April 27, 2017
The Lazy K Bar Ranch development proposal is back on the table. On Wednesday, April 26, 2017, the Town of Marana Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a new development proposal for the Lazy K Bar Ranch property, with Commissioner Marcia Jakab dissenting. The Marana Town Council rejected a similar proposal two years ago.
In 2014, the owners of the Lazy K Bar property submitted a development proposal to Marana to construct 178 homes on the historic site and the Town Council rejected the proposal twice, both in late 2014 and early 2015. Councilmembers who voted “nay” cited concerns about the historic nature of the property and the density of the homes. There was also a large opposition from neighbors, Saguaro National Park (which lies only a 1/2-mile away from the property), and local conservation groups. The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection ended up supporting the project at the last minute after receiving concessions from the property owner in regards to a larger buffer around the property, assurances that no riparian habitat would be impacted, and details about native plant protection. Our main priority was protecting a significant wildlife corridor on the property that is part of the larger threatened wildlife linkage between the Tucson Mountains and the Tortolita Mountains.
This time around, the development proposal still involves the construction of 178 homes. Unfortunately, new elements of the project will infringe more on natural washes. We are in opposition to the proposal as it stands now. As Coalition Director Carolyn Campbell stated in a recent AZ Daily Star article, “We’ve been clear about what the wildlife needs. If they can provide that, we’re OK, but so far we haven’t seen it.”
Now that the Marana Planning and Zoning Commission has made a positive recommendation about the proposal, the Marana Town Council will make a final decision about the proposal on May 16, 2017.
To learn more, check out the official Marana staff report about the project, which includes the full development proposal, here.
For an AZ Daily Star article from April 23, 2017, head here.
For an AZ Daily Star article published after the April 26 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, head here.
For an AZ Daily Star article published on April 28 announcing the May 16, 2017 Mayor & Council meeting when a final decision will be made, head here.
For a KVOA news story that aired before the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting that has some beautiful footage of the Lazy K Bar property, head here.
And for some history on the failed proposal from 2014-2015, check out this AZ Daily Star article.
If you want to express your opinion about this development proposal, send an email to the Town of Marana Town Clerk at clerk@maranaaz.gov.
Thank you for supporting responsible development and the protection of open spaces and our critical wildlife linkages!