Town of Oro Valley Strategic Plan 2017

TOWN OF

ORO VALLEY STRATEGIC PLAN 2017

Acknowledgements Town Council

Executive Leadership Team

Dr. Satish I. Hiremath, Mayor

Daniel Sharp, Interim Town Manager, Chief of Police

Lou Waters, Vice Mayor

Chuck Boyer, Information Technology Director

Joe Hornat, Councilmember

Gary Bridget, Human Resources Director

Rhonda PiĂąa, Councilmember

Chris Cornelison, Assistant to the Town Manager

Bill Rodman, Councilmember

Kristy Diaz-Trahan, Parks & Recreation Director

Steve Solomon, Councilmember

George Dunscomb, Town Magistrate

Mary Snider, Councilmember

Amanda Jacobs, Economic Development Manager Paul Keesler, Community Development & Public Works Director Stacey Lemos, Finance Director Misti Nowak, Communications Administrator

A special thank you to all the community

Philip Saletta, Water Utility Director

members who participated in the Your

Tobin Sidles, Legal Services Director

Voice, Our Future General Plan process,

Mike Standish, Town Clerk

which serves as a foundation for this

Lynda Koepfer, Executive Assistant to Town Manager & Council

Strategic Plan.

With additional assistance from Nora Campbell, Planner Elisa Hamblin, Long Range Principal Planner Aaron LeSuer, Police Commander Aimee Ramsey, Community Development & Public Works Assistant Director Bayer Vella, Planning Manager Thank you to all other Town employees who participated in the Strategic Plan process.

CONTENTS Advancing Oro Valley’s Vision ..................................................................................................................................1 Developing the Strategic Plan ........................................................................................................................................ 2 Focus Areas .................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Community.........................................................................................................................................3 Economic Development ............................................................................................................................. 3 Complete Community ................................................................................................................................ 4 Parks and Recreation ................................................................................................................................. 4 Public Safety .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Town Assets ............................................................................................................................................... 5 Environment .......................................................................................................................................6 Water Resources and Energy..................................................................................................................... 6 Cultural Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Development ......................................................................................................................................8 Land Use and Design .................................................................................................................................. 8 Transportation ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Cost of Services .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Next Steps ............................................................................................................................................................. 10

ADVANCING ORO VALLEY’S VISION The Your Voice, Our Future General Plan outlines a vision for the future of Oro Valley. The vision was formed from extensive community participation over a three year period. Using the goals and actions entirely derived from the Your Voice Plan, the Strategic Plan serves to advance the community’s vision.

Oro Valley’s Vision for the Future Oro Valley strives to be a wellmanaged community that provides all residents with opportunities for quality living. Oro Valley will keep

In contrast to the 10 year timeframe of the Your Voice Plan, the Strategic

its friendly, small-town, neighborly

Plan guides Town decision-making over a short two- to five-year

character, while increasing

timeframe. This effort is led by the Town Council. Ultimately, the Strategic

services, employment and

Plan helps prioritize the high-level aspirations of the Your Voice Plan and

recreation. The Town’s lifestyle

aids Town departments in budget and work plan decisions, as shown on

continues to be defined by a strong

the accompanying diagram.

sense of community, a high regard for public safety and an extraordinary natural environment and scenic views.

Diagram illustrating the relationship between the Your Voice, Our Future General Plan and subsequent work, as identified on page 87 of the Your Voice Plan.

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DEVELOPING THE STRATEGIC PLAN The new voter-ratified Your Voice, Our Future General Plan serves as the foundation of the Strategic Plan. This direct connection has remained true through every step of the process.

Set Framework

First, the Town Council identified Your Voice Plan goals that reflect pressing community priorities. Next, at a

•Council interviews •Your Voice, Our Future goals and evaluation criteria

combined workshop, the Town Council and staff made decisions on which Your Voice Plan actions meet those goals. As a result, 14 priority goals and 27 accompanying actions or “strategies” are included in

Make Decisions

this Strategic Plan.

•Department feedback on Your Voice, Our Future actions •Workshop to reach consensus

Please note, many of the goals, policies and actions of the Your Voice Plan are currently being furthered by

Create Strategic Plan

ongoing work. The actions ultimately included in the Strategic Plan are not intended to be inclusive of all the

•Draft to Town Council and staff •Council adoption

work of every department. Rather, the actions represent areas needing focused or new effort.

FOCUS AREAS Oro Valley is committed to taking action to implement the community’s vision and continue to manage Town resources. The Strategic Plan 2017 is organized according to 10 Your Voice, Our Future focus areas.



Economic Development



Water Resources and Energy



Complete Community



Cultural Resources



Parks and Recreation



Land Use and Design



Town Assets



Transportation



Public Safety



Cost of Services

These focus areas provide direction for the Town. Within each of the ten focus areas is a “goal” and “strategy” that provide strategic direction. All of the goals and strategies (actions) are directly pulled from the Your Voice, Our Future General Plan.



Focus Areas indicate where Oro Valley must direct effort to address community needs and desires.



Goals describe a fundamental achievement desired or broad priority direction.



Strategies identify the actions that will be taken to achieve the goals.

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COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY Focus Area: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS Long-term financial and economic stability and sustainability.

A robust local economy and job market that provide opportunities for quality employment, build on Oro Valley’s assets and encourage high-quality growth.

A strong sector of targeted industries, including bioscience and aerospace, that provide opportunities for synergy and growth.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goals A, B, C)

STRATEGIES  Develop strategies to promote economic development that: o

Support and retain existing businesses within the community and provide opportunities for synergy.

o

Promote and support Oro Valley core industries including tourism, technology, healthcare, bioscience and their suppliers, clean, light manufacturing and business services.

o

Explore opportunities for the development of a business incubator program.

o

Attract commercial, industrial and business park employment centers.

 Evaluate and increase the community’s economic opportunities while balancing community needs and desires through planning and analysis measures that: o

Highlight deficiencies and barriers to economic development in growth areas and commercial corridors.

o

Change the Zoning Code such that economic opportunity both increases and remains equitable to the surrounding community.

 Develop strategies and resources to promote Oro Valley, by identifying and highlighting key assets such as: o

Public safety, natural beauty, public art, infrastructure (including roads) and sense of community.

o

Its ideal location for outdoor recreation and sports tourism.

o

Its community gathering places as premier destinations for retail, restaurants, entertainment and public art.

 Plan for the growth of the community through annexations by: o

Creating an annexation strategy that reflects sound financial planning.

o

Continuing support of staff in technical review and analysis of annexation proposals.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Actions 3, 4, 5, 132)

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COMMUNITY Focus Area: COMPLETE COMMUNITY GOAL A community with a wide range of services, amenities, shopping and dining opportunities and housing types that meet the needs of current and future residents.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goal D)

STRATEGIES  Develop a plan for designating areas in Oro Valley that serve as the community’s gathering places and are envisioned to: o

Reflect the character of the Town.

o

Include such amenities as sidewalk cafes, outdoor seating and desert landscaping.

o

Emphasize the pedestrian experience.

(Note: this strategy is currently in progress as the Oro Valley Main Streets project) (Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Action 10)

Focus Area: PARKS AND RECREATION GOAL A high-quality parks, recreation and open space system that is accessible, comprehensive, connected and serves the community’s needs.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goal E)

STRATEGIES  Study and plan for revenue and funding needs for parks, recreation and trails by: o Identifying potential revenue sources. o Increasing public awareness of the cost to acquire, build and maintain public parks, trails and recreational facilities and to provide programs. o Developing and administering public outreach efforts that gauge public support of future funding options to support park improvements.  Address the adequacy of Town parks and recreation programs and facilities by: o Periodically assessing the availability of recreation opportunities for all residents within the Town. o Enhancing and maintaining open space, park and recreation facilities and programs through existing and new resources, private and public recreation providers, partnerships, volunteers and others as appropriate. o Considering the affordability and availability of existing and future parks and recreation programs to residents.  Continue to support the Town's multigenerational and multiuse community center so that it meets the identified needs of residents, along with other parks and recreation facilities which currently include: the Aquatic Center, Riverfront Park, CDO Shared Use Path, Golf & Tennis at Pusch Ridge, Honey Bee Canyon Park, JDK Park, Naranja Park, Steam Pump Ranch, West Lambert Lane Park and others.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Actions 40, 41, 42)

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COMMUNITY Focus Area: PUBLIC SAFETY GOAL A safe community with low crime, safe neighborhoods and positive relationships between law enforcement and community members.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goal J)

STRATEGIES  Provide community policing and a high-visibility, public safety presence on roadways to help provide safe transportation options.  Continue to develop and implement programs, such as Neighborhood Watch and Citizen and Teen Academies, that support community policing as a means to further public safety in the community.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Actions 58, 59)

Focus Area: TOWN ASSETS GOAL High-quality and well-maintained Town assets, including streets, infrastructure and facilities.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goal G)

STRATEGIES  Plan strategically for Town operations, programs and services by: o

Studying alternative revenue sources.

o

Measuring short- and long-term needs.

o

Setting appropriate guidelines and financial resources for staff time.

o

Developing an annual reporting system that evaluates potential efficiencies.

o

Pursuing grants to implement conservation measures.

o

Developing public and private partnerships.

 Develop a plan for long-term municipal and parks facilities that considers overall community needs and growth and that addresses parking, facility expansion, satellite offices, central offices, maintenance and fueling facilities and operations.  Define measures and identify available funding that provide for the continued proactive maintenance of a street system of the highest quality.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Actions 49, 50, 149)

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ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT Focus Area: WATER RESOURCES AND ENERGY GOALS A high-quality, safe and reliable water supply that meets long-term needs for the community while considering the natural environment.

Responsible use of energy and water resources for the current and future benefit of the community.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goals L, O)

STRATEGIES  Provide and expand opportunities for public education and advocacy regarding water conservation, alternative water use, stormwater management and best practices for building and landscape design and retrofits, including low impact development and green infrastructure.  Protect water resources by: o

Coordinating with appropriate water utilities, jurisdictions and public agencies.

o

Continuing water-quality monitoring and sampling.

o

Continuing long-term planning efforts.

 Put in place plans, resources and requirements to manage stormwater runoff in order to: o

Reduce soil erosion.

o

Increase infiltration into the groundwater.

 Create programs that increase awareness about energy usage in order to reduce consumption of energy, water and electrical resources.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Actions 79, 81, 93, 116)

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ENVIRONMENT Focus Area: CULTURAL RESOURCES GOAL The protection and preservation of significant cultural sites, properties and resources that enhance community character and heritage.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goal M)

STRATEGIES  Raise community awareness and support of local cultural resources by: o

Developing collaborative work programs with community organizations and groups to provide information, education and events increasing the awareness of the history of the Town.

o

Creating engaging and informative parks and recreational programs and activities.

 Implement, monitor and oversee the Town’s current and future cultural resource plans by: o

Implementing the Cultural Resources Management Plan.

o

Implementing as appropriate the Steam Pump Ranch Master Plan in conformance with easement agreements with Pima County.

o

Exploring a potential agreement with Pima County to implement the Interpretive Plan for Honey Bee Village Archaeological Preserve and obtaining appropriate public access.

o

Exploring adaptive rehabilitation of historic properties for public use.

 Pursue grants and other funding, including dedicated Town funding, to provide for the protection and preservation of cultural resources in the community.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Actions 103, 104, 105)

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DEVELOPMENT

DEVELOPMENT Focus Area: LAND USE AND DESIGN GOAL A built environment that creatively integrates landscape, architecture, open space and conservation elements to increase the sense of place, community interaction and quality of life.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goal Q)

STRATEGIES  Protect natural open space, including land contours, elevations, floodplains, riparian habitats and ridgelines by: o

Developing new and improving existing land use regulations that promote infill.

o

Continuing to manage development and allow for compact development and flexible design options, including clustering, transfer of development rights or other techniques.

o

Evaluating and appropriately updating the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO) for effectiveness at least every 10 years.

 Maintain the unique character of Oro Valley by studying and updating: o

Signage regulations (as allowed by law) to emphasize identification and direction over advertising goods or services to maintain compatibility and minimal intrusiveness.

o

Site design standards.

o

Land use regulations that define and incorporate effective compatibility standards.

o

Regulations that enable a variety of architectural colors and textures, especially for commercial, that integrate with the community and don’t emphasize sameness.

 Develop requirements for neighborhood retail and office use designs to respect nearby residential scale and character.  Create development standards, policies and provisions and make available in appropriate locations for: o

Transit-oriented development.

o

Walkable neighborhoods and commercial areas.

o

Mixed-use zoning.

o

Form-based code.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Actions 70, 66, 125, 126, 129)

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DEVELOPMENT Focus Area: TRANSPORTATION GOALS An integrated and connected transportation network that enhances mobility for people and goods.

Diverse transportation choices that are safe, user-friendly, efficient and accessible, that maintain the lifestyle of residents, and that support employees, visitors and the local economy.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goals R, S)

STRATEGY  Develop a plan to eliminate gaps and barriers and provide consistent connections in the pedestrian and bikeway systems.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Action 155)

Focus Area: COST OF SERVICES GOAL Full recovery of the costs of services that serve new development.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Goal W)

STRATEGIES  Ensure the provision and replacement of public facilities and services to the Oro Valley community by: o

Periodically evaluating and updating the efficiency, equity, and legality of existing and potential funding mechanisms to: 

Provide public facilities and services to new and existing development.



Recover the cost of public facilities and services to new development.

 Develop a plan for new development and infrastructure that: o

Identifies funding methods and techniques.

o

Defines public and private cost responsibilities.

(Your Voice, Our Future General Plan Actions 51, 137)

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NEXT STEPS This Strategic Plan will be implemented through actions of the Town of Oro Valley and its partners. Efforts such as department work plans and the annual budget process will put the strategies into action. The progress of these items will then be reported on periodically. At the end of the lifespan on this Strategic Plan, all items will reported on before the next Strategic Plan is adopted.

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