“What Scenic Drive?” by Les Conklin

Posted By Les Conklin on Aug 15, 2018

August 14, 2018

By Les Conklin

Prologue

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

I’ve only told this story once and that was at the Mayor’s Breakfast at MacDonald’s Ranch on May 2, 2015.  The breakfast was held to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the founding of the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive.

Mayor Lane and the guests at the breakfast seemed to enjoy the story. Now, more than five years later, with the long-term survival of the Scenic Drive being threatened, it seems like a good time to share this true tale with The Peak’s readers.

The First Red Sign

I’ll never forget the red sign that was posted on the land behind our home in 1987.  I don’t think you would either.

I asked a neighbor about the sign. “Oh, they want to change the property’s zoning and build a motion picture production studio with two 50’ towers, two hotels, a theme village, town houses and homes.”  The undeveloped, saguaro-studded section (640 acres) of land, located on the southwest corner of E. Dynamite Boulevard and N. Scottsdale Road, had residential zoning, except for a few acres at the intersection of Dynamite and 64^th Street.

I was dumb-founded. In 1983, My wife, Judy, and I had moved from the Boston area into Monte de Paz. It was a quiet neighborhood with custom homes off two-lane Scottsdale Road. (It was the only neighborhood off Scottsdale Road with paved streets between Bell Road and Carefree Highway). We had invested a tremendous amount of our family’s time, energy and fortune to accomplish the move. We expected some new development but the motion picture production studio proposal was over-the-top.

Entertainment Capitol?

Back then many meetings about issues in the area were held at Jane Rau’s home. After attending a meeting at Jane’s, I activated Monte de Paz’s HOA and invited the developers of the studio to my home to present their plans to neighbors and interested residents.

The group promoting the project included real estate and financial people from downtown Scottsdale and a studio representative from Los Angeles. They were impressive and professional. This is essentially what they said.

“This area is going to be a major entertainment center It’s something the City of Scottsdale wants to happen. Dynamite Boulevard and Scottsdale Road is a perfect location. Because of this area’s annexation into Scottsdale, smart business people are buying property on Scottsdale Road.

“Rawhide is just a few miles south on Scottsdale Road and Dick Van Dyke’s studio is just a few miles north. Production companies and entertainers want to come here. Also, soon Dynamite Boulevard will be pushed through and connect with the Beeline Highway. Both Scottsdale Road and Dynamite will be six lane highways. With due respect, you should be supporting this. It’s really good for Scottsdale and it’s going to mean your property values will increase.”

Objections Anyone?

Jane Rau told me about the Scenic Drive. Courtesy Peter Cherry, Cindy Lee.

After the developers departed, we voted unanimously to oppose the project. We began drafting an opposition presentation to make at the upcoming City of Scottsdale Planning Commission meeting.

I asked my neighbors to list the reasons why they objected to the studio.

“It will destroy the desert.”

“It will kill the wildlife.”

“I don’t want this place to be like L.A. This thing will bring traffic and more commercial development.”

“It’s not fair. What about the Black Mountain Plan and the promises made before annexation that the character of the area would be preserved.”

“You’ll be able to see those towers from Yuma.”

There were a few nasty allegations, which I did not record, about the mayor, council members and their relationship with developers.

And then Jane Rau said,

“What about the Scenic Drive?

And I innocently asked, “What Scenic Drive?”

Jane glared at me like the East Coast newbie that I was and mildly chastised me, “Don’t you know that the northern part of Scottsdale Road is the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, which was created by the people of Cave Creek, Carefree and Maricopa County more than 20 yea for oners ago. They wanted to show off this area and didn’t want gas stations and motels popping up next to the road destroying the plants and blocking the views of the desert and mountains. Those people helped protect this area for visitors and all of us.”  I silently added “Will Destroy Scenic Drive” to the objections list.

While Jane was talking, I realized that I had seen a several scattered signs identifying plants along Scottsdale Road and a large concrete square monument with rusty letters across from MacDonald’s Ranch. I kept my mouth shut but I wondered why such a unique part of the area’s history wasn’t given more recognition, publicity and care.

Then a neighbor interrupted my thoughts and said, “People ride their horses on that land.” We continued to work on our presentation.

Withdrawal

Obviously, the motion picture production studio, 50’ towers, hotels, theme village never happened. The anger of residents increased as the weeks passed. Jane Rau and her neighbors got property owners on the north and west sides of the project to sign legal petitions. I and my neighbors got enough signatures from the property owners along the project’s south side for another legal petition. A legal petition forced a 2/3 vote of the city council to approve. It was the first time in the city’s history that anyone had filed three such petitions.

Area residents also lobbied officials and packed the Scottsdale Planning Commission meeting. The applicants withdrew the application. At its meeting, the Scottsdale City Council voted to downzone the small parcel at 64^th Street and Dynamite. The piece had been given commercial zoning by the county for a hypothetical convenience store and had been used by the studio developer as justification for the many acres of commercial zoning required by their studio plan.

Life returned to normal. With one exception, I gave more thought and attention to the Scenic Drive.

Arizona in My Rear-View Mirror

As a result of having major surgery and spending almost a month in intensive care, I watched most of the First Gulf War (August 1990 – February 1991) from our family room sofa. While I was watching television, the software business that I had started when we arrived in Arizona evaporated.  I got a job with an electronic commerce startup near Chicago.

Judy stayed in Scottsdale getting the Monte de Paz house ready to sell and I headed for Illinois. I distinctly remember having tears in my eyes as I watched Humphrey’s Peak recede in my rear mirror. A few weeks later, Judy joined me in our apartment in Illinois.

Two Wonderful Things

Eighteen months later two wonderful things happened. First, no prospective buyers looked at our home in Monte de Paz. The Arizona real estate market was dead. Second, I lost my job. Not really, the company was expanding and the president offered me a new job opening the federal government market and expanding our base retail market. He offered me the option of staying in Illinois or working from Scottsdale. I called Judy about the offer. She instantly and joyfully shouted into the phone, “YES, YES, let’s go!”

Second Red Sign

After we returned home, I realized that nothing had been done about the Scenic Drive. It had been forgotten after the studio threat went away.

THEN I SAW A RED SIGN on the east side of the intersection of Dynamite Boulevard and Scottsdale Road. The land’s owner operated a chain of gas stations and was requesting Scottsdale to change the zoning from residential to commercial so he could build another station.

Dick Bowers asked me about the Scenic Drive. Courtesy Dick Bowers

The Stranger

I attended a neighborhood meeting to learn more about the project. I brought up the the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive and the need to restore it. I said it was insane to keep fighting over every undeveloped intersection corner. We needed to finally do something positive for the entire 6 ½ miles of the Scenic Drive.

There was a man I had never met sitting across the coffee table from me. The stranger looked at me and asked,

“What Scenic Drive?”

I described how many of the 400 people who lived in Cave Creek/Carefree in the early 60s had worked together to install plant identification signs. How Maricopa County had established scenic setbacks – probably the first in the county – created a roadside park with picnic tables, a bathroom and a large monument sign with the letters “Desert Foothills Scenic Drive.” They had done the same thing on Cave Creek Road, the southern leg of the drive.

I described how years of discussion about annexation into Phoenix and/or Scottsdale had all but killed volunteer interest. As a result, most of the plant signs had disappeared and needed to be restored

The stranger handed me his card. On it was printed, “Richard Bowers, Scottsdale City Manager.”

Bowers then explained that the eastern part of Shea Boulevard was Scottsdale’s first Scenic Corridor and that development had gotten ahead of the city’s ability to protect it. What I was talking about was interesting because new developments were planned for Scottsdale Road. Perhaps, the Scenic Drive could help avoid what happened along Shea.”

He said that on Monday he’d see Herb Drinkwater’ and find out what he knew about the Scenic Drive. Bowers asked me to get more information about the Scenic Drive and get back to him or Herb as soon as possible.

Herb Drinkwater supported the Scenic Drive. Courtesy City of Scottsdale.

A Neighborhood Cookout

About this time, a resident of Monte de Paz offered to have a Saturday morning meeting at his home to rally opposition to the gas station. Another neighbor, Mat McMahon, was establishing the Outback Steakhouse franchise in Arizona. He offered to bring a crew and cook steaks and provide a buffet lunch. We invited Dick Bowers and Herb Drinkwater to the cookout and I began signing up volunteers to help restore the Scenic Drive. I emphasized the importance of coming to Saturday’s meeting to oppose the gas station.

Demonstrating Commitment

I wanted to show the mayor that residents were committed to the Scenic Drive. Early on the morning of the cookout, I visited the Scenic Drive Monument area, located across the road from MacDonald’s Ranch. I sanded and painted the letters, as I nervously watched Scottsdale Road for the police, who might wonder what I was doing to the county’s sign.

Later, with Mayor Drinkwater looking on, I announced that we had already begun restoring the Scenic Drive by painting the rusted sign. Then I called for volunteers to restore plant exhibit signs. About 20 smiling volunteers enthusiastically raised their hands.

Withdrawal

Meanwhile, opposition to the new commercial zoning and the gas station at Dynamite and Scottsdale Road intensified. Once again, residents from the Scenic Drive area packed the Scottsdale Planning Commission meeting and lobbied council members to vote against the request. The land owner did the right thing and withdrew the request.

Epilogue

What Scenic Drive? Drive to the northern-most section of Scottsdale Road and you’ll see the answer. You’ll also find the answer on the City of Scottsdale’s website and this online magazine. The Scenic Drive helps differentiate Scottsdale from other places. It showcases Scottsdale’s environment, history, traditions and community spirit. The preservation of the Scenic Drive is an important part of Scottsdale’s past, present and future.

Past and Present

Volunteers like these made the Scenic Drive happen. Photo by Dennis Liddell.

Today, the Scenic Drive section of Scottsdale Road is four lanes. Dynamite Boulevard was never connected to the Beeline because of environmental concerns for the safety of nesting bald eagles on the Verde River. The proposed site of the motion picture production studio is home to Saguaro Estates, and large gated residential neighborhood with homes valued at $1.5 million and higher. The site of the proposed gas station, across the road from Saguaro Estates, remains undeveloped. The initial Scenic Drive restoration project was completed. Friends of the Scenic Drive was incorporated, Herb Drinkwater assigned Ed Villa, a member of his staff, to help us coordinate our Scenic Drive efforts with the city.  It was the beginning of a long successful partnership between the City of Scottsdale and residents.

Much has been accomplished. Scenic setbacks have been expanded, a small exhibit area was created, entry signs were installed, utility lines and poles have been undergrounded, existing roadside vegetation has been protected and strengthened, roadside fences, utility boxes and other infrastructure has been painted to blend into the natural environment. Plant identification signs have been maintained and for 20 years Friends of the Scenic Drive Adopt-A-Road volunteers have worked to keep the roadside scenic for tourists.

A historic and scenic landmark within a growing area, commercially zoned propery that existed prior to annexation has been tastefully deKeeping the Scenic Driveveloped and residentially zoned private land has been used for distinctive homes and residential communities. The desert character of the Scenic Drive has been preserved.

Future

It’s not easy to be special; keeping the Scenic Drive exceptional will be quite an accomplishment considering Scottsdale’s on-going growth and the tendency to forget the past. It will require respect for our heritage, sticking to the plan, vigilance, imagination, resources and active support from residents.

Red Signs

The red signs, the feared harbingers of pending change are gone, replaced by official notices that are mailed, emailed, and posted on websites. Gone too are many of the neighborhood meetings, replaced by formal open houses organized by the developer and the City of Scottsdale. In the end, how the information is delivered is irrelevant. It’s what the recipient does with it. Listen, get involved and, hopefully, when you speak up there will be a helpful stranger within hearing distance and many helpful neighbors to raise their hands.

Volunteers like these will help preserve the Scenic Drive. Photo by Peter Cherry.

The Peak Welcomes Your Comment

GPPA Membership Make a Donation to GPPA Peak Advertisements & Advertorials