Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Advisory group backs changing Kelly Ranch to open space after Pima County purchase
Summary
Advisory members agreed to change the Kelly Ranch land-use designation to open space to reflect Pima County’s reported purchase to preserve the property and integrate it with Catalina State Park.
Oro Valley advisory members on May 1 supported a staff recommendation to change the Kelly Ranch parcels’ land-use designation to open space after staff said Pima County is purchasing the site and intends to preserve it and integrate it with Catalina State Park.
Sims presented the proposal and said staff had reached out to Pima County, which "have no problem with us changing it," and that the recommendation would better align the town’s land use map with the county’s preservation plans. Kate Houghton of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection provided parcel size information, saying the property covers about 109 acres.
Some members raised concerns about the marketplace and how removing residential designation could affect nearby commercial activity, and staff noted large slopes reduce developable area even if the acreage is sizable. Phil said he supported the open-space designation despite marketplace concerns, and several members indicated assent by head nod or thumbs up.
Why it matters: Reclassifying Kelly Ranch to open space records the town’s planning intent and aligns the general plan with Pima County’s stated purchase and conservation objectives. Staff said property owners and the public would still be engaged through individual amendment or development processes if proposals arise.
The advisory group will publish a revised draft of the map and continue related policy discussions at the May 8 meeting.
