More money for police: The Oro Valley Town Council unanimously approved a $148.49 million budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1. General Fund revenues are up slightly, and the town still spends the largest chunk of its General Fund money on police, according to Tucson Local Media’s Dave Perry. (July 5, 2023)

Lowered expectations: Oro Valley issued 52 fewer permits for single-family homes during the last fiscal year than the town’s initial projection, Tucson Local Media reports. The town expected to issue 171 permits, but only issued 119 — the fewest single-family permits issued in at least the last four years. In fiscal year 2019/20, the town issued 275 permits, a 15-year high. (July 21, 2023)

Homes, homes and more homes: The town of Oro Valley is considering annexing a 36-acre, undeveloped parcel at the southwest corner of major roadways La Canada Drive and Moore Road, Tucson Local Media’s Dave Perry reports. Oro Valley’s “transitional” zoning would allow 10 single-family homes on the parcel but if the annexation is approved, the estate and homebuilder plans to ask the town to allow development of up to 34 one-story homes on 1-acre lots. (August 3, 2023)

Looking out for first responders: Oro Valley police have added a comfort dog to the ranks as a way to improve staff well being, Tucson Local Media’s Karen Schaffner writes. It took nearly a year for OVPD leaders to acquire Ari, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, who was originally training to be a drug-sniffing K-9 in Washington.

“During some of the searches, if she would go into a room and there were people there, she was more interested in the people than finding the dope,” said Ari’s handler, Darren Wright. “She was failed out for that reason, but (she’s) perfect for this because she just absolutely loves everybody.” (August 31, 2023)

Thinking ahead: Oro Valley’s town council approved an agreement with the Arizona Water Banking Authority, which will allow the town to access banked water stored by the state since 1996, University of Arizona journalism student Erika Howlett writes. The previous agreement allowed the town to get water from the City of Tucson, but the new plan will provide access to more water and more control. (September 29, 2023)

A first for Oro Valley: The Oro Valley Town Council accepted a $1 million grant to build the town’s first skate park and pump track at Naranja Park, University of Arizona journalism student Riley Brown1 reports. A pump track is a series of rollers, banked turns and features that help generate momentum. They were originally designed for mountain bike and BMX use, but with the use of concrete, they’re wheelchair accessible and can also be used by skateboarders. The grant from the Arizona State Parks Land Water Conservation Fund required a 100% funding match by the town, which was available through the ongoing Naranja Park expansion project. (October 16, 2023)

Recreation over residences: The Oro Valley Town Council is voting today on a long-discussed code amendment that would require more private recreation space in new single-family and townhome developments, Tucson Local Media’s Dave Perry writes. The new rules would also double the required shade structure for playgrounds, sitting areas and other amenities in private parks. The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association is asking the town council to take into consideration the impact on housing affordability, saying that more recreation space within subdivisions means less space for homes “in a housing market where inventory is desperately needed.” (October 18, 2023)

No farm, no fowl: The Oro Valley Town Council is considering a draft zoning code amendment that would allow for residents to keep small farm animals on residential lots that are 20,000 square feet or more, Tucson Local Media’s Dave Perry writes.The amendment would allow chickens, ducks, rabbits, miniature goats, potbellied pigs, turkeys and beehives, but not roosters, other male fowl and hogs. The town council will discuss the proposal during a Nov. 1 study session and hold a public hearing on Dec. 5. (October 23, 2023)

Marketplace repurposing: The owner of the Oro Valley Marketplace has proposed creating a central recreation area with exercise stations, horseshoe pits, ramadas, benches and more inside of the retail center, Tucson Local Media’s Dave Perry writes. Representatives from Town West discussed the proposal during a public hearing Monday, with the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission expected to make its recommendation to the town council next Wednesday. The company will foot some of the bill, but is asking for supplemental funds from the government or other sources to “fulfill the vision for a full-blown, publicly accessible entertainment district.” (October 26, 2023)

To build or not to build: A zoning battle is going down in Oro Valley, over the proposed rezoning of a section of land at the corner of Tangerine and Rancho Vistoso, KGUN’s Kenny Darr reports. Some nearby residents say that putting several hundred high-density housing at an already busy intersection creates traffic safety issues, but the developer said that housing in the area is in high-demand. The next meeting in this yearslong rezoning debate will take place on Nov. 9. (November 3, 2023)

That’s a hard “no”: After a blistering public hearing, the Oro Valley Town Council nixed a rezoning request to that would have paved the way for 88 one-story apartments north of Rancho Vistoso’s Safeway Plaza, Tucson Local Media’s Dave Perry reports. The council’s decision led the developer to withdraw a separate plan to build another 119 apartments north of Tangerine Road. More than 1,000 residents signed a petition opposing the rezoning request. Town staff said much of the area is zoned for commercial development, but it hasn’t really attracted any such development due to the lack of nearby residents. (January 25)

Looking back: One of the founders of Oro Valley reflects on the process of establishing the town as the 50th anniversary approaches in April, KGUN’s Kenny Darr reports. Darr sat down with Lauren Rhude, 94, one of the first people to serve on the town council.

"’There were a lot of people who didn’t want it to be incorporated. So we had some real battles,’ he said regarding the hurdles they had to overcome. ‘Council meetings almost came to fisticuffs sometimes because some group didn’t want it, as they had their five to ten-acre parcels.’" (January 30)

Making plans: The Sahuarita Town Council is holding their annual retreat today and tomorrow where they’ll discuss issues affecting the community, the Tucson Sentinel’s Blake Morlock writes. On the agenda are budget projections and a discussion about the town’s strategic plan, which Morlock says gives them license to talk about pretty much whatever they want. He also cautions that because the budget projections are presented by staff, they don’t always represent the council’s or residents’ priorities. (January 30)

Man behaving badly: Oro Valley Council member Timothy Bohen is in hot water for “threatening and verbally aggressive” behavior, KOLD’s Emilee Miranda reports. His fellow council members are considering whether to bar Bohen from entering town property without a police escort and require him to attend council meetings virtually. It’s gotten so bad over the past few years that people are afraid to speak out against Bohen, Council member Steve Solomon said. One point of contention is the town’s plans for the Pusch Ridge Golf Course. During a visit, Bohen grew angry and accused people of lying and stealing, which led to complaints to police. (February 8)

Access denied: After he was accused of aggressive behavior, Oro Valley Town Council member Timothy Bohen can’t attend the next two council meetings in person, the Arizona Daily Star’s Charles Borla reports. Of particular concern were two December incidents at the Pusch Ridge Golf Course in which Bohen was allegedly “combative” and “verbally aggressive” with town staff and employees of the golf course’s management firm. Bohen’s access to town buildings is limited to public spaces and he’ll need a police escort to enter any non-public spaces. (February 13)

**A safer trip to the park:**The Arizona Department of Transportation and Town of Oro Valley are planning pedestrian and bicycle improvements to the north side of Naranja Drive between La Cañada Drive and First Avenue, KOLD’s Alex Valdez reports. The two-mile-long, 10-foot-wide multi-use path will give pedestrians and bicyclists a safer path to Naranja Park by connecting multi-use paths on First and La Cañada to the town’s new park expansion. (February 15)

Capital concerns: A Town of Oro Valley analyst said that revenues at the Pusch Ridge 9 golf course don’t cover the course’s capital expenses, Tucson Local Media’s Dave Perry writes. Capital and maintenance needs for the course add up to between $150,000 and $180,000 a year, with four large looming needs set to spike the cost. Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett said the town could spend more than $2 million over the next 10 years to keep the course running, then be forced to spend it again to convert the golf course to another use if it’s shut down. Earlier this month, the town council voted 4-3 to continue operations of the course, with opponents saying that water use is their biggest concern. (February 27)

Over in Oro Valley, a wet few months could lead to higher water bills. The town council spent a big chunk of their March 6 meeting discussing a report from the Water Utility Department that showed a revenue shortfall of about $843,000. Water Utility Director Peter Abraham told the council the shortfall was primarily due to a wetter fall, winter and spring in fiscal year 2023, which led to residents using less water. Council member Timothy Bohen said he was frustrated at the late notice of the shortfall and the inability of the department to predict it. The council is now discussing whether to raise base rates and commodity rates to make up for the shortfall. They voted unanimously to set the process in motion, with a public hearing scheduled for June 5. The council will decide at the hearing whether to raise rates, which would take effect 30 days later. (Tucson Agenda) (March 11)