Oro Valley — The Town of Oro Valley has released a 60% community-comment draft of its 10-year action plan, called “Oro Valley’s Path Forward,” and officials urged residents to review and submit feedback before the public comment period closes Oct. 31.

Renee O'Bara, senior planner for the town, told the Tourism Advisory Commission on Oct. 20 that the document is a community-driven policy guide and that "the community comment 60% draft is out now till October 31 for review and comment by the public." She said the plan is required by the state, must be readopted by the town council and will ultimately go to voters in November 2026.

The draft consolidates goals, policies and actions developed by resident working groups during phase 2 of the planning process. O'Bara said the move from a 30% to 60% draft reflected more than 300 resident comments captured during working-group sessions and that the 60% version contains the "meat and potatoes" of the plan: goals, policies and detailed actions.

Among items of interest for the commission are tourism-related policies and actions. The draft includes items to update town designation and marketing, promote events and programs, recognize "unique and high-quality experiences that drive tourism," and support local businesses to expand job opportunities. O'Bara pointed to Action 204: "continue to work with local resorts and leisure travel groups to identify needs and opportunities to increase tourism," and to a policy directing the town to "pursue and support businesses that expand the local tax base and decrease the need to shop outside of the community." One detailed action calls for supporting dining and entertainment options open past 8 p.m.

Commission members asked for timing and resident sentiment details. O'Bara confirmed resident working groups will resume "sometime in December" and continue into the new year until they reach consensus on a 90% resident-recommended draft. Commissioners discussed tensions raised by residents in earlier outreach: many comment that Oro Valley should be promoted for its scenic and recreational assets while others expressed concerns about increased traffic and noise from events.

The town published the draft online at obispathforward.com and posted a supplemental (non-design) version for those who prefer that format, O'Bara said. She asked commission members to help spread the word through neighborhood groups, HOAs and clubs and offered to present to community groups on request.

The commission did not take formal action on the draft. The public comment period stays open through Oct. 31; resident working groups are scheduled to reconvene in December to work toward a 90% draft that will enter the public hearing process before any final ballot placement in November 2026.