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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-2022 Study Session Meeting Summary Minutes MARANA AZ CELEBRATING 45 YEARS MARANA TOWN COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, Arizona 85653 Council Chambers, September 13, 2022, at or after 6:00 PM Ed Honea, Mayor Jon Post, Vice Mayor Patti Comerford, Council Member Jackie Craig, Council Member Herb Kai, Council Member John Officer, Council Member Roxanne Ziegler, Council Member SUMMARY MINUTES CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Honea called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM and directed Town Clerk to call the roll. Present: Mayor Honea,Vice Mayor Post,Council Member Craig,Council Member Comerford, Council Member Kai, Council Member Officer, and Council Member Ziegler. The Town Clerk stated a quorum was present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE: Led by Mayor Honea. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Mayor Post moved, and Council Member Kai seconded, the motion approving the agenda as presented. Motion passed, 7-0. DISCUSSION/DIRECTION/POSSIBLE ACTION D1 Relating to Development; discussion and feedback concerning the possible annexation of approximately 218 acres along Twin Peaks Road west of Continental Ranch and Rattlesnake Pass (Jason Angell) Study Session Summary Minutes September 13,2022 Page 1 of 5 Development Services Director Jason Angell provided a PowerPoint presentation, a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk's Office. Mr. Angell explained the purpose of this study session was related to a pre-annexation request from Saunders Amos LCC and the Planning Center. The property involved in the request consists of approximately 218 acres of land located to the south and east of the Saguaro Bloom development along Twin Peaks and was currently part of the White Stallion Ranch. The request divides the 218-acre property into three different parcels, as depicted in the PowerPoint slides. Mr. Angell further explained that the 2040 General Plan identified the portion of the 218- acre property on the south of Twin Peaks as Rural Residential and the portion north of Twin Peaks as Traditional Neighborhood. He stated that the applicants are requesting a rezoning to Specific Plan as part of the annexation request,which would require a minor General Plan amendment. Mr. Angell then showed a depiction of the applicant's proposal, which can be viewed in the PowerPoint slides. At the conclusion of Mr.Angell's presentation,representatives from the Planning Center handed out large,laminated materials for the Council's review. A copy of these materials is on file with the Town Clerk's Office. Phillip Aeries presented on behalf of Saunders Amos LLC. A copy of the PowerPoint slides used during his presentation is on file with the Town Clerk's Office. Mr. Aeries explained the 218-acre property was owned by the True family,who have owned it since the 1920s. He said there was another 1,600 acres of White Stallion Ranch not subject to this annexation request where the White Stallion Ranch resort was located. Mr. Aeries showed a concept depiction of the west portion of the 218 acres. He explained it would consist of luxury rental housing and would be the first portion developed. He then showed a concept depiction of the portion of the property north of Twin Peaks and explained it would consist of 155 single-family units that would abut designated wildlife corridors to the east. Mr. Aeries showed a concept depiction of commercial development on the northwest portion of the property located to the south of Twin Peaks Road. The commercial concept would consist of a gas station/mini-mart, a small neighborhood center, and a private preschool/daycare. Mr. Aeries showed a concept depiction of the largest portion of the property to the east (south of Twin Peaks) and said this portion would consist of 147 single-family lots with an equestrian theme,would include a western heritage center,and said it likely would be developed last over the long term. He said this portion would be property held by the Trues. Mr. Aeries then showed several concept depictions of the luxury rental housing. Council Member Craig asked for clarification regarding the depictions of the luxury housing and asked if they were rental units. Linda Morales from the Planning Center confirmed they were rental units. Study Session Summary Minutes September 13,2022 Page 2 of 5 Linda Moralespresented on behalf of the PlanningCenter, and she used the same PowerPoint slides used by Mr. Aeries. Ms. Morales stated she was aware of the challenges associated with the 2018-acre property and said she would attempt to address those challenges at this meeting. She explained the benefits of the property's overall location and that the project would offer different types of housing. Ms. Morales highlighted the luxury nature of the rentals and explained these would address concerns of higher density. She also highlighted the benefits of the equestrian development, the portion north of Twin Peaks, and the commercial development. She explained the heart of the project was the western heritage center that would offer another community gathering place for the Town. She also explained the the wildlife corridor to the east of the project and how the project was designed to coexist with the corridor. Bill Carroll presented on utility challenges. Mr. Carroll explained the water issue is relatively simple and is primarily a cost issue, outlined the infrastructure required for the project,and acknowledged it would be paid for by the owner and dedicated to the Town. He said the sewer system issue would be more difficult. He presented multiple alternatives, two of which consisted of infrastructure separate from the Town and one of which consisting of upgrading the Town's existing infrastructure. He said they would also be open to looking into constructing a new wastewater treatment plant on the west side of the Santa Cruz River. He recognized that the well for this project would likely have PFAS contamination and would require treatment. He concluded by saying there are several options available to address the utility issues. Mr.Aeries addressed the Council again to highlight that the White Stallion Resort would expand by 20 units along the southern boundary of this project, and the applicant would be willing to agree as part of an annexation agreement that these would be subject to the Town's bed tax even though the resort is in Pima County. Ms. Morales addressed the Council again and highlighted the list of conditions included in their pre-application materials designed to protect the wildlife corridor and the natural environment. She recognized this was a big ask, and that there was some concern among Council Members, and she summarized the benefits of the project to the Town. Council Member Craig asked if the land involving and surrounding the wildlife corridor, including the peaks, was owned by White Stallion and asked about how the wildlife corridor, including the peaks, would be legally protected in perpetuity. Ms. Morales and Chris Laria, also with the Planning Center, explained the area the wildlife corridor covered. Council Member Craig asked what"setting aside" meant in this context and what kind of legal framework there would be to protect the corridor. She said it appeared the property on the south did encompass the peaks and asked whether it would be Study Session Summary Minutes September 13,2022 Page 3 of 5 permanently set aside. Ms. Morales said they have not worked through the actual legal mechanism, but she anticipates it would be put into a conservation easement or be dedicated. Mr. Aeries clarified that there are no issues with putting the north side of the wildlife corridor into a permanent mechanism, but said the south side needed to be able to accommodate rock climbing and outdoor recreation. Ms. Morales said that the south side then could be in a conservation easement rather than a dedication. Vice Mayor Post said he does not think this project is a good fit for the Town right now, or possibly ever. He said the Town's resources are stretched right now, especially our water resources. Vice Mayor Post's direction was to not go forward on this project. Council Member Ziegler explained what she liked about this project, including the variety of housing, how it is upscale in nature, and the western heritage features. She agreed with Vice Mayor Post's comments, and asked if the applicant had engaged in community outreach. Ms. Morales explained that they had not at this stage in the project because they wanted to see what the Council thought first. Council Member Ziegler said the annexation might be more palatable if the resort would be annexed as well, and she highlighted Vice Mayor Post's comments about the lack of water resources to serve a project outside our current service area. She also had wastewater concerns. Council Member Kai expressed his concerns about the project, especially as related to water resources. He said it would be difficult to find new well water in that area with the rock shelf nearby and explained that the Town has full-buildout water commitments to Saguaro Bloom. With regards to sewer, Council Member Kai explained that the Town's preference is to discharge wastewater back into the Town's plant and not outside Marana. He also had traffic concerns. Council Member Comerford said she assumed the applicant was applying for annexation to the Town because Pima County did not want to entertain the project. Ms. Morales said they have not yet taken the project before Pima County, but that they did talk with them about wastewater. Ms. Morales believes this should be part of Marana because it feels like Marana. Council Member Comerford agreed, but said it was not the right time. Mr. Aeries addressed Council Member Kai's concern about the rock shelf and the well water, and he said that there is more water as you move away from the rock shelf. He also explained there is a Pima County solution costing$5 million more and which would take an extra year to develop. He requested that if this is not the right time for the Town, that the Council be supportive of this project in Pima County. Council Member Comerford said the issue for the Town was timing and highlighted the water concerns. Council Member Officer said this project is a great idea,but reiterated the concerns over water resources and the strain it would put on the Town's other commitments. Study Session Summary Minutes September 13,2022 Page 4 of 5 Council Member Ziegler said she would be in favor of the applicant going to the County with this project. She also clarified that Marana has plenty of physical water. The issue is overcommitting water beyond the Town's current commitments, and this project is not within the Town's current service area. She agreed the issue is one of timing. Vice Mayor Post said he would support the applicant applying in Pima County. He said the project looks good,but it is not a good fit for the Town. Mr. Aeries thanked the Council for the feedback. Mayor Honea agreed with the comments of the other Council Members and said he did not believe the project would be able to go forward in Pima County for reasons similar to what had already been discussed, emphasizing the cost of treating PFAS. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Mayor Honea asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice Mayor Post moved, and Council Member Comerford seconded, the motion to adjourn. Motion passed, 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council meeting held on September 13, 2022. I further certify that a quorum was present. • David L. Udall, Town Clerk AO66, -1•.......,...., a ARANA Study Session Summary Minutes September 13,2022 Page 5 of 5