Madera opponents plan appeal

A leading opponent to a proposed housing development near Madera Canyon said Friday his group plans to appeal a County Board’s decision favoring the builder.

Luis Calvo of Friends of Madera Canyon said he would appeal, to Superior Court if necessary, to halt the Cielo Madera development.

He also criticized a local board member who missed the meeting.

The attempt to stall the development failed on a 2-2 vote of Pima County’s Board of Adjustment for District No. 4 last month.

Board member Chet Davis, a local community leader, said an important medical appointment prompted his decision not to attend.

And he said he has so many ties in the community, he’d be accused of playing favorites, no matter how he voted.

“People were challenging the (county) planning department and I would have had to recuse myself,” said Davis.

Said Calvo, “It’s very important to people in District 4.”

Calvo said if his appeal is upheld, it “would give him (Davis) the opportunity to vote.”

At the June Board of Adjustment meeting, Friends representative Katharina Richter said the newest plan for the development shows roads that aren’t in compliance with the Conservation Subdivision Ordinance, CSO.

She said only roads that directly serve the subdivision are permitted, but the plan shows other roads.

Owner and developer Michael Kettenbach wasn’t at the June hearing.

The plat for the development will eventually go before the five-member Pima County Board of Supervisors for approval or rejection.

Madera Canyon, about 10 miles southeast of Green Valley, is a popular site, visited frequently by hikers, bikers and bird watchers.

At the June Board of Adjustment meeting, Douglas Moore said there are several reasons to preserve Madera Canyon, “But I think the most critical is for migratory bird conservation.”

Kettenbach has applied to develop a 180-home conservation subdivision on about 744 acres. He also owns other land there that he has indicated won’t be developed.

There are no plans for a sewage system; individual dwellings would use septic tanks.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749