By Terrance Thornton
Twitter: @ININEWSMAN

As Scottsdale leaders ready the resident-outreach process in pursuit of placing a General Plan update before voters in November 2021, Independent Newsmedia sought the perspective of Councilman Guy Phillips.

Mr. Phillips, a staunch supporter of personal property rights --- and the letter of zoning law --- says the General Plan document is a guide for elected leaders to follow.

This is what he had to say:

•Tell me how you understand the General Plan? For you, what exactly does that document represent?

I look at the General Plan as our guiding document for how the city should direct itself in the future. Since it was made with input from residents, officials and city staff, the General Plan is the accepted plan the council should follow and adhere to.

•Over these past few years --- and election cycles --- the 2001 General Plan has been lauded as a keystone document that ought to be used to shape decisions on the City Council dais. Do you think it does?

For the most part it does. However, we have tried to update the plan per state guidelines and to include new guidelines to strengthen the plan, but disagreement by the council has limited our update to state-mandated items only.

•Do you care about the General Plan?

Obviously, I care about the General Plan because without one, the Scottsdale population would not have any protections as far as land zoning and character areas to keep unbridled growth in check. It is what the residents and businesses rely on to make decisions on where to buy homes or put their business.

•Do you think the general public cares about the General Plan?

I believe the general public is very aware of the General Plan and holds us to the fire whenever the city tries to go around its governing policies. It wasn’t the voters who denied the last attempt, it was the inability of the City Council to get a consensus on certain aspects of the General Plan as it pertained to zoning that concluded with us just updating the state-mandated requirements.

•What do you think that voter denial in 2001 really speaks to?

The inability of the City Council to agree on certain zoning aspects speaks volumes about those who want less restrictions for development to grow exponentially and those who want more restrictions for responsible and sustainable growth.

•What opportunities does this General Plan update represent for the community of Scottsdale?

What is at stake with a new General Plan is how Scottsdale will grow in the future. In my opinion, with Scottsdale landlocked and build-out imminent, we need to make assurances in the General Plan that over development will not occur without at least a super majority of City Council. I don’t think that’s too much to ask to protect our beautiful city and keep it one of this country’s most prized places to visit.