PROTEST BY PETITION: Tubac plan opponents turn in 4,000 signatures

NOGALES — Petitioners turned in more than 4,000 signatures to Santa Cruz County on Thursday, hoping to halt housing developments at Tubac and near Amado that could result in more than 10,000 new dwellings.

The petitioners want to reverse two Board of Supervisors 2-1 votes that changed the county comprehensive plan in ways that could lead to zoning changes to permit the housing developments.

Jim Patterson, the leader of the coalition seeking to reverse the earlier supervisors’ decisions, was present when the petitions were handed to Melinda Meek, the clerk of the county board.

Asked if the mood was festive, Patterson said it was somewhat, “except for the lawyers” and supporters of the developments.

Meek’s staff will have to verify that the signatures are by valid registered voters to permit a referendum on the ballot negating the supervisors’ decisions.

Patterson said petitions were signed by people in other parts of the county, not just in the Tubac - Amado area.

There were two petitions, each bearing about 2,000 signatures.

Manny Ruiz, chairman of the board of supervisors, said some critics of the earlier action had said the board “didn’t listen to the people.”

He said, “We did listen.”

He said, in his district, people told him they supported the move that would bring more houses and probably more taxes from the affected areas in northern Santa Cruz County.

Of the ultimate outcome, he said, “We’ll see what happens.”

The developments are at Soporoi Ranch east of Interstate 19 near Arivaca Junction, and Las Mesas de Tubac north of Chaves Siding Road between Interstate 19 and the mesas east of the Santa Cruz River.

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