Growth FAQ

Growth definitely has an impact on many things, including infrastructure and public amenities. To help manage growth, the Town of Marana has several long-range master plans that are key elements of our long-range planning efforts. Along with the master plans, as part of the annual budget process, the Town carefully evaluates and updates a Town-wide list of capital improvement projects driven by the demands of growth. All of this helps us carefully and thoughtfully plan for new infrastructure and amenities, as well as ongoing maintenance of existing infrastructure and facilities.

Each development project presents unique challenges. The Town requires developers to prepare traffic studies that identify the impacts on transportation infrastructure and possible mitigations.

A growing community means more visitors to Marana’s parks. The Parks and Recreation 10-year Master Plan looks to address increased usage by proposing new properties and amenities to serve the communities recreation needs. A new 50,000+ sq. ft. Community Center will be the centerpiece of Marana’s new facilities. This new center will open sometime in the next 2 - 3 years, and will offer opportunities for both active and passive recreation activities, and will provide options for a variety of different community uses.

"Make Marana" 2040 General Plan

Strategic Plan

Parks & Recreation Master Plan

The Town has the ability to control what types of land uses are allowed through zoning and the zoning code regulations. The Town of Marana’s zoning code (Land Development Code) identifies what land uses are permitted within each zoning district. The Town does not have the ability to choose what particular business delivers the service of an approved land use. For example, a hotel may be allowed in a commercially zoned district, but the Town doesn’t get to decide which brand of hotel is constructed.

Land Development Code

Yes & no. Yes, by way of zoning and ordinances, and no, by way of market conditions. We can “wish” for a certain type of business, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we will get one.

All development projects are reviewed through our Development Services Department. With the proper zoning in place, the Planning, Building and Engineering Divisions review project submittals along with other Town Departments and external agencies like TEP or Southwest Gas using highly specific criteria regulated by the Town, State and Federal government.

Water is a precious resource, especially for communities in desert regions. Town of Marana has sufficient Designation of Assured Water Supply to meet the long-term demand of Marana Water’s customers. Water Department is also working hard to acquire additional renewable water resources to support future development.

Water conservation is always important. Leading by example, the Water Department works diligently on preventive maintenance and leak repairs to reduce water loss in the systems. Marana Water’s average water loss is less than 5%, much lower than industry average.

The Parks and Recreation Department works to conserve water by continuously improving our irrigation systems that water the turf in parks and the vegetation in parks and along Marana’s roadways. Additionally, whenever possible, parks are irrigated with water provided by the Cortaro Marana Irrigation District. This non-potable water source allows us to meet our irrigation needs without impacting Marana’s drinking water resources.

Learn More About Marana Water’s Future

Property Tax

Contrary to what many people may think, Marana does not levy a property tax. The tax that residents currently pay on their property goes to entities such as Pima County, school districts, special taxing districts, and fire districts.

Special Taxing Districts

There are a number of special taxing districts within the Town Boundaries, including the Tangerine Farms Improvement District and 3 community facilities districts.

These districts levy property or special assessment taxes to pay off debt that was used to finance certain eligible infrastructure (i.e. roads, drainage, utility infrastructure, parks, etc.) and for the operation and maintenance of the district as allowed by Arizona laws. This secondary tax is charged only to those who own property within the district boundaries. For more information on community facilities districts please visit the Special Districts page.

None of the money collected from these secondary taxes is used for Town operations.

Typically, the grocery industry relies on population demographics, competition, and ease of access.

Update! A Fry’s grocery store is coming to north Marana! Learn more in Real Talk Episode 2.

When possible, the Town requires developers to build transportation improvements to mitigate the impacts of their development. For Opening Year, the Crossroads at Gladden developer will do the following:

• Add a new left-turn lane for the westbound I-10 off-ramp at Tangerine
• Restripe under the overpass to add a lane, which will increase storage for left-turning vehicles in both directions on Tangerine
• Push the west median further west to create more storage for cars that need to turn left onto westbound I-10.
• Contribute financially to Town-built improvements, which are expected to be completed by 2026 (in conjunction with the widening of Tangerine Road east of I-10). These improvements include: moving the traffic signal west of I-10 further west to make more room for left turns onto I-10; adding dual right-turn lanes for eastbound Tangerine onto eastbound I-10; and adding a through lane in each direction behind existing overpass abutments (like has been done at Cortaro Road).

Other developers will contribute to Town-built improvements through Impact Fees. The Town estimates that the improvements will address traffic issues on Tangerine Road for at least 10 years.

The Town of Marana is currently working with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and developers on both sides of the freeway to identify necessary improvements to the Tangerine Road interchange. Based upon the timing of the various development projects, improvements to the interchange may be done in phases to reduce impacts to existing residents and businesses in the area but all of the needed improvements will be in place prior to development being completed.

There is one age-restricted community currently under construction – Album Apartments. This is a 55+ development.

Staff is not aware of any detached single-family developments planned as age-restricted, but there are age-restricted developments that exist within the community – Sunflower and The Highlands come to mind.