Volume 30 • Number 7 February 15, 2023
INSIDE
This Week
The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson
www.explorernews.com
Spring Arts Museums, galleries, dance and more aournd town this season | Page 15
CHOW .......................10 Salad Nation wants what's best for its diners
P&Z recommends ‘no’ on church expansion BY DAVE PERRY
Tucson Local Media Contributor
FEATURES ................. 12 Gem show season isn't over yet
YOUTH ..................... 38 Diamond Children's names prom king and queen CHOW ........................................... 10 FEATURES.................................... 11 SPORTS ........................................ 36 YOUTH ......................................... 38 PUZZLE/HOROSCOPES ............. 43 WORSHIP/CLASSIFIEDS ........... 44 MLS #22301470
W
ith a 3-2 vote, the Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended denial of a zoning request from the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene that would allow it to build a 75,000-squarefoot multi-purpose building and lighted sports field on church-owned property at Calle Concordia and Calle Buena Vista. The recommendation, along with a second, unanimous, favorable recommendation for conceptual architecture on the 42-foottall building, was reached after hours of comment and presentation before a packed house on Feb. 7. Both recommendations now go to the full Oro Valley Town Council for public hearing and possible decision on Wednesday, March 1.
As part of its sports ministry, the church proposes to build a lighted, 100,000-square foot athletic field with a concessions stand, and a multi-purpose building with sports courts, worship and classroom space, on 18 acres just west of Canyon del Oro High School. An outdoor amphitheater and 756 parking spaces would also be developed. Paul Oland of Paradigm Land Design, representing the church, said it has made six submittals over the last two years to address and satisfy points raised by town staff, and the concerns of neighbors. The Feb. 7 crowd filled town council chambers, with a posted capacity of 258. People stood around the perimeter, and more watched on a big screen in the nearby Hopi Room. Several dozen speakers expressed opinions of support and opposition. Slightly more spoke against than in favor; opponents wore buttons that read “No
14755 N Burntwood Drive, Oro Valley, AZ 85755
BY DAVE PERRY
Tucson Local Media Contributor
A
new car wash at Oro Valley Marketplace would recycle 82% of the water it uses. Its 10 vacuum stalls would be covered with solar panels, generating enough electricity to meet about 25% of the business’ needs. In addition, its layout should ease periodic traffic back-up created by hungry motorists lining up to buy burgers and fries at nearby In-N-Out Burger. Surf-Thru Express Car Wash, granted a conditional use permit by a unanimous Oro Valley Town Council on Feb. 1, would occupy about 1.5 acres of land
See CHURCH Page 7
$385,000
$545,000
2BD/2BA (1,923 SQ FT) WITH VIEWS IN SUN CITY ORO VALLEY.
Car wash would recycle 82% of water
Lisab@LongRealty.com
520-668-8293
#1 LONG AGENT & #1 REALTOR IN ORO VALLEY Voted Best of Northwest Realtor & Realtor Team
2BD/2BA (1,499 SQ FT) WITH VIEWS IN SUN CITY ORO VALLEY. 14061 N Trade Winds Way, Oro Valley, AZ 85755
See CAR WASH Page 9 MLS #22230158