Council reviews resident-recommended final draft of Oro Valley's 10-year general plan ahead of May public hearing

Principal Planner Malini Sims presented the final resident-recommended draft of OV's Path Forward, the town's candidate 10-year general plan, describing three years of outreach that produced multiple draft iterations and more than 10,700 resident comments. Sims said the draft preserves the overall direction of prior 60% and 90% drafts while adding clarifications, map updates, and nine actions in the climate section; one new action addresses regional park planning.

Council members thanked staff and residents for the extensive outreach but raised specific questions about language that names example gathering-space properties and references a nonprofit-led feasibility study for a performing arts center. Vice Mayor Barrett and others said they were uncomfortable publicly naming a town-owned property as a main gathering place without further clarification and asked staff to revise language so examples are clearly illustrative rather than directive. Several members requested the nonprofit's feasibility study be provided to council (either as a presentation or confidential review) before the plan goes to voters so council and the public see the most current information.

Staff response and next steps: Sims said the examples were included as illustrative options and that the resident working groups intentionally left the views policy language for council consideration. She agreed to return in two weeks with language refinements and to coordinate access to the feasibility study for council review. Sims noted phase 3 of outreach will begin in August and that approval by voters in November would replace the town's current general plan.

Why it matters: The general plan sets long-term priorities and implementation actions for growth, housing, open space, and public facilities; changes requested by council could affect ballot language and public outreach. Council signaled it wants clearer, measurable language around possible town support for major projects and recommended clearer definitions of "community engagement" and any town financial commitments.