTION 26.5.F.3.b)
f. OBJECTIONS TO THE DETERMINED IN-LIEU FEE MAY BE APPEALED TO THE BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT PER SECTION 22.12.
6. The proposal shall be prepared by the applicant and submitted to the Planning and Zoning
Administrator and Parks and Recreation Director who shall forward their recommendations to
the Town Council for its action after an advertised public hearing.
4. APPROVAL
a. The terms of the agreement shall be made a matter of public record and a condition
of approval of any final plat, IF APPLICABLE, or issuance of any GRADING permit. s for
the subdivision.
b. The agreement shall provide for the funding TO IMPROVE OR DEVELOP PUBLIC
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CLOSEST TO THE SUBDIVISION OR DEVELOPMENT. of the
equivalent of park land and/or recreational facilities to the Town as would have been
provided by a recreational area in the subdivision.
8. In evaluating a proposal under this section, the Town Council shall consider the impact on the
property resulting from a change in the standard requirements for recreational space, the
advantages and disadvantages of the proposed alternatives, the benefits afforded to the
subdivision from the alternative proposal and the relative values to the community afforded by
the alternative proposal as compared with the standard requirements.(MOVED TO SECTION
26.5.F.2.b).
10. If the subdivider objects to the determined in-lieu fee, he/she may appeal to the Town
Council, with the burden of proof lying with the subdivider. (MOVED AND REVISED IN SECTION
26.5.F.3.f).
11. The Town Council may waive requirements for an appraisal when the subdivider provides
acceptable alternative information to the Planning and Zoning Administrator (PZA), Parks and
Recreation Director, and the Finance Director as a means of determining the improved value that
is presented and accepted at a Town Council public hearing.
22
Section 27.6.C.3 Plant Materials and Restrictions
g. Natural turf is prohibited with the following exceptions:
a. Town of Oro Valley public parks.
b. Private parks that serve more than one neighborhood.
c. Private RECREATION AREAS parks serving only one (1)
neighborhood are limited to no more than fifteen percent (15%)
of the total park RECREATION area UNLESS A SPORTS FIELD OR
SIMILAR AMENITY IS APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL.
d. Private schools.
e. Golf course greens and tee boxes only.
For all uses enabled by exception, turf may only be utilized for activity areas and not for
ornamental purposes. Private Park RECREATION areas may not be seeded with winter rye.
Section 27.10.F. ESOS Use and Conservation Development
iii. Trails
Trails and associated amenities such as benches must conform to SECTION 26.5.D.1 standards
established by the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Department.
CHAPTER 31 – DEFINITIONS
Apartments – A DWELLING residential use, which is occupied as the home or residence of three (3) or
more families living independently of each other. DESIGNED FOR THE OCCUPANCY BY THREE (3) OR
MORE FAMILIES LIVING INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER IN UNITS STACKED ON TOP OF ONE
ANOTHER.
FALL ZONE – THE SURFACE UNDER OR AROUND A PLAY STRUCTURE ONTO WHICH A CHILD ACCIDENTALLY
FALLING FROM OR EXITING FROM THE EQUIPMENT WOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAND. ALSO REFERRED TO AS
A USE ZONE.
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT – A DEVELOPMENT WITH A COMBINATION OF RESIDENTIAL AND NON-
RESIDENTIAL USES.
23
Recreation Area - A land area that is designated for recreation or contains specific facilities such as
community recreational centers, pedestrian ways, swimming pools, picnic facilities, basketball and
sport courts, playground equipment and exercise equipment.
Active - An area delineated for formal activities THAT INVOLVE RELATIVELY HIGH IMPACT OR
MORE ENERGY. Which may or may not require equipment and take place on a prescribed
field. Active recreational areas include, but are not limited to, tennis, volleyball, bocce ball
and other court games, baseball, soccer and other field sports, swimming pools, track, and
improved playground activity areas.
Passive - An area delineated for activities that involve relatively LOW IMPACT inactive or less
ENERGY. energetic activities, such as walking, sitting, picnicking, card games, checkers, and
similar table games. PASSIVE RECREATIONAL AREAS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,
WALKING PATHS, DOG PARKS, OR PICNIC AREAS. Passive recreational areas also include
natural open space, which contain nature walks and observation areas.
Townhouse - A dwelling with party walls and no side yards between abutting dwellings. A DWELLING
DESIGNED FOR OCCUPANCY BY TWO (2) OR MORE FAMILIES LIVING INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER
IN UNITS JOINED SIDE BY SIDE OR FRONT TO BACK BY PARTY WALLS, STRUCTURAL ROOF
COMPONENTS OR SIMILAR ELEMENTS.
ORDINANCE NO. (O)23-04
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA,
AMENDING ORO VALLEY ZONING CODE CHAPTER 23,
ZONING DISTRICTS, CHAPTER 26, PROVISIONS OF
RECREATIONAL AREA, CHAPTER 31, DEFINITIONS, AND
OTHER RELATED SECTIONS TO PRIORITIZE LARGER
NEIGHBORHOOD AREA PARKS AND AMENITIES
WHEREAS, on March 31, 1981, the Mayor and Council approved Ordinance (O) 81-58,
which adopted that certain document entitled “Oro Valley Zoning Code Revised”
(OVZCR); and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend OVZCR Chapter 23, Zoning Districts, and Chapter
26, Provisions of Recreational Area, Chapter 31, Definitions, and other related sections to
prioritize larger neighborhood area parks and amenities in order to update the Town’s
private recreation area requirements as directed in the Town Council's Strategic
Leadership Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a meeting on September 5, 2023
and voted to recommend conditional approval of the amendments to OVZCR Chapter 23,
Zoning Districts, and Chapter 26, Provisions of Recreational Area, Chapter 31,
Definitions, and other related sections; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have considered the proposed amendments and the
Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation regarding the changes to OVZCR
Chapter 23, Zoning Districts, and Chapter 26, Provisions of Recreational Area, Chapter
31, Definitions, and other related sections, and finds that they are in the best interest of the
Town.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of
Oro Valley, Arizona that:
SECTION 1. Oro Valley Zoning Code Revised, Chapter 23, Zoning
Districts, and Chapter 26, Provisions of Recreational Area, Chapter 31,
Definitions, and other related sections, are hereby amended as shown in
the “Private Recreation Area Code Amendments” declared a public record
by Resolution No. (R)23-38 and attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.
SECTION 2. All Oro Valley Ordinances, Resolutions, or Motions and
part of Ordinances, Resolutions or Motions of the Council in conflict with
the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or
portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or
unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction,
2
such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions
thereof.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Oro Valley,
Arizona, this 18th day of October, 2023.
TOWN OF ORO VALLEY
Joseph Winfield, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
Michael Standish, Town Clerk Tobin Sidles, Legal Services Director
3
EXHIBIT “A”
Amendments to Chapter 22, Chapter 23, Chapter 26, Chapter 27, and Chapter 31 of the Zoning Code.
Deletions shown with strikethrough and ADDITIONS shown in all CAPS.
Section 22.9.C. Authorities
DEPARTMENT OR
AGENCY
TABLE 22-9B. REVIEW AUTHORITY
Planning and Zoning Reviews features related to site, landscape, and architecture
design for compliance with applicable zoning requirements,
design principles and standards, and the general plan
Public Works Reviews features related to drainage, floodplains, and roadways
for compliance with adopted street and drainage standards
Water Utility Reviews features related to water use and infrastructure
Parks and Recreation Reviews features related parks and recreation facilities,
including trails for compliance with the applicable maps, plans
or policies
Police Department Reviews features related to public safety and police protection,
SUCH AS CONFORMANCE TO CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH
ENVIRONMENT DESIGN (CPTED) ELEMENTS.
Fire District Reviews features related to public safety and fire protection for
compliance with adopted fire codes
Pima County Wastewater Reviews features related to sewage disposal
Arizona Department of
Transportation
Reviews right-of-way and intersection design for land abutting a
state highway
Utilities and other
agencies
All applicable utilities and other agencies affected shall review
for compliance with their adopted codes
4
Section 23.7 Property Development Standards for Multi-Family Residential
Districts
B. R-4 Townhouse Residential District
The provisions of Section 23.4 and the following additional requirements shall apply in this district.
1. Density
The minimum gross land area per dwelling unit shall be five thousand four hundred fifty (5,450)
square feet.
2. Open Space AND RECREATION Requirements
A minimum of ten percent (10%) of the total gross land area of the development shall be set
aside AS OPEN SPACE IN THE FOLLOWING PROPORTIONS, for recreation uses or other common
landscaped areas unless the overall density of the development is less than five (5) units per acre.
The Town Council may waive this requirement because of the relationship of the development to
an existing public park or recreation area.
a. RECREATIONAL SPACE SHALL BE PROVIDED, SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION
26.5 AND THE FOLLOWING:
i. All accessory buildings for recreational purposes shall not occupy more than
fourteen percent (14%) of the total area reserved for recreational uses and other
common landscaped areas.
b. THE REMAINDER OF THE REQUIRED OPEN SPACE SHALL BE PROVIDED IN COMMON
OPEN SPACE.
C. R-4R Resort District
The provisions of Section 23.4 and the following additional requirements shall apply in this district.
1. Density
a. The minimum gross land area per guest room shall be four thousand two hundred fifty
(4,250) square feet.
b. The minimum gross land area per dwelling unit shall be fifteen thousand (15,000) square
feet.
c. The total acreage required by subsections B.1.a and b of this section shall not exceed the
gross acreage of the property.
5
2. Open Space AND RECREATION Requirements
a. Buildings may cover COVERAGE SHALL NOT EXCEED an aggregate area of twenty-five
percent (25%), excluding parking areas.
b. SITES DEVELOPED WITH RESIDENTIAL USES SHALL PROVIDE RECREATIONAL SPACE,
SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5.
c. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH A RESORT, AND ACCESSIBLE TO
RESIDENTS, MAY BE CREDITED TOWARDS THE RECREATION REQUIREMENTS.
D. R-S Residential Service District
3. Open Space AND RECREATION Requirements
a. There shall be a minimum of thirty-six percent (36%) of the net lot area in open space.
b. Open space shall be provided in the following proportions:
i. A minimum of twelve percent (12%) of the net lot area shall be provided as
frontage open space to provide a setting for the building, visual continuity
within the community and a variety of spaces in the streetscape, except that
the frontage open space shall not be required to exceed fifty (50) square feet
per one (1) foot on public street frontage, excluding drives.
Exception: Where a lot has two (2) or more street frontages, there shall be no
less than twenty (20) square feet of open space per one (1) foot of street
frontage for one (1) street, and no less than ten (10) square feet of open space
per one (1) foot of street frontage, excluding drives for other street(s). In no
case shall a building be closer than twenty (20) feet to the front lot line.
ii. A private outdoor living space shall be provided adjoining each dwelling unit
equal to a minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the gross size of the dwelling
unit, except that dwelling units above the first story shall provide space equal
to a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the gross size of the dwelling unit.
Outdoor living space on the ground level may be included in the open space
requirements.
iii. SITES DEVELOPED WITH RESIDENTIAL USES, OR A COMBINATION OF
RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL USES, SHALL PROVIDE RECREATIONAL
SPACE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5.
6
iv. The remainder of the required open space shall be provided in common open
space.
E. R-6 Multi-Family Residential District
3. Open Space AND RECREATION Requirements
Development of all R-6 zoned property shall provide a minimum of thirty-five percent (35%) of
the net lot area as open space in the following proportions:
a. Each lot shall contain a minimum of two hundred fifty (250) square feet of usable
outdoor living space for each dwelling unit, exclusive of front yards. (MOVED TO
SECTION 26.5)
b. SITES DEVELOPED WITH RESIDENTIAL USES, OR A COMBINATION OF RESIDENTIAL AND
NON-RESIDENTIAL USES, SHALL PROVIDE RECREATIONAL SPACE SUBJECT TO THE
REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5 AND THE FOLLOWING:
b. Not less than fifty percent (50%) of said required space shall be provided in a single
common area, with a minimum dimension of twenty (20) feet at any point. (MOVED AND
REVISED IN SECTION 26.5.C.1).
i. Portions of THE REAR AND SIDE yards (excluding the front yards) which are
contiguous with, and an integral part of, the outdoor living space may be included in
calculating the area and minimum dimensions of such space. THE RECREATION AREA.
ii. Pools and paved recreation areas may be developed AS PART OF in the required
common space.
c. A private outdoor living space shall be provided adjoining each dwelling unit, equal to a
minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the gross size of the dwelling unit, except that dwelling
units above the first story shall provide such space equal to a minimum of ten percent (10%)
of the gross size of the dwelling unit. Outdoor living space on ground level may be included
in the open space requirement.
i. Outdoor living areas shall be reasonably accessible to dwelling units served
ii. Driveways and landscaping within driveway areas shall not be included in
calculations of outdoor space.
f. The remainder of the required open space shall be provided in landscaped or natural
COMMON open space.
7. Recreational Facilities
7
a. Wherever there is constructed on a lot, or contiguous lots, multiple dwellings which
have fifty (50) or more dwelling units, an active outdoor recreational facility shall be
provided for the occupants of said units. In addition to the active outdoor recreation area,
an indoor recreational facility shall also be provided for the occupants of said dwelling units.
The recreational facility may be used as the leasing, sales, or manager’s office, but that use
may not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the gross floor area. The balance of the facilities
shall include group meeting facilities and facilities for exercise, table sports, and games.
(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.1)
b. Wherever there is constructed a multiple dwelling which has twenty (20) or more
dwelling units, there shall be provided on the lot site of said multiple dwellings a play area
for children. Said play area shall be separated from any private access ways and public
streets by a fence or wall. The tot lot requirement shall be excluded from a senior citizens
development. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.1)
Section 26.5 Provision of Recreational Area
A. Applicability
The provision of recreational facilities shall be required of all residential subdivisions, MULTI-FAMILY
OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS, except those located within the R1-36, R1-43, R1-144, and R1-300
Zoning Districts, unless utilizing the lot size reduction flexible design option enabled by Section 27.10.
B. Recreational Area Plan Submittal and Approval
1. The developer shall submit a LANDSCAPE AND recreational area plan AS PART OF THE
PRELIMINARY PLAT OR DEVELOPMENT PLAN SUBMITTAL PACKAGE. THE RECREATION AREA
SHALL to include the minimum improvements for recreational purposes as required by
subsection D of this section.
2. The LANDSCAPE AND recreational area plan shall be submitted and reviewed by Town Council
concurrently with the preliminary plat. SUBJECT TO RECOMMENDATION BY THE PLANNING
AND ZONING COMMISSION AND APPROVAL FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL, CONCURRENTLY
WITH THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OR DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
3. Approval of the plan by the Town Council, after review and recommendations by the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board (for public recreational areas and the Planning and Zoning
Commission (for private recreational areas) shall be a prerequisite to approval of the final plat
(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.E.2).
8
3. All recreational area plans shall be reviewed by the Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) for
conformance to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) design elements
contained in subsection D.5 of this section. (MOVED TO THE TABLE 22-9B)
4. HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION OR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT REQUESTS TO MODIFY EXISTING
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES modification of facilities and amenities depicted on the approved
recreational area plan ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
a. Modifications deemed necessary and beneficial to provide for the recreational needs of
residents THAT MAINTAIN PARITY WITH THE QUANTITY AND TYPE OF AMENITIES
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED are REVIEWED AND MAY BE APPROVED subject to approval by
the Parks and Recreation Director (RECREATIONAL AREAS DEDICATED TO THE TOWN
ONLY) and THE Planning and Zoning Administrator (PRIVATE RECREATIONAL AREAS).
b. All modifications shall conform CONFORMANCE to the provisions of this code.
C. Minimum Recreation Area Standards
1. THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF RECREATION AREA AND PRIVATE OUTDOOR SPACE ARE
ESTABLISHED IN TABLE 26-1 AND SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
A. RECREATION AREAS SHALL BE PROVIDED IN NO MORE THAN TWO COMMON AREAS
UNLESS FURTHER DISTRIBUTION IS APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL DUE TO ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING:
i. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS SIZE, SHAPE OR TOPOGRAPHY APPLY TO THE
PROPERTY
ii. THE DISTANCE FROM RESIDENTS THE RECREATION AREA IS SERVING MEETS OR
EXCEEDS THE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5.C.2.
iii. THE VARIETY OF AMENITIES PROVIDED MEETS OR EXCEEDS THE
REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 26.5.D.
B. RECREATION AREAS SHALL NOT BE NARROWER THAN SIXTY (60) FEET WIDE AT ANY
GIVEN POINT UNLESS APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL DUE TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
i. THE RECREATION AREA IS A TRAIL OR LINEAR PARK
ii. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS SIZE, SHAPE OR TOPOGRAPHY APPLY TO THE
PROPERTY
9
C. A REZONING OR MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT RESULTS IN MORE THAN ONE
RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION SHALL PROVIDE SHARED RECREATION AREAS TO:
i. MAXIMIZE SPACE TO CLUSTER AMENITIES
ii. LOCATE IN A CONVENIENT AREA THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL RESIDENTS FROM
THE ASSOCIATED SUBDIVISIONS
D. LINEAR PARKS, AS DEFINED BY THIS CODE AND DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION D.2.H. OF
THIS SECTION, ARE ACCEPTABLE AS A PORTION OF RECREATION AREAS WHEN THEY
SERVE TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO AMENITIES AND OPEN SPACE NETWORKS.
TABLE 26-1: RECREATION AREA STANDARDS
HOUSING TYPE MINIMUM RECREATION
REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM RECREATION
REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE
TO REZONING APPLICATIONS
DWELLING UNITS, SINGLE-
FAMILY
512 SF PER UNIT 900 SF PER UNIT
DWELLING UNITS, ATTACHED,
INCLUDING TOWNHOMES OR
PATIO HOMES
512 SF PER UNIT 900 SF PER UNIT
APARTMENTS
400 SF PER UNIT 400 SF PER UNIT
A TOT LOT IS REQUIRED FOR APARTMENT COMPLEXES THAT
HAVE 20 OR MORE, TWO (2) + BEDROOM UNITS, UNLESS THE
COMPLEX IS AGE-RESTRICTED FOR SENIORS.
AN INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY IS REQUIRED FOR
APARTMENT COMPLEXES WITH 50 UNITS OR MORE.
E. IN-LIEU OF CONSTRUCTING THE REQUIRED RECREATION AREA, RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS,
MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS REQUIRING ONE-QUARTER (¼) ACRE OR LESS
MUST PROVIDE A FEE PER SECTION 26.5.F.1.a.
1. An area shall be devoted to and designated as “recreational area” on the preliminary plat
which equals a ratio of one (1) acre to every eighty-five (85) dwelling units. (MOVED TO TABLE
26-1).
1. The Recreational area(s) shall be usable and accessible by all subdivision residents WITHIN
THE INTENDED SERVICE AREA.and shall provide amenities that best serve the needs of the
development. THE LOCATION OF RECREATION AREA(S) SHALL MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
a. POSITION WITHIN ONE-HALF (½) MILE, OR A 10-MINUTE WALK FROM ALL RESIDENTS IT
IS INTENDED TO SERVE.
10
b. CREATE A CENTRAL FOCAL SPACE THAT IS HIGHLY VISIBLE FOR GATHERINGS, PASSIVE
AND ACTIVE ACTIVITIES.
c. ACCESSIBLE VIA SIDEWALK, WALKING PATH, TRAIL, BICYCLE OR SHARED USE PATH BY
ALL RESIDENTS WITHIN THE SUBDIVISION, MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
AND SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
i. AT LEAST ONE ACCESS ROUTE TO THE RECREATION AREA SHALL COMPLY WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA).
ii. ACCESS ROUTES SHALL BE SHOWN ON THE RECREATION AREA PLAN.
d. COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL
DESIGN (CPTED) ELEMENTS:
i. NATURAL SURVEILLANCE - EMPHASIS ON VISIBILITY OF THE RECREATIONAL
FACILITIES, ALSO KNOWN AS “EYES ON THE STREET,” TO DETER
UNAUTHORIZED USERS AND ACTIVITIES.
ii. ACCESS CONTROL - USE OF DESIGN ELEMENTS TO DENY ENTRANCE TO
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO UNAUTHORIZED USERS AND ACTIVITIES.
2. PASSIVE RECREATION AREAS SHOULD BE LOCATED WITHIN PROXIMITY TO NATURAL OPEN
SPACE AREAS AND/OR CONSERVED, ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS.
3. RECREATIONAL AREAS SHALL NOT INCLUDE LAND SUCH AS PEAKS, RIDGES, LAND
FRAGMENTS, LAND RESTRICTED BY TOWN POLICY, CONDITION OR ORDINANCE, AND LAND
DETERMINED UNUSABLE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES BY TOWN COUNCIL.
4. SHALLOW RETENTION BASINS (FLOOD-PRONE AREAS) MAY BE APPROVED FOR USE AS
RECREATION AREAS SUBJECT TO RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE TOWN ENGINEER AND
PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR. DECISIONS MAY BE APPEALED TO THE TOWN
COUNCIL.
3. Upon review and recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Town
Council may allow environmentally sensitive open space (ESOS) to be credited toward the
recreation requirements of this section, to the provisions of the environmentally sensitive lands
ordinance (ESLO). The applicant may receive a credit for this property at a one to one (1:1) ratio
for a maximum of one hundred percent (100%) of the required recreational area.
Credit may be obtained only when the following criteria are met:
a. The area shall be determined to contain significant, unique, and desirable
environmental, scenic, or cultural features.
b. The area shall be delineated as common area, designated with a conservation easement,
with ownership to be held in common by the homeowners’ association or the town.
c. The area shall be accessible via sidewalk, walking path, trail, and/or bicycle or shared use
path by all residents within the project. (SECTION MOVED TO 26.5.D.3.C.)
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D. Recreational Area Plan Standards IMPROVEMENTS AND AMENITIES
1. Site Location TRAILS
a. Recreational areas shall be a focal point for passive and active recreational activities and
provide a meaningful place for neighborhood gatherings and activities. Recreation areas
shall be placed in a highly visible area of the subdivision that is accessible via sidewalk,
walking path, trail, and/or bicycle or shared use path by all residents within the project.
(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.2)
b. Linear parks, as defined by this code and described in subsection D.2.h of this section,
are acceptable when they serve to improve access to recreational amenities and open space
networks. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.1.)
c. Passive recreation areas should be located within proximity to natural open space areas
and conserved, environmentally sensitive lands. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.C.2)
d. Recreational areas shall not include land, such as peaks, ridges, land fragments, land
restricted by Town policy, condition or ordinance, and land determined unusable for
recreational purposes by the Mayor and Town Council. Shallow retention basins (flood-
prone areas) may be approved for use as recreational areas subject to recommendations by
the Town Engineer and Planning and Zoning Administrator. Decisions may be appealed to
the Town Council. (MOVED TO 26.5.C.2).
A. In cases where a recreational area lies adjacent to a trail identified within the Eastern
Pima County Trails System Master Plan and/or the Oro Valley Trails Map and their
subsequent updates, a connection shall be provided between the recreational area and said
trail.
B. TRAILS AND ASSOCIATED SIGNAGE SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PIMA REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM MASTER PLAN STANDARDS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
TOWN’S PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, AND SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
i. TRAILS SHALL BE POSITIONED IN A MANNER TO AVOID NATIVE VEGETATION AND
MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL OF EROSION.
ii. TRAILS SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED TO ENSURE MINIMAL MAINTENANCE.
iii. ALL TRAIL EASEMENTS MUST BE A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FIVE (25’) WIDE, UNLESS
OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
iv. TRAILS SHALL BE DESIGNATED FOR PERMANENT, NON-MOTORIZED USE, UNLESS
OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
12
C. MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE TRAILS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOMEOWNER
ASSOCIATION OR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY.
D. DETAILED DESIGNS SHALL BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE LANDSCAPE AND RECREATION
AREA PLAN AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
i. SURFACE TREATMENT
ii. EROSION CONTROL MEASURES
iii. PLACEMENT OF SIGNAGE PER SECTION 26.5.C.5.
2. Recreational Facilities Improvement Standards RECREATION AREA IMPROVEMENTS AND
AMENITIES
a. Recreational area improvements shall be appropriate to the anticipated needs of the
development. DETAILED DESIGNS SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR EACH PROPOSED AMENITY
WITH THE LANDSCAPE AND RECREATION AREA PLAN final plat.
b. Equipment installed within the recreational areas shall comply with the provisions of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
C. IF PROVIDED, RESTROOM FACILITIES SHALL BE LOCATED IN A HIGHLY VISIBLE AREA AND
SHALL BE FREE OF SHRUBS THAT REACH A MATURE HEIGHT GREATER THAN THREE (3) FEET.
D. RECREATION AREA IMPROVEMENTS SHALL BE APPROPRIATE TO THE ANTICIAPTED NEEDS
OF RESIDENTS. AREAS MUST INCLUDE A VARIETY OF AMENITIES TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS
OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.
E. EACH RECREATION AREA MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AMENITIES, AT A MINIMUM:
I. SEATING SUCH AS A BENCH, PICNIC TABLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR AMENITY
II. TRASH RECEPTABLE AND/OR PET WASTE STATION
IV. VEHICLE AND BICYCLE PARKING PER SECTION 27.7
V. SHADING PROVIDED BY BUILT STRUCTURES, OR COMBINATION OF BUILT
STRUCTURES AND NATURAL VEGETATION.
VI. PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN ALL AMENITIES
VII. Provision of One (1) active and one (1) passive amenity AS SPECIFIED IN TABLE 26-2
for the first one-half (1/2) acre or portion thereof.
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a. For every additional one-half (1/2) acre (ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST HALF not
fractions), an additional passive and active AMENITY use shall be provided. up
to the maximum provided by the following subsections.
b. A MAXIMUM OF FIVE (5) PASSIVE AND THREE (3) ACTIVE AMENITIES ARE
PERMITTED WITHIN A SINGLE RECREATION AREA, UNLESS SUFFICIENT SPACE
HAS BEEN PROVIDED AS DETERMINED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING
ADMINISTRATOR OR THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
i. A single park area may contain up to five (5) passive amenities. Examples of passive
amenities include turf areas, benches, picnic tables, shade structures, barbecue grills,
pathways, etc. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.D.2.F).
ii. A single park area may contain up to three (3) MAJOR amenities. Examples of active
amenities include basketball courts, volleyball courts, bocce courts, horseshoe pits, par
courses, etc. (MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.D.2.F).
F. THE TOWN COUNCIL MAY REQUIRE DIFFERENT AMENITIES WITHIN A SUBDIVISION,
MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT TO ACHIEVE MORE VARIETY OR APPROVE
AMENITIES NOT SPECIFIED IN TABLE 26-2, YET COMPRABLE IN USE, ACCESSIBLITY AND
FUNCTION.
G. WHEN APPROPRIATE TO THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS, TOT LOTS SHALL BE REQUIRED. TOT
LOTS SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM:
I. PLAY EQUIPMENT AREA.
II. DRINKING FOUNTAIN.
III. SEATING AREA ORIENTED TOWARDS THE PLAY EQUIPMENT.
TABLE 26-2: RECREATION AREA AMENITIES
ACTIVE AMENITIES PASSIVE AMENITIES
SWIMMING POOL BARBECUE GRILLS
BALL COURT (BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL,
PICKLEBALL, TENNIS)
BOCCE BALL OR HORESHOE PIT
RAMADA PICNIC TABLE
PLAYGROUND OR TOT-LOT SWING SET OR STANDALONE PLAY STRUCTURE
RECTANGULAR TURF FIELD SMALL TURF AREA OR PAR COURSES
WORKOUT/FITNESS EQUIPMENT WALKING PATH
COMMUNITY GARDEN DOG PARK
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IV. TRASH RECEPTACLE(S).
V. BICYCLE PARKING WITH A FOUR (4) BICYCLE MINIMUM CAPACITY.
VI. PICNIC TABLE.
VII. LIMITED TURF AREA FOR ACTIVITY AREAS ONLY (LESS THAN FIFTEEN PERCENT
(15%) OF TOTAL RECREATIONAL AREA) MAY BE PROVIDED.
H. Linear parks SHALL may be utilized to satisfy the recreational requirements of this
section. Required amenities BE A MINIMUM WIDTH OF TWENTY-FIVE (25’) FEET AT ANY
GIVEN POINT AND include, at a minimum:
i. A shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
ii. Seating area.
iii. Landscaping.
iv. Drinking fountain, if located within one hundred (100) feet of a potable water line.
v. Trash receptacle(s).
vi. Pet waste removal station(s).
vii. Exercise stations MAY BE INCLUDED may be located within linear parks.
The location of the amenities along a linear park is subject to the approval of the Planning and
Zoning Administrator. and PRLCR Director.
I. INDOOR RECREATION AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
i. THE INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY MAY BE USED AS THE LEASING, SALES, OR
MANAGER’S OFFICE; HOWEVER, THAT USE MAY NOT EXCEED THIRTY PERCENT
(30%) OF THE GROSS FLOOR AREA.
ii. THE REMAINDER OF THE SPACE SHALL INCLUDE PASSIVE OR ACTIVE AMENITIES
SUCH AS GROUP MEETING SPACE OR COMMUNITY RECREATION ROOMS WITH
EXERCISE EQUIPMENT, TABLE SPORTS, GAMES, OR OTHER SIMILAR AMENITIES.
3. Credit for Enhanced Amenities OR ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE OPEN SPACE (ESOS)
A. Credit for the additional cost of enhanced recreational amenities, including community
swimming pools IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS, splash pads, skate/BMX
parks, fully improved sports fields, and other amenities approved by the Planning and
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Zoning Administrator, may be obtained against the recreation area requirement in
subsection C.1 of this section based on the following criteria:
i. The applicant shall submit a cost estimate summarizing the following:
a) Value of the land and cost of the improvements and amenities that would
be required by this code.
b) Value of the land and cost of the improvements and enhanced amenities
proposed as alternative means of compliance.
ii. Credit for the additional cost of the enhanced amenities may be received in the
form of a reduction to the required recreation land area.
iii. The extent of the credit shall be determined by the value of the enhanced
amenity as determined by the Town. The maximum reduction of recreation
area requirement is one-half (1/2) acre.
B. Credit for improved indoor recreational space, UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED, may be
obtained subject to the following criteria:
i. Improved community recreation rooms, community centers, gymnasiums,
performance space, or other recreation space accessible to all residents of a
development shall receive credit at a ratio of three to one (3:1) against the
area requirement contained in subsection C.1 of this section.
ii. Each active and passive amenity contained within an indoor recreational
space shall receive a credit to the recreational amenity requirements
contained in subsections D.2.e.vii, D.2.c, and D.2.d of this section at a one-to-
one (1:1) ratio.
C. UPON REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY
BOARD, TOWN COUNCIL MAY ALLOW ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE OPEN SPACE (ESOS)
TO BE CREDITED TOWARD THE AMOUNT OF RECREATION AREA BEYOND THE
ALLOWANCES PERMITTED IN SECTION 27.10 AND SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS ORDINANCE (ESLO). THE APPLICANT MAY RECEIVE A
CREDIT FOR THIS PROPERTY AT A ONE TO ONE (1:1) RATIO FOR A MAXIMUM OF ONE
HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF THE REQUIRED RECREATIONAL AREA. CREDIT MAY BE
OBTAINED ONLY WHEN THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE MET:
i. THE AREA SHALL BE DETERMINED TO CONTAIN SIGNIFICANT, UNIQUE, AND
DESIRABLE ENVIRONMENTAL, SCENIC, OR CULTURAL FEATURES.
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ii. THE AREA SHALL BE DELINEATED AS A COMMON AREA, DESIGNATED WITH A
CONSERVATION EASEMENT, WITH OWNERSHIP TO BE HELD IN COMMON BY
THE HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY OR
THE TOWN.
iii. THE AREA SHALL BE ACCESSIBLE VIA SIDEWALK, WALKING PATH, TRAIL,
AND/OR BICYCLE OR SHARED USE PATH BY ALL RESIDENTS WITHIN THE
PROJECT.
g. When appropriate to the needs of the residents, tot lot amenities shall be required. Tot
lots shall include, at a minimum:(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.D.2.G)
i. Play equipment area.
ii. Drinking fountain.
iii. Seating area (may include benches or seat walls) oriented towards the play
equipment.
iv. Trash receptacle(s).
v. Bicycle parking with a four (4) bicycle minimum capacity.
vi. Picnic table.
vii. Limited turf area for activity areas only (less than fifteen percent (15%) of total
recreational area) may be provided.
gh. Linear parks may be utilized to satisfy the recreational requirements of this section.
Required amenities include, at a minimum: :(MOVED TO SECTION 26.5.D.2.H)
i. A shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
ii. Seating area.
iii. Landscaping.
iv. Drinking fountain, if located within one hundred (100) feet of a potable water line.
v. Trash receptacle(s).
vi. Pet waste removal station(s).
vii. Exercise stations may be located within linear parks.
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VIII. The location of the amenities along a linear park is subject to the approval of the
Planning and Zoning Administrator and PRLCR Director.
4. Play Equipment Standards
a. Applicant shall submit evidence that play equipment complies with the current
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards for playground
equipment.
b. Playground surface materials, including certified wood fiber, shredded rubber,
poured-in-place surfacing, or other acceptable material approved by the Parks and
Recreation Director, shall be placed at a minimum depth of twelve (12) inches
under the equipment.
c. No play equipment shall be located within thirty (30) feet of any road right-of-way,
driveway or alleyway, parking area, or single-family residential lot or single-family
residential zone unless AN ARCHITECTURALLY COMPATIBLE WALL, PERMANENT
FENCE, OR SIMILAR an acceptable barrier is provided AND APPROVED BY THE
PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR.
d. ALL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND ASSOCIATED FALL ZONES must be fully shaded
with a UV-resistant sunshade or other appropriate shading material, or structure as
approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator. and Permitting Division. THE
PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MAY REDUCE OR WAIVE THIS
REQUIREMENT IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:
i. THE STRUCTURE IS DETACHED AND PERIPHERAL TO A PRIMARY
STRUCTURE.
ii. THE STRUCTURE REQUIRES A FALL ZONE GREATER THAN 6 FEET, SUCH
AS A SWING SET.
e. Play equipment or apparatus with a footprint of two hundred fifty (250) square feet
or less must be fully shaded with a UV-resistant sunshade or other appropriate
shading material or structure as approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator
and Permitting Division.
f. At least fifty percent (50%) of play equipment or apparatus must be fully shaded with
a UV-resistant sunshade or other appropriate shading material, or structure as
approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator and Permitting Division. This
requirement shall be applied only to play equipment or apparatus with a footprint
of two hundred fifty (250) square feet or greater.
g. To maximize the safety of children, play spaces shall be located to provide maximum
visibility from surrounding homes.
h. Play equipment shall not be located on a slope greater than four percent (4%).
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5. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Elements(MOVED TO SECTION
26.5.C.2.d)
a. Recreational area design shall consider the following CPTED elements:
i. Natural Surveillance
Emphasis on visibility of the recreational facilities, also known as “eyes on the street,”
to deter unauthorized users and activities.
ii. Access Control
Use of design elements to deny entrance to recreational facilities to unauthorized
users and activities.
5. SIGNAGE
a. All recreational areas shall post at least one (1) sign at the primary entrance(s) stating:
i. Hours of operation.
ii. Park/recreational area rules.
iii. Trespassing notice for unauthorized users, including citation of applicable
ordinances/statutes.
iv. Notice that all dogs must be kept on a leash (unless an approved off-leash area
has been designated).
v. Emergency (911) contact information to report suspicious or criminal activity.
vi. If A recreation area is privately operated, homeowners’ association contact
information to report maintenance or safety issues.
b. If a neighborhood watch program exists, a sign shall be posted at the primary
entrance(s) to the recreational area.
c. If the recreational area abuts an environmentally sensitive lands (ESL) area, a sign shall
be posted every AT one hundred (100) feet FOOT INTERVALS ALONG at the border of
the ESL area. The sign shall conform to the ESL sign requirements per the
environmentally sensitive lands ordinance (ESLO).
d. IF THE SUBDIVISION, MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDES PRIVATE
OR PUBLIC TRAILS, DIRECTIONAL TRAIL SIGNS SHALL BE POSTED AT ONE HUNDRED AND
FIFTY (150) FOOT INTERVALS ALONG THE TRAIL OR, AT ONE HUNDRED (100) FOOT
INTERVALS IF ABUTTING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS AREA.
6. LIGHTING AND RECREATION AREA HOURS
a. All lighting shall be consistent with the standards of Section 27.5, WITH THE EXCEPTION
OF 27.5.H. (RECREATIONAL FACILITIES).
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b. ALL LIGHTING MUST BE FULLY SHIELDED and turned off by 10:00 p.m.
c. If no lighting is provided, recreation area hours shall be limited to daylight hours only
and shall be posted on the informational sign(s) at the park entrance(s) required by
subsection D.5 of this section.
E. Facilities Installation, Ownership and Maintenance
1. Private Recreational Facilities
a. In cases where the recreational facility is to be privately owned, ALL SHARED
recreational AREAS INCLUDING AMENITIES, PRIVATE OR PUBLIC TRAILS WITHIN THE
PROJECT LIMITS facilities and ASSOCIATED parking improvements shall be
completed and in place by the time thirty-five percent (35%) of the building permits
are issued. Prior to release of the required bond or assurance, the developer shall
provide written documentation to the Town that all mechanisms are in place to
protect the rights of the RESIDENTS homeowners (i.e., liability insurance).
b. Private recreational areas, and improvements IN A SUBDIVISION shall be owned and
maintained by a mandatory membership homeowners association (HOA) created
by covenants. If the HOA fails to adequately maintain the required recreational
facilities, the Town may cause the property to be maintained and may cause a lien
to be placed on the property, subject to and inferior to the lien for general taxes
and to all prior recorded mortgages and encumbrances of record.
2. Public Park Facilities
a. In cases where the required recreational area is at least three (3) acres in size and is
located adjacent to a public thoroughfare, dedication to the Town may be accepted.
In this case, the parkland shall be owned and maintained by the Town. The
subdivider shall, without credit:
i. Provide full street improvements and utility connections including, but not
limited to, curbs, gutters, street paving, traffic control devices, lighting,
street trees, and sidewalks to land which is dedicated pursuant to this
section;
ii. Provide solid masonry fencing along the property line of that portion of the
subdivided lots contiguous to the dedicated land;
iii. Provide improved drainage through the site; and
iv. Provide other improvements and amenities that the Town Council
determines to be essential to the acceptance of the land for recreational
purposes. Subsequent improvements, if any, shall be developed and
maintained by the Town.
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b. REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC DEDICATION ARE SUBJECT TO RECOMMENDATION BY THE
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION AND APPROVAL BY THE TOWN COUNCIL.
c. When park land is dedicated to and accepted by the Town, the provisions of
subsection B.1 of this section shall not apply.
F. In-Lieu Fee Option
1. IN-LIEU FEES USED TO SATISFY THE RECREATION AREA AND ASSOCIATED AMENITY
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, APPLY AS FOLLOWS:
a. RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS, MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS REQUIRING
A RECREATION AREA OF ONE-QUARTER (¼) ACRE OR LESS MUST PROVIDE AN IN-LIEU
FEE.
b. ALL OTHER RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS, MULTI-FAMILY OR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS
MAY REQUEST USE OF AN IN-LIEU FEE TO SATISFY A PORTION OF THE RECREATION AREA
REQUIREMENT. REQUESTS ARE SUBJECT TO SECTION 26.5.2 AND A MINIMUM ONE-
QUARTER (1/4) ACRE MUST BE PROVIDED ONSITE WITH AMENITIES PER SECTION
26.5.D.2. The remaining portion of the recreation improvement obligation shall be
applied to on-site recreation area(s) and WITH amenities per the provisions of this code.
c. IN-LIEU FEES CANNOT BE USED TO SATISFY ANY REQUIRED PRIVATE OR PUBLIC TRAIL
IMPROVEMENTS.
1. In lieu of the required private recreational area or public park land dedication and required
recreational facilities. The Town Council may approve an alternative proposal for an in-lieu fee
that aids in the development or improvement of Town parks or recreational facilities. All
subdivisions containing forty-three (43) lots or less may utilize the in-lieu fee option.
2. Subdivisions of eighty-five lots or more may elect to utilize the in-lieu fee option for up to fifty
percent (50%) of the total cost of recreation area improvements as determined by the recreation
area in-lieu fee calculation definition. The remaining portion of the recreation improvement
obligation shall be applied to on-site recreation area(s) and amenities per the provisions of this
code. In-lieu fee proposals shall meet all of the following conditions:
2. REVIEW OF IN-LIEU FEE REQUESTS
a. IN-LIEU FEE REQUESTS ARE SUBJECT TO RECOMMENDATION BY THE PLANNING AND
ZONING COMMISSION AND APPROVAL BY TOWN COUNCIL. In-lieu fee requests shall
meet the following:
i. The subdivision, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL OR MIXED-USE
DEVELOPMENT has or can provide legal and physically constructed
access to an existing Oro Valley public park, a park location WITHIN
ONE-HALF (½) MILE, OR A TEN (10) MINUTE WALK FROM THE
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SUBDIVISION OR DEVELOPMENT. identified in the Town Parks, Open
Space and Trails Master Plan, or other location approved by the
Parks and Recreation Director.
ii. The total amount of the in-lieu fee determined by the recreation
area in-lieu fee calculation is, in the opinion of the Planning and
Zoning Administrator (PZA) and PRLCR Director, sufficient to fund a
specific park development or improvement project for an existing
facility.
b. In evaluating a REQUEST TO UTILIZE THE IN-LIEU FEE OPTION proposal under this
section, the Town Council shall consider the impact on the property resulting from a
change in the standard requirements for recreational space, the advantages and
disadvantages of the proposed alternatives, the benefits afforded to the subdivision
from the alternative proposal and the relative values to the community afforded by
the alternative proposal as compared with the standard requirements.
3. FEE CALCULATION AND DETERMINATION
a. A WRITTEN APPRAISAL REPORT PREPARED BY AN APPRAISER SHALL BE SUBMITTED
TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND PARKS AND RECREATION
DIRECTOR TO DETERMINE THE IN-LIEU FEE.
b. THE REPORT SHALL BE BASED ON THE IMPROVED VALUE OF THE LAND, INCLUDING:
i. THE COST OF THE LAND REQUIRED FOR THE RECREATION AREA
ii. THE COSTS FOR STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES REQUIRED IN SECTION 26.5.D.
iii. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS
iv. NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE (I.E., ROADWAYS, DRAINAGE WATER,
ELECTRIC, TELEPHONE AND SEWER) REQUIRED TO SERVE THE RECREATION
AREA AREAS.
c. THE TOWN MAY ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A THIRD-PARTY APPRAISER, AT THE
APPLICANT’S SOLE EXPENSE, TO EVALUATE THE ACCURACY OF THE REPORT.
d. The recreation area in-lieu fee shall be determined by the Town, with a written
appraisal report prepared by an appraiser acceptable to the Town. PLANNING AND
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR. The
determination of the recreation area in-lieu fee shall consider, but not necessarily be
limited to, the following:
i. Approval and any conditions of the conceptual site plan. AN
ASSOCIATED GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT OR REZONING
ii. The general plan
iii. Conditional zoning
iv. Property location
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v. Off-site improvements facilitating use of the property
vi. Site characteristics of the property
e. The recreation area in-lieu fee calculation shall be based on the improved value of
the land, including structures and facilities required by Section 26.5, design,
construction costs, and having the necessary infrastructure (i.e., roadways, drainage
water, electric, telephone and sewer) installed to serve the park areas. (MOVED TO
SECTION 26.5.F.3.b)
f. OBJECTIONS TO THE DETERMINED IN-LIEU FEE MAY BE APPEALED TO THE BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT PER SECTION 22.12.
6. The proposal shall be prepared by the applicant and submitted to the Planning and Zoning
Administrator and Parks and Recreation Director who shall forward their recommendations to
the Town Council for its action after an advertised public hearing.
4. APPROVAL
a. The terms of the agreement shall be made a matter of public record and a condition
of approval of any final plat, IF APPLICABLE, or issuance of any GRADING permit. s for
the subdivision.
b. The agreement shall provide for the funding TO IMPROVE OR DEVELOP PUBLIC
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CLOSEST TO THE SUBDIVISION OR DEVELOPMENT. of the
equivalent of park land and/or recreational facilities to the Town as would have been
provided by a recreational area in the subdivision.
8. In evaluating a proposal under this section, the Town Council shall consider the impact on the
property resulting from a change in the standard requirements for recreational space, the
advantages and disadvantages of the proposed alternatives, the benefits afforded to the
subdivision from the alternative proposal and the relative values to the community afforded by
the alternative proposal as compared with the standard requirements.(MOVED TO SECTION
26.5.F.2.b).
10. If the subdivider objects to the determined in-lieu fee, he/she may appeal to the Town
Council, with the burden of proof lying with the subdivider. (MOVED AND REVISED IN SECTION
26.5.F.3.f).
11. The Town Council may waive requirements for an appraisal when the subdivider provides
acceptable alternative information to the Planning and Zoning Administrator (PZA), Parks and
Recreation Director, and the Finance Director as a means of determining the improved value that
is presented and accepted at a Town Council public hearing.
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Section 27.6.C.3 Plant Materials and Restrictions
g. Natural turf is prohibited with the following exceptions:
a. Town of Oro Valley public parks.
b. Private parks that serve more than one neighborhood.
c. Private RECREATION AREAS parks serving only one (1)
neighborhood are limited to no more than fifteen percent (15%)
of the total park RECREATION area UNLESS A SPORTS FIELD OR
SIMILAR AMENITY IS APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL.
d. Private schools.
e. Golf course greens and tee boxes only.
For all uses enabled by exception, turf may only be utilized for activity areas and not for
ornamental purposes. Private Park RECREATION areas may not be seeded with winter rye.
Section 27.10.F. ESOS Use and Conservation Development
iii. Trails
Trails and associated amenities such as benches must conform to SECTION 26.5.D.1 standards
established by the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Department.
CHAPTER 31 – DEFINITIONS
Apartments – A DWELLING residential use, which is occupied as the home or residence of three (3) or
more families living independently of each other. DESIGNED FOR THE OCCUPANCY BY THREE (3) OR
MORE FAMILIES LIVING INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER IN UNITS STACKED ON TOP OF ONE
ANOTHER.
FALL ZONE – THE SURFACE UNDER OR AROUND A PLAY STRUCTURE ONTO WHICH A CHILD ACCIDENTALLY
FALLING FROM OR EXITING FROM THE EQUIPMENT WOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAND. ALSO REFERRED TO AS
A USE ZONE.
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT – A DEVELOPMENT WITH A COMBINATION OF RESIDENTIAL AND NON-
RESIDENTIAL USES.
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Recreation Area - A land area that is designated for recreation or contains specific facilities such as
community recreational centers, pedestrian ways, swimming pools, picnic facilities, basketball and
sport courts, playground equipment and exercise equipment.
Active - An area delineated for formal activities THAT INVOLVE RELATIVELY HIGH IMPACT OR
MORE ENERGY. Which may or may not require equipment and take place on a prescribed
field. Active recreational areas include, but are not limited to, tennis, volleyball, bocce ball
and other court games, baseball, soccer and other field sports, swimming pools, track, and
improved playground activity areas.
Passive - An area delineated for activities that involve relatively LOW IMPACT inactive or less
ENERGY. energetic activities, such as walking, sitting, picnicking, card games, checkers, and
similar table games. PASSIVE RECREATIONAL AREAS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,
WALKING PATHS, DOG PARKS, OR PICNIC AREAS. Passive recreational areas also include
natural open space, which contain nature walks and observation areas.
Townhouse - A dwelling with party walls and no side yards between abutting dwellings. A DWELLING
DESIGNED FOR OCCUPANCY BY TWO (2) OR MORE FAMILIES LIVING INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER
IN UNITS JOINED SIDE BY SIDE OR FRONT TO BACK BY PARTY WALLS, STRUCTURAL ROOF
COMPONENTS OR SIMILAR ELEMENTS.
ATTACHMENT 3: Feedback provided from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB), Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), and Town Council (TC).
Question / Comment Staff Response
PRAB With regard to the consolidation of rec areas, would they be located within the same subdivision with the same
developer?
This depends on whether a Master Development Plan or rezoning is required. The Zoning Code requires a master development plan for
large areas of land that need an integrated and comprehensive design. Rancho Vistoso is an example of a master planned area. A
rezoning case may also result in a larger, shared recreation area between adjacent subdivisions built by different developers.
PRAB If developers can only break up a recreation area twice, how can you ensure the park is within 10 min from all
residences?
TC Several smaller parks are sometimes better especially if the project is developing in phases.
PRAB How do you define adjacent? If a wash runs between two subdivisions are they adjacent? Per code, adjacent is defined as "being near or close to, but not necessary having a common dividing line (e.g., two properties that are
seperated by a street or alley shall be considered as adjacent to one another)."
PRAB Do adjacent subdivisions have to be built by the same developer? Is that economically feasible to have two different
developers work together?
TC Concern consolidation may be problematic with two different developers.
TC Is it legal to require two developers and two private HOAs to share a rec space?Yes, requiring a larger, recreation area shared by adjacent developers is legal through the rezoning process.
PZC Concern of potential problems between two HOAs when sharing a rec area, specifically regarding maintenance.
TC Concern of shared maintenance and regulation of the space if there is not a Master HOA.
TC Who maintains private parks?Homeowner associations or property management companies are responsible for maintaing private parks.
PRAB Maintain open space [ for R-6] at 35%.
TC When simplifying, make sure the overall open space requirement (35% in R-6) is maintained?
TC Should multi-family be allowed to divide the rec space into multiple areas? If so, meaningful rec areas must be
maintained.
Both multi-family and single-family developments can only divide the rec space into two areas, unless further distribution is approved by
Town Council. Factors considered for further distribution include site constraints, improved access or ability to provide a better variety of
amenities.
PZC Is the requirement for multi-family [apartments] based on size of property or the amount of units?There is not an existing recreation area size requirement for apartments. Instead, the code requires 50% of 35% of the gross land area to
be in a single-common open space area, which may include recreational uses. The proposed code stipulates 400 sf/unit must be
meaningful rec space.
TC Should lot size be factored in to the recreation area size requirement (similar to Marana)? The existing code factors in lot sizes. Private recreation areas are not required for large-lot residential zones (36,000 sf lots or more).
TC Is increasing the recreation size requirment a violation of State law. Would it be considered a taking to require more
than before?
The proposed increase from 512 sf/unit to 900 sf/unit for detached single-family homes would only apply to rezoning applications, which
complies with State law.
TC Why is multifamily based on area rather than per unit?Multi-family has been based on land area since the first zoning code was adopted in Oro Valley. However, this method does not factor in
density or relate the rec area requirement to the needs of future residents. The proposed code requires 400 sf/unit to resolve these
issues.
PRAB Clarification of whether parking or pedestrian connectivity is included in the rec area size requirement Parking is not included but pedestrian connectivity (e.g. trails and walking paths within the rec space) is included in the rec size
requirement. Sidewalks along roadways to access the rec area would be excluded.
TC Consider context of subdivision to determine if a rec area should be required (proximity to open space or parks).
TC Should in-lieu fees be allowed if a park (private or public) is not within a 10 min - 1/2 mile distance?
TC How many lots would a subdivision have to require a 1/4 acre or less? A residential project with 21 lots or less, or a rezoning with 12 lots or less would require an in-lieu fee to satisfy the rec area
requirement.
PRAB The maintenance costs of the smaller parks is high. Makes sense to allow in-lieu fee.
PRAB Concern of automatic in-lieu fee for 1/4 acre parks. Why not require a minimum park size of 1/4 acre instead? Requiring an in-lieu fee for very small parks, 1/4 acre or less aligns with staff's research and maintains equity amongst smaller
developments.
PRAB Make it a penalty to have small park (double fee) and a 1/4 acre or more is a fee? Currently the code allows in-lieu fee to satisfy 100% of the rec area requirement for smaller parks (1/2 acre or less). The proposed code
lowers this to a 1/4 acre and restricts the use of in-lieu fees for larger parks by only letting the fee satisfy a portion of the rec
requirement. This ensures some recreation space be provided in larger residential projects.
PZC Could in-lieu fees be used for maintaining existing trails or adding new trails?Parks and Rec could use in-lieu fees for facilities, such as trailheads.
TC Parks help with aesthetics and breaking up the monotony of homes. What mechanism will replace that aspect if an in-
lieu fee is paid?
The existing code requires local streets to be no more than 600 feet in linear feet without a curve or break in circulation (e.g., traffic
circle). This design standard requires rows of homes to be broken up.
TC Do we have data on the usage of mini parks?
TC Can one provide attractive amenities in mini parks?
TC Is this an amenity or size issue?
TC Can in-lieu fees be used for private parks (especially if that is what is closest to the neighborhood)?
TC In-lieu fees should be used for parks within the 10-min or 1/2 mile zone (whether private or public)
TC In-lieu fees should not be used for general maintenance but to add amenities in Town parks (to account for the added
population).
Staff recommends the Town maintains flexibility on the use of the in-lieu fee as long as it is used at a public park within 1/2 mile or
closest to the associated project.
TC Where do the in-lieu fees go?In-lieu fees are paid to the Town and used for improvements in public park facilities (including trailheads).
TC How frequent are in-lieu fees paid? Are they transferred from one homeowner to the next? In-lieu fees are paid one time by the developer (prior to construction).
Maintenace of recreation areas shared by multiple HOAs would be established in private agreements. Typically, most of the scenarios
this is applicable to would have a master HOA. An example is the Vistoso Community Association, which oversees the private recreation
Code language added to allow further distribution if needed to meet the 1/2 mile, or 10-minute walk distance requirement, provide
more amenity variety, site constraints or more.
Adjacent subdivisions do not have to be built by the same developer. Recreation areas consolidated and shared by adjacent subdivisions
would be within a master planned area or a result of a rezoning. An example of two different developers working together to construct a
recreation area is the community park located between the Alterra at Vistoso Trails and Valley Vista subdivisions.
The amount of open space required in every multi-family zoning district has been maintained. The proposed code clarifies that a portion
of the open space must be useable rec space.
Yes. HOAs with existing private parks were surveyed to better understand the value of mini parks. More than half (71%) responded that
mini parks were used often-very often. The location and type of amenities were the primary determinents of a park's use. Per the survey
results, a smaller park can provide attractive amenities but the limited space poses problems to achieve a variety and meet the
No. Use of in-lieu fees on private property could not be enforced by the Town. However, language was added to require the in-lieu fee
be used on a public park within a 1/2 mile of the associated project.
The option to request use of an in-lieu fee when located within a 1/2 mile of a public park facility for a portion of the private recreation
area requirement is maintained.
1A. Consolidate rec area into 1-2 spaces unless there are special circumstances
1B. Increase or establish the size of recreation areas.
1C. Prioritize high-value private recreation areas (1/4 acre or more)
PRAB Do other counties or places do recurring fees?Yes but Oro Valley is a one-time fee. The in-lieu fee is based on the money it would cost to provide a recreation area. This includes the
value of the land, cost of amenities and other improvements associated with the recreation area.
TC If approved, would in-lieu fees be applied to any existing parks?No, the proposed code amendment will only apply to new residential projects.
TC If an in-lieu fee is paid, would residents still have to pay standard park fees (e.g. admission to the community center)? Yes, standard park and facility fees still apply.
TC What is the benefit of in-lieu fees to the Town? To the developer?
TC If an in-lieu fee is approved, could they use the land for more homes?
TC Do we charge Park and Recreation impact fees?Yes. Impact fees are separate from in-lieu fees. They will be collected even if an in-lieu fee is paid.
PRAB Town would require the type of amenities in lieu of a fee? The cost of amenities that would be provided are factored into the in-lieu fee.
PRAB A sand volleyball court is much different than paved courts. Every developer will choose a volleyball court.
PRAB Concern of having duplicate amenities. The proposed code amendment allows Town Council to replace proposed amenities to achieve a better variety.
PRAB Concern about the cost of maintaining a swimming pool. In addition to residential subdivisions, the proposed code requires active and passive amenities in multi-family and mixed-use
developments. Swimming pools are one of several options a residential subdivision developer may choose to satify the amenity
requirements. The incentive (credit for enhanced amenities) to install a swimming pool has been removed.
PRAB Revise language to be a minimum of 1 instead of requiring 1 each The proposed code language requires a minimum of 1 active and 1 passive in every recreation area. The amount increases by 1 for each
additional 1/2 acre.
PRAB Clarification between minimum amenities and required amenities Clarification for the minimum amenities required has been added to the proposed code amendment.
PRAB/
PZC
Community garden as an additional amenity Community garden has been added as an active amenity.
PZC Consideration for the walking experience (e.g. crossing roads, ADA, shade etc.)The propoosed code requires at least one access routes be ADA accessible. Access routes must also be shown on the Recreation Area
Plan to check for barriers, landscaping, etc.
PZC When centralizing larger parks would that allow more turf areas? What about water conservation? Use of artificial turf? The proposed code amendment maintains only 15% of the recreation area may be natural turf but clarifies it may only be used for
activity purposes. Decorative use of natural turf is not prohibited.
PZC Consider hard surfaces and how much heat they absorb - use reflective painting.The code requires softer and safe materials under play equipment such as wood fiber or rubber.
PZC Consider shade for amenities, specifically more shade is needed for play areas. The proposed code amendment requires 100% of all play equipment and the associated use fall, or safety zones to be fully shaded
unless the structure is detached and peripheral to a main structure or requires a substantial fall zone (e.g. a swing set). This is an
increase from the existing code, which only requires the play equipment (or a portion of) to be shaded.
TC If approved, how would this affect areas with lesser value amenities? The proposed code amendment will only apply to new residential projects.
TC Need to allow flexibility based on target demographics (e.g., Sun City vs. a neighborhood for younger families)
PZC Consider the recreation needs of the residents it is serving (e.g. seniors)
TC Can they select an active amenity not on the list that is comparable?
PRAB Are solar panels allowed on recreation facilities?The code does not prohibit solar panels on recreation structures.
PRAB Can the code prescribe age appropriate playground equipment?The code purposefully does not prescribe a specific age range for the play equipment. It is intended to allow the developer to specify the
types of play equipment based on their target market.
PRAB Concern regarding added costs for residents to maintain amenities, specifically shade structures. With regard to amenity maintenance, the proposed code specifies an HOA or property management company may request to revise a
recreation area with administrative approval as long as it still meets the code to the same extent as the previously approved plan. This
gives future residents an opportunity to address high maintenance costs and allow amenities to evolve with the residents. Many newer
subdivisions are already providing more than the required amount of shade to appeal to new residents. Additionally, in the HOA survey,
shade was a main factor in a park's usability. The proposed code amendments codify best practices already being implemented. Much of
the cost associated with shade structure is incurred by the developer for initial design, engineering and construction. Maintenance costs
to replace shade sails/ clothes are lower.
PRAB How are rec area amenities enforced over time?Recreation areas should be maintained to the approved plan, per the zoning code. Any changes to the recreation areas must be
submitted and approved by the Town. Any complaints about recreation areas received by the town will be investigated and resolved
through the standard code violation process.
PRAB Should we be surveying high end communities like Scottsdale?Scottsdale requires a percentage of open space per residential development (medium to high-density).
PRAB What will developers think about this?Town staff has periodically discussed the proposed code amendments with the Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association (SAHBA) and
reached out to the Metropolitan Pima Alliance (MPA).
PRAB Did the Town require the shared park for Valley Vista and Alterra?Yes, through a rezoning the Town required a community park be shared between Alterra Trails and Valley Vista.
PZC Were multifamily developers reached out as well?Yes, staff reached out to the AZ Multi-Housing Association (AMA).
Other comments or questions
The benefit to the Town is getting funds to improve a public park facility. The benefit to the developer and future HOA is not
constructing or maintaining a recreational space with little value. The developer may use the land for other site improvements, such as
2. Provide more meaningful amenities
The proposed code amendment allows Town Council to approve comparable amenities not listed in the code to better meet the needs
of future residents.
1
Private park amenities, use and maintenance -
Survey Report
Overview
The Town of Oro Valley is working on proposed code amendments to private recreation areas, including
the size, type of amenities and in-lieu fee options applicable to new residential subdivisions, multi-
family, and mixed-use developments. The proposed code amendment does not apply to public parks.
Examining and updating the Town's private recreation area requirements is an objective in the Town
Council's Strategic Leadership Plan (SLP). Specifically, as part of the SLP, the Town Council directed staff
to examine methods that would "prioritize larger neighborhood area parks and amenities as outlined in
the Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment."
As part of this effort, the Community and Economic Development department sought input from HOAs
that currently own private parks to understand use of amenities, the value of smaller parks, and
maintenance needs.
Methodology
Property management companies of subdivisions with private parks were contacted to identify HOA
board members. Management companies were also asked to forward the survey to unidentified HOA
board members. The Town received HOA board contact information for 62% of the 49 subdivisions that
own private parks. Direct emails with a link to survey were sent out to the identified HOA board
members encouraging them to participate in the survey.
Despite the Town’s best efforts, only 18 surveys were completed. Even with the low response rate, the
information is helpful in providing some insight about private parks. However, the responses are not
representative of all HOAs with private parks. Therefore, this survey should not be solely used as a
basis for decision-making.
Participants were able to choose whether to participate in this survey, thus introducing a possibility of
self-selection bias. Self-selection bias occurs when the group that chooses to participate is not
equivalent to the group that opts out. We can assume that individuals that took time to respond to a
survey regarding are more likely aware and invested in their private recreation areas.
Report Sections
This report contains the following:
• Section 1: Survey respondents
• Section 2: Private Park Amenities
• Section 3: Use of Small Private Parks – ¼ acre or less
• Section 4: Maintenance of Private Parks
• Section 5: Additional Information
• Appendix: Survey Questions
2
Key Findings and Opportunities
Section 1: Survey Respondents Opportunities
• 18 surveys were completed that represent 24 private park or
recreational facilities.
• Rancho Vistoso is most represented. HOAs with private parks
on the south side of town (south of Lambert Lane) are least
represented.
• A wide range (0.2 -13.8 acres) of park sizes were reported in
the survey, including very small parks less than a ¼ acre.
• Subdivisions with 200 or less homes were most represented.
The survey had a low response rate
which provides some insight about
private parks, including very small
private parks but is not a
representative sample of all HOAs
with private parks.
Section 2: Private Park Amenities Opportunities
• Passive amenities such as benches, ramadas, picnic tables
and walking paths were prevalent in most of the surveyed
subdivisions.
• Benches, playground equipment, walking paths, ramadas, ball
courts and turf areas were most used.
• Require valued amenities in every
private park for seating, shading
and pedestrian connectivity.
• Playgrounds, ball courts and turf
areas are popular active amenities
that are most likely to be used over
time.
Section 3: Use of Small Private Parks – ¼ acre or less Opportunities
• Most (71%) of respondents with small parks stated they were
used a few times a week or daily.
• The primary factors for park use were the location,
accessibility and type of amenities provided.
• Small private parks are used
often. Use is dependent on
location, accessibility and the
type of amenities provided.
• Require a variety of amenities to
appeal to most residents.
• Locate private parks regardless of
size in a centralized, highly visible
area that is a focal point in the
community.
Section 4: Maintenance of Private Parks Opportunities
• Maintaining landscape and irrigation (71% of responses) are
the highest costs associated with private recreation areas.
• 48% of respondents thought the Town should limit the
amount of natural turf in private parks.
• Limit natural turf area in private
parks.
Section 5: Additional Information Opportunities
• Almost all (94%) of respondents agreed private parks need
seating, shading, and walking paths.
• 58% of respondents agreed a diverse range of amenities to
accommodate all age groups and abilities is important. The
other 42% were neutral while no one disagreed.
• Private parks should all include
seating, shading and pedestrian
connectivity at a minimum.
• Park areas need to have a variety
of amenities for all ages and
abilities.
3
Section 1: Survey Respondents
The map below identifies private parks owned and maintained by HOAs in Oro Valley. The map only
includes private parks within residential subdivisions. Responses from outreach and to the survey are
also mapped below.
4
Subdivisions and private parks represented
Vistoso Community Association represents 16 private park and recreation areas. In addition to Vistoso
Community Association, 9 other subdivisions are represented in this survey.
SUBDIVISION PARK SIZE (ACRES) RESPONSES
Vistoso Community Association 0.2 – 13.8 2
Carmel Pointe 1.0 2
Catalina at Canada Hills 0.2 1
Copper Creek 3.5 1
Copper Ridge Estates II 2.8 3
Ironwood Canyon 0.5 2
Residences at Miller Ranch 0.2 1
Tangerine Terrace 0.2 4
Villages at La Canada 0.9 2
Number of homes represented
Roughly, how many homes does your HOA serve?
Subdivision with 100 or less homes represent 39% of the responses, medium subdivisions with 101-500
homes represent 33%, and large subdivisions 501+ homes represent 28%.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10-100 101-200 501-600 600+Number of ResponsesNumber of Homes Represented
HOA Board Representation
5
Section 2: Private Park Amenities
What type of amenities are in the private parks your HOA oversees?
Passive amenities such as benches and ramadas were most prevalent in existing private parks surveyed.
Ball courts (e.g., basketball, tennis, etc.) and playground equipment were the most common active
amenities. Turf areas for free play were also common.
None of the respondents had swimming pools in their private recreation areas. Note: For accuracy,
duplicate responses for the same subdivision were removed.
Those who responded with “Other” amenities listed:
• Horseshoe area
• Parking lot
• Barbecue grills
• Bathrooms, water fountains
• Shade canopies
• Security cameras and lighting
• WIFI and concrete event pad
Of the surveyed private parks, the number of amenities ranged between 2-5 per park area. The two
subdivisions with the smallest private recreation areas (0.2 acres) had 2-3 amenities.
Passive Amenities Active Amenities
6
Based on your knowledge, please rank the amenities used most often in private parks?
Benches, playground equipment, walking trails or paths ranked highest (Tier 1). Ball courts, ramadas or
picnic tables and turf areas were second with dog parks, swimming pools and workout/fitness
equipment used least.
Note: Respondents were asked to rank all the amenities listed below whether they were prevalent in
their private park. Therefore, the results may be skewed since some amenities (e.g., dog parks and
swimming pools) are not common in the private parks surveyed.
Tier I
Tier 2
Tier 3
7
Section 3: Use of Smaller Private Parks – ¼ acre or less
The following section is focuses on smaller private parks a (1/4 acre or less). The map depicts the
amount and location smaller private parks exist.
8
Based on your knowledge, how often are small private parks (1/4 acre or less) used in your area?
Examples given included Copper Spring Park in Vistoso Estates, The residences at Miller Ranch subdivision
park, Torreno Park, The Cove subdivision park, and Desert Crest subdivision park.
Of the 18 respondents, this question was only applicable to 7. From the 7 respondents who represent
subdivisions with smaller parks, most found their parks were used a few times a week (often).
Interestingly, 4 respondents representing the same neighborhood had varying opinions ranging from
rarely – very often.
For those who do not own small private park areas, 4 opted out of the question and 7 responded. The 7
responses matched those above, except for 1 response of “very rarely.”
If responded with very rarely or rarely, why do you think small private parks are rarely used?
For those who own smaller private parks, the following factors were identified as the primary reasons
they are only used a few times per month (listed in random order):
• The type of amenities is not appealing
• They are not shaded enough for year round
• The number of amenities is too low
For those who do not own private parks, the following factors were identified as primary reasons for
why they are only used a few times per month (listed in random order):
• They are not centrally located
• The type of amenities not appealing
• They are too small
• They are not shaded enough for year-round
0
1
2
3
4
5
Very rarely ( a few
times per year)
Rarely (a few times
per month)
Often ( a few times
per week)
Very often (daily)
Use of Small Parks
9
If responded with often to very often, why do you think small private parks are well used?
For those who own smaller private parks, the following factors were identified as the primary reasons
they are used often:
Similarly, for those who do not own private parks the top factor better use the parks’ location.
Section 4: Maintenance of Private Parks
What are your biggest maintenance costs related to private parks
Maintaining or replacing landscaping and irrigation were the highest maintenance costs for private
parks. Two participants were unsure and opted out of the question.
0 1 2 3 4 5
They are centrally located to most homes.
The number of amenities provided is good.
The type of amenities is appealing to residents.
They are well-shaded for year-round play.
They are right sized for the community.
They are accessible and visible in the community
Factors for Often - Very Often Used Small Parks
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Irrigation costs
(watering or
replacement)
Maintaining or
replacing landscaping
Reseeding natural turf Upkeep/replacement of
equipment
Maintenance Costs
10
Section 5: Additional information
Based on your knowledge, is there interest from the community to change the private park
amenities or design?
Five (26%) of the respondents answered yes to this question. All the changes requested were to replace
or add amenities:
• Change the basketball court to pickleball
• Replace real grass with artificial grass
• Remove volleyball court and add ramadas, benches, and tables or maybe a bocce ball court
Please rate your agreement with the following statements
Ninety-four (94%) of respondents agreed seating, shade, and walking paths are important in private
parks.
Although irrigation and landscaping are high maintenance costs, the responses to whether the Town
should limit turf in private parks varied. Forty-eight percent (48%) agreed, twenty-six percent (26%)
were neutral, and twenty-seven percent (27%) disagreed.
Similar to previous responses, the variety of amenities and location of private recreation areas were the
primary determinants for meaningful and usable recreation space.
Is there anything else the Town should consider regarding private parks?
At the end of the survey, respondents were given the opportunity to share anything else they felt had
not been covered.
With the opportunity to provide an open-ended response, it was popular for respondents to cite a
specific issue they care about. Responses highlighted the value of small parks and emphasized the need
for private parks to be accessible, centrally located and have amenities such as seating.
11
There were four responses to this question:
• Our park is not very appealing, is scarcely used, and seems frankly unnecessary in such a small
community. The Town provides much better amenities at its parks and community centers.
• Maybe the city taking over our park
• It is easily accessible to the families in this community, and they don't have to take their children
elsewhere to play. It is also a central location so that the area can be used for other
neighborhood gatherings. Needs more seating and parking off street.
• Allow the association to manage the small community parks. They know their membership best
and will focus on maintaining the safety and appeal of the park while controlling expenses.
Conclusion
The survey provides some insight about existing private park areas in subdivisions. Due to the low
response rate, this information is helpful but not representative of all private parks.
Key themes from the survey include a need for standard amenities, such as seating and shading, focus
on having a variety of amenities, and a central/accessible location for private rec areas to be meaningful
and usable by all residents.
12
Appendix
Copy of Survey
The Town of Oro Valley is updating the private park standards for new subdivisions. We are seeking
input from HOAs that currently own private parks. As an HOA board member, you have been selected to
share your experience.
The survey will take approximately 5 minutes and individual response will not be shared with other
parties. This survey is for HOA board members and is only available online through June 30. If you have
any questions about the proposed updates or the survey, please contact Milini Simms, Principal Planner
at 520-229-4836.
1. What is the name of the homeowner’s association (HOA) you represent?
2. Roughly, how many homes does your HOA serve?
3. What types of amenities are in the private parks you oversee? (Check all that apply)
• Benches
• Ramadas or picnic tables
• Workout/fitness equipment
• Paved walking paths or trails
• Playground equipment
• Swimming pools
• Ball courts (basketball, pickleball, volleyball, etc.)
• Turf areas for free play or gathering
• Dog parks
• Other:
4. Based on your knowledge, please rank the amenities used most often in the private parks?
• Benches
• Ramadas or picnic tables
• Workout/fitness equipment
• Paved walking paths or trails
• Playground equipment
• Swimming pools
• Ball courts (basketball, pickleball, volleyball, etc.)
• Turf areas for free play or gathering
• Dog parks
• Other:
5. Based on your knowledge, how often are small parks (1/4 acre or less) used in your area? Please
click here for a map of small private parks in the Town of Oro Valley.
• Very rarely (a few times per year)
• Rarely (a few times per month)
• Often (a few times per week)
• Very often (daily)
13
6. Why do you think the small private parks are rarely used?
• They are not centrally located most of the homes.
• The amount of amenities is too low.
• The type of amenities is not appealing to residents
• They are too small.
• They are not shaded.
• They are not accessible or visible.
• Other:
7. If you answered “often – very often,” why do you think small private parks are well used?
• They are centrally located to most homes.
• The amount of amenities provided is good.
• The type of amenities is appealing to residents.
• They are well-shaded for year-round play.
• They are right sized for the community.
• They are visible and accessible.
• Other:
8. In your experience, has the community raised any of the following concerns about private
parks?
• Private parks are not accessible from where they live.
• The types of amenities in the private parks are not appealing.
• Private parks lack enough shade for year-round play.
• Private parks are too small.
• Other:
9. What are your biggest maintenance costs related to private parks? (Check the top 2)
• Irrigation costs (watering or replacement)
• Maintaining or replacing landscaping
• Reseeding natural turf
• Upkeep/replacement of equipment
• Sign replacement
• Lighting
• Other:
10. Based on your knowledge, is there interest from the community to change the private park
amenities or design?
• Yes
• No
If yes, please elaborate:
14
11. Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements (Strongly disagree – Strongly
Agree, do not know)
• Seating, shade, and walking paths are important in private parks.
• The Town should limit the amount of natural turf allowed in private parks.
• A diverse range of amenities to accommodate all age groups and abilities is important.
• Having one, large, centrally located private park is better than multiple, smaller private
parks spread throughout the neighborhood.
• Maintenance of small private parks (less than a ¼ acre) outweighs the benefits they
provide to the community.
12. Is there anything else you think the Town should consider regarding private parks?
SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
September 5, 2023
Mr. Jacob Herrington
Chair, Planning & Zoning Commission
Town of Oro Valley
11000 N. La Cañada Drive
Oro Valley, AZ 85737
RE: Proposed Changes to Private Recreation Area Requirements
Dear Mr. Herrington:
The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA) represents more than 300
member companies in all segments of the planned residential community development
industry. Our developer and builder members have contributed to the growth and prosperity of
Oro Valley through the construction of some of the premier master planned communities and
subdivisions in the region. While we support the Town’s desire to improve the level and
amount of park amenities for future residents, we have several comments and concerns on the
proposed changes to the Private Area Recreation Requirements that we ask you to consider.
• Increased Size Requirement: The change in size required for private recreation areas
internal to a subdivision (going from 512sf/unit to 900sf/unit) is costly and strips
developers of developable land which could provide additional homes in a housing
market where inventory is desperately needed. We ask the Commission to reduce the
park area size requirement.
• Relationship Between Impact Fees & Recreation Area Requirements: We
understand the Town’s intent in raising the area requirement to be closer to that of
Pima County, but the County, nor Sahuarita, charges park impact fees. We would like
to better understand the relationship between the intent of park impact fees and the
recreation area requirements as it appears the home buyer is effectively paying twice
for park amenities.
• Required Park Amenities: Selecting the type of park amenities for a subdivision
depends on the target buyer segment for the particular community. It is a marketing
decision best left to the builder. We request the process of choosing amenities be made
as simple and as flexible as possible. The applicant should have an opportunity to
work with Town staff on determining the appropriate type of amenity and not the
prescribed approach of the current draft.
• Clean Up and Clarification on Certain Code Changes: We have identified areas in
the proposed language where there seem to be inconsistencies or questions about
meaning/intent. For example:
o Section 26.5.B.1, ‘Pre-plats’ are referenced and then the terms ‘construction
plans’ and ‘development plans’ seem to be used interchangeably when they are
in fact different things.
o Section above Table 26-1 and section below are duplicate “C”s.
We ask for an opportunity to work with Town staff to address these issues.
• Review and Approval Process: There are many approval requirements in different
parts of the process (i.e. staff approval, Town Council approval, Planning and Zoning
Administrator approval , Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approval, Parks
Director approval, etc). These different layers make the process complex and likely
increase time. We ask the Commission to recommend staff streamline the process to
make it simpler and easier to understand for all involved.
Southern Arizona
Home Builders
Association
2840 N. Country Club Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
P: 520.795.5114
www.sahba.org
PRESIDENT & CEO
David M. Godlewski
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Chair
Andrew Hayes
Hayes Construction
1st Vice Chair
Steve Crawford
Pepper Viner Homes
2nd Vice Chair
Andrew Gasparro
KB Home
Secretary/Treasurer
Randy Agron
A.F. Sterling Homes
Immediate Past Chair
Michael Del Castillo
Richmond American Homes
• Increased Shade Requirements: Doubling the size of shading required will add tens
of thousands of dollars in cost. It would also result in extremely large monolithic
structures. We ask the Commission to reduce the proposed amount of required shade to
be more in line with what is currently required.
• Housing Affordability: As the demographics of the Town evolve, and more and more
families choose to call Oro Valley home, the reduction of land available for homes in a
subdivision and added costs will price many families out of the market. We encourage
the Commission to take into consideration the impact on housing affordability.
• Additional Credit for Trails/Paths: Walking on trails and paths is a popular means of
exercise and recreation. Therefore, we ask that walking paths and trails are counted
towards the required square footage of the neighborhood’s private recreation area
regardless of width or size so long as they include trash receptacles, benches, etc.
• Use of In-lieu Fee Option: The proposed changes reduce flexibility in the use of an
in-lieu fee. We request that the in-lieu fee option remain the same.
• Consolidating Recreation Areas: While in concept consolidating recreation areas
within a subdivision may seem to be the most practical approach, in most cases there is
a preferred location strategy for a particular subdivision. It is also extremely difficult to
consolidate parks between two subdivisions and would not support this being a
requirement. The proposed changes are too prescriptive and should be more carefully
developed. We request the opportunity to work with staff on this provision and that
allowing two or more rec areas be an administrative decision.
In conclusion, we thank you and Town staff for hearing from stakeholders on the proposed
changes. We offer these comments with the goal of working together to reach the objectives of
the Town while providing flexibility to builders and maintaining affordability for home buyers.
We look forward to the continued conversation on this topic and stand ready to work with you
on finalizing the new requirements.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Barroso, Government Liaison
Southern Arizona Home Builders Association
2840 N. Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716
520.795.5114 | jennifer@sahba.org
CC: Daniel Sturmon, Vice Chair
Skeet Posey, Commissioner
Kimberly Outlaw, Commissioner
Phil Zielinski, Commissioner
Joe Nichols, Commissioner
Anna Clark, Commissioner
Milini Simms, Principal Planner
Southern Arizona
Home Builders
Association
2840 N. Country Club Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
P: 520.795.5114
www.sahba.org
PRESIDENT & CEO
David M. Godlewski
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Chair
Andrew Hayes
Hayes Construction
1st Vice Chair
Steve Crawford
Pepper Viner Homes
2nd Vice Chair
Andrew Gasparro
KB Home
Secretary/Treasurer
Randy Agron
A.F. Sterling Homes
Immediate Past Chair
Michael Del Castillo
Richmond American Homes
ATTACHMENT 6: STAFF RESPONSES TO SAHBA LETTER
SAHBA Comments Staff Response
Objective 1. Consolidating Rec Areas
Consolidating Recreation Areas: While in concept consolidating
recreation areas within a subdivision may seem to be the most
practical approach, in most cases there is a preferred location
strategy for a particular subdivision. It is also extremely difficult
to consolidate parks between two subdivisions and would not
support this being a requirement. The proposed changes are
too prescriptive and should be more carefully developed. We
request the opportunity to work with staff on this provision and
that allowing two or more rec areas be an administrative
decision.
The aim is to get larger recreation areas rather than several
smaller and scattered parks. The proposed code does provide
flexibility to allow further distribution or smaller park sizes
when warranted. The request for further distribution will be
made when the recreation area plan is being considered by the
Town Council. This does not add any time to the process.
Regarding consolidating parks between two subdivisions, this
would only occur when a large area of land is rezoned or master
planned. With the limited amount of land left, this will likely
only occur if the Town annexes land.
Objective 2. Increase size or establish recreation area requirements
Increase size: The change in size required for private recreation
areas internal to a subdivision (going from 512sf/unit to
900sf/unit) is costly and strips developers of developable land
which could provide additional homes in a housing market
where inventory is desperately needed. We ask to reduce the
park area size requirement.
The increase aims to meet the need for more neighborhood
parks (over 2 acres) identified in the Parks and Recreation
Master Plan.
Th proposed increase (applicable to rezonings only) to 900
sf./unit is like Pima County's requirement (870 sf./unit) for
subdivisions. The slight increase accounts for Oro Valley being
more suburban than Pima County, which has more rural areas.
Similar to single-family residential subdivisions, many
townhome projects are subdivided into individual lots. The site
design for both detached and attached housing results in small
yards or patios, prompting a need for larger shared rec areas.
Additional Credit for Trails/Paths: Walking on trails and paths is
a popular means of exercise and recreation. Therefore, we ask
that walking paths and trails are counted towards the required
square footage of the neighborhood’s private recreation area
A portion of the recreation area can be a linear park, if the trail
has seating, drinking fountains (if possible) and pet waste
stations they will qualify as a linear park.
ATTACHMENT 6: STAFF RESPONSES TO SAHBA LETTER
regardless of width or size so long as they include trash
receptacles, benches, etc.
Objective 3. Prioritize higher-value recreation areas
Use of In-Lieu Fee Option: The proposed changes reduce
flexibility in the use of an in-lieu fee. We request that the in-lieu
fee option remain the same.
Developments requiring more than a ¼ acre park may still
request an in-lieu fee. However, the proposed code does
require at least a ¼ acre be built onsite. This is to ensure some
recreation is provided.
The in-lieu fee is based on the cost it would have been to install
the recreation area. The land value, cost for improvements and
required amenities are factored into the in-lieu fee. Feedback
from SAHBA about the in-lieu fee calculation was mixed. Some
members suggested charging a flat fee based on their
experience in Pima County. Pima County's criteria for in-lieu
fees is similar to Oro Valley's but they use a flat fee that is
adjusted each year per the Consumer Price Index.
The town's approach to calculating in-lieu fees is more accurate
than a flat fee. Although Pima County adjusts for inflation, the
accuracy of this adjustment reduces over time. The proposed
process enables the fee to be right sized for the development,
which benefits both the town and the developers.
Objective 4. Ensure amenities for all ages and abilities
Increase Shade Requirements: Doubling the size of shading
required will add tens of thousands of dollars in cost. It would
also result in extremely large monolithic structures. We ask the
Commission to reduce the proposed amount of required shade
to be more in line with what is currently required.
To clarify, the shade structures do not have to be ramadas.
Many newer subdivisions provide shading through posts and
sun sails shades.
Specifically, regarding the size/height, the National Safety
Standard for Playgrounds is 6-10 feet above the ground.
Anything over 8 feet needs a better-quality surface to reduce
the risk of injury. In Oro Valley, shade structures in newer
ATTACHMENT 6: STAFF RESPONSES TO SAHBA LETTER
subdivisions, such as Villages at Silverhawke and Ironwood
Estates, range between 11-12 feet tall.
Swing sets and similar equipment that are detached and
peripheral to a main play structure or require a substantial fall
zone should be treated differently. The Planning and Zoning
Commission recommended a condition to meet the original
intent of the proposed code but allow shading to be reduced or
waived for these circumstances.
Required Park Amenities: Selecting the type of park amenities
for a subdivision depends on the target buyer segment for the
particular community. It is a marketing decision best left to the
builder. We request the process of choosing amenities be made
simple and as flexible as possible. The applicant should have an
opportunity to work with Town staff on determining the
appropriate type of amenity and not the prescribed approach of
the current draft.
The amenities provided in the proposed code amendment
provide a menu of choices for developers to choose from.
Unlike the current code, the proposed code adds flexibility for
other amenities to be approved by the Town Council. The
amenity requests will be considered by the Town Council during
the development review process, so no time is added to the
process.
Process related comments or questions
Review and Approval Process: There are many approval
requirements in different parts of the process (i.e., staff
approval, Town Council approval, Planning and Zoning
Administrator approval, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Approval, Parks and Recreation Director approval, etc.). These
different layers make the process complex and likely increase
time. We ask the Commission to recommend staff streamline
the process to make it simpler and easier to understand for all
involved.
Recreation Area Plans require consideration by the Planning
and Zoning Commission and Town Council when the associated
preliminary plat or development plan is considered. Only
recreation areas being dedicated to the Town are required to
be considered by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The
proposed code amendment maintains the current process.
This distinction has been clarified in the proposed code
amendment.
Clean Up and Clarification on Certain Code Changes: Section
26.5.B.1, ‘Pre-plats’ are referenced and then the terms
All three terms are referenced because this section now applies
to subdivisions, multi-family, and mixed-use developments.
ATTACHMENT 6: STAFF RESPONSES TO SAHBA LETTER
‘construction plans’ and ‘development plans’ seem to be used
interchangeably when they are in fact different things. Section
above Table 26-1 and section below are duplicate “C”s. We ask
for the opportunity to work with Town staff to address these
issues.
Although subdivisions require preliminary and final plats, the
latter typically do not subdivide and therefore, require
development and construction plans.
The duplicate “C”’s has been fixed.
Other comments or questions
Housing Affordability: As the demographics of the Town evolve,
and more and more families choose to call Oro Valley home,
the reduction of land available for homes in a subdivision and
added costs will price many families out of the market. We
encourage the Commission to take into consideration the
impact on housing affordability.
There will be an added cost to future residents. However, the
shading and amenity requirements are already being installed
in newer subdivisions. The proposed code amendment
represents the best practices seen in Oro Valley.
Relationship Between Impact Fees & Recreation Area
Requirements: We understand the Town’s intent in raising the
area requirement to be closer to that of Pima County, but the
County, nor Sahuarita, charges park impact fees. We would like
to better understand the relationship between the intent of
park impact fees and the recreation area requirements as it
appears the home buyer is effectively paying twice for park
amenities.
The town is going through the process of updating the impact
fees, but that effort is not part of this code amendment.
D R A F T
MINUTES
ORO VALLEY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
September 5, 2023
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Herrington called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Anna Clark, Commissioner
Joe Nichols, Commissioner
Kimberly Outlaw Ryan, Commissioner
Philip Zielinkski, Commissioner
Daniel Sturmon, Vice Chair
Jacob Herrington, Chair
Absent: Skeet Posey, Commissioner
Staff Present:Michael Spaeth, Principal Planner
Joe Andrews, Chief Civil Deputy Attorney
Attendees: Joyce Jones-Ivey, Town Council Liaison
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Herrington led the Commission and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO AUDIENCE
There were no speaker requests.
COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS
Council member Joyce Jones-Ivey provided updates on Town projects, the Van Gogh exhibit and Planning
items on the upcoming Town Council agenda.
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
1.REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 8, 2023 SPECIAL SESSION MEETING MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Joe Nichols, seconded by Commissioner Anna Clark to approve the August
8, 2023 meeting minutes.
Vote: 6 - 0 Carried
2.PUBLIC HEARING: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A PROPOSED
TRANSLATIONAL REZONING OF AN APPROXIMATELY 36-ACRE PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE
SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LA CANADA DRIVE AND MOORE ROAD FROM PIMA COUNTY
SUBURBAN RANCH (SR) TO TOWN OF ORO VALLEY R1-144 (LARGE-LOT RESIDENTIAL)
Principal Planner Michael Spaeth provided a presentation that included the following:
- Purpose
- Location map
- Translational rezoning
- Next steps
- Summary and recommendation
Chair Herrington opened the public hearing.
There were no speaker requests.
Chair Herrington closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued among the Commission and staff.
Motion by Commissioner Anna Clark, seconded by Vice Chair Daniel Sturmon to recommend approval
of the proposed translational zoning finding it conforms with state requirements.
Vote: 6 - 0 Carried
3.PUBLIC HEARING: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROPOSED ZONING CODE
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 23, ZONING DISTRICTS, CHAPTER 26, PROVISIONS OF
RECREATIONAL AREA, CHAPTER 31, DEFINITIONS, AND OTHER RELATED SECTIONS FOR
NEW RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS, MULTI-FAMILY, AND MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS
Principal Planner Milini Simms provided a presentation that included the following:
- Guidance
- Research
- Additional public input
- Guidance and objectives
- 1. Consolidate private rec areas
- 2. Increase or establish the size of recreation areas
- 3. Prioritize high-value private recreation areas
- 4. Ensure high-quality amenities
- General Plan compliance
- Summary and recommendation
Chair Herrington opened the public hearing.
Jennifer Barroso, representing the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA), spoke on
Agenda Item #3.
Chair Herrington closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued along the Commission and staff.
Motion by Commissioner Kimberly Outlaw Ryan, seconded by Commissioner Anna Clark to
recommend approval of the proposed code amendments to Chapter 23, Chapter 26, Chapter 31, and
other related sections of the zoning code, with the additional condition to revise language to ensure the
main playground structure is 100% fully shaded, but allow standalone structures that are secondary in
size and location such as a swing set to be unshaded, based on the finding they are in conformance with
the General Plan.
Vote: 6 - 0 Carried
PLANNING UPDATE (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)
Principal Planner Michael Spaeth provided updates on the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and
the upcoming Community Academy.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Herrington adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m.
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the
Town of Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 5th day of September
2023. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
___________________________
Jeanna Ancona
Senior Office Specialist
Public hearing: Proposed Changes to
Private Recreation Area Requirements
Town Council
October 18, 2023
Guidance
Lambert Lane
Athletic Field
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Needs
Assessment and Master Plan (2021)
Need for more neighborhood parks, basketball
courts, playgrounds and ramadas
Based on significant community input collected
through a Town-wide survey
Strategic Leadership Plan (SLP) objective
“Review Town codes related to recreation
amenity requirements for residential
subdivisions and recommend updates that
will prioritize larger neighborhood area
parks and amenities as outlined in the Parks
and Recreation Needs Assessment.”Recommendations for private recreation areas from the Parks and
Recreation Master Plan
Research
Research
Oro Valley Zoning Code
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment and Master Plan
Private recreation area size and amenity requirements and amenity inventory
Oro Valley
Pima County
Sahuarita
Tucson
Marana
Flagstaff
Peoria
Goodyear
Phoenix
Scottsdale
Cave Creek
Gilbert
Cottonwood
Fountain Hills
Trust for Public Land
Discussion and feedback from PROS Consulting and Oro Valley Parks and
Recreation Director
Additional guidance
Study Sessions with PRAB, the Planning and Zoning
Commission and Town Council
Specific questions and comments with staff responses provided
in Attachment 3
Surveyed HOA board members who oversee
private recreation areas
Understand amenity use and needs, value of smaller
parks and maintenance costs
18 respondents representing 24 private recreation areas
Guidance and objectives
1. Consolidate private recreation areas:
Create adequately sized, meaningful recreation areas that are central focal space for gathering, passive and active
amenities.
2. Increase or establish the size of recreation areas:
Improve utility and use by creating larger parks with more space for amenities.
3. Prioritize higher-value recreation areas:
Increase utility by eliminating very small parks with little space for amenities
Provide an equitable alternative for smaller residential projects.
4. Ensure a variety of passive and active amenities for all ages and abilities is provided.
SLP: Prioritize larger neighborhood area parks
SLP: Provide meaningful amenities
Ina Rd.
1. Consolidate private recreation areas
Finding/Existing Code: No mechanism to consolidate private recreation
areas which can result in smaller, scattered parks.
Proposed Code: Provide private recreation spaces in no more than 2 areas.
Must be within a ½ mile from residents it intends to serve
Must be at least 60’ wide at any given point
Provides flexibility by allowing Town Council to approve:
More than 2 recreation areas, when warranted:
Topography
Distance requirements
Achieve a better variety of amenities
Narrow recreation areas due to topography or if it is a linear park (trails
excluded from width requirement)
Objective: Create adequately sized, meaningful recreation areas that are central
focal space for gathering, passive and active amenities.
Example of a subdivision with smaller, scattered
private recreation areas
Ina Rd.
1. Consolidate private recreation areas
Proposed Code
Requires adjacent subdivisions to construct larger, shared
recreation areas
Only applies to master planned areas or rezoning applications
with more than one subdivision. Examples include:
Rancho Vistoso - Community park on Moore Loop
Capella Planned Area Development - At least 6 different subdivisions
Typically have master HOA to regulate open spaces and
recreation areas
Example of a rezoning and master planned area
with shared rec spaces between subdivisions
2. Increase or establish the size of recreation areas
Findings: Oro Valley’s private recreation
area size requirement for subdivisions is
lower than some surrounding
jurisdictions.
Recreation area requirement for multi-family
or mixed-use developments is not clearly
defined.
Existing Requirements
Jurisdiction Area Requirement for Subdivisions
Pima County 1.70-acres per 85 dwelling units (870 sf/unit)
Sahuarita 1.41-acres per 85-dwelling units (723 sf/unit)
Oro Valley 1-acre per 85 dwelling units (512 sf/unit)
Marana 0.39 to 0.98-acres per 85 dwelling units
depending on lot size (200 – 502 sf/unit)
Tucson None
Highest
Lowest
Objective: Improve utility and use by creating larger parks with more space for
amenities.
Ina Rd.
Proposed Code:
Increases the recreation area size requirement for subdivisions from 512 sf/unit to 900 sf/unit. Applicable to rezonings only
Requires a specific portion of the open space in multi-family or mixed-use developments to be recreation area
No change to overall open space requirements
2. Increase or establish the size of recreation areas
Proposed
Housing Type Existing Code Open space
required
Minimum
recreation required
Minimum rec for
rezoning applications
Detached, single-
family homes
Rec area size - 512 SF per unit NA 512 SF per unit 900 SF per unit
Attached townhomes
or patio homes
No rec area size.
Open space required:
-10% open pace in R-4
-35% open space in R-6
-36% open space in R-S
Maintains
10% - 36%
based on
zoning
512 SF per unit 900 SF per unit
Apartments 400 SF per unit 400 SF per unit
Ina Rd.
3. Prioritize high-value private recreation areas
Finding/Existing Code: In-lieu fee subject to criteria and Town
Council approval yet no minimum rec area established.
Private parks smaller than ¼ acre have low recreational value
Rare occurrence
Proposed Code:
Rec areas smaller than a ¼ acre must provide an in-lieu fee
Preliminary plat – 21 lots or less
Rezoning – 12 lots or less
Rec areas greater than a ¼ acre may request to utilize an in-lieu fee for
a portion of the rec area requirement. Subject to criteria and Town
Council approval.
Lower Value Private Park
Higher Value Private Park
Objective: Increase utility by eliminating very small parks with little
space for amenities while providing an equitable alternative for
smaller residential projects.
4. Ensure high-quality amenities
Finding/Existing Code: There are no specific provisions in the Zoning
Code to ensure meaningful amenities in private recreation areas.
Proposed Code:
Require specific amenities in all new private recreation areas:
Seating (benches, picnic tables, etc.)
Shade structures
Trash receptable and/or pet waste station
Vehicle and bicycle parking
Pedestrian connectivity
Update the list of active and passive amenities
Allowance for Town Council to approve amenities not listed yet
comparable in use, function and accessibility or replace amenities to
achieve a better variety.
Objective: Ensure a variety of passive and active amenities for all ages and abilities is
provided.
4. Ensure high-quality amenities
Proposed Code:
Number of amenities – Apply to multi-family and mixed-use
developments
Requires 100% of primary playground equipment and the associated
safety zone to be shaded except for:
Detached play structures that are secondary to a main play
structure
Requires a safety zone greater than 6 feet.
Limits natural turf to 15% of the rec area unless otherwise approved by
Town Council.
Only allowed for activity spaces and not for decorative purposes.
Specific water conservation measures incorporated
Codifies existing trail requirements for design, signage, location, use
and maintenance
General Plan compliance
Meets the following goals and policies:
Guiding Principle:Provide more parks, recreation and cultural opportunities for
all ages.
Guiding Principle: Keep Oro Valley a family-friendly community.
Goal E:A high-quality parks, recreation and open space system that is
accessible, comprehensive, connected, integrated, and serves the community’s
needs.
Policy CC.1:Promote the overall physical and social health of the community.
Policy CC.2:Provide appropriate park facilities and services for residents of all
ages in the community.
Policy CC.3:Link existing and planned neighborhoods with parks and open
spaces by incorporating paths and trail facilities.
Goal V:Neighborhoods that include access and effective transitions to open
space, recreation and schools and that are supported by shopping and services
which meet daily needs
AMA Member Meeting – October 6, 2023
SAHBA Focus Group Meeting #2 – September 27, 2023
Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing – September 5, 2023
SAHBA Focus Group Meeting #1 – August 31, 2023
MPA Public Policy Committee – August 22, 2023
SAHBA Technical Committee Meeting – August 15, 2023
PRAB Special Session - August 1, 2023
Survey of HOA Boards responsible for private rec areas – June 2023
Town Council Study Session – February 1, 2023
Planning and Zoning Commission Study Session– September 6, 2022
SAHBA discussion– August 2022
PRAB Study Session– August 16, 2022
Public participation
Study Sessions
Survey of HOA board members
Industry Stakeholders
Metropolitan Pima Alliance (MPA)
Arizona Multi-Housing Association (AMA)
Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA)
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission
Revise language to ensure the main playground structure
is 100%, fully shaded but allow standalone structures
that are secondary in size and location, such as a swing
set be unshaded.
Summary and Recommendation
Aims to meet need identified in the Parks and Recreation Needs
Assessment and Town Council Strategic Leadership Plan objectives
by:
1. Consolidating of private recreation spaces
2. Increasing or establishing the size of recreation areas
3. Prioritizing higher-value private recreation areas
4. Ensuring a variety of amenities are provided
Incorporates feedback from the study sessions, HOA board member
survey and other stakeholders
Conforms to applicable guiding principles, goals, and policies of the
General Plan
Planning and Zoning Commission recommended conditional
approval subject to revising the language for playground shade
structures
Condition has been addressed in proposed code amendment
Town Council Regular Session 1.
Meeting Date:10/18/2023
Requested by: Paul Melcher
Submitted By:Paul Melcher, Community and Economic Development
Department:Community and Economic Development
SUBJECT:
DISCUSSION REGARDING TOWN OF ORO VALLEY SPONSORSHIP POLICIES FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS
AND TOURISM EVENTS AND DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY THAT ALLOW THE TOWN MANAGER TO
SIGN SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENTS
RECOMMENDATION:
There is not a recommendation as this is a study session.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Community and Economic Development Department began administering the town's special events process
and tourism initiatives in December 2022. Since that time, staff has been evaluating policies related to
sponsorship of tourism-related and community special events. Staff has broken down special events into two
categories: Community Events and Tourism Events. Community events are those that focus more on local
festivals, or special events that play an important role in promoting the Town’s brand as a unique, safe, culturally
diverse, and charitable community. In contrast, Tourism Events are those produced events, local festivals, or
special events that propose a well-defined, tourism-related economic impact and play an important role in
promoting the Town’s tourism and economic development objectives.
Prior to December 2022, the Town did not have a defined policy regarding sponsorship of any special events, in
which the Town Manager signed sponsorship agreements such as one for the Tucson Bicycle Classic and the
Community and Economic Development Director signed the sponsorship agreement for the Tucson Audubon
Festival in August 2022 via implied authorities via the annual budget and allocation of sponsorship funding. As
part of this assessment, staff began developing policies to address each type of event sponsorship. As a result,
the Community Event Sponsorship Policy requirements place an emphasis on branding, while the Tourism Event
Sponsorship Policy places an emphasis on the estimated economic impact of an event and branding of the town
as a unique visitor destination.
BACKGROUND OR DETAILED INFORMATION:
In addition to the policy requirements, there is an allocation of $30,000 to sponsor tourism-related events and
$10,000 to sponsor community events via the Town's Annual Budget. Community event sponsorships are capped
at $2,500 per year for three (3) years with the intent of establishing a qualifying event so that it can function on its
own. There is not a cap on tourism-related sponsorships.
Current sponsorships include the American Legion annual events at the El Conquistador and the Tucson
Audubon Partnership. Future opportunities include sponsorship of the OV Triathlon, Off the Vine, and Extension
of the Tucson Bicycle Classic. Current community event sponsorships include Rockin4Heroes and the Veterans
Memorial Run.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is an estimated economic impact specific to each sponsored event.
There is an estimated economic impact specific to each sponsored event.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
There is not a motion at this time as it is a work session item.
Attachments
Tourism Sponsorship Policy
Community Event Sponsorship Policy
Staff Presentation
Page | 1
GENERAL REQUIRMENTS, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS
TOURISM SPONSORSHIP POLICY
Community and Economic Development Director | Town of Oro Valley
11000 N. La Cañada Dr | Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Phone: 520-229-4846| Fax: 520-780-1022
Page | 2
Section One: PURPOSE OF THE TOURISM SPONSORSHIP POLICY
The purpose of the Town of Oro Valley Tourism Sponsorship Policy is to set forth guidelines and criteria
governing the grant of Town of Oro Valley financial support, in-kind services, or fee concessions for venues in
support or sponsorship of produced events, local festivals, or special events that propose a well-defined,
tourism-related economic impact. The Town recognizes that sponsorships play an important role in promoting
the Town’s tourism and economic development objectives. The Tourism Sponsorship Policy does not apply to
sponsorship activities initiated by the Town for strategic marketing purposes to promote increased booked room
stays or business attraction, expansion, and retention initiatives.
Section Two: GENERAL REQUIRMENTS, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS
Not all sponsorship requests are funded. The number of events that the Town sponsors will vary annually based
on Town tourism, arts and culture, and economic development strategic objectives and funding availability.
Thus, the Town will evaluate each sponsorship request based upon available funds, satisfaction of eligibility
criteria, compliance with the requirements set forth below, and the Sponsorship Application Scoring Assessment
Matrix in Section Four. All sponsorship approvals will result in an agreement between the Town and the
applicant detailing the terms and conditions associated with the approval.
Applicants for special events sponsorships must meet all the following requirements, eligibility criteria, and
conditions:
Pre- and Post-Application Requirements and Considerations:
1. Applicants requesting event sponsorships shall use the Town’s Tourism Sponsorship form to do so. The
Town will not accept incomplete applications for review and will return them to the applicant. The Town
may require additional information, as necessary, to ensure application completeness. Applications must
be submitted a minimum of 180 days prior to the event date unless otherwise approved by the
Community and Economic Development Director.
2. The event must take place within Oro Valley town limits with limited exceptions. Reason(s) for not
holding the proposed event or promotion in the Town of Oro Valley must be stated on the application.
Exemption from this requirement will be provided on a case-by-case basis and will favor activities within
the Town of Oro Valley.
3. The applicant must also submit a Special Events Application/Agreement along with the Tourism
sponsorship request application.
4. Tourism sponsorship applications are limited to one per year per taxpayer identification number.
5. Applicants should be aware that they may not receive the full amount of the sponsorship requested.
6. Sponsorship approvals are made on an annual basis and shall be considered as a one-time approval.
Approval for sponsorship in one year does not imply or guarantee that the Town will appro ve
sponsorship for the same event or organization in subsequent years unless so determined through an
agreement providing for multi-year funding.
7. Event producers must provide the Community and Economic Development Department an official Post-
Event Evaluation form as provided by the Town within forty-five (45) days following the conclusion of a
Page | 3
sponsored event. Failure to submit the form within this timeframe may result in the rejection of future
sponsorship requests.
8. The applicant agrees to use the Town’s sponsorship funds exclusively for the event represented in the
application. Said funds shall not be designated for salaries or salary reimbursements or entity budget or
operations subsidies.
9. The recipient of sponsorship funds or in-kind services shall provide the Town recognition as a sponsor
in exchange for the funds or in-kind services in a method consistent or commensurate with other
sponsors of the same financial support level. In no event shall the recognition for the Town’s funds or
in-kind services be less than that provided to other sponsors who have contributed the same total
financial or in-kind support.
10. The applicant must be ready, willing, and able to enter a contractual agreement for sponsorship with the
Town and provide a certificate of liability insurance or proof of self-insurance, if applicable.
11. Failure to hold event as depicted in application will result in nonpayment and/or forfeiture of
sponsorship funds.
12. Sponsorship recipients will not discriminate on the grounds of race, religious creed, color, national origin,
ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, or sexual
orientation. Further, the organization must agree to conform to the requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and other laws as applicable.
Estimated Economic Impact Requirements:
1. Applications requesting an event sponsorship for qualifying events are reviewed and approved/denied by
the Community and Economic Development Director in consultation with impacted Town Departments ,
with approval based upon the following factors related to the event:
a) The event alignment with the Town of Oro Valley Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Economic
Development Plan strategies, and Tourism initiatives, and the Town’s marketing and branding
strategies, as defined in Section Four.
b) Town staff will validate the estimated economic impact analysis to verify applicant estimates. The
formula used to compute the value of visitor spend to create the estimated economic impact analysis
must include the following:
1. Event days
2. Estimated Total Participants based on historic attendance or tickets sold data
3. Estimated number of participants from outside metro-Tucson region based on historic
attendance or tickets sold data
4. Estimated room nights of out-of-region participants
5. Value of the daily rate of the booked room nights
6. Estimated value of materials purchased, equipment rented, or staff hired from sources in Oro
Valley.
Page | 4
Section Three: INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES OR PROJECTS
The Town of Oro Valley WILL NOT award funding for or to:
1. An activity, program, project, or service that promotes a political viewpoint, provides for a political
purpose or causes participants to engage in or otherwise affiliate or express an endorsement of partisan
political functions or activities.
2. An organization, activity, program, project, or service that is discriminatory.
3. A private individual for his/her own use or to donate to another private group or individual.
4. A political, politically affiliated, or political action committee or organization.
5. Outside agency funded organizations receiving funds concurrently (during the same fiscal year).
Section Four: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The Community and Economic Development Department will score sponsorship applications based on the
criteria below.
Sponsorship Application Scoring Matrix
Criteria Consideration Max Score
Innovation
The ability of the event to activate public spaces,
attract/expand new audiences, and/or extend the normal
peak tourism or special events season
10
Economic Impact
The degree to which the event provides a measurable
economic benefit to the Town per the verified EEI and
supports local business.
Scoring Ratio: Sponsorship vs. EEI
1:1 Ratio to 2:1 Ratio 1-5 points
3:1 Ratio to 5:1 Ratio 6-10 points
6:1 to 9:1 Ratio 11-20 points
10:1 Ratio and above 21-40 points
40
Quality of Life
The degree to which the event assists in the development of
a strong and resilient community and increases
participation in town life for people of all ages, cultures, and
means
5
Branding
The extent to which the event proposes to raise awareness
of, or increases the profile of, Oro Valley as a tourist
destination
30
Event Viability
The degree to which the event and/or organization is
scalable and sustainable with or without Town sponsorship
15
Page | 5
Section Five: APPLICATION REVIEW
Community and Economic Development Department staff will review applications for completeness and verify
that eligibility criteria have been met. When deemed necessary, staff will present sponsorship requests to the
Town Manager prior to sponsorship approval. Denial sponsorship request by the Community and Economic
Development Director is appealable to the Town Manager. Denial of sponsorship requests by the Town Manager
are final. There is no further appeal.
Total /100
Page | 1
GENERAL REQUIRMENTS, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS
COMMUNITY EVENT SPONSORSHIP POLICY
Community and Economic Development Director | Town of Oro Valley
11000 N. La Cañada Dr | Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Phone: 520-229-4846| Fax: 520-780-1022
Page | 2
Section One: PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY EVENT SPONSORSHIP POLICY
The purpose of the Town of Oro Valley Community Event Sponsorship Policy is to set forth guidelines and criteria
governing the grant of Town of Oro Valley financial support, in-kind services, or fee concessions for venues in
support or sponsorship of produced events, local festivals, or special events. The Town recognizes that
sponsorships play an important role in promoting events that enhance the Town’s reputation as a unique, safe,
culturally diverse, and supportive community.
To that end, the Town is desirous of supporting new community events pursuant to the criteria is Section Two.
Thus, Town sponsorship is intended to provide initial assistance for qualifying groups while the event gains
momentum and can function without Town sponsorship.
Section Two: GENERAL REQUIRMENTS, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS
Not all sponsorship requests are funded. The number of events that the Town sponsors will vary annually based
on Town tourism, arts and culture, and economic development strategic objectives and funding availability.
Thus, the Town will evaluate each sponsorship request based upon available funds, satisfaction of eligibility
criteria, compliance with the requirements set forth below, and the Sponsorship Application Scoring Assessment
Matrix in Section Four. All sponsorship approvals will result in an agreement between the Town and the
applicant detailing the terms and conditions associated with the approval.
The maximum amount that any one event might receive is capped at $2,500 for three (3) consecutive years.
Applicants for Community Event sponsorships must meet all the following requirements, eligibility criteria, and
conditions:
Pre- and Post-Application Requirements and Considerations:
1. Applicants requesting event sponsorships shall use the Town’s Community Event sponsorship form to
do so. The Town will not accept incomplete applications for review and will return them to the applicant.
The Town may require additional information, as necessary, to ensure application completeness.
Applications must be submitted a minimum of 180 days prior to the event date unless otherwise
approved by the Community and Economic Development Director .
2. The event must take place within Oro Valley town limits with limited exceptions. Reason(s) for not
holding the proposed event or promotion in the Town of Oro Valley must be stated on the application.
Exemption from this requirement will be provided on a case-by-case basis and will favor activities within
the Town of Oro Valley.
3. The applicant must also submit a Special Events Application/Agreement along with this sponsorship
request application.
4. Event sponsorship applications are limited to one per year per taxpayer identification number.
5. Applicants should be aware that they may not receive the full amount of the sponsorship requested.
6. Sponsorship approvals are made on an annual basis and shall be considered as a one-time approval.
Approval for sponsorship in one year does not imply or guarantee that the Town will approve
Page | 3
sponsorship for the same event or organization in subsequent years unless so determined through an
agreement providing for multi-year funding.
7. Event producers must provide the Community and Economic Development Department an official Post-
Event Evaluation form as provided by the Town within forty -five (45) days following the conclusion of a
sponsored event. Failure to submit the form within this timeframe may result in the rejection of future
sponsorship requests.
8. The applicant agrees to use the Town’s sponsorship funds exclusively for the event and purpose
represented in the application. Said funds shall not be designated for salaries or salary reimbursements
or entity budget or operations subsidies.
9. The recipient of sponsorship funds or in-kind services shall provide the Town recognition as a sponsor in
exchange for the funds or in-kind services in a method consistent or commensurate with other sponsors
of the same financial support level. In no event shall the recognition for the Town’s funds or in-kind
services be less than that provided to other sponsors who have contributed the same total financial or
in-kind support.
10. The applicant must be ready, willing, and able to enter a contractual agreement for sponsorship with the
Town and provide a certificate of liability insurance or proof of self-insurance, if applicable.
11. Failure to hold event as depicted in application will result in nonpayment and/or forfeiture of
sponsorship funds.
12. Sponsorship recipients will not discriminate on the grounds of race, religious creed, color, national origin,
ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, or sexual
orientation. Further, the organization must agree to conform to the requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and other laws as applicable.
Event Impact Assessment:
1. Applications for a Community Event sponsorship are reviewed and approved/denied by the Community
and Economic Development Director in consultation with impacted Town Departments, with approval
based upon the following factors related to the event:
a) The event alignment with the Town of Oro Valley Strategic Plan and the Town’s arts and culture,
marketing and branding strategies.
b) The event’s ability to utilize Oro Valley’s public and event spaces to attract or expand new audiences
for persons of all ages, cultures and means.
c) The event’s ability to feature cultural, artistic, or community-centric elements that enhance Oro
Valley’s reputation as a unique destination.
d) Estimated Economic Impact Assessment: The Event Producer must provide an Estimated Economic
Impact Assessment with the application on the form provided by the Town. Town staff will validate
verify applicant estimates. The formula used to compute the value of visitor spend to create the
estimated economic impact analysis must include the following:
1. Event days
Page | 4
2. Estimated Total Participants based on historic attendance or tickets sold data
3. Estimated number of participants from outside metro-Tucson region based on historic
attendance or tickets sold data
4. Estimated room nights of out-of-region participants
5. Value of the daily rate of the booked room nights
6. Estimated value of materials purchased, equipment rented, or staff hired from sources in Oro
Valley.
Section Three: INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES OR PROJECTS
The Town of Oro Valley WILL NOT award funding for or to:
1. An activity, program, project, or service that promotes a political viewpoint, provides for a political
purpose or causes participants to engage in or otherwise affiliate or express an endorsement of partisan
political functions or activities.
2. An organization, activity, program, project, or service that is discriminatory.
3. A private individual for his/her own use or to donate to another private group or individual.
4. A political, politically affiliated, or political action committee or organization.
5. Outside agency funded organizations receiving funds concurrently (during the same fiscal year)
Section Four: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The Community and Economic Development Department will score sponsorship applications based on the
criteria below.
Sponsorship Application Scoring Matrix
Criteria Consideration Max Score
Innovation The ability of the event to activate public spaces,
attract/expand new audiences
15
Economic Impact The degree to which the event provides a measurable
economic benefit to the Town and supports local business 10
Quality of Life
The degree to which the event assists in the development
of a strong and resilient community and increases
participation in town life for persons of all ages, cultures,
and means
30
Branding
The extent to which the event proposes to raise awareness
of, or increases the profile of, Oro Valley as a unique
destination
30
Page | 5
Section Five: APPLICATION REVIEW
Community and Economic Development Department staff will review applications for completeness and verify
that eligibility criteria have been met. When deemed necessary, staff will present sponsorship requests to the
Town Manager prior to sponsorship approval. The Community and Economic Development Director will approve
or deny sponsorship requests. Denial of a request is appealable to the Town Manager. Denial of sponsorship
requests by the Town Manager are final. There is no further appeal.
Event Viability
The degree to which the event and/or organization is
scalable and sustainable with or without Town
sponsorship
15
Total /100
Study Session: Discussion Regarding Tourism
and Community Event Sponsorship Policies
and Delegations of Authority
Paul Melcher, Community and Economic Development Director
Town Council Study Session
October 18, 2023
Why Sponsorship Policies?
•Annual
•One-time
•Partial/Whole
•Strategic
•Branding
•Marketing
•Cash
•In-kind
•Fees
•Purpose
•Information
•Event Type
Clear
Criteria
Types of
Support
Funding
Expectations
Defined
Impacts and
Purpose
Town of Oro Valley
•Clearly-defined obligations
•Clearly-defined Town benefits
•Prevents agreement “creep”
•Pre-and Post-event meetings
Tourism
•Match TOV Tourism Plan Strategies
•Estimated Economic Impact= $ Value
•Supports TOV Marketing and
Branding
•Establishes either limited or ongoing
partnerships
•Post -event analysis
Sponsorship Policies: Tourism vs. Community Event
Community Event
•Arts, Culture, “Gathering” Focus
•Limited to 3 years of support and $2,500
•Supports TOV Marketing and Branding
•Attract broad audiences
•Could transition from Community to
Tourism Event
•Post-event analysis
Tourism Sponsorship Application Scoring Matrix
Criteria Consideration Max Score
Innovation
The ability of the event to activate public spaces,
attract/expand new audiences, and/or extend the normal peak
tourism or special events season
10
Economic Impact
The degree to which the event provides a measurable economic
benefit to the Town per the verified EEI and supports local
business.
Scoring Ratio: Sponsorship vs. EEI
1:1 Ratio to 2:1 Ratio 1-5 points
3:1 Ratio to 5:1 Ratio 6-10 points
6:1 to 9:1 Ratio 11-20 points
10:1 Ratio and above 21-40 points
40
Quality of Life
The degree to which the event assists in the development of a
strong and resilient community and increases participation in
town life for people of all ages, cultures, and means 5
Branding The extent to which the event proposes to raise awareness of,
or increases the profile of, Oro Valley as a tourist destination 30
Event Viability The degree to which the event and/or organization is scalable
and sustainable with or without Town sponsorship 15
Total /100
Sponsorship Application Scoring: Tourism vs. Community Event
Community Event Sponsorship Application Scoring Matrix
Criteria Consideration Max Score
Innovation The ability of the event to activate public spaces,
attract/expand new audiences 15
Economic Impact The degree to which the event provides a measurable economic
benefit to the Town and supports local business 10
Quality of Life The degree to which the event assists in the development of a
strong and resilient community and increases participation in
town life for persons of all ages, cultures, and means
30
Branding The extent to which the event proposes to raise awareness of,
or increases the profile of, Oro Valley as a unique destination
30
Event Viability The degree to which the event and/or organization is scalable
and sustainable with or without Town sponsorship
15
Total /100
Tucson Bicycle Classic in OV
•Sponsorship by Town and OV
Chamber $19,000
•Defined marketing and branding
benefits
•EEI of $183,366
•2-year agreement
Sponsorship Agreement Examples
Rockin’4Heroes
•1-year agreement
•$2,500
•Post -event analysis
•Discussion regarding multi-day event
Proposed Signature Authority
Town
Council
Budget
Authority
Town
Manager
Signed
Agreement
Future Agenda Item for Town Council Consideration
Discussion and possible action regarding:
1) Oro Valley Town Council approval of the Oro Valley Tourism Sponsorship Policy
and authorizing the Town Manager to sign sponsorship agreements,and
2) Oro Valley Town Council approval of the Oro Valley Community Event
Sponsorship Policy and authorizing the Town Manager to sign sponsorship
agreements.
Questions and Discussion