If the nation is struggling with a housing affordability crisis, and it is, Scottsdale is one of its cauldrons.
Few columnists have better described the costs and predicament than Jamelle Bouie in the New York Times.
Bouie offers a key observation contributing to the crisis: “onerous burdens on new housing development.”
While Scottsdale’s new City Council majority proudly touts caution when it comes to new development one of the approach’s consequences is becoming clearer.
Existing homeowners may relish the price run-up. Ultimately, however, does Scottsdale want to be only the playground of the older and privileged, pricing younger families, seniors looking to downsize and blue-collar workers entirely out of its community?
We believe this anathema to the diverse, interesting community Scottsdale has become and that it has been throughout its history. There is something for everyone whether young, old, religious or agnostic, athletic or not, gay, straight or black, brown or white.
This is truly when community, real community, is at its best.
This is not an argument for approving all development proposals. Indeed, Scottsdale can and should be discriminating. But if the city becomes too restrictive, ignoring the policy consequences of campaign sound bites on growth, there will be little supply to match demand. And the true costs of this political posture will become clearer. That’s too bad. Because strident anti-growtherism misses what Scottsdale is really all about. Our city was never about its buildings, but its wonderfully interesting mix of people.