By BEX Staff for AZBEX
Major land use changes proposed for the 141-acre Oro Valley Town Centre area, formerly known as Rooney Ranch, near Pusch View Lane and Oracle Road have been approved by the Oro Valley Town Council.
The highly visible undeveloped desert parcel has been the subject of extensive planning and debate over the years. In its May 6 meeting, the Town Council approved a General Plan amendment and rezoning request to move the latest plans forward.
According to materials accompanying the Council’s consideration, Oro Valley initiated the amendment and rezoning process last year and began working on plans with Kitchell Development Company in October. Now that the rezoning and General Plan amendments are in place, future action includes appraisal and bid solicitation for the Town-owned properties, followed by eventual private development.
A local news outlet reported debate over the property’s future throughout the planning and input process. Residents expressed significant support for maximizing the available open space in one of the community’s few remaining natural open space areas. There were also concerns voiced about traffic, water use, wildlife impacts and the types of allowable commercial uses.
Supporters said the area was a highly desirable commercial development area and preservation concerns need to be balanced with economic realities.
The final actions preserve roughly 88 of the 141 acres as open space and trail areas but will permit townhome and commercial development on sections closer to Oracle Road, the main throughway.
The Oro Valley Town Center Planned Area Development consists of four designated areas. Area 1 already has commercial and multifamily development in place and was not part of the consideration. The 25-acre Area 4 will be the primary preservation area and saw its proposed use shifted from low-density residential to parks and open space.
Area 3’s use was shifted to residential-only, changing its previous designation as mixed-use. Between 225-250 apartments or 110-115 townhomes will now be allowed. Area 2 will stay as a commercial area.
The Town Council agenda identified nine primary goals for the amendments and rezoning:
- Increasing open space by approximately 40% (~25 acres) in Area 4;
- Limiting development to areas that are minimally visible to neighbors to the east and south;
- Reducing maximum building heights in the Town-owned areas, including eliminating the ability to build a five-story, 75-foot tall hotel in Area 3. Note, this is still permitted in privately owned Area 2A;
- Eliminating 77 single-family residential lots in Area 4, thereby providing substantially larger buffers and better land-use transitions to existing neighbors to the south;
- Increasing commercial opportunities (shopping, retail, restaurants, etc.) along the Oracle Road corridor;
- Helping to support existing and future commercial within the area by adding multifamily housing;
- Increasing housing variety and options by providing an opportunity for townhome development;
- Incorporating new gathering and seating areas, and
- Expanding trails and trailheads.
