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Janik: Scottsdale shows good judgment on signage issue

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I was one of 50-plus people in attendance at the City of Scottsdale community outreach meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Grayhawk Community Center.

The intent of this meeting was to provide information and solicit citizen concerns on text amendment 4-TA-2019. The text amendment was proposed to the Zoning Ordinance to introduce freeway-appropriate freestanding and building signs for large mixed-use developments along Loop 101 between Hayden and Scottsdale Road.

City Planner Andrew Chi conducted the meeting and was well-versed on the various aspects of the project.

During the question and answer session, I requested a show of hands of those opposed to this ordinance.

Over 90% of attendees raised their hands in opposition. I then asked Mr. Chi if he would inform the city staff of the overwhelming citizen opposition to the signage.

He recommended that attendees complete comment cards for our voices to be heard. Most of the attendees completed cards for submission to the city manager.

Of note, two current City Council members, (Ms. Whitehead and Ms. Littlefield), two candidates for mayor (Mr. Littlefield and Mr. Ortega) and two candidates for City Council (Tom Durham and myself, Betty Janik) were in attendance.

The objections to this amendment were reported back to City Manager Jim Thompson quickly.

This is the current response from Andrew Chi on the issue:

“The Sign Ordinance Update – Freeway Signs Text Amendment (Case# 4-TA-2019), is still active and the Open House is still scheduled for tomorrow, 2/20 at 5:30pm at the Granite Reef Senior Center so we can obtain additional public feedback. The case has not been pulled, canceled, or withdrawn – it is still active but we are not going to schedule any additional public hearings for the foreseeable future.
The case was never scheduled for City Council consideration. After tomorrow’s Open House, we will not be scheduling any additional public hearings, including hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council, for the foreseeable future.”

Does this mean it is being put on the shelf?? Sounds like it to me.

Editor’s Note: Betty Janik is a Scottsdale resident, she is pursuing a seat on Scottsdale City Council.