Posted By Les Conklin on Sep 10, 2014

Courtesy of Taylor Morrison Homes

September 9, 2014

The long-time watering hole on Alma School has been a great location for tourists and locals for campfire conversation over the many years.  That’s been no different recently as talk in North Scottsdale has turned from cowboy chats and tourist tales to what’s to become of the bar and the property on which it now sits?

First, a little background.

Due to the passing of family patriarch “Doc” Cavalliere several years ago Greasewood Flat heirs faced onerous federal estate taxes for the increasingly valuable land, money family members did not have.  The situation threatened the popular Scottsdale spot for locals and tourists, with closure a distinct possibility.

Enter a joint agreement between the family and Scottsdale-based Taylor Morrison Homes, which is buying the property so the tax obligations can be paid.

Taylor Morrison is proposing a General Plan Amendment that would remove the existing commercial designation and largely redevelop the existing Greasewood Flat site into something more consistent with neighboring properties.  To be called Cavalliere Flats in honor of the family that has owned the land it would offer new luxury single family homes at two homes to the acre.  The response from neighbors and nearby property owners has been positive.

So what’s to become of Greasewood Flat?

To date, the Cavalliere family’s plans have focused on relocating to 10 acres of a 120-acre parcel the family has owned on 128^th Street, several miles south of Dynamite Road.

The reaction to these plans has been mixed.  Some 4,000 supporters have signed petitions at Greasewood Flat supporting the relocation while others criticize the move for being too close to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and creating more traffic in the area.

A poll of Scottsdale voters several months ago suggests citywide support for the plans to relocate to the new site but others remain skeptical.  Scottsdale’s top tourism officials have weighed in, hoping to keep Greasewood Flat in Scottsdale, as it aids their marketing efforts.

Supporters may take heart in one of the polling questions and its results.

 * We should never allow commercial activity such as Greasewood Flat next to the Preserve because it is a preserve not a park and could harm wildlife and cause too much noise and light pollution . . .

 OR

 * There are restaurants and hotels next to and even in national parks such as the Grand Canyon as well as commercial activity along the Pacific Ocean.  Scottsdale taxpayers have spent nearly $1 billion to create the Preserve.  An old western bar like Greasewood Flat is an appropriate use at this location, especially since it is supported by tourism leaders and would be located on private property owned by the family that created Greasewood Flat.

 NO COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY:                               20%

APPPROPRIATE USE AT LOCATION:                  64%

DON’T KNOW/REFUSED:                                      16%

WestWorld has also been suggested as an alternate location to 128^th Street but it is uncertain what interest city officials may have.

What we do know right now is that the redevelopment of Greasewood Flat into low density luxury homes to meet the Cavalliere family’s federal estate tax burden is gaining many positive reviews.