Success Stories

• In 1999 a large power line was proposed that would run south to the border and into Mexico. Several routes were proposed east and west of Tubac. The utility company said it would improve power and stop outages in the area, but the main reason was to sell power to Mexico. SCVCC members spent 3 years traveling to line siting committee meetings to oppose the project. SCVCC raised $30,000 in the community to cover legal fees. Only one of the routes on the west side of 1-19 was eventually considered, but it did not meet U.S. Forest Service approval. TEP eventually upgraded east of the Santa Cruz River to improve capacity and reliability.

• Around 2000 the Border Patrol and US Government proposed an 18-lane permanent checkpoint north of Exit 34. SCVCC took the stand of securing the border at the border. The eventual outcome was the temporary checkpoint north of Tubac.
• SCVCC has given productive input to the Santa Cruz County Comprehensive Plan. The plan breaks the county into 6 character areas and Tubac is in the Northwest territory. The plan helps regulate land use and can be a fall back when major developments are proposed. 
• 1,200 acres near the Rex Ranch in Amado were purchased by a developer. The area was zoned for 151 homes and the developer sought to have the zoning changed to 3,200 homes. Planning and Zoning rejected the request several times and the developer gave up.
• In 2005 SCVCC raised $40,000 in a major fund-raising effort. The Council hired a lawyer to help fight rising water rates. Several trips to meetings with the Corporation Commission resulted in partial consolidation to help with rising rates.
• The issue of incorporating Tubac wasraised in 2005. The SCVCC Board commissioned the Eller School of Management at the University of Arizona todo a study on the pros and cons of incorporation.    Several contentious meetings were held, and it was eventually decided it would not be in the best interest to incorporate.  The report concluded that a group such as SCVCC can speak on behalf of the community and act as an advocate and influencer.
• In 2007 a developer  and 1st United Realty combined forces to purchase 6,000 acres north of Tubac. The property was zoned for 1,776 homes. The developers sought to have the property rezoned to accommodate 16,810 homes. Planning and  Zoning rejected the plan, but 2 supervisors overruled. A political action committee was formed. Petitions were filed and a resolution was put on the ballot as Propositions 400 and 401. The developers spent a great amount of money on publicity promising jobs and economic growth. Propositions 400 and 401 were defeated by 70%.
• In 2007 a developer and 1st United Realty combined forces to purchase 6,000 acres north of Tubac Exit 34 between the freeway exit and Frontage Road. The station was to have a modern look with a tall lighted  spire. The Puma Club was to be a Conference center and hotel on the west side near Cerro Pelon. The developer was dubious and with some pressure they withdrew.

 On June 15, 2021, the Board issued a Special Report on Grading and Other Activities at PM Ranch.  Since that time, the range of things occurring there has increased.  We will bring you up to date, including SCVCC efforts to be in touch with regulatory agencies and the PM Ranch owners.  We want to understand plans for operations and applicable regulatory requirements.  Any permitting processes which might occur will take time and we want to be knowledgeable and effective at pursuing any positions we  take.  This is a fluid situation so we are relaying what we know as of July 13, the date of this report.      
In our June 15 Report, we noted some details about the size of the property, the nature of the grading and preliminary ideas of how the cattle operation would be conducted.  Since then, grading and dust issues have continued.  We have received reports that cattle have been trucked to the site.  Recently it has been reported that a new road is being constructed from the East Frontage Road to the Ranch.  It seems they are moving to the operational phase.Some of our members, and others, have been active in contacting government officials.  They are asking for information or insisting upon action by agencies concerning the potential impacts of activities at PM Ranch.  For example, we have been told that staff at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is looking into the situation and are coordinating with the US Army Corps of Engineers (a near neighbor filed a complaint with the Corps).It is our perception that there are potential air quality and water quality issues and perhaps flooding issues. 
The SCVCC Board does not have sufficient information at this point to take any position.  But, we are actively contacting government officials.  We are arranging a meeting on site with the owners or their representative.  We have more information than we had when we met with their attorney and are in a better position now to ask more definitive questions. After all of this, we will be in a position to determine what actions we might take.We will provide you with more detailed information and possible actions as soon as we can.  
Board of Directors