Local, County & State Governments Cooperated to Create Scenic Drive

Posted By Les Conklin on Oct 14, 2018

BJ and Edie Shannon, Restored Plant Exhibit

August 30, 2018

By Les Conklin (with a little help from my friends)

Introduction

“Hi Les, BJ pulled this up, and wonders if there is a way this historic document can help our cause. It shows the intent and support of the county re Scenic Drive. Best, Edie.”

Let me explain. “BJ” and “Edie” are BJ and Edie Shannon, n. Scottsdale residents (pictured right). They were among the early volunteers to support Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive. Edie served as president of Friends of the Scenic Drive and was instrumental in Friends recieving the 2003 Community Leadership Governor’s Pride in Arizona Award.

What BJ “pulled up” on the web was information about a report that was published by the Maricopa Planning Department in May 1966. The report recommended enhancements to the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. This article includes a summary of the report’s content and a link to the actual report. The report’s favorable recommendation is one of the reasons that residents and visitors still enjoy this special lnadmark.

In the next few weeks, I’ll publish information about other early and important civic actions that led to the establishment of the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. Like this article, most of the information will come form the Scenic Drive section of The Peak.

Local, County & State Governments Cooperated to Create Scenic Drive

By Les Conklin

“Divine Desert Drive” by Chad Weaver, Carefree – Winner Scenic Drive Category, 2015 Summer Fun Photo Contest

The report entitled “Desert Foothills Scenic Drive” was submitted to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in May 1966. In the report’s foreward, Vince Thelander wrote “The idea for this report was conceived with the thought in mind that it might serve as an inspiration to other communities to take ACTION IN THE PRESERVATION OF natural beauties.in their respective areas.”

Thelander, a member of the Maricopa County Planning Commission and a Cave Creek resident, chaired the study committee that prepared the report. The preparation of the favorable report involved local, county and state governments.

The report discusses how the Scenic Drive came to be designated, regulations enacted to prevent building within the future right of way requirements, distinguishing features of the drive including a diagram and description of the kinds of plants exhibited, and existing and proposed recreational facilities on or near the drive. The report states, “The Desert Foothills Scenic Drive was established as a result of close cooperation between the Cave Creek Improvement Association (CCIA), various individuals, and governmental agencies.”

1963 Letter to County Board of Supervisors

According to the report, the study that led to the formal designation of the drive began with a letter to the Board of Supervisors requesting a study. The letter was dated April 8, 1963.The CCIA requested that the study have the following objectives:

“1) To preserve the natural desert area,

2) To plan for future roadways leading into Cave Creek, Carefree and Tonto Forest in view of the “tremendous future growth,

3) To prepare a strip map suggesting minimum setbacks,

4) To cooperate with the State and Federal governments in an effort to halt the sale of their lands along the subject roads during the time of study and consider control of part of these lands as roadside parks.”

Discussions and Meetings

In the months following the receipt of CCIA’s letter, discussions took place between the Maricopa County Planning & Zoning Commission, the Arizona State Land Department, CCIA, Maricopa County Highway Department and others. On August 12, 1963 the preliminary plans were discussed at a meeting in Cave Creek attended by 50 people conducted by CCIA. At the meeting a resolution was adopted asking Maricopa County to proceed with the study and asked for the establishment of setback lines adequate to accommodate 210 feet of future right of way plus the required building setbacks.

The effected roadway included –

“(1) Cave Creek Road from the 11-mile cattle guard north to the south boundary of Cave Creek, and

(2) on Scottsdale Road from a point approximately 1 mile north of Curry’s Corner (Pinnacle Peak Rd; ed.) north to the south boundary of Carefree. The proposed setbacks became part of County Zoning Ordinance on December 30, 1963.”

Parks and Monument Signs Recommended

The report details setbacks and includes a map of the drive (see map), a diagram of plant sites (see diagram). Also, in a section on parks and recreation facilities, it proposes that parks be established and monument signs installed at the entry points to the drive on Scottsdale and Cave Creek Roads.

View the Report

Additonal Articles & Websites

Scenic Drive Section of Website,  https://apeekatthepeak.org/scenic-drive/ Article

Scenic Drive Information Directory,  https://apeekatthepeak.org/scenic-drive-directory/  Article

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