Mark Edelman, Planning & Engineering Manager (medelman@azland.gov)
Micah Horowitz, Planning & Engineering (MHorowitz@azland.gov) Arizona State Land Department 1616 West Adams Street Phoenix, AZ 85007
Re: Scottsdale Rezone of State Trust Land, 19-ZN-2014
Friends of the Scenic Drive Helps Maintain and Enhance Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive.
The Greater Pinnacle Peak Association/Friends of the Scenic Drive endorses most of the complex transaction between the State Land Department and the City of Scottsdale. However, we are opposed to the proposal to “transfer” commercial and resort/tourism zoning east of Pima Road to east of Scottsdale Road, between Happy Valley and Jomax Roads. The commercial and resort/tourism zoning should remain where it was shown in the 2002 City of Scottsdale General Plan. We have considered other locations but conclude that this is the best location for four reasons:
1) Scottsdale’s voter-approved 2002 General Plan reflects actual community needs.
2) Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive with its long history and heritage should not be sacrificed and squandered.
3) Community balance and fairness are essential.
4) Funding sources should be explored to better accommodate the Recommended Study Boundary intent per 2002 GP.
The Greater Pinnacle Peak Association and Friends of the Scenic Drive was founded in 1977 when north Scottsdale was under the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. From its inception, our organization has advocated for the preservation of the Sonoran desert and the protection of quality of life in the north Scottsdale Sonoran Desert.
We have been steadfast supporters of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve from its conception. Our organization and its members have donated considerable time, treasure, and votes, and used our voices, publications, and events to support Scottsdale’s preservation efforts.
We have discussed the possibility of transferring the commercial and resort/tourism zoning east of Pima Road to other State Trust Land locations, such as the west side of Pima Road between Jomax Road and Dynamite Boulevard, and have concluded that for the following reasons, it should remain east of Pima.
1. Scottsdale’s voter-approved 2002 General Plan reflects actual community needs. 
The development and approval of the 2002 General Plan was a long time in the works, with many people involved. Those people—city staff, residents, civic leaders and the development community—took into consideration the community’s existing and planned development, the environment, the planned preserve and future demand.
From a planning standpoint, the placement of the commercial and resort/tourism zoning makes sense. The zoning in the original “location” is SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS with no other commercial zoning along Pima Road. Conversely, the recently proposed location on Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive, north of Happy Valley Road, remains RURAL NEIGHBORHOODS zoning. Why take commercial and resort/tourism zoning out of suburban neighborhoods with higher density and no commercial support in close proximity and rezone into rural neighborhoods with lower density and abundant existing and planned commercial zoning in the area. The state has not provided evidence or study to support this rezoning.
There is no need, now and for the foreseeable future, for additional commercial zoning at the Scottsdale Road location. Even a cursory survey of commercial space near that location shows many existing commercial vacancies.
The nearby intersection of Pinnacle Peak Road and Scottsdale Road has four corners with commercial zoning opportunities. An existing retail center, anchored by Safeway, occupies the northeast corner. A retail center, anchored by Sprouts, is under construction on the southeast corner. The two corners on the west side of Scottsdale Road are in Phoenix and have commercial zoning. Both the north and the south sides of Pinnacle Peak Road, east of Scottsdale Road, have numerous existing commercial opportunities, as does Miller Road just south of Pinnacle Peak Road.
On Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive, covering a distance of 6 1/2 miles, there are already three major retail centers, one at Lone Mountain Road, one at Ashler Hills Drive, and another at Carefree Highway. Commercial zoning for these centers was already in place when Scottsdale annexed the area along the Scenic Drive. There are four commercial centers at the nearby intersection of Pinnacle Peak and Pima Road and in Carefree on Tom Darlington Drive.
In addition, the State Land Department and the City of Phoenix have planned the State Trust Land on the west side of Scottsdale Road from Pinnacle Peak Road north to Jomax Road. The plan calls for new commercial and mixed use zoning from Pinnacle Peak Road north to Happy Valley and residential along the Scenic Drive from Happy Valley Road to Jomax Road, i.e., the Phoenix side of the Scenic Drive has residential zoning, which is what the City of Scottsdale and residents advocated for when the area was planned, prior to the recession.
There is no need now or in the foreseeable future for additional commercial zoning at the Scottsdale Road location.
2. Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive, with its long history and heritage should not be sacrificed and squandered.
This drive entry sign, installed in 1964, was located just north of the power line corridor on Scottsdale Road, south of Jomax.
The Desert Foothills Scenic Drive was established by residents of Maricopa County in 1963 to encourage tourism and foster a non-commercial corridor that showcased desert vegetation and vistas. It was one of the first preservation efforts in the Valley of the Sun.
In 1966, the Maricopa County Planning Department prepared a detailed report on the drive. Vince Thelander, chairman of the study committee wrote, “The idea for this report was conceived with the thought … that it might serve as an inspiration to other communities to take ACTION IN THE PRESERVATION OF natural beauties in their areas … this is truly an example of a community doing things for itself with a minimum of government assistance.”
The Scenic Drive Exhibit Area was created by Maricopa County with the support of the state in 1968. Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive and the Exhibit Area have been maintained by residents, with the support of local governments for decades.
A more preserving approach must be applied to consider an alternate location for the commercial and resort/tourism zoning. A location, based on need, which does not eradicate the rich human history of more than 52 years of community involvement, funding, preservation, maintenance and enhancement that is reflected in the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive and Visitor Exhibit. A community’s natural environment and heritage are two essential features that differentiate it from other communities, especially communities that are tourist destinations. http://www.yelp.com/biz/desert-foothills-scenic-drive-scottsdale-2
The City of Scottsdale prides itself in attention to historic preservation. Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive, Visitor Exhibit and surrounding open Sonoran desert should receive no less consideration as an historic community landmark and distinctive tourist destination. This IS part of the heritage and character of Scottsdale.
See the City of Scottsdale website http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Construction/ScenicDrive
and the article found at https://apeekatthepeak.org/scottsdales-scenic-drive-hits-fifty-two/
For information about the Scenic Drive, visit www.scenicdrive.org or www.thepeakaz.org
3. Community balance and fairness are essential.
There should be a fair distribution of preservation efforts. The City of Scottsdale should not sacrifice one area in favor of adding to another. We all pay the taxes that enable Scottsdale to purchase preserve land. We should not disproportionately and readily squander the remaining open Sonoran desert land on Scottsdale’s signature road in favor of another area where the original zoning made more sense, and where great preservation efforts have already been liberally applied with Scottsdale tax dollars. A more balanced and considered approach should be developed and implemented.
4. Scottsdale voters ratified the 2002 General Plan that defined the Recommended Study Boundary for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Monument South of Happy Valley Road
Quoting again from the City of Scottsdale website: “The General Plan is the culmination of Scottsdale’s collective vision for how its citizens want the community to evolve over time.” http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/generalplan/generalplan2001
Instead of sacrificing the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, funding resources should be considered and pursued to better accommodate the will of Scottsdale voters and the collective vision reflected in the General Plan ratified in 2002.
Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF DIRECTORS GREATER PINNACLE PEAK ASSOCIATION/FRIENDS OF THE SCENIC DRIVE
Bob Cappel, President
Ken Melnick, Vice President
Ginger Schoenau, Treasurer
Ken Lew, Secretary
Les Conklin, Editor, Director
Horst Berkner, Director
Maxine Rosenberg, Director
Bob Fox, Director
Marg Nelssen, Director
George Constantinou, Director
Don Doherty, Director
Cindy Lee, Director
DATE: March 18, 2015
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