Special Area Policies

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The plan is currently being refined.

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Special Areas are properties that have received specific planning. This may be due to their size, location, or other factors that increase their importance to the community. Special areas are generally environmentally sensitive or developments surrounded by existing neighborhoods. These conditions often require a higher degree of refinement to ensure development that is compatible and sensitive to the area. Extra time is needed to develop a consensus with neighbors through a series of neighborhood meetings.

Special Area policies typically address concerns such as setbacks, building heights, screening, and traffic management. These issues are then refined during the rezoning process. All of the areas, with the exception of Tangerine 880, have special policies that have been adopted. These policies were adopted as part of previous General Plan Amendment processes and were agreed upon by stakeholders.

The four special areas are highlighted in orange on the map below.

Map of areas with special area policies

Much of the undeveloped land near Oro Valley is state trust land, which is managed by the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD). State trust land is managed to generate revenue for public schools and other public institutions. The mission of ASLD is to responsibly manage the assets of a perpetual trust in alignment with the interests of the Trust and the State. State Trust Land is either leased or sold for its highest and best use at public auction, as mandated by law in order to generate revenues for the Trust beneficiaries. For more information about the State Land Department and its management of Trust land, please visit https://land.az.gov. State trust land near Oro Valley currently includes the southwest corner of La Cholla and Tangerine, Tangerine 880 area, and the Arroyo Grande area

The special area policies are included in this Plan without any significant changes from the previous General Plans (2005 and 2016). Areas with or anticipated to have special area policies include:

Arroyo Grande


The Arroyo Grande Planning Area has unique land use designations and special policies developed through an extensive stakeholder process in 2007-2008, which differ from the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) approved 2007 concept plan for Arroyo Grande. The Land Use Map in this plan is not consistent with the ASLD-approved plan. Further coordination with ASLD is required to ensure the ultimate entitlement meets both ASLD and the Town's goals. Any revisions related to Arroyo Grande will be addressed at a future time in partnership with ASLD and with extensive public outreach. Shared goals include balancing development with preserving open space. Further actions include negotiations with the state to pursue annexation of the Arroyo Grande area.


Kai-Capri


The Kai-Capri area is located to the east of First Avenue, roughly from Tangerine Road to the Canyon del Oro Wash. Since the last 10-year plan, the residential areas have been developed. The remaining commercial area is subject to several special area plan policies that were discussed with the community over several years.


Capella


Capella is a large area of approximately 194 acres at the southwest and northwest corners of La Cholla Boulevard and Naranja Drive. The Capella Planned Area Development (PAD) was approved in 2017. Uses on the site are identified in the PAD and include neighborhood commercial and office, low, medium, and high-density residential, and park uses.


Tangerine 880


The area located at the northwest and southwest intersection of W. Tangerine Road and N. Coyote Crossing Trail and bordered by W. Moore Road, N. Thornydale Road and Camino del Norte is commonly referred to as Tangerine 880. It is currently outside the Town of Oro Valley limits but is included in the Town’s Annexation Strategy for potential annexation into the Town in cooperation with the Arizona State Land Department. The Land Use Map notes this area as "Master-Planned Community." It is anticipated that any changes to the land use in this area will be completed through a cooperative public process.


Please click on the links to the right or bottom of your screen to read the specific policies for each area.

The plan is currently being refined.

If you are viewing this website on a mobile device, please use full-screen mode (landscape).


Special Areas are properties that have received specific planning. This may be due to their size, location, or other factors that increase their importance to the community. Special areas are generally environmentally sensitive or developments surrounded by existing neighborhoods. These conditions often require a higher degree of refinement to ensure development that is compatible and sensitive to the area. Extra time is needed to develop a consensus with neighbors through a series of neighborhood meetings.

Special Area policies typically address concerns such as setbacks, building heights, screening, and traffic management. These issues are then refined during the rezoning process. All of the areas, with the exception of Tangerine 880, have special policies that have been adopted. These policies were adopted as part of previous General Plan Amendment processes and were agreed upon by stakeholders.

The four special areas are highlighted in orange on the map below.

Map of areas with special area policies

Much of the undeveloped land near Oro Valley is state trust land, which is managed by the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD). State trust land is managed to generate revenue for public schools and other public institutions. The mission of ASLD is to responsibly manage the assets of a perpetual trust in alignment with the interests of the Trust and the State. State Trust Land is either leased or sold for its highest and best use at public auction, as mandated by law in order to generate revenues for the Trust beneficiaries. For more information about the State Land Department and its management of Trust land, please visit https://land.az.gov. State trust land near Oro Valley currently includes the southwest corner of La Cholla and Tangerine, Tangerine 880 area, and the Arroyo Grande area

The special area policies are included in this Plan without any significant changes from the previous General Plans (2005 and 2016). Areas with or anticipated to have special area policies include:

Arroyo Grande


The Arroyo Grande Planning Area has unique land use designations and special policies developed through an extensive stakeholder process in 2007-2008, which differ from the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) approved 2007 concept plan for Arroyo Grande. The Land Use Map in this plan is not consistent with the ASLD-approved plan. Further coordination with ASLD is required to ensure the ultimate entitlement meets both ASLD and the Town's goals. Any revisions related to Arroyo Grande will be addressed at a future time in partnership with ASLD and with extensive public outreach. Shared goals include balancing development with preserving open space. Further actions include negotiations with the state to pursue annexation of the Arroyo Grande area.


Kai-Capri


The Kai-Capri area is located to the east of First Avenue, roughly from Tangerine Road to the Canyon del Oro Wash. Since the last 10-year plan, the residential areas have been developed. The remaining commercial area is subject to several special area plan policies that were discussed with the community over several years.


Capella


Capella is a large area of approximately 194 acres at the southwest and northwest corners of La Cholla Boulevard and Naranja Drive. The Capella Planned Area Development (PAD) was approved in 2017. Uses on the site are identified in the PAD and include neighborhood commercial and office, low, medium, and high-density residential, and park uses.


Tangerine 880


The area located at the northwest and southwest intersection of W. Tangerine Road and N. Coyote Crossing Trail and bordered by W. Moore Road, N. Thornydale Road and Camino del Norte is commonly referred to as Tangerine 880. It is currently outside the Town of Oro Valley limits but is included in the Town’s Annexation Strategy for potential annexation into the Town in cooperation with the Arizona State Land Department. The Land Use Map notes this area as "Master-Planned Community." It is anticipated that any changes to the land use in this area will be completed through a cooperative public process.


Please click on the links to the right or bottom of your screen to read the specific policies for each area.

Page last updated: 14 Apr 2026, 03:23 PM