TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) – Residents on the east side near two large wash facilities near La Mariposa Resort are still working to block a planned development of luxury mansions.
KGUN 9’s Eastside reporter Jacqueline Aguilar reports live on this story she’s been following since August.
KGUN 9 Live from the Eastside: Neighbors oppose new mansion development
Residents claim La Mariposa’s Casita Village will cause problems such as flooding and increased traffic.
The total project area of the proposed development spans 36 acres, including 179 multifamily units and 132 lots.
The Bear Canyon Neighborhood Association (BCNA)’s opposition to La Mariposa’s Casita Village development plan resulted in a change in leadership, including a change in president and vice president.
Tom Adan was appointed as BCNA’s new president after the annual general meeting in October. The former president and vice president chose not to run again, so another president was elected on the ballot. Mr. Adan has decades of experience in meteorology and risk analysis. He told me he was against the proposed development because it was within a special flood hazard area.
“So, in my opinion, the best solution is not to build a washhouse, not to build this complex in a special flood hazard zone surrounded by Agua Caliente washhouse, Tanque Verde washhouse and Houghton.” said Adan. All roads barricaded. ”
Risk and process safety consultant John Lockwood will become BCNA’s new vice president. Lockwood said the current flooding issues need to be addressed before any development can take place.
“Where is the design? How do we access it? Is there all-weather access in case of an emergency? This type of thing is not included in the CLOMR submission or application.” Lockwood said.
A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) is used to notify the community of what water surface elevations are expected to be after the project is completed.
Lockwood argues that the development plan is contrary to the Bear Canyon Neighborhood Plan (BCNP) adopted by the Pima County Board of Supervisors in 1982. The plan stipulates how the land will be used. The BCNP contains detailed restrictions on future rezoning or development of land recommended for rezoning.
BCNA was told the mayor and city council are expected to make a final decision on the development plan in September, but neighbors are still waiting.
“We’ve been meeting regularly and preparing for the upcoming battle, but they’ve postponed it so many times,” said Jane Rojas, a Powderhorn Ranch resident since the 1980s.
Rojas says her home has become an island due to severe flooding.
“We’ve had water up to two to three feet deep,” Rojas said. But we know the speed, we have seen the damage, and we have experienced it many times. ”
Rojas said their petition against Casitas has strong support with about 2,300 signatures.
Adan said the development proposal could be sent back to the zoning examiner by the mayor and City Council in early December.
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Jacqueline Aguilar is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9. Born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, she is used to Arizona’s unrelenting heat. Now, this U of A Wildcat is excited to return to Tucson and looks forward to joining the community. Share your story ideas with Jacqueline by emailing jacqueline.aguilar@kgun9.com or connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, or X.
