On October 28, 2015, the City of Scottsdale Planning Commission, meeting at Scottsdale’s City Hall Kiva in downtown Scottsdale, recommended approval of the “Outpost” project. The commercial development is being proposed for the northwest corner of Pima Road and Dynamite Boulevard in north Scottsdale. The Peak will be publishing additional information about this case in the days ahead. We invite readers to comment on the case by entering their comment below or submitting an article. Comments are reviewed prior to publication but we try to post them ASAP.
The motion to approve 1-GP-2015 and at the same time approve the Case 10-ZN-2015 request made by the owner included one stipulation “that the site plan as submitted by the applicant be the substantial site plan that is finally approved. No changes of any substance.”
The commission’s vote was 4 to 2 in favor. Click on the links below, to learn about the commission and watch a video recording of the meeting. The vote proceeded as follows:
. Larry Kush motion to recommend approval of 1-GP-2015 and 10-ZN-2015 was seconded by David Brantner.
Chair Michael Edwards – NO
Vice Chair Matthew Cody – NO
Larry Kush – YES
David Brantner – YES
Michael Minnaugh – YES
Paul Alessio – YES
Next Public Meeting
The next step is consideration by the Scottsdale’s City Council.
December 1 to 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
City Council Hearing (Possible Adoption)
City Hall Kiva
3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Additional Information
The Outpost (1-GP-2015): Request to change the land use designation from Rural Neighborhoods to Commercial on a 10-acre site on the northwest corner of Pima Road and Dynamite Boulevard.
This project is defined as a major General Plan amendment per the 2001 Scottsdale General Plan Amendment Criteria. Arizona requires one City Council hearing be designated each calendar year to consider all major General Plan amendment applications. In addition, there will be two separate Planning Commission hearings in October before the case goes before City Council in December. Get more information on General Plan amendments.”
City Staff Contacts
General Plan Amendment (1-GP-2015)
Taylor Reynolds
Planner
Long Range Planning Services
480-312-7924
treynolds@scottsdaleaz.gov
Zoning (10-ZN-2015)
Jesus Murillo
Senior Planner
Current Planning Services
480-312-7849
jmurillo@scottsdaleaz.gov
October 25, 2015
Received from Howard Myers:
All
Some new events on the “Outpost” case (gas station on the NW corner of Pima and Dynamite).
First the council and Planning Commission are being flooded with e-mails in support of it, most all with just the simple canned statement “Dear Planning Commission and City Council, I would like to see this project approved. I support the development.” Obviously these are coming from friends, relatives, employees, and business associates of the applicant and his business partners. They come from all over the valley, but few in the area anywhere near this corner and therefore not affected property owners. This comment also has nothing about the actual project, listing any merits if there are any. There are few that want Pinnacle Peak Patio back, see the next paragraph.
Second, the applicant is claiming that he will relocate Pinnacle Peak Patio to this corner, in his project. There is no agreement or change in the site plan to support this claim and the facts are that once he gets the rezoning he can build whatever he wants with no guarantee Pinnacle Peak Patio will be a part of it. Also, if Pinnacle Peak Patio couldn’t make it where it was located, in a much more desirable and populated area next to Pinnacle Peak, it is highly unlikely it would make it at this remote location. It would also be impossible to move the existing buildings, which were one of its major draws. So just another ruse to try to gain acceptance and get the rezoning passed.
Third, staff has recommended denial of both the General Plan change and the zoning change, citing most of the issues we have listed before.
We do need to have people show up at the Planning Commission hearing this Wednesday, October 28th at 5 PM at City Hall and submit cards and/or speak, expressing your opinion. You can be sure there will be a parade of supporters, even more than were at the offsite hearing. The supporters will be the same people that submitted the one line e-mails, with no substance. We need to counter them with speakers who are affected property owners and that make one of the following points or some other points you may think of.
Staff recommends Denial – Staff recommended denial for very good reasons, all stated in their Planning Commission packet.
No neighborhood to serve. – This area is not in or near areas of more dense population, therefore it violates the principle of putting commercial near more densely populated residential uses.
No Need. – The need for additional commercial, especially at this location, has not been demonstrated by the applicant and other studies have shown there is already an excess of commercially zoned property in this area of the city.
Competes with existing businesses. – The proposed uses will definitely compete with existing businesses that are already struggling.
Precedent setting. – This case would be precedent setting, the first commercial development next to rural neighborhoods since Scottsdale took over planning of this area and the first commercial property in the Desert Foothills Character Area.
Pinnacle Peak Patio should not be a consideration. – No proof Pinnacle Peak Patio would even try to relocate here and even if there were, there is guarantee it will be built. Once they have the zoning they can build ANYTHING allowed in a PNC district. Also, if Pinnacle Peak Patio couldn’t make it in a much more desirable location and with all the old buildings which were a tourist draw, why would they make it in this remote location?
Dangerous Intersection – Pima and Dynamite is one of the more dangerous intersections in the city and adding these uses on the corner will make it a lot worse. Left turns out of it will be almost impossible. Their own traffic analysis shows these uses will increase the traffic by 2,569 daily trips.
Not suited for residential claim wrong. Very large lot residential is the ONLY logical use for this corner as it has virtually NO impact on the Dynamite/Pima intersection (access to the site would be from the north east, not from either Pima or Dynamite) and minimal visual impact. There are many residential sites, that are currently occupied, that are closer to power lines than this site is, some close to the very same power line corridor. Also, other allowed uses like churches and ranches can go on this site with no General Plan or zoning change.
If you can, please attend the Planning Commission hearing and speak with your concerns. Unfortunately I will not be able to be there, but hopefully you all can carry the message. While a Planning Commission recommendation for denial is important, the real decision is made by the city council and that will be on December 1st.
If you want to e-mail commissioners or the city council, the contact information is below. If you can’t attend the meeting, please e-mail both the Planning Commission and City Council.
For Planning Commission, send it to their staff representative, Tim Curtis 480-312-4210 or TCurtis@ScottsdaleAZ.gov
For the city Council:
Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane jlane@scottsdaleaz.gov
Councilwoman Virginia Korte vkorte@scottsdaleaz.gov
Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp sklapp@scottsdaleaz.gov
Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield klittlefield@scottsdaleaz.gov
Councilman Guy Phillips gphillips@scottsdaleaz.gov
Councilwoman Linda Milhaven lmilhaven@scottsdaleaz.gov
Councilman David Smith dsmith@scottsdaleaz.gov
One e-mail for all: citycouncil@scottsdaleaz.gov
Thanks.
Howard
—
Howard Myers
November 6, 2015
With all deference to the opposition from my neighbors, I actually support this development. I recently moved into the Troon North neighborhood last year, but I have family that has lived in the area for more than a decade. While I absolutely love the area, the surrounding desert, and the views, I find the lack of services in the area disappointing, particularly because I have young children. Further, I miss the vibrancy of having a community gathering point where you can get coffee, meet your neighbors and support local businesses. This area does not presently have such a place, except for the private clubs in the area or the gas station. While I sincerely respect the dissenters wish to have the peace, quiet and tranquility of desert, I believe this development is respectful of the land and the surrounding, and given the rural location, unlikely to significantly impact the community. This area and surrounding communities will continue to be developed, and as such it would be nice to have some of the amenities that come along with it. I’m certain that I’m in the minority amongst my neighbors, but there has to be some compromise between the newer and older residents while still respecting the land and neighborhood we share.