In a very short time, the Tortolita Alliance was formed in response to the Town of Marana's Make Marana 2040 General Plan and the associated Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) scheme to reconfigure and rezone the Tortolita Preserve and surrounding lands. The following is a summary of our communication efforts.
Tortolita Alliance Website
The website was developed and placed in service on 11/10/19. In a little over two weeks, we have 230 subscribers! The website is a perfect tool to communicate with the stakeholders to ensure everyone gets up to the minute information and announcements. Please alert your friends and neighbors to subscribe at www.tortolitaalliance.com .
Social Media Poll
A recent Open Space/Tortolita Preserve Poll (11/22/19) on Nextdoor demonstrated how important this issue is to the community. 500 voters responded with the following results:
Very Important-84%
Important-10%
Not Important-3%
Unsure-1%
Marana Planning Commission Public Hearing-Impressive Turn-Out
Concerned residents showed up big time at the 11/20/19 Public Hearing. Your voices were heard and the Planning Commission voted to put the Tortolita Preserve back on the Make Marana 2040 General Plan maps. The Planning Commission Chairman said this was the largest crowd that ever attended a Planning Commission meeting.
Marana Town Council Special Public Hearing-12/10/19-6:00 PM-Marana Municipal Complex
Please put on your calendar to attend the Public Hearing on the Make Marana 2040 General Plan. We were successful in getting the Planning Commission to put the Tortolita Preserve back on the General Plan Maps. Now we need to make sure the Town Council keeps it that way. In addition, this would be the time to comment not only on the importance of the Tortolita Preserve but also the proposed reconfiguration and rezoning of the Tortolita Fan and the proposed Special Planning Area (SPA). The Tortolita Alliance Core Group will be meeting on 12/3/19 to develop the strategies for this meeting and we will be providing suggested talking points via this website prior to the Public Hearing.
Collaboration With The Coalition For Sonoran Desert Protection
Thanks to Carolyn Campbell and the Coalition For Sonoran Desert Protection and their recent Desert Scoop newsletter which discussed the Tortolita Preserve and Make Marana 2040 General Plan and provided a link to our website.
Media Meetings
The Tortolita Alliance Core Team has met with the Arizona Daily Star and will be meeting with the Arizona Republic on the Tortolita Preserve, Make Marana 2040 General Plan and ASLD issues. Keep an eye out for some articles in these publications.
Photos
Many have sent us beautiful photos of the Tortolita Preserve, its flora and fauna and hikers/bikers. Please keep them coming and we will publish with credits in upcoming blogs/announcements.
Finally, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!