Patient citizens make their pitches about state land (complete article from source)
Source: The Explorer, by Dave Perry
September 10, 2008
People waited more than two hours Thursday night to say their piece about the general plan amendment for Arroyo Grande, the 9,107-acre state parcel west of Catalina.
“In a perfect world, a lot of us wish nothing was going to happen to this land,” said Kathie Schroeder of Catalina. “We realize this is not a perfect world.” Schroeder praised the creation of a wildlife corridor within the town of Oro Valley general plan amendment.
“I am against doing anything other than what’s there now,” Catalina resident John Payton said. “What’s there now works.”
John Szpisjak has concerns about wildlife migration — particularly east of Arroyo Grande across Oracle Road — as well as water, trash and traffic.
“My hope is that you all realize how each of these concerns affect us all,” Szpisjak said.
Patricia Murchek has lived in Catalina for 43 years.
“Growth has so greatly impacted the wildlife,” she said. “Building and construction is just horrendous. Every square inch, it seems like, is being built on. Everyone knows the traffic is already horrendous.”
Carolyn Campbell, executive director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, said the group believes “the best use for all of this land is conservation, 100 percent open space.”
Short of that, “we are really pleased with the progress that has been made on this project,” with modifications that now include wildlife migratory routes and open-space protection for 68 percent of the parcel. “I want to thank the town staff, the Arizona State Lands Department and Pima County for working together.”
Campbell called for buffering of Tortolita Mountain Park, and for transitional areas of lower-density development adjacent to the planned east-west wildlife linkage on Arroyo Grande’s southern section.
She further expressed concern about wildlife migration across Oracle Road.
Geri Ottoboni of Oro Valley wondered if the town has the resources to manage Arroyo Grande.
If it does not, the community should “allow Pima County to handle the administration of the project,” she said.
Kathy Pastryk, speaking on behalf of Oro Valley Citizens for Responsible Growth, objected to the amendment because “Oro Valley hasn’t answered questions. I suspect there are several of you who haven’t heard satisfactory answers,” she told the planning board. Pastryk raised questions about the cost of development, the location of roads and whether a master-planned community is appropriate for the space.
“Let’s fill in the blanks before this amendment is referred to council,” she said.
Larry Wolf represented the Sun City Vistoso hiking club, which has weekly hikes onto Arroyo Grande, and two a week when the snowbirds are back. He supports the establishment of trailheads on Arroyo Grande into Tortolita Mountain Park.
“Somebody’s going to suffer when they see this is transformed into New York, or one of the states in the East where everybody comes from,” said Hector Conde of Oro Valley.
Jan Johnson offered compliments for collaboration. She believes a final plan should include transitional zones with less-dense development so wildlife can migrate.
“Be sure you’ve got all the information you could possibly gather” before making a final decision, urged Rep. Nancy Young Wright of Oro Valley.
Click here for complete article from The Explorer
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