Residents urge vision for town‑owned ridge parcel and raise dark‑sky, traffic and safety complaints

Several Oro Valley residents used the March 18 call to audience to press the council on development, lighting and public‑safety issues near town‑owned properties.

Terry Comer, a 13‑year resident, urged the council to favor a high‑quality, lasting civic use — such as an arts center — for the town‑owned land at Pushview Lane and Oracle Road rather than a commercial development at the ridge’s base. "Pushridge is iconic. It is on our town logo... a commercial development at the base of the ridge does not do our town justice," Comer said, and asked the council to "give this project considerable thought" and include community partners in planning.

Susanna Cameron Crichton, speaking for 216 condominium homes near Vistoso Highlands, said two large neon‑lit sign walls reading "Centerpointe" are visible from the adjacent nature preserve and nighttime light from the signs disrupts residents and wildlife. She asked the town to investigate compliance with the lighting ordinance and mitigate impacts.

Former councilmember Bill Garner criticized what he described as the town’s recent practice of installing traffic signals without sufficient warranting or public notice, citing a proposed light at Tangerine and Buset Drive and the earlier community center signal. He recommended posting clearer neighborhood notices before major road work and ensuring traffic warrants are met prior to installation.

Dr. Paul Licker raised public‑safety concerns at the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve: unleashed dogs running on trails and joggers using bike lanes in the wrong direction. He said encounters raise safety risks for walkers, cyclists and wildlife and asked police to step up enforcement or signage.

Why it matters: the comments touched on land‑use vision for a town‑owned parcel, enforcement and interpretation of the town’s outdoor‑lighting rules (dark‑sky priorities), traffic‑engineering practices and neighborhood notification, and safety on shared trails — topics with planning, code‑enforcement and public‑works implications.

What’s next: staff noted a neighborhood meeting regarding the Town Center general plan amendment and rezone for March 25; residents asked the council and staff to address lighting compliance and notification processes for road projects in follow‑up.