A plan to move and expand Tucson’s first resort into Oro Valley and develop residential, retail and office space is likely to drastically change the serene desert scene along Ina Road.
The Oro Valley town council voted to annex the 80-acre Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa property at 245 E. Ina Road and approved future development.
The annexation takes effect May 21 and is expected to have an immediate fiscal impact of $755,000 a year because of sales taxes, said Mary Jacobs, Oro Valley’s town manager.
Westward Look was built just after Arizona became a state in 1912. Oro Valley was founded in 1974 with 4 square miles and is now a patchwork of 48 annexations with more than 38 square miles.
As part of the Westward Look annexation, the town accepted maintenance of the Ina Road right-of-way as well as the first 1,500 feet of Westward Look Drive — east of Oracle Road.
Three different proposals for development were approved for the east and west side of Westward Look Drive along Ina Road.
On the west side could be boutique retail and restaurant, residential villas or office and retail. All would have building heights of up to 28 feet.
On the east side there might be luxury apartments, hotel and restaurant or office — all with maximum building heights of 40 feet.
Depending on the final development, officials say Oro Valley could see revenues over 20 years of between $16.8 million and $23.8 million.
Neighbor concerns about traffic, noise and privacy were addressed in two public hearings and modifications have been made, said Linda Morales, CEO of The Planning Center, a local consulting firm that represents Westward Look.
She said the open space immediately west of the existing resort will be preserved as well as the walking trails and equestrian trails.
Riders meander along a ridge between two washes on a sunset trail ride in the open land west of Westward Look. Resort officials say walking and equestrian trails will be preserved.
The east-side courtyard would be modeled after St. Philip’s Plaza, on River Road and Campbell Avenue, and the west side would feature similarities to Broadway Village, at Country Club Road and Broadway, Morales said.
No more than 20% of the development would be residential and no senior living facility would be allowed.
The start of any development is at least two years out, said Andrew Stegen, general manger of Westward Look.
Final proposals and architectural plans, whether for residential, hotel or retail, will come back before the town council for final approval, he noted.
Councilman Tim Bohen voted along with the other council members, and Mayor Joe Winfield, to approve the annexation but voted against approving the development plans because there are too many options.
Saying this particular annexation was not well executed, he added “I’m not against annexation as a concept.”
The president and CEO of the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Dave Perry, told the council the chamber supports the annexation and welcomes a resort into the town.
The historic Westward Look’s original building is now the resort’s lobby. In 2012, the 241-room hotel joined the Wyndham Grand Resort brand.
Photos: The Westward Look turns 100
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Wanda Diaz, right, passes the time on her iPad in a sitting room at Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Historic photographs of the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa adorn a wall in a sitting room near the lobby.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Kitchen staff at the GOLD Restaurant file out with trays of fresh food at Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Guests dine outside at the GOLD Restaurant overlooking the pool at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Native desert flora flanks the walkways around the grounds of the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Guests can find a number of spots to relax under the sun poolside at Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Miniature cactus accent the tables at the GOLD Restaurant at Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Guests dine outside at the GOLD Restaurant at Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
The entrance to the GOLD Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
The entrance to the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
The pool at the Westward Look resort in 1966.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Bob and Beverly Nason with daughters Lani and Sancy, at the Westward Look Resort circa 1950.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Photo of the original residence on the Westward Look property, taken by architect Merritt Starkweather, ca. 1912.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
A promotional photo for the Westward Look resort, ca. 1950.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Westward Look guest room in 1966.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
The main entrance of the Westward Look resort, ca. 1960-70.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Early visitors enjoy the amenities at the Westward Look Resort, which started as a private residence in the 1920's.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Guests won't find a lack of comfy chairs inside the lobby at Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Westward Look won a four-diamond rating from AAA in 2009.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Westward Look won a four-diamond rating from AAA in 2009. Relax in one of the rooms at Westward Look Sonoran Spa.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
The pool at Westward Look. Westward Look has won a four-diamond rating from AAA in 2009.
The Westward Look resort turns 100
Updated
Exterior of the Westward Look Sonora Spa.
