Oro Valley posts 60% draft of 10-year “Path Forward” plan; public comment open through Oct. 31
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Summary
Town planner presented the 60% draft of Oro Valley’s Path Forward community plan and urged public comment by Oct. 31; water-resource and conservation policies — including graywater, tiered rates and reclaimed-water measures — are highlighted for further review.
Renee O'Bara, senior planner for the town of Oro Valley, told the Water Utility Commission on Oct. 13 that the community-comment 60% draft of Oro Valley’s Path Forward 10‑year plan is online and accepting feedback through Oct. 31. “The community comment 60% draft is out now for you to review and comment on that closes on October 31, so get your comments in as soon as possible,” she said.
The plan matters because it translates resident working-group input into goals, policies and actions that will guide capital and service decisions over the next decade. O'Bara said resident working groups produced more than 300 comments that helped fill gaps and add actions; the process is phased, with a combined resident working group returning in December to develop a 90% recommended draft that will move through public hearings and—according to the timeline presented—be placed on the ballot in November 2026.
O'Bara described the plan as a web‑based document with four main chapters; she flagged water resources and conservation as a potential area of interest for the commission. Draft policies and actions in the water chapter include promoting water‑use monitoring tools, reducing outdoor water use, elevating the role of reclaimed water and updating a tiered water rate. The staff presentation cited specific example actions such as ensuring building codes “facilitate the construction of gray water options” and establishing a public education campaign about long‑term water resource management.
Commissioners and members of the public asked for clarification about graywater. One commissioner said he believed graywater had been restricted previously under ADEQ rules but noted recent state legislation changed that. O'Bara said the recommendation in the draft comes from resident working‑group input and may need additional vetting and implementation details if the commission pursues it.
Next steps the planner outlined: the 60% draft remains open for comments until Oct. 31; resident working groups reconvene in December; the plan will be refined to a 90% recommended draft and then proceed through public hearings, with a final resident draft expected to be considered in November 2026, per the schedule presented to the commission. O'Bara asked commissioners to help spread the word to HOAs and neighborhood groups and offered to provide materials for presentations.
The presentation included instructions for accessing the web‑based plan and a PDF version for those who prefer a printable copy. The commission did not take formal action on the plan at the Oct. 13 meeting; the item was presented for feedback and public awareness.