Save the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive and Say "No" to the Proposed Zoning Switch.

Posted By Les Conklin on Jan 30, 2015

Northbound Scenic Drive Entry Sign located just south of Happy Valley Road on the east side of Scottsdale Road.

By Cindy Lee

The historic Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, east of Scottsdale Road and north of Happy Valley Road, was created in 1963 by area residents to preserve and showcase the unique Sonoran Desert vegetation. It was created to provide a non-commercial corridor where visitors could come and appreciate the natural desert beauty, and learn about the many indigenous plants and animals there. The proposed zoning switch potentially serves to replace this landmark desert area with mega stores and resort complexes.

The 2002 City of Scottsdale General Plan originally placed 40 acres of commercial zoning and 75 acres of resort/tourism zoning on undeveloped land east of Pima Road. The current proposal would move that zoning to the planned preserve area between Happy Valley and Jomax Roads east of Scottsdale Road (see diagram of parcel below this article). The established Scenic Drive Visitor Exhibit at this location has been enhanced and maintained since 1994 by Friends of The Scenic Drive/Greater Pinnacle Peak Association—with support funding from City of Scottsdale, Bond 2000 funds, preservation benefits, and other local sources, as well as countless hours volunteered by Scottsdale residents.

This is a view of the desert from the exhibit area. The McDowell Mountains are in the background.

Since 1991 the City of Scottsdale requires residential lots to dedicate about 25 percent of each parcel’s square footage to Natural Area Open Space in the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO) areas designated by the city. The city website under Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) states: “It is very important to provide continuous open spaces along the washes in order to sustain both the desert plants and animals.”

View City of Scottsdale ESLO/NAOS Information

Referring to its Native Plant Ordinance of 1981: “The City of Scottsdale has determined that the presence of these unique natural resources contributes to the aesthetic and economic well-being of the community.”

View Scottsdale Native Plant Ordinance Information.

Desert Trail Near Scenic Drive Exhibit

Homeowners in the ESLO area must maintain their NAOS as natural desert and protect native plants in compliance with the city ordinances. As a Board member of the Happy Valley Ranch 1 (HVR1) Homeowners Association, we—the HOA—and HVR1 residents are committed to supporting and preserving the NAOS and desert environment in our neighborhood, respectful of City of Scottsdale requirements and our HOA founding philosophy recorded in 1977. Homeowners new to the area can visit the Scenic Drive exhibit and walk the trail to learn about the local plants and animals that thrive in the habitat. The exhibit is living testament to the value of keeping natural areas as they are, amidst surrounding continual development along Scottsdale Road. One visitor’s review summarizes this appreciation:

View Yelp Review of Scenic Drive

This Scenic Drive exhibit provides information about animals that are native to the area.

It seems neither compelling nor consistent for the City of Scottsdale to introduce commercial and resort zoning into an area that for decades has been maintained to preserve and promote the natural desert. This Scenic Drive exhibit area educates the public about Sonoran Desert plants and animals that the city’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance and Native Plant Ordinance serve to protect. Commercial and resort zoning would eliminate this unique and cherished landmark.

Today, residentially zoned vacant properties abound along Scottsdale Road from south of Pinnacle Peak Road up to Lone Mountain Road. If up-zoning is encouraged, these parcels become targets of opportunity for commercial development. Since the mid-1980s, residents and the City of Scottsdale have successfully resisted attempts to introduce new commercial zoning along the Scenic Drive. The proposal to add more commercial zoning to land along the Scenic Drive sets a dangerous precedent that will encourage additional commercial development from Happy Valley Road north to Carefree Highway.

Approximately $7 million of Bond 2000 funds will be spent to enhance and re-vegetate the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive.

View Enhancement Project Summary PDF

cindylee_scenicdrive_9 Sonoran Info (better)

This and other exhibits, located in the Scenic Drive Exhibit Area, provide information on the area’s natural history.

Future preservation of the Scenic Drive and historic Visitor Exhibit south of Jomax Road and east of Scottsdale Road— where a Memory Park was planned—will be jeopardized by the proposed zoning switch from the original location identified in 2002 to this area currently being considered.

Scottsdale homeowners opposed to the commercial and resort rezoning proposal should come together as one voice through community action and petition – to express this view to the Scottsdale City Council before it’s too late.

Photo Credit. The photographs used in the article were provided by the author, Cindy Lee.

Editorial note. Next week, The Peak will publish additional photographs taken by Cindy Lee of the Scenic Drive Exhibit Area.

Proposed Rezoning East of Scottsdale Road, Between Happy Valley Road and Jomax Road. Key: K-9 = 26 acres of Resort/Tourism zoning R-4R, M-9= 40 Acres of Commercial zoning PCC

About the Author

Cindy Lee is Vice-President of the Happy Valley Ranch 1 Homeowners Association Board of Directors. She is a north Scottsdale resident since her 2009 move from New York. Formerly a TV commercial film producer, Cindy currently volunteers free health insurance counseling and advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries through the Area Agency on Aging, a non-profit organization serving Maricopa County.