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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPackets - Council Packets (1419)Stine, Michelle From: Standish, Michael Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 10:51 AM To: Stine, Michelle Subject: FW: Questions/Comments for Oro Valley Town Council Meeting on 9/16/20 From: Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 10:34 AM To: Standish, Michael <mstandish@orovalleyaz.gov> Cc: > Subject: Questions/Comments for Oro Valley Town Council Meeting on 9/16/20 September 16, 2020 Oro Valley Town Council c/o Mike Standish, Mayor mstandish@orovallevaz.gov We have been supporters of Westward Look Resort (WLR) since moving to Tucson in 1975. We have been a direct neighbor since 1987. We are very troubled to learn about the proposed annexation to OroValley with subsequent development of 26 WLR acres. We are in opposition to the annexation and these plans. Our reasons, and questions for the City Council, are as follows: 1) Destruction of the open desert spaces and subsequent effect on the environment, wildlife corridors, washes, and views . Much of the attraction of living in this area has been the open desert and beautiful surroundings. I would think that is also an attraction for guests of the resort . The unobstructed views of the mountains and the city have always been a significant feature of WLR and the area. We are greatly concerned about the environmental impact of pollution, water use, and noise. Destruction of this natural environment will have long lasting effects on the fauna and flora of this part of the Sonoran Desert. Once it is destroyed, it will never return. QUESTION: How do the developers plan to preserve and protect the washes, wildlife corridors, desert flora, and views? 2) Protection provided by the 100 year deed restriction of 1986 that prohibits destruction of the open desert spaces. We are aware of the 100 year deed restriction that was recorded as Docket 7408, p. 1316, with the Pima County Clerk and Recorder on 11/13/1986. This deed includes the entire WLR property and limits it to recreational use only. QUESTION: How can this development proceed consistent with the 100 year deed restriction, filed on 11/13/1986, that limits the entire WLR property to recreational use only? 3) Added Dangerous traffic congestion and noise to an area that is already dangerous and congested. There have already been numerous accidents at the WLook/Ina Road intersection, including a death. During late afternoon rush hours, there is usually a tack up of cars (turning north on Oracle) up to.the stoplight at WLook Drive. This situation already presents a treacherous obstacle for us to turn onto/off of WLook Drive. We cannot imagine the congestion with the addition of this development. QUESTION: How do the developers plan to mitigate the adverse effects of added congestion and danger to residents, guests, and Ina Road traffic? 4) Concern for maintaining the history, ambience, and southwest architectural design of the resort and the area. WLR is the oldest resort in Tucson, built in 1912. Its charm has always been the western lodging in beautiful open desert spaces with spectacular views of the mountains and the city. This has also been the attraction for the neighbors and visitors to the area. Construction of 3 story buildings for one, will take away views and desert spaces that are forever lost. QUESTION: How will the developers maintain the southwest charm of WLR and control architectural design, including height of buildings? We have joined with other neighbors in opposition to this plan and will continue to coordinate our efforts with them. We also will be joining the Town Council meeting today and look forward to hearing answers to these questions. I would also appreciate a response back so i know you received these questions. Thank you. F] Stine, Michelle From: Standish, Michael Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 2:12 PM To: Stine, Michelle Subject: FW: OV TOWN COUNCIL MTG From: i[mailt ] Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 1:40 PM To: Standish, Michael <mstandish@orovalleyaz.gov> Subject: OV TOWN COUNCIL MTG Mr Michael Standish Town Clerk Town of Oro Valley would very much appreciate you forwarding this email (along with my Aug 26 email to the WLR GM below) to the OV Town Council Members ahead of their meeting today ...... I realize the WLR annexation is not on today's Town Council agenda........ however, I do believe it is important that Council Members be made aware of the comments/concerns I raised in my email to below as well as the comments that were made at the OV Sept 15th Public Meeting held yesterday evening. In a two hour period yesterday evening, approximately 30 neighbors to WLR voiced comments ......... all but a small number of those commenting raised some pretty substantial concerns with the anticipated OV/WLR annexation area plan change, rezoning and commercial development ....... while I plan to log into the Zoom Town Council meeting later today, I may not be able to stay for the entire meeting. Please let me know that you received this email and will forward it to the Town Council members prior to their meeting today ........ THXs in advance for any help you can provide with the above request...... ma August 26, 2020 I am a Westward Look Heights' (WLHs') home owner whose property borders of the land that may be annexed by Oro Valley (OV) and commercially developed by WLR. My residency dates back to 1984. To date, I have heard from quite a few of my fellow neighbors about the annexation/development notification letter you recently sent to me and five of my neighbors (BTW, in a spirit of openness, thought you should have sent the letter to all WLHs' residents since it will impact the entire neighborhood). I thought it was important to let you know what my feelings are as well as most everyone else I have heard from. For starters, WLR has generally been deemed to be a pretty good neighbor despite some of the issues we have faced over the years such as: fireworks and debris from them, live bands playing music in the evenings, WL Resort guests routinely walking thru WLHs (even trespassing on our property and swimming in our pools), landscaped debris deposited on our property, people frequently driving their cars into WLHs looking for WLR, etc. my wife returned home for lunch one day and found a burglar in our home (when he departed, he left a trail of dropped items as he headed towards the WLR property where he may have parked his car). To date, we have generally dealt with such issues in a friendly and respectful manner. I think it is important for WLR to be aware that your latest annexation and development plans take relationship issues and concerns to a new level. For starters, OV attempted to annex WLHs quite a few years ago and the effort failed. Residents here simply didn't want to be annexed by OV. I am personally concerned that they would try to do it again as a follow-on effort to the WLR annexation. Moreover, commercially developing the designated piece of WLR property simply doesn't make a lot of sense to those of us who have lived here for a long time. Not only is it too small to handle buildings of any size and adequate parking, but the amount of traffic and the high rate of driver speed in front of it already poses a significant safety risk. Most of us here in WLHs won't even walk in front of the area due to safety concerns. As you are probably aware, there have been a number of auto accidents (and even some serious injuries and deaths) along the Ina Rd area in front of WLR and the area just before it and right after it. It is also important to mention that WLR proceeding with its annexation and development plans is quite likely to create a very hostile/unfriendly relationship between WLR and WLHs. Such a relationship would not only not be in the best interests of WLR, its employees, its guests and any visitors to its newly developed commercial facilities, but WLHs and the surrounding neighbors as well. Significant conflicts are almost certain to arise. A number of us in WLHs are also quite concerned that any further commercial development in WLR would also have a negative impact on the value of our homes and ability to resale them. Many people are simply uneasy buying a home that that is very close to a commercial development. Should WLR proceed with its plans in spite of the above concerns (and I do believe them to be real and significant ones), it is essential that every effort be made to implement things in as viewer friendly and nonintrusive manner as is possible. In other words, no WLHs' neighbor should see something like dumpsters, loading docks, back doors or flood lights from their back or front yards or experience unpleasant smells and/or noises. I would appreciate you letting me know that you received this email OK as well as if you have any comments you would like to make in response to it. Also, pleased be advised that you likely to receive a number of similar comments from existing WLHs' residents. Sincerely, Email: Cell: 2 Stine, Michelle From: Standish, Michael Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 3:35 PM To: Stine, Michelle Subject: FW: Comment for today's meeting From: Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 3:14 PM To: Standish, Michael <mstandish@orovalleyaz.gov> Subject: Comment for today's meeting Mr Michael Standish - I understand that the Westward look annexation and rezoning is not on the schedule today, but would like the comment included. Thank you. Town of Oro Valley - I am writing as a concerned neighborhood. I live next to Westward Look Resort and the proposed annexation and rezoning will have a significant impact on my house and family. I live in a quiet and small neighborhood, right Nextdoor. Just on part of the proposed plan is putting in 184-250 apartments, and up to a four story building. The resort does not believe that this would impact my neighborhood. I don't see how it wouldn't. I ask that the Town of Oro Valley look not only at growth but development. Consider the vacancy rates in commercial and residential properties, this is growth and it is not needed. I ask that Oro Valley strongly reconsider these plans, as they don't make long-term sense. Sincerely, �I ENEENE Sent from my iPhone