Lomas Verdes Estates subdivision moves forward at Scottsdale City Hall

By Melissa Rosequist
Twitter: @mrosequist_

The final plat of a new six-lot residential subdivision in northern Scottsdale near Jomax Road and 64th Street has received a nod from City Council.

On March 17, the Scottsdale City Council approved on consent a request for a final plat for a new residential subdivision coined Lomas Verdes Estates, comprised of six lots with amended development standards on an 8-acre site.

The approval was made at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

The owner of the project is Jason Kush of Lomas Verdes Estates, LLC, and a family member of Planning Commissioner Larry Kush, and the applicant contact is Ali Kakih, who is also a member of the Planning Commission.

Mr. Kush’s gated community proposal sought amended development standards, which is a density just below the base density allowed by the city’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands ordinance.

The ordinance limits the base allowable density to be .83 dwelling units per acre for a single-family residential home in the ESL district; while Mr. Kush’s proposal sought a density of .75 dwelling units per acre.

The homes within Lomas Verdes Estates are limited to 24 feet in height.

The Development Review Board heard this case as a preliminary plat request on Jan. 18, 2018 and recommended unanimous approval. At that time, the Review Board approved a 25% amendment to the R1-43 development standards. In turn, the applicant is providing approximately .35 acres of additional natural area open space, according to a city staff report, increasing the amount of open space dedicated from 1.7 acres to 2.06 acres.

Although this project has ties to members of Scottsdale’s Planning Commission, the Commission was not involved in this final plat process, Senior Planner Jesus Murillo says.

“If someone is looking to divide a piece of property in the City of Scottsdale, and the request does not meet the administrative approval requirements (minor subdivision), the ‘preliminary plat’ must be approved by the Development Review Board,” Mr. Murillo explained.

“The preliminary plat is then submitted as a ‘final plat’ for final plans review and approval (along with the civil set of plans associated with the project).”

Mr. Murillo says once the final plat and civil plans have met Development Review Board stipulations, and all codes, policies and ordinances, the final plat is then scheduled for possible approval by the City Council.

“The ordinance requires the DRB and CC approval for all major subdivisions. The Planning Commission is not involved in the final plat process; unless the final plat is associated with a rezoning request,” Mr. Murillo said.