A program to flip a vacant golfing system on Tucson’s north side into a housing development for hundreds of inhabitants is increasing considerations for some neighbors in the location.
Developers are proposing turning the previous Quail Canyon Golf Study course into a housing and condominium local community.
Preliminary options call for 120 two-story properties and 210 apartments in seven, three-tale properties on about 53 acres at 5910 N. Oracle Street, between River and Rudasill roads.
The parcel would be divided with the apartment complexes on the west side of the group, closest to commercial qualities such as eating places and hotels.
The one-spouse and children houses would be constructed on the east aspect, closer to existing houses.
Obtain to the group would be both from Oracle and Rudasill streets.
At present zoned for 1.2 homes for every acre, developers hope to get it rezoned for larger density.
At this time zoned for 1.2 homes for every acre, builders hope to get the space rezoned for bigger density. This rendering exhibits the proposed one-family residences.
Nonetheless, some citizens in the encompassing neighborhoods are opposed.
About 100 persons turned out to a community assembly with developers previously this month to voice their objections.
One particular significant concern is destruction of the riparian space, with likely harm to desert vegetation, these kinds of as saguaro, cholla and mesquite as very well as nearby wildlife — javelina, coyotes and jackrabbits.
A further stress is the elevated website traffic, noise and gentle air pollution, mentioned Carole DeAngeli, with the Oracle Foothills Community Association, who has lived in the community for 25 yrs.
“The density is thoroughly inappropriate for the spot,” she mentioned. “If they had been to create it inside of the current zoning, that would be appropriate.”
Neighbor Leslie Paige is supporting guide the effort versus the rezoning.
“We’re not anti-growth,” she explained. “We are professional suitable progress.”
The significant selection of possible citizens could destroy the region, Paige fears.
“Most of the folks who are living below have lived listed here a extensive time, several situations for generations,” she stated. “This is not a group of snowbirds.”
Paige stated her hope is to teach her neighbors about the proposal and talk about solutions should the county approve the rezoning.
“This neighborhood has to appear collectively and inquire, ‘OK, what can we live with?’” she mentioned. “Those discussions are just starting.”
This rendering shows the proposed flats at the former Quail Canyon Golf Training course.
Mitigating considerations
The developer, Urbaneer Investment Partners, is dependent in Extensive Beach front, California, but 75% of its partners live in Tucson, explained Rory Juneman, a associate with the law business Lazarus & Silvyn, which signifies the developers.
He stated the attraction to the web page is the two the site and placing.
“It’s a gorgeous environment and sits down beneath all those present residences about 40 feet so it won’t block any views,” Juneman mentioned. “They strategy to protect about 50% as open place as an amenity.”
His agency has led the meetings with neighbors.
“The 1st factor to fully grasp is when we go in and inquire for a rezoning, that is likely to be a transform, and men and women commonly don’t like adjust — which is a normal reaction,” Juneman stated. “We want to do the job with them to address their problems and, where we can, mitigate their problems with the hope that it becomes a far better undertaking.”
He pressured that the web site of the proposed neighborhood has presently been disturbed.
“It was a golfing training course,” Juneman explained. “We’re not making on an region of normal, pristine desert — we’re setting up on a golfing course.”
He stated the homes would sit higher than the Pima Wash in the flood simple space.
“We can go above it but we cannot disturb the wash,” Juneman mentioned. “We are increasing areas of our internet site and generating bank protections that will all be reviewed by the county.”
The lack of new housing in that region, for purchasers and sellers, appeals to developers.
“We’ve bought a preference to make of whether we increase out of our current footprint or create on infill internet sites,” Juneman said. “Which is far better from an environmental standpoint?”
He reported the system is to proceed talks with neighbors to get some support.
“We feel our request is extremely sensible: We want to location solitary-family members residences future to one-family members houses and apartments up coming to a industrial place,” Juneman mentioned. “We’re ready to function with the neighbors and perform by means of their fears, and we hope they understand that and are willing to work with us.”
The rezoning request is predicted to be submitted to Pima County officials in July.
The Quail Canyon Golfing Course opened in 1965 and closed about 4 a long time in the past.
Contact reporter Gabriela Rico at [email protected]