450 West Paseo Redondo
Thursday, November 10, 2005
3:00 p.m.
MOTION: Commissioner Arnold moved, seconded by Commissioner
Pettis, to move forward with due diligence on the Cienega Corridor parcels
located in the Southeast Corridor Project Area, east of Sonoita Highway, and
north and south of I-10. Motion
approved 10-0.
MOTION: Commissioner Corey moved, seconded by Commissioner
Shattuck, to invite a representative from the Town of Marana to brief the
Commission members on development activity on identified Habitat Protection
Priority parcels within the Town.
Motion approved 10-0.
DIRECTION
TO STAFF
Chairman
Roe asked that staff prepare a list in chart format of every property in the
Priority 1 and Priority 2 areas that were contacted in the Northwest Area. Information should include all methods of
contact and results. He also asked that
staff bring a map showing projected road projects that will impact this
area. Staff will bring the Regional
Transportation Authority map layout.
Commissioners Wilson and Corey asked that staff provide a report on Habitat Protection Priority parcels in the Northwest Area that have been subdivided. They asked that a map be developed showing HPP parcels that have already been subdivided and those that are pending, or any other type of development activity.
The following is a
summary of the November 10, 2005 meeting.
Audiotapes of the meeting are available upon request.
1. Roll Call
The meeting was called to order
at 3:10 p.m. with a quorum.
Bill Arnold Tim
Prouty
Les Corey
Trevor Hare
Jan Johnson, Vice-Chair
Rob Marshall
Chuck Pettis
Bill Roe, Chair
Wanda Shattuck (arrived after
meeting summary approval)
Tom Sheridan
Helen Wilson
2. Approval of September 8, 2005 Meeting Summary
Meeting summary was
approved 9-0.
3. Update on 1997/2004 Conservation
Bond Program Expenditures
Prior
to the meeting, the Commission was mailed an update of the 1997/2004
Conservation Bond Program Expenditures as of September 30, 2005.
Nicole
Fyffe updated the Commission of the recent closing of the Granite property
(Sahuarita Jurisdiction request) and the approval of the Selective Marketing
and Matesich properties (Camino de Oeste project area) by the Board.
4. Interested
Sellers in the Cienega Corridor – Habitat Protection Priorities in the
Southeast Sub-area
Nicole Fyffe provided an update on recent applications for the sale of
open space to Pima County, for properties located in the Southeast Corridor
Project Area, east of Sonoita Highway and north and south of I-10. All parcels have been identified as primary
and secondary Habitat Protection Priorities.
Two members of the audience spoke in support of acquiring the Cienega
Corridor parcels.
MOTION: Commissioner Arnold moved, seconded by Commissioner Pettis, to
move forward with due diligence on the Cienega Corridor parcels located in the
Southeast Corridor Project Area, east of Sonoita Highway and north and south of
I-10. Motion approved 10-0.
5. Applications for the Sale of Open
Space to Pima County
Diana
Durazo summarized the applications for the sale of open space from the
Whitehurst Trust, which is 40 acres, the Daly parcels, which total 110 acres,
and the Clyne parcels, which total 910 acres.
These parcels are not identified in the 2004 Bond Ordinance. Staff did not recommend the acquisition of
these parcels with Bond funds. Ms.
Durazo noted that the Bureau of Land Management and the Trust for Public Lands
have looked at the Daly and Clyne properties for possible acquisition as part
of the extended Empire Cienega property buffer. However, at this time, BLM did not have funding to purchase these
parcels. Staff will continue to monitor
their progress.
The
Commission took no action.
6. Conservation Opportunities in the
Tortolitas Sub-area
Sherry
Ruther updated the Commission on development activities in the Northwest. There were three comprehensive plan amendments
near Arthur Pack Park. Two withdrew
their applications, and one request for a 10-acre parcel was approved by the
Planning Commission with modifications and was scheduled for the November 15,
Board of Supervisors meeting. Ms. Fyffe
explained that staff sent out letters to all owners within the Priority 1 area
in the Catalina/Tortolita area. There
were no willing sellers and biologists later recommended against purchasing
private parcels in this area. Staff was
then directed to contact owners in the Priority 2 area northwest Arthur Pack
Park. Two owners contacted Pima County
with questions that were quickly answered by staff, but no other responses were
received.
Commissioners
Wilson and Corey asked for more information on the status of development
activities in Marana. They would like
to see a map showing HPP parcels that have already been subdivided and those
that are pending, or any other type of development activity. Commissioner Corey would like to have
someone from the Town of Marana come speak to the Commission on these
issues. Chairman Roe asked that staff
prepare a list in chart format of every property in the Priority 1 and Priority
2 areas that were contacted in the Northwest Area. Information should include all methods of contact and
results. He also asked that staff bring
a map showing projected road projects that will impact this area. Staff should bring the Regional
Transportation Authority map layout.
Nicole
Fyffe noted recent discussions with the State Land Department regarding the
possibility of the County purchasing development rights on State land. In past years, the State Land Department was
not willing to do that, but the current administration is more willing to
discuss this option. Pima County is
currently trying to negotiate purchasing development rights on State land south
of the County’s Madera Highlands property.
Ms. Fyffe suggested that the County would try to pursue the same in the
Northwest area. However, the State Land
Department may not be as receptive in areas with higher development potential.
MOTION:
Commissioner Corey moved, seconded by Commissioner Shattuck, to invite a
representative from the Town of Marana to brief the Commission members on
development activity on identified Habitat Protection Priority parcels within
the Town. Motion approved 10-0. (Note: This item heard out of sequence after item #9 at the hearing.)
7. Habitat Protection Priorities in the
Sabino Creek Area
Nicole
Fyffe explained that Commissioner Shattuck had requested that this item be
placed on the agenda. Ms. Fyffe briefly
summarized the Habitat Protection Priority parcels found in this area. Linda Mayro discussed the significant
archaeological ruin encompassing most of the area, known as the Sabino Canyon
Ruin. Ms. Mayro explained that it is
relatively undisturbed. Diana Durazo
met with Dr. McGettigan, who owns two parcels north of the County-owned
parcel. However, in the past, Dr.
McGettigan was interested in purchasing the County’s property or acquiring an
easement through it. He is not sure
what he wants to do with his parcels, but staff will continue to discuss
options with him. Commissioner Sheridan
asked if there should be a group meeting in the area.
Chairman
Roe asked Commissioners Shattuck and Pettis to strategize about a concerted
effort to bring together the property owners in the Sabino Creek Area.
8. Coordination of Transportation
Mitigation Acquisitions
Nicole
Fyffe explained that the Town of Marana, Arizona Department of Transportation
and other jurisdictions mitigate for certain impacts. Pima County Department of Transportation completed the I-19
mitigation for Pima Pineapple Cactus impact.
One Pima Pineapple Cactus was impacted, so one credit was required. Another example was for the Town of Marana’s
mitigation for Willow Ridge in the Avra/I-10 corridor area. The Stevens property was the last mitigation
project for Pima County. Ms. Fyffe
noted that Pima County and other jurisdictions work with the open space bond
program to spend mitigation dollars.
(Note: This item heard out of
sequence after item #5 at the hearing)
9. Section 15 Mitigation Bank Exchange
Nicole
Fyffe explained that in 2002, Pima County established a Pima Pineapple cactus
mitigation bank on 640 acres south of Tucson.
Over 28 cactus were present at the time. In a recent inventory, required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, it was found that only 3 cactus were alive without any development in
the area. Development will be occurring
north and east of the current mitigation bank.
Ms. Fyffe summarized that Pima County would like to move the current
mitigation bank to the recently acquired 366-acre Madera Highlands property,
which contains 48 cactus, and other properties with Pima Pineapple cactus that
would be acquired through an exchange.
Commissioner
Hare expressed concerns that these other properties do not have the same
genetic Pima Pineapple cactus present in Section 15. He recommended that the County look east of Canoa Ranch and north
of the Santa Rita Experimental Range.
10. Pima
County Board of Supervisors Policy:
Acquisition of Partial Interests in Real Property for Resource
Conservation
Sherry
Ruther briefly discussed the status of the draft Real Property acquisition
policy regarding purchasing partial interests in property. The draft will apply for the purposes of
protecting watersheds, conserving open space, habitats, working ranches, and
cultural resources. If adopted, it will
establish the procedures the County will use.
The policy will be heard by the Board of Supervisors in January 2006.
11. Updates:
South Corridor: Nicole Fyffe reported that the Firkins and
Pacheco property acquisitions were approved by the Board on 10/4. The
Hyntington property is pending closing.
Staff is currently looking at property adjacent to Tucson Mountain Park
and BLM land to make a wider connection between the two for a potential
trailhead into the park.
TEP Parcel: Diana Durazo reported that staff again
attempted to contact Martin Roush, with the Town of Sahuarita regarding this
parcel, but to no avail. Staff will
continue attempts to contact him on the viability of this acquisition.
Camino de Oeste Project Area:
Nicole Fyffe reported that
Matesich and Selective Marketing were approved by the Board on 10/4. Serr is
scheduled to go before the Board on 11/15.
The Route 606 acquisition agreement is being renegotiated at this time
due to some unforeseen circumstances relating to the owner’s ability to retain
a portion of the property for a homesite.
Staff has identified the remaining parcels in this project area, and
AOLT will begin making contact with owners.
Belvedere: The County is working towards closing on
this property.
Diocese Parcel: Nicole Fyffe reported that negotiations are
ongoing with Dr. Moussa about the potential for an exchange. The County is moving forward on the Welter
properties also.
Habitat for Humanity Parcel: Nicole Fyffe reported that Commissioner
Pettis pointed out that the property is now in escrow with KB Homes.
Green Valley Hills: No update at this time.
Federal Land Exchange involving Tumamoc Hill: Nicole
Fyffe reported that this matter would not be heard by Congress until at least
January or February. The Planning and
Zoning Commission recently approved a comprehensive plan amendment on a BLM
parcel involved in this exchange, to further the exchange.
Resolution Copper Exchange:
No update at this time.
Double X Ranch: (Non-Bond property) Nicole Fyffe reported that no alternative
funding has been found yet.
Critical Landscape Linkages – Catalina/Tortolita connection across
Oracle, Avra/I-10 connection across I-10, and the Garcia Strip connection
across CAP canal:
Nicole
Fyffe reported that the County has asked ADOT to include wildlife corridors
when designing their improvements along Oracle Road. Regarding the Avra I-10 connection, Ms. Fyffe indicated that an
acquisition agreement has been forwarded for the northern portion of Wexler’s
property and that negotiations are ongoing with the Parson’s property
representatives. Ms. Fyffe explained
that the properties in the Garcia Strip connection would be acquired with Flood
Control monies. Negotiations are
ongoing with property owners.
Granite: Pima County acquired this property in the
Town of Sahuarita on 10/13/05.
Rail X Ranch: (Non-Bond property) Nicole Fyffe reported
that staff did some further research and found that this ranch is not in the
same watershed as Carpenter Ranch or in a watershed that impacts Pima County. Staff has not found alternative funding
yet. Commissioner Sheridan asked that
staff provide more information on the biological value of this property. Commissioners Marshall and Pettis do not
feel the Bond ordinance should be amended for this property. Commissioner Sheridan and Vice-Chair Johnson
asked to go see the property. Chairman
Roe asked Commissioner Arnold to coordinate a field trip for interested
Commission members. Chairman Roe also
asked that Commissioners Hare, Marshall, and Sheridan coordinate the biological
information for Rail X Ranch, possibly using the Heritage Data Management
System or data alternatives.
Commissioner Shattuck asked if the Rail X Ranch contained unique
characteristics not found in Pima County.
Kerry Baldwin explained that it most likely contains high biological
value but nothing that cannot be found in Pima County.
Proposed Development Activities on Bond Parcels: Sherry
Ruther reported that there were no new activities on the Desert Rose Canyon or
Ranch Grande projects. Ms. Ruther
informed the Commission that the Sumpter Road rezoning request for a cluster
subdivision was denied by the Board of Supervisors.
12. Next Commission Meeting, January 12,
2006
The
next Commission meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2006 at 3p.m.
13.
Call to the Public
No
members of the public spoke at this time.
14. Adjournment
Meeting
adjourned at 5:00 pm.