Another day passes, and another story hits the wire about development elsewhere in the Valley, a story of Scottsdale developers unable to build in their own city and focusing their efforts elsewhere. In this case it’s in Mesa again, with a 144-unit mixed use development near downtown. We have spoken at length about the housing crisis in this state and … Read More
SUSD Considers Limiting Public Comment: Not Enough Adults in the Room
The Scottsdale Unified School District recently considered rather draconian moves in response to public input and discourse: to limit public comment, as well as to restrict it to people who have a vested interest in the district. While the board took no action, it does highlight a growing issue at SUSD meetings, as political activists from around the state as … Read More
Guest Editorial: Protect Scottsdale’s Zoning
By Solange Whitehead Scottsdale’s Zoning Under Threat AZ Leg Bill HB2674 will Override City Zoning Scottsdale’s value is the product of good zoning. Our zoning tilts the playing field in favor of quality developments and has enabled Scottsdale to protect our unique character and open space. That will all change if HB 2674 becomes law. According to the AZ League … Read More
Arrogance Personified: Congressional Candidate QAnon Ron Speaks Up at SUSD Meeting, and We All Lose as a Result
By Alexander Lomax You almost certainly aware of the QAnon movement, the far-ranging group of halfwits who believe that Congress is a big child sex-trafficking ring and that Trump would jail all of them and come back and become president again. Perhaps you didn’t know that one of the people widely believed to be a person posting as “Q” and … Read More
Online Signatures are Coming to Scottsdale Races; But Will SoS Mismanagement Shut It Down Early?
You almost certainly have seen asks from political candidates around Arizona to sign their online petition to get them on the ballot. It’s easy for voters to sign, it’s less fuss and muss for candidates (and allows them to avoid 100 degree signature collections and COVID), and those signatures are pre-qualified, and as such are immune from legal challenges from … Read More
Hey Scottsdale: If It’s All About Being Responsive To Citizens, Then Be Responsive To Citizens
Scottsdale’s current City Council majority professes allegiance to citizen input. The merits of a particular project no longer seem to matter much. Instead, Scottsdale decision-making appears to be an experiment in mass democracy. Most politicians have an eye toward the next election. That’s normal. Every two or four years residents give a thumbs up or thumbs down based on that … Read More
The Rent Crisis Hits Low Income Areas – Will Progressives Finally Push for More Housing Options?
Rents are increasing all around the country, but most exorbitantly in Arizona, with three AZ cities in the top 20 for highest increases in rent in the country over the last year. This is nothing new for us here at APG, we’ve been sounding the alarm for a while now. But as time goes on, we wonder what catalysts will … Read More
Guest Editorial: Kid! Get Off My Lawn.
By Mike Norton The “growth years” for Scottsdale long ago ended. From 1970 through early 2000’s, Scottsdale grew steadily. Compared to today, we were a vibrant, comparably young, and thriving community. Family Friendly housing developments and the expansion of superb school networks dominated those decades. Not only were there no complaints about growth, we embraced growth and enjoyed it. From … Read More
New Scottsdale Poll Reveals Support On Key Issues And Projects As Well As Thoughts On City
Poll Shows Substantial Support For Plan To Replace Empty Offices With Multi-Family Residences Near Honor Health North Scottsdale Same Poll Shows Most Residents Willing to Accept Some New Residential Development; Ratings On City Direction, Elected Officials Also Included (Scottsdale, Ariz.) While a vocal minority may give the impression that Scottsdale residents do not want to see any new multi-family housing, … Read More
Afghan Refugees are Settling in Scottsdale: An Opportunity to Shine or a New Hot-Button Protest Magnet?
Recently 300 war refugees from Afghanistan were housed in a hotel in Scottsdale in order to escape their dystopian situation at home. It seems as though many of them will begin a new life in Scottsdale and settle into our neighborhoods and no doubt contributing to them via hard work and the chase of the American Dream. This is a … Read More