Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Planning commission deadlocks on Sun City's Lion's Head fountain amendment, forwards split recommendation to council
Loading...
Summary
After hours of testimony and technical presentations, the Oro Valley Planning & Zoning Commission split 3-3 on a proposed zoning text amendment to allow use of the Lion's Head ornamental fountain at Sun City Recreation Center; the commission voted to forward the 3-3 split and materials to Town Council for decision.
A special meeting of the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission on April 14 ended without a recommendation on a proposed rezoning text amendment to allow the Sun City Vistoso Community Association to restore the Lion's Head ornamental fountain at the Sun City Recreation Center.
Principal planner Michael Spath told the commission the request would require a change to the Rancho Vistoso Planned Area Development and that staff was recommending denial because the request did not conform to the town's current general plan and because the town seeks uniform application of its zoning code. "For those three reasons, staff is recommending denial," Spath said.
Representatives of the applicant, including David Olson and Trish Jensen of the Sun City HOA, presented a revised design they said sharply reduces water use. Jensen described community outreach and petition results and said the redesign cuts the fountain's pool from about 6,800 gallons to roughly 2,300 gallons and reduces evaporative losses; she asked the commission for a positive recommendation. Olson described technical features including a variable-speed pump, a time clock to limit operation hours, a closed-loop recirculation system and an optional rainwater-harvesting approach.
During public comment, several residents urged approval, calling the fountain a historic focal point and a gathering place; others opposed the exemption on water-conservation grounds and noted an active nearby fountain already serves the plaza. Janet Ambrosio said the fountain was a calming landmark, while Bruce Stage argued the region faces long-term water supply stress and called any outdoor fountain wasteful.
Vice Chair Outlaw Ryan moved to recommend denial, citing conflict with the general plan's water-conservation policies; another commissioner seconded. After debate, a roll-call vote produced three ayes and three nays, and the motion failed for lack of a majority. Chair Clark voted nay; three commissioners voted to recommend denial and three opposed, producing the tie.
Instead of continuing the item, commissioners voted unanimously (6-0) to forward the record and their split (3-3) recommendation to Town Council for consideration at an upcoming council meeting. Staff said the full record, including the HOA's materials and the public correspondence submitted tonight, will be included in the council packet.
The commission's decision is advisory; Oro Valley Town Council will consider the text amendment at a future meeting and may adopt, reject, or modify the proposal after reviewing the materials and public comment.
The item will be included in the council packet for the May meeting. The Planning and Zoning Commission moved on to the next agenda item after a brief recess.
