Guest Editorial: Scottsdale Apartments QnA

By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead

Protecting Scottsdale’s Character

My job is to protect Scottsdale—not to cast meaningless “no” votes for political theater.

My record of stopping bad development is unmatched. Just as importantly, I’ve negotiated better projects and helped transform blighted, crime-attracting properties into vibrant destinations.

I’ve also changed rules and improved the baseline for development:

• Adopted building codes that reduce urban heat and conserve water.
• Increased development impact fees.
• Eliminated bonus height allowances and developer incentives.
• Required public open space and stronger landscaping standards.
• Ratified a General Plan that strengthens protections against urbanization.

Did you approve 4,500 apartments?

No.  Over the past eight years, I approved around 2,850. That is about 360 per year in a city of 240,000 residents.

I was able to stop many bad proposals. I’ve kept apartments away from neighborhoods. Where housing made sense, I negotiated better projects and expanded homeownership opportunities by approving roughly 1,700 condominiums and townhomes.

What is the biggest development threat in Scottsdale?

The Arizona Legislature.  Every session, the Arizona Multifamily Association lobbies for bills that would strip cities of their zoning authority. Every year, I’ve successfully fought back against the worst of these proposals.

Arizona has some of the strongest private property rights in the nation. That’s why effective leadership requires negotiating the best projects—not simply voting “no.” Councilmembers who oppose every project have made it easier for the Legislature to argue that cities can’t be trusted with zoning authority.

What are some of your successes in Old Town?  

• Successfully opposed several high-rise development developments.
• Revised the Old Town Character Area Plan to eliminate 150-foot bonus height allowances, require open space, shade and protect our character.

• Protected two historic buildings from demolition.
• Stopped the sale and development of the Rose Garden. It is now slated to be a park.
• Replaced vacant blight with quality hotels and mixed-use developments supported by local businesses.
• Opposed a $30 million parking garage without a parking study. Good government starts with data before spending taxpayer dollars.
• Kept Scottsdale’s Farmers Market in Old Town.

What other successes are you proud of?

• Protected Scottsdale by ending water exports and stopping a taxpayer-funded road in the Preserve – both of which benefited development in Rio Verde Foothills.
• Successfully stopped up-zoning projects citywide to protect neighborhoods.
• Initiated the successful thirty funding of parks, our Preserve and public safety.
• Turned a proposed water storage facility into a DC Ranch park.
• Negotiated the Crackerjax redevelopment to include a 2-acre public park, more trees, large setbacks, and lower building heights.

What about Axon: did you block the vote and approve 1,900 apartments?

No. Axon is approved to build 600 apartments, 600 condominiums, and must invest millions in community benefits including a dog park.  I voted to put the Axon referendum on the ballot.  Your vote was blocked by four on Council – including Barry Graham.

Other benefits:

• Having Axon in Scottsdale keeps us, and our police officers, safer.
• Scottsdale will now be the global destination for law enforcement training, research, and conferences—adding a recession-proof tourism sector that will keep our taxes lower.
• Protected high quality engineering and skilled labor jobs – these are the jobs that make Scottsdale and Arizona stronger.
• Stopped another 24-hour trucking and warehouse depot in North Scottsdale.

In Closing

Like you, I’m fiercely protective of Scottsdale’s unique character and low-density lifestyle.  And there is good news.  The apartment market has cooled, and many sites once planned for apartments are now becoming townhomes.

I’m an engineer trained to solve problems—I’ve spent my time on Council doing just that. It has been my honor to serve you and on July 21^st your continued support.