OV Town Talk: Help plan Oro Valley’s future
Published on January 18, 2023
OV Town Talk: Help plan Oro Valley’s future
By Bayer Vella, Oro Valley Planning Administrator
Preparations are underway for Oro Valley’s next General Plan, and the Town needs your help! The General Plan is a community-driven and voter-approved, 10-year action plan guiding the Town’ future, and it will be on the ballot in 2026. At the heart of the General Plan process is community engagement. A successful Plan entails thousands of conversations with residents representing all ages and perspectives.
Although the official “kick-off” for the General Plan won’t happen until later this year, please help the Town identify the best ways to ensure your voice is heard. Are you most likely to participate via an online discussion, a topical workshop, or do you prefer speaking with other residents at an HOA meeting or your favorite coffee shop? These questions (and more) are part of a brief survey now available through January 26. Survey results will help inform a Community Engagement Plan to ensure that you will have meaningful and convenient opportunities to shape Oro Valley’s future.
To take the survey, visit https://arcg.is/10aGrK1.
Why should you (and all your neighbors) get involved in the General Plan process?
We often hear that many residents scoured the Southwest before choosing to live in Oro Valley. The community’s high value placed on public safety, desert and mountain views, built environment, and small town character are all things that make Oro Valley “stand out” as a great place. People traveling to Oro Valley don’t necessarily need a town limits sign to know when they arrive. Just like your choice to live here, this was intentional.
Throughout the Town’s history, General Plans have been implemented to ensure the community’s values guide Town decisions. Your high standards for public safety, quality design, scenic views, water conservation, art, paths and trails, and street maintenance etc. have all been stamped as “must do’s” in OV’s General Plans over the decades.
Does the General Plan get results?
The current Your Voice, Our Future General Plan was ratified by voters in 2016. Extensive public outreach was conducted over three years, which resulted in thousands of comments and a plan that resonated with the community. In fact, it was ratified by 71% of Oro Valley voters.
Oro Valley prides itself on delivering on the promises made during the three-year outreach process. There are 310 actionable items in the current General Plan that the Town formally reports progress on annually. The actions are prioritized and implemented through Town Council’s Strategic Leadership Plan and department work plans.
To date, 95 percent of those items are either finished or anticipated for completion soon. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan, ongoing protection of large Saguaros and increased transparency of Town services are just a few achievements that resulted from the current General Plan. To view the current General Plan and the most recent progress report, visit the Town’s website and search for GENERAL PLAN.
What’s next for Oro Valley?
The General Plan is often associated with land use and development. For many, their first awareness of the General Plan is related to the amendment process for private development. However, the plan charts a path for the Town’s public safety, parks, water supply, housing, open space, views, employment opportunities, finance, transportation and more. Each topic includes goals, policies and measurable actions to realize the community’s vision.
Oro Valley is maturing as a community. The Town was previously known as a booming growth and development area. New land development is declining and there appears to be an increasing community focus on services including parks and recreation amenities. What are the expectations of the community over the next 10 years?
State law requires certain topics in the General Plan based on population. With 47,070 people (2020 Census), this General Plan will require all state-mandated topic areas resulting in the most comprehensive plan to date. The community needs to determine its future goals, priorities and develop a plan of action. Community engagement is key to creating a comprehensive plan and vison for the Town’s future.
Stay engaged!
Many more opportunities to get involved will be provided after the official “kick-off” later this year. We’ll announce those on the website and on social media. But first things first: we’d truly appreciate your survey feedback! Multiple members of the household may take the survey, so share it with family and neighbors. Survey participants will also have the opportunity to provide an email address if they’d like to stay informed and engaged throughout the process.
Community engagement is at the core of a successful General Plan, and your voice is critical in shaping Oro Valley’s vision for the future.