At the June 16th Oro Valley Town Council meeting, Council Member Steve Solomon proposed an agenda item for the July 7th Town Council meeting to discuss the current status and possible action regarding efforts to preserve the former Vistoso Golf Course. The agenda item was seconded by Council Member Mo Greene and approved by the Council. Solomon urged the Town lawyer to work with all parties to allow for open public discussion.
During this recent meeting, Town Manager Mary Jacobs said that The Conservation Fund (TCF) continues to negotiate with property owner Romspen for the purchase of the 202 acres of the Vistoso property that is zoned recreational. The land would be preserved as a nature preserve and protected by a conservation easement. Romspen hired a local appraisal company and this report should be available in July. TCF is negotiating the purchase of the 202 acres at Fair Market Value established by the appraisal. The Town is facilitating this purchase.
“Preserving the 202 acres as a nature preserve is critical to our community,” said Gayle Mateer, President of Preserve Vistoso, a 501c3 organization with 1,800 members. “There are 17 Rancho Vistoso communities near the former Golf property plus another 13 communities within walking distance of this proposed community trail. This desert property will add value and recreational opportunities for our neighborhoods.”
“Members of the Vistoso community have been working for years to convert the former Vistoso Golf Club to a nature preserve for the benefit of our community,” said VCA President Sarah Nelson. “It’s critical to join the efforts of Preserve Vistoso to make this community nature preserve a reality.”
The Town Council discussion of the Vistoso negotiations may provide information on the progress of the talks. To listen to the discussion, you can attend the July 7th Town council meeting at 6 pm (MST), by accessing the Oro Valley Meetings and Agenda HERE
More information about Preserve Vistoso is at preservevistoso.org.
