[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6540239,"mediaKeyId","3440010-4d8a55427f619301a42fdb969163867e","parentId",3440010,"title","Council reviews draft FY25–27 strategic plan; staff to return with edits after detailed line‑by‑line comments","audioSeconds",255,"startMs",3167000,"endMs",3422000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3440010-4d8a55427f619301a42fdb969163867e&start=3167&end=3422","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3440010-4d8a55427f619301a42fdb969163867e/thumbnail_3167000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540239/Oro-Valley/Pima-County/Arizona/Council-reviews-draft-FY2527-strategic-plan-staff-to-return-with-edits-after-detailed-linebyline-comments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540239-e7ac6d1e190475afe8c79659e8314d4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153074&Signature=fW5jsaGUGryfltSYFYUPQRy1VxuDWbZhhOOb7RhiwJQc-WZWQeO22w2cVdHN74PwIqUrhOjLoLrKqB6TK49TFTymTeAWeXvyjgzVht-iVsUs9MdIAV7Os1iMYyFnPY0NdndiYfk21U2vajAFQrMGngJwn5VYFwieD~m1o95cbEurCyGTwPBeacugApi52Fr0ER6SKg1xEsXKf96Cpir4omDrqAEE2ofMs7cjK8bA35SRiJUiGvFnBkV7Rxcu71UPlTa429iSOgt8zEfLfysyP~8wc~Yw757Ipc-GtfAhscEd~KSBnUkXaxsYqDmFvfPhax-H~rgPz~ptzWKhWvbdRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oro Valley","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","On May 21 the Oro Valley Town Council reviewed a staff‑draft of the fiscal‑year 2025–2027 strategic plan but did not adopt it; staff will return with revisions reflecting council’s line‑by‑line comments.

Assistant to the town manager Carl Shattuck presented the draft and described a shift in format from objectives to projects to improve transparency and execution. Shattuck said the draft contains 35 projects, 24 of which are scheduled for completion in FY26, and recommended an annual rolling update so council can add or reprioritize projects yearly rather than waiting two years for a full rewrite.

Councilmembers proposed many edits across focus areas. On economic vitality several members asked the plan to respond to a recent retail‑leakage study — proposing projects to identify market gaps, strengthen marketing for local and regional shoppers and support recruitment of primary employers. Council asked that language avoid implying unfunded commitments; one councilmember suggested using “relationships” rather than “partnerships” to avoid implying town funding.

On culture and recreation councilmembers debated stronger resident‑centered language and whether guiding principles such as “ensure” should be softened to reflect resource constraints. Council asked staff to clarify the purpose of a proposed recreational‑amenities financial analysis and to remove a project (Coronado K–8 baseball facility enhancements) that depends on cooperation from other entities; council approved removing that project from the list.

Public safety and facilities drew discussion about timelines and scope: council asked that the police facility and satellite‑office evaluation be phased and reflected in FY27 rather than an overly aggressive single‑year schedule; staff agreed to adjust timelines and wording. Council also asked staff to add more visible markups and a comparison that shows changes from the prior draft so members can quickly confirm that edits reflect council direction.

On infrastructure and land use, members debated wording about “modernize zoning codes” and design standards. Several councilmembers were wary of language that could be interpreted as loosening standards while state law simultaneously reduces public deliberative opportunities. Staff said updates would emphasize best practices, transparency and quality development and would be mindful of legal constraints.

Council discussed annexation language. Members agreed to keep “analyze annexation of state lands” as a study item but remove language that commits the town to a coordinated annexation strategy unless a feasibility analysis supports such steps; staff agreed to add caveats (for example, “if feasible and desired”).

Shattuck said staff will produce an updated draft that highlights council edits and returns for final adoption. Mayor Winfield asked that the item be scheduled on a regular agenda (not consent) when it returns so council can review the redline and confirm changes.

Next steps: staff to incorporate edits, provide a redline showing changes, and return to council for final consideration and adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oro Valley - Town Council Regular Session - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council reviewed a staff‑draft strategic plan that emphasizes projects over objectives and proposed a rolling annual update model. Councilmembers proposed edits across economic vitality, culture and recreation, public safety and annexation language; staff will revise and return for further review rather than adopting tonight.","taxTitle","Oro Valley, Pima County, Arizona","taxId",55016,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540244,"Oro Valley updates community on resident working groups drafting 10‑year plan “OV’s Path Forward”",457,739000,1196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3440010-4d8a55427f619301a42fdb969163867e&start=739&end=1196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3440010-4d8a55427f619301a42fdb969163867e/thumbnail_739000.jpg","/articles/6540244/Oro-Valley/Pima-County/Arizona/Oro-Valley-updates-community-on-resident-working-groups-drafting-10year-plan-OVs-Path-Forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540244-8322007498b155076edbaf36a165955b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153074&Signature=M0PtVIkoDSIKZ53pXhuFZ1qPDymF0fhuCNGXuI7QwJ8j1c44KYbqGAGjcuJU8L90oHfePGDdeqeSPm-ltm8oPjlQ1jNx0sX6Viy4AAhnjx0MCAA8Rks4GvQWdSEMnvBJaEIHDOd6lpT-yWhWvnOyQaMiQepSK-G6aGOir0mPK~5BcyLhnjsiXGX0iEs-xoxkUWgbF3V8vP0NGqaCYQIMghp0~ruyg61zax4f3dXZpPZ6eOeRpyr391W85rTfRVdXXErBnGIGfxGQRAdNYxHJMC4rMDW-UdCMhuedWwia2oCY~Cevm7xd-nYkQrLGK2hBWSVErkFMEs-V-FXG4F2qDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Principal planner Malini Sims updated the Oro Valley Town Council on May 21 on the progress of OV’s Path Forward, the town’s effort to craft a 10‑year community action plan that — if approved — would go to voters in 2026.

Sims said phase 2 began in late January and engaged more than 100 residents through 25 working‑group meetings, producing what staff call a 30% draft of the plan. The draft, Sims said, compiles the resident groups’ reconciled recommendations into a structured set of guiding principles, goals, policies and actions.

Sims provided participation totals: more than 3,000 comments collected at 93 pop‑up events, roughly 2,000 additional online comments, and more than 900 comments in online discussion forums. She said the working groups generated “roughly 31 goals, 83 policies, and 241 actions” and that all meeting recordings and notes are being published online for transparency. Sims said the 30% draft would be sent to resident working‑group members, stakeholder groups, boards and council by the end of the week and that staff will return in June for council comments during a study session.

Council members praised the outreach and asked for staff to list involved staffers and departments. Several council members also asked for time to review the 30% draft in full and to see how overlapping topics were reconciled across groups (for example, a recurring theme for a central gathering area that several working groups identified). Sims said the land use map will be included in the 30% draft and noted it is a policy document rather than a parcel‑level entitlement: zoning still determines allowed uses, heights and setbacks, while the land-use map provides broader guidance.

Sims emphasized resident voices remain the top priority because the plan ultimately requires voter approval. Staff said the plan will be further refined through summer graphic and design work, reviewed by the working groups for consensus in August, then released broadly for fall community review during phase 3.

Next steps: staff will distribute the 30% draft by the end of the week and return to council in June for a study session to gather comments, then continue revisions through the summer.","Staff told council the resident working groups produced a 30% draft of a 10‑year community plan after broad engagement: 100+ residents participated in 25 meetings, producing roughly 31 goals, 83 policies and 241 actions; the 30% draft will be distributed to working group members, stakeholders, boards and council for review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540248,"Oro Valley council initiates zoning-code amendments to implement recent state law on administrative approvals",1420,1668000,3088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3440010-4d8a55427f619301a42fdb969163867e&start=1668&end=3088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3440010-4d8a55427f619301a42fdb969163867e/thumbnail_1668000.jpg","/articles/6540248/Oro-Valley/Pima-County/Arizona/Oro-Valley-council-initiates-zoning-code-amendments-to-implement-recent-state-law-on-administrative-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540248-295cbb93b5ee7656a4084684d02c452c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153074&Signature=dcYq1WcnEh79gRCSuBHdXjnORSQQ0W~wg8Wie0U8-BJKjHNcSCd5DFEEr2JxHJ-g~3~92-WkDK0cDnGn2OGpseZfRFTZ~N9jNZOTelnCNg-~Lel-3L79JPoH-F04XADhzpHvHf~vRoz1HsvWMkwUiEtUoDOPvKXsWraMEOBtvFdCejZL-1rUdFefjf7~vYNhb16jo2ZphZilEEEM98r84GOoSE36p9zCConGOQIH6QnFICQ~e-xIMCRoxyhvoV8vC6o75rXcgfb3pB-oLd2y-e8j6EAOgtGxcG-3soK1cFvrl7YDbovvJZXZuIoOIyN9aqXXZEY26Pfyml~Gkjz67w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On May 21, 2025, the Oro Valley Town Council voted 7–0 to initiate a package of zoning code amendments to reflect recent state law changes that require administrative approval for certain development and design review applications that are nondiscretionary and code‑compliant.

Staff said the new state law “goes into effect in January 1,” and that jurisdictions have a deadline to adopt updated ordinances before the effective date. Planning staff asked council to initiate a comprehensive code update that would implement the statute’s requirements while adding locally required measures such as a limited appeal process for council review, provisions to allow at‑risk grading submittals, expedited reviews for some applications and a conditional use permit requirement for building‑height increases in the private‑school (PS) zoning district.

Principal planner Mr. Spath told the council the changes will not alter the town’s technical standards. “The standards and requirements that all applications are still going to be reviewed for will not change,” he said, adding that the amendment changes only who approves nondiscretionary, code‑compliant applications. He gave examples of applications the state law affects — master development plans, development plans, preliminary plats and the development plan components that previously came to Planning and Zoning or council for review — and described how routine, code‑compliant items would move to administrative approval.

Council members pressed staff on examples. Mr. Spath cited the Oro Valley Marketplace master development plan and recent preliminary plats and noted that elements tied to rezonings (such as tentative development plans) would still go to Planning and Zoning and council, while other pieces of a project could be approved administratively if they remain in substantial conformance with prior approvals.

Several council members expressed concern about reduced public review. Vice Mayor Barrett emphasized keeping neighborhood meetings and public participation in practice even if approval authority moves to staff, saying: “I would just like to underscore this point about neighborhood meetings to remain part of the process.” Council members discussed using stronger, clearer design standards and affirmed the intention to preserve opportunities for neighbors to provide input so that staff can make minor adjustments that mitigate impacts without derailing projects.

Staff also told council the code update will affect the town’s Economic Expansion Zone by making portions of that incentive redundant, because the statute’s administrative approval requirement would apply town‑wide. Staff recommended strengthening design standards as part of the update to reduce gray areas for administrative reviewers. Staff said expedited‑review fees would be added to the development fee schedule when those processes are implemented.

Mayor Winfield moved the initiation motion, which listed six specific elements: enable administrative approval for permitted, nondiscretionary code‑compliant applications; establish a limited appeal process for administrative approvals; amend related sections of code (including Economic Expansion Zone and design standards); allow at‑risk submittals for certain grading and drainage applications; allow expedited review for zoning and grading applications; and require a conditional use permit for building‑height increase requests in the PS zoning district. The motion, seconded by Councilmember Green, included a friendly amendment — accepted by the mover — that directs staff to identify areas with unintended consequences and propose mitigation methods. The motion passed 7–0.

What council initiated is a direction to draft and return to council with ordinance language, study sessions and public hearings. Staff said they will present more detailed code edits, study‑session material and public‑hearing dates later this year to meet the state’s adoption deadline.

Votes at a glance: the initiation motion passed 7–0. (See actions[] for the full motion text and vote record.)

Staff contact and next steps: planning staff will draft ordinance language, return to council in study session for review, and present public hearings and a final ordinance for adoption before the statutory deadline.","On May 21 the Oro Valley Town Council voted unanimously to initiate a zoning code amendment package to reflect state law changes that shift approval of certain code‑compliant development and design review applications from public bodies to administrative staff, while creating a limited appeal process and other adjustments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews draft FY25–27 strategic plan; staff to return with edits after detailed line‑by‑line comments

Oro Valley updates community on resident working groups drafting 10‑year plan “OV’s Path Forward”

Oro Valley council initiates zoning-code amendments to implement recent state law on administrative approvals