response to drc decision

June 27, 2007

by Luis Calvo, Chairman

Defenders of Madera Canyon

Recently, Green Valley News & Sun Managing Editor James Bennett declared that Madera Canyon is “a jewel that belongs to everyone.” The Friends of Madera Canyon could not agree more. As a result, the Friends have invested a great deal of time, effort, and treasury to protect Madera Canyon from development. In fact, the Friends have been working to protect Madera Canyon's greater ecosystem for over 20 years.

On June 21, 2007, the Pima County Design Review Committee (DRC) met again to consider the application of Michael Kettenbach of RMD Inc., a Massachusetts retail management and development company, for approval of a residential cluster development near the entrance to Madera Canyon. At that time, the DRC voted and implicitly approved that proposed urban style development. The Friends of Madera Canyon believe that the Pima County's Design Review Committee (DRC) must do more to explain there apparent decision to permit a cluster development on sensitive lands near the Canyon. It is not enough to just lecture concerned citizens that the Kettenbach Family has the right to develop their land and, thereby, begin the large scale destruction of a legendary canyon that means so much to so many.

The point of this letter is to let the public know that the Friends DO NOT agree that the proposed cluster project will move forward to approval despite our objections. We will continue to give a voice to those who recognize that some lands, like Madera Canyon, are special and should be left undisturbed. In addition, we will continue our efforts to educate the DRC and Pima County's Design Services staff that a 280-home cluster subdivision within a mile of the entrance to Madera Canyon is not the best development option for this rural ranch land. At the same time, let me make it clear that the Friends do not believe that development is inevitable or that Madera Canyon cannot be saved from the developer's blade. After all, Madera Canyon does mean so much to so many.

Many of those attending last week’s DRC meeting were angered and dismayed that the committee seemed to be more concerned about the color scheme of the proposed cluster than serious development issues or the safety of resident and visitors. It was readily apparent from the beginning of the hearing that the Chair and DRC members had already made up their mind to approve the concept that a cluster subdivision is always best for any and all properties in Pima County. However, there are some properties, like this one near the entrance to Madera Canyon, for which cluster IS NOT the best option. The Vice-chair of the DRC set the meeting's tone when she opened with a lecture that those opposed to a cluster development did not understand the issues or processes. The GV News & Sun covered the hearing and reporter Tim Hull correctly observed that the DRC "was unmoved" by those that spoke up in opposition to the development. You have to be listening before you can be moved. DRC committee members were fidgeting and looking at the clock as their neighbors and other members of the public made the case that a cluster subdivision is not the best development option for this rural property. The Vice-chair=s introductory comments ignored the stated purpose of the cluster ordinance and the DRC=s own rules, adopted in 1998, for review of cluster projects. The rules require the DRC to review cluster projects to ensure that they are sensitive to the needs and values of the community and with due regard to the values and overall public interest. The DRC made it clear that the hearing was not a place where the Friends, or anyone else opposing a cluster development, would have a meaningful opportunity to be heard. How else can the DRC become aware of what the overall public interest is, if they do not listen to, or take into account the concerns of the public that were succinctly and eloquently presented at the hearing?

 

Yes, the Friends are shifting gears. We are going to redouble our efforts to save Madera Canyon from the developer's blade that will mass grade large areas of the property to make way for urban development and densities on a rural area that is adjacent to Madera Canyon. We call upon the DRC to treat us with the dignity and respect that concerned citizens deserve when voicing their opposition to governmental actions that will have a detrimental effect on a canyon that means so much to so many residents of Pima County. The Friends will never concede that urban style development within Madera Canyon's greater ecosystem is inevitable or that the proposed urban cluster subdivision is the best development option for the Kettenbach land. We know better! The best option to save Madera Canyon and the open space from development, while insuring that the landowner is fairly compensated for his property is for Pima County and the landowners to get together and find a way to fairly compensate the owner for the development rights to his property and preserve this special place for future generations. The Friends will continue to stand up for Madera Canyon. Will you?

With our renewed dedication to save the grasslands at the mouth of Madera Canyon after listening to the comments of the DRC, we need your help more than ever.

• If you can send a donation to help us engage consultants and afford to retain our attorney, please write a check to “Friends of Madera Canyon, PO Box 1203, Green Valley, AZ 85622-1203 and write “Defenders” on the memo line.

• If you have some expertise related to development of lands, please call me (Luis Calvo) at 520-393-7370 or write to me at: chuparosainn@cs.com.

• The DRC will respond to public pressure, so make plans to attend the next DRC hearing on the Kettenbach development plan.

• Another avenue to fight this cluster development is to make your views known to the Pima County Administrator, Chuck Huckelberry at 130 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701 and to Ray Carroll, Pima County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor District 4, 130 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701.

Together we can convince them that an urban cluster development is not right for the desert grasslands at the mouth of Madera Canyon.

 

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