One of the greatest Arizona’s traditions descended upon us this past weekend: the WM Phoenix Open. The raucous event, known as the “People’s Open”, has long been known as the most raucous tour stop in golf, a party that attracts incredible thrones who are there to drink, eat, mingle, and perhaps take in a bit of golf…perhaps. And after a … Read More
Assisted Living Care Rezone Hits Snag in Planning Committee – Another Example of Anti-Growth Policies?
We have spoken frequently about the lack of affordable housing and Scottsdale leadership’s refusal to rectify the problem. However, it seems as though this issue is manifesting itself in ways other than NIMBYism and no movement on potential developments. In a recent case, even an assisted living center is finding the pathway difficult. A recent application near the intersection of … Read More
Sensible Sobriety In Scottsdale
We weren’t big fans of the Greenbelt 88 multi-family proposal to largely replace a shopping center at Hayden and Osborn with apartments. But the way in which it passed the Scottsdale City Council last night on a 5-2 vote (with Mayor Ortega and Councilwoman Littlefield dissenting) was important and instructive. The majority seemed to get what Scottsdale voters expressed in a … Read More
Mesa Moving Forward with Development, Will Scottsdale’s NIMBYism Lead to Extreme Housing Legislation?
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