1. Why was the western portion of the SAP removed from the proposed boundary?
The County’s Planning staff recommended reducing the SAP boundary, describing the change as a boundary adjustment based largely on existing development, zoning, and potential future annexation. TVVA is concerned that this reduction would result in an SAP that no longer represents the Tanque Verde Valley as a whole.
Approximately 50% of the originally proposed SAP area could be removed, with approximately 65% of the area being removed currently zoned SR or less dense. TVVA believes these lower-density areas are precisely the areas most in need of protection because they retain the Valley’s open space, rural character, wildlife habitat, and other resources that the SAP is intended to preserve.
2. How could the proposed changes affect future annexation and development?
The SAP will not stop development or prevent annexation. However, TVVA believes that reducing the SAP boundary could weaken the Valley’s long-term influence over future land-use decisions and annexations. The presentation highlights three concerns:
- The current “Whack-a-Mole” rezoning process, in which individual rezoning requests can arise throughout the Valley;
- The potential loss of community influence over future annexations; and
- The reduced ability of the SAP to serve as a policy guide for the broader Tanque Verde Valley.
The issue is not whether the SAP would prohibit development. It would not. The concern is that areas removed from the SAP would no longer benefit from the SAP’s policies and community vision when future development, rezoning, and annexation decisions are considered.
3. What is the relationship between the SAP and City of Tucson annexation?
The existing City of Tucson incorporated areas and Potential Annexation Areas were factors in County staff’s recommendation to reduce the SAP boundary. However, the SAP itself does not prevent or control annexation.
TVVA’s concern is not about having the legal authority to block annexation. It is about maintaining the Valley’s voice in future land-use decisions. Removing areas from the SAP could limit the ability of the community’s values and policies to be considered if those areas are later involved in annexation, rezoning, or other land-use changes.
4. Could the existing SAP be rejected or modified?
Yes, the boundaries can still change. County Planning staff supports the SAP but has recommended what it describes as “minor” boundary reductions. TVVA contends that removing approximately 50–60% of the originally proposed area is not a minor change.
The SAP has not yet received final approval, so its boundaries remain subject to modification through the County’s review and approval process.
5. How are environmental resources, floodplains, and the Tanque Verde Wash considered?
TVVA cannot speak to the specific considerations that may be weighed in individual land-use decisions. However, the purpose of the SAP is to recognize and preserve the Tanque Verde Valley’s unique semi-rural character and provide clearer community guidance for future land-use decisions.
6. What role does the SAP play in future rezoning requests?
The SAP serves as a policy guide when a property owner requests rezoning, a conditional use permit, or another discretionary land-use approval. In practical terms, it tells decision-makers:
“When evaluating a project in the Tanque Verde Valley, consider the community’s identified values and priorities.”
The SAP may also provide TVVA an opportunity to review certain County requests for consistency with SAP policies, giving the community a stronger voice before land-use decisions are made.
Importantly, the SAP does not prohibit development. Instead, it provides additional policy guidance that decision-makers can consider when evaluating future rezoning requests and other discretionary land-use decisions.
7. How can residents become involved and support the effort?
- Stay informed: Read TVVA updates before sharing information. Use reliable information from TVVA and public documents and communicate respectfully and factually.
- Participate in strategic advocacy: Contact County Supervisors and staff, submit formal comments, attend County hearings, and share personal experiences about why protecting the Tanque Verde Valley matters.
- Support the broader community effort: Volunteer with TVVA, help with community outreach, attend public meetings, and provide testimony when appropriate.
- TVVA will provide the tools residents need to participate: These may include email and letter templates, talking points, maps, fact sheets, speaker preparation, and information about upcoming hearings and public meetings.
- Keep communication factual and respectful: Please do not speculate about people’s motives, spread rumors, engage in arguments on social media, or share information that cannot be verified through TVVA or public documents.