Cantor: Developer-driven agenda puts Scottsdale on edge of change

Developer-driven redevelopment gives free rein for developers to grow cities the way they want to. Sound familiar?

We do have developer-driven redevelopment, without an up-to-date General Plan, without City Council leadership that values community input, and includes the community’s vision for tomorrow.

That vision, grown out of values that support the long-established character of our mature neighborhoods, residential and commercial, all-inclusive. All hoping for compatibility and best practices.

A City Council that scoffs at the voices of the community, is also leadership that does not share the vision and values the people want for their hometown.
Many voices have weighed into the current problems surrounding Southbridge II --- pro and con.

--- Nancy Cantor, Scottsdale resident and community advocate

Scottsdale used to strive for cutting-edge design and development to help maintain it’s “world-class city” status. Building techniques, materials, site massing, positioning and site planning to address the much-needed elements of sustainability and energy efficiency for the future. Those efforts were done with an eye for the culture that makes Scottsdale unique.

This isn’t a swipe at the developer of Southbridge II.

The fact is I have been involved as a member of the Neighborhood Enhancement Commission, now called the Neighborhood Advisory Commission, during the Ungers’ redevelopment of the old Frontier Plaza at Scottsdale and Thomas roads and Southbridge I.

Herb Drinkwater was elected to our City Council in 1970, promising to respect the western, small-town character. He stuck to his word even though Scottsdale was growing quite rapidly. He recognized that different parts of our city had slightly different characters, but the Old Town and Fifth Avenue neighborhoods were unique. Retaining the basic character of those areas was of historical importance with slight adjustments for character as we grew.

So, when Fred Unger came up with the idea of redevelopment of Frontier Plaza Mayor Drinkwater led the charge to work with the neighbors. When the design for the new center was presented neighbors living to the east and slightly to the south of the shopping center were up in arms. They would be gazing out at a concrete block wall.

On the other side of that wall grocery delivery trucks would be unloading every day and at various times throughout the day. And, the project had diminished setbacks and open space and had little in the way of landscaping.

Mayor Drinkwater had the idea to create a commission or committee to address neighborhood issues as they aged in order be proactive in maintaining them and recognizing residents who made the effort to keep their property neat and attractive.

It was no surprise that he unleashed the Neighborhood Beautification Awards Committee in the 1980s to help bring neighbors to the table as the planning for what is now Scottsdale Crossing at Thomas Road and Scottsdale Road commenced.

That project was no slam dunk.

By the time the late Fred Unger proposed the first phase of Southbridge, the NBAC had become the Neighborhood Enhancement Commission that helped bring the neighbors and businesses in the area together to sort through issues and solve problems.

Not all problems, but many of them.

Our City Council majority is not keen on acknowledging the neighborhood voices, anymore than they are to respecting the historical character of our neighborhoods, residential or commercial. They aren’t inclined to do their homework on any of it.

--- Nancy Cantor, Scottsdale resident and community advocate

We have professionals in design, site planning, architectural design, construction engineering and real estate serving on the Planning Commission that approves projects and sends them on to council for approval.

There are no professionals in ecology/environment, energy sustainability, water usage, impacts of heat islands and a whole lot more.

And there is no representation from homeowners or homeowner associations on the Planning Commission or the Development Review Board.

The whole set-up is just the thing for dividing our city into fractious camps.

Even with our Character Area Plans, that had to be explained to members of the DRB last fall even though they have existed for decades, little heed is paid to character and history.

No attention has been paid to maintaining setbacks and useful open space in the multifamily high-rise developments in southern Scottsdale in the last six years. Those two things are as important to southern neighborhoods as the green belts of master-planned communities.

If we are going to be a cutting edge, world-class tourism attraction, and continue as a great place for families to raise children, and some of us to grow old in, and provide opportunities for “live, work and play” then stop driving the wedge in that alienates neighborhoods and individuals.

The push to inundate the newspapers with gushing tributes to how wonderful Southbridge II is sad. How many of the opinion writers live down here or even travel through Fifth Avenue and Old Town or the southern Scottsdale mature neighborhoods south of Chaparral Road, daily?

Safety personnel are concerned with the condition of our streets and the ability to handle the growing number of vehicles 24/7, especially if an emergency arises.

Nope, we aren’t adding any new streets. Then there is parking. Not going to go there

While I am not opposed to redevelopment and I am not 100% in favor of what Southbridge II is to be, I understand reality. Change happens.

It is quite obvious that Scottsdale needs to get back to planning for thoughtful growth and sustainable development/redevelopment.

We can do better.

Editor’s note: Ms. Cantor is a longtime community advocate