Letter to the editor and the people of Oracle
... on Willow Springs Ranch

   I would like to share a vision with you. I would like to build a shared image of the potential for Willow Springs Ranch, a project that is good for the land, its future residents and the surrounding communities.

   An informational meeting on the WIllow Springs Ranch will Be held at the Oracle Community Center on Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. sponsored by Oracle Town Hall.  The development is currently seeking approval for a Planned Area Development from Pinal County for less than 25 percent of the project.  The balance of the acreage of the project will be presented to Pinal County for approval under an Area plan approach.

   Willow Springs Ranch is an area of approximately 182,000 acres nestled in southern Pinal County.  The majority of the acreage is owned by the Arizona State Land Trust and U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and is being leased for grazing purposes by the Willow Springs Cattle Company.

   Approximately 19,200 acres, privately owned by Anam, Inc., are the subject of the plan as an enduring, sustainable  community, complete with homes, businesses, shopping and schools.  A major focus of this project is the generation of employment.  High tech business that locates in Willow Springs Ranch will fill the gap left by the vanishing mining and cattle industries and will improve the diversity of Pinal County's workforce.

   The overall development consultant is The Remington Ground headed by myself, Alex Argueta, and Jamie Argueta of Tucson, Arizona.  Together the two of us bring more than 40 years of experience in multiple land use development.

   A team of professionals covering various disciplines has been engaged to plan and design the project.  The primary planning firm is Cornoyer-Hedricks of Phoenix, Arizona.  Cornoyer-Hedricks provides well conceived plans and innovative design solutions.

   Another example is the inclusion of the Regenesis Collaborative Development group, Inc. of Santa Fe, N.M., as a consultant for the planning and design features of the project.  Regenesis specializes in a holistic-systems based approach to development which meets human needs while restoring, preserving and enhancing the natural environment.  It has pioneered the practical application of Permaculture design to the uniquely challenging conditions of the Southwest drylands.  The work of the Regenesis Collaborative is a reflection of its belief that, if approached holistically and in equal partnership with a site, development does not have ot compromise aesthetics, functionality or financial viability to achieve sustainability.

   Willow Springs Ranch has a firm commitment to taking care of the land and to green building techniques.  Housing, shops and workplaces will be built in clusters to encourage independence from cars.  Continuous bicycle and pedestrian systems will be built throughout the project.  Most of the land at Willow Springs Ranch will remain, as it has always been, a rich and diverse desert environment.

   The informational meetings with the community will provide an opportunity to all interested parties to learn of the concepts of Willow Springs Ranch and provide their comments.

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