MINUTES
ORO VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR SESSION
September 27, 2011
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
 
STUDY SESSION

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Satish Hiremath, Mayor
Mary Snider, Vice Mayor
Barry Gillaspie, Councilmember
Joe Hornat, Councilmember
Steve Solomon, Councilmember
Lou Waters, Councilmember

EXCUSED: Bill Garner, Councilmember

1.

Discussion Regarding Oro Valley Town Centre PAD Amendment


Planning Division Manager, David Williams gave an introduction of the case and displayed the location of where the construction would take place.  The changes requested would affect Area 1 or 2 located on North Oracle Road near the intersection of First Avenue.  

Attachment #1-PAD Redline

Attachment #2-PZC Recommended Conditions of Approval

Attachment #3-Table of OV Apartment Occupancy Rates

Attachment #4-8-2-11 PZC Report

Attachment #5-Amendment Summary Table

Attachment #6-Summary of Neighborhood Issues

Attachment #7-Public Outreach Report

Attachment #8-La Reserve HOA Board Letter

Attachment #9-Bill Adler Letter

Attachment #10-Draft 8-2-11 PZC Minutes

The primary issues:

- Apartment uses 
- Convenience uses
- Main Street/Urban Design

Mr. Williams discussed the proposal regarding 275 apartment/multi-family units.

Councilmember Solomon confirmed that the existing PAD in Area 1 was for commercial use only.

Mr. Williams stated there was an active apartment market with about 93% occupancy.

Mr. Williams continued with the proposed convenience uses which included gas stations, fast food, and car washes which were allowed with Town Council approval.

Councilmember Gillaspie confirmed there may need to be a revision to the conditional use permit (CUP) criteria for the proposal.  Mr. Williams agreed that the criteria needed to be updated and that historically CUP’s had not been rejected.

Councilmember Solomon asked for clarification on the convenience use.  Mr. Williams stated that as of today, no CUP’s were required. 

Discussion ensued amongst the Council and Mr. Williams regarding the proposed convenience uses.

Mr. Williams stated that the proposal was only for freestanding uses with drive thru accessibility.

Councilmember Waters requested a definition of mixed use and multiple use.  Mr. Williams explained that staff was currently working on a definition but that right now the town must follow the general plan.

Councilmember Solomon requested clarification regarding what the developer proposed on from changing commercial to residential use.

Mr. Williams stated there was always a concern of losing commercial acreage to residential uses, however,  if done correctly, it could benfefit the community. 

Councilmember Solomon asked if it was permissible to change the ordinance and put residential along with a mix of commerical uses.

Town Attorney Tobin Rosen responded that Council could tailor the PAD amendment to include the mix of uses that would be acceptable in the different areas. 

Councilmember Solomon asked if there were any recommendations on how to achieve the mixed use.

Mayor Hiremath wanted to come to an understanding of what mixed use was to Oro Valley and discussed what would benefit the town in the economic times.

Councilmember Hornat stated that Council could fill what was appropriate for that site but that multi-family apartments would overwhelm that area.

Councilmember Gillaspie wanted to integrate apartments, convenient uses, pedestrian uses and retail uses.

Councilmember Waters discussed the importance of this area because of the attractive location along the Oracle Road corridor. 

Mayor Hiremath discussed how times had changed and that it was unfair to uphold a plan from over 10 years ago.  He stated that the Town of Oro Valley could be built successfully and responsibly. 

Councilmember Hornat stated he was open to negotiating but was not ready to allow apartments in that area.

Vice Mayor Snider reminded Council to focus on the identity of Oro Valley.

Councilmember Gillaspie wanted to work with the property owners but with the current configuration, he could not support the apartments and convenience uses and explained that Council should have a vision for the future.

Mr. Williams proposed a compromise to include the concept of both a Town Centre and multi-family use but wanted some commitment to mixed use which had been discussed with the developers.

Mr. Williams stated that staff recommended the apartments, three freestanding convenience uses and pedestrian scale development in proximity to Rooney Wash with pedestrian amenities.

Councilmember Waters asked if staff had weighed in on the conditional approval use with the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Senior Planner Matt Michels stated that negotiations with the applicant had been worked out.

Councilmember Hornat asked if there would ever be an opportunity to have some multi-family units located above retail space.

Councilmember Gillaspie stated it was time to talk about height restrictions if the Town wanted to create incentives for developers.

Councilmember Solomon said he was willing to look at other areas for reconsideration.

Vice Mayor Snider referred back to Councilmember Hornat’s discussion about residential living over the retail space and thought it was an attractive option as long as there was a market to support it.

Keri Silvyn, representing the developer, stated she understood what was being proposed and would like to meet with staff to work out some of the suggestions that were made.

Mayor Hiremath thanked Ms. Silvyn and the developers for the opportunity to ask questions and give staff direction.  Council was committed to finding the balance between what residents were accustomed to and knowing what business development would do economically for Oro Valley.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

No future agenda items were requested.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION
:  A motion was made by Councilmember Waters and seconded by Councilmember Solomon to adjourn the meeting at 6:16 p.m.

MOTION carried, 6-0. 

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Waters and seconded by Councilmember Solomon adjourn the meeting at 7:16 p.m.

MOTION carried, 6-0.