County again postpones review of Cielo Madera Design commission dislikes plan submitted by developer

Tucson—The last time the controversial Cielo Madera development went before Pima County's Design Review Commission, it seemed all but assured that the proposed 280-home development near Madera Canyon would sail through to the next step. That was then.

Thursday, after more than two hours of discussion on a project that was approved conceptually, pending a few changes to the design plan, by the DRC a few months ago, the committee for the third time postponed a decision on the design of the cluster development.

Once again, members of Friends of Madera Canyon made the drive from Green Valley to speak out against the cluster plan, which they see as an urban-style development invading a decidedly rural, environmentally sensitive area. Once again, developer Michael Kettenbach made the flight from Boston to defend what he sees as the most environmentally friendly plan to develop land his family has owned for more than 50 years.

But the DRC wasn't happy with the new design plan submitted by Kettenbach and his consultants—although the majority of the panel reiterated several times during the hearing that they were committed to the concept of a cluster development on the property.

"There are lots of gaping holes here," said board member Larry Zambrowski. "This doesn't seem like it was professionally put together. We were ready to approve this project. Now I am a little nervous."

Frustrated with the board, Kettenbach reminded everyone that he has chosen to go through the cluster design process on his own; he could develop the property, located on the western bajada of the Santa Rita Mountains, about a mile below the world-famous birding and hiking destination, tomorrow using its underlining zoning—one house approximately every four acres—with little county approval.

"It is going to be developed," Kettenbach said. "Clearly there's a breaking point where one alternative bests another."

The design review of the project, the step prior to a tentative plat, may resume sometime in November.

trhull@gmail.com