Scenic Drive Alert, December 1, 2014

Posted By Les Conklin on Nov 30, 2014

Urban Sprawl. All four corners of Pinnacle Peak and Scottsdale Road are zoned commercial, continuing the northward push of urban development.

Courtesy of Friends of the Scenic Drive

Live in a neighborhood near Happy Valley Road, Jomax Road & Scottsdale Road?
Is protecting north Scottsdale’s heritage important to you?
Are you concerned about the spread of urban sprawl?
When land acquisition for the preserve is concluded, do you want present and future generations to receive the maximum return from the people’s investment?

For the first time in the 50-year history of the Scenic Drive, the City of Scottsdale and the State Land Department are planning to add commercial zoning to land along the Scenic Drive, land that is part of the planned McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It’s part of a plan to add a preserve trailhead on Pima Road. Friends of the Scenic Drive opposes more commercial zoning on the Scenic Drive.

Entry Sign at Southern Entrance to Drive at Happy Valley Road What will be the impact of the state’s plan on the historic drive, its exhibit area, and the proposed Memory Park?

As a first step in the process of amending Scottsdale’s General Plan, the state and city will be holding public hearings in early December. If you live near the above streets, watch your mailbox for official notice of the meeting dates and times. Otherwise, check this website regularly. As we write this, the details of the proposed amendments are not publicly available. As soon as they become available,we will be publishing the information here and also sending it via our e-newsletter. Request Newsletter

If you care, it’s important to stay informed and if possible attend public meetings, inform city staff and Scottsdale members of your views, and sign petitions, if requested. Please remember that Shea Boulevard was Scottsdale’s first scenic corridor. Look at what time and good intentions did to that suburban area.

Getting Started

Completion of Preserve. Plans call for preserved lands and a trailhead near Scottsdale Road. What will be the impact of the proposal on these plans?

For background infomation, you will find a series of articles listed below. To get started, we suggest quickly reviewing the articles as we wait for the city and state to release details of their proposal. You will also find links to relevant websites.