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Scottsdale City Council candidates opine General Plan’s significance

Posted 5/13/20

This summer, Scottsdale voters are being asked to fill three open seats on City Council from a field of nine candidates.

The City of Scottsdale hosts a primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4 meanwhile …

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Scottsdale City Council candidates opine General Plan’s significance

Posted

This summer, Scottsdale voters are being asked to fill three open seats on City Council from a field of nine candidates.

The City of Scottsdale hosts a primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4 meanwhile a general election could be held if needed, which would be Tuesday, Nov. 3. To be elected at the primary election, a candidate must receive a majority of all of the legal votes cast.

The field of City Council candidates include one current incumbent, Guy Phillips, among a handful of other residents seeking a political seat for the first time.

They are:

  • Michael Auerbach
  • Tammy Caputi
  • Bill Crawford
  • Tom Durham
  • Betty Janik
  • Becca Linnig
  • John Little
  • Kevin Maxwell
  • Guy Phillips

Leading up to the August election, Independent Newsmedia has launched its weekly question-and-answer series with both mayoral and City Council candidates providing insights to paramount issues facing the city and its people.

For the first installment, Independent Newsmedia reached out to each mayoral candidate seeking a firm understanding of how they view the General Plan, its pending update process and the municipality’s inability to update its current version for about 20 years.

Sticking with the same topic, the City Council candidates have been asked for their views on the General Plan.

Michael Auerbach

The Scottsdale General Plan update is underway. Scottsdale has experienced difficulty in being able to get an update approved --- first by voters, and then a few years later, by City Council. Why is that do you think?
The lack of an approved General Plan for the city so far has been due to many factors. Several that stand out the most are interpretation of the purpose of the plan and lack of agreement on a definition of terms. The last attempt in 2013/14 by the Task Force is an example of the how the factors mentioned above effected the result. The plan is supposed to be forward guidance on how the city and the private sector come together to benefit the residents. By benefit, that is to say address housing needs, encourage smart growth by developers, and recruit businesses to locate in the city.

The reason the proposed General Plan failed was because there were conflicts among the members. Some emotional, some personal, but mostly it was bad timing. The financial recovery from the 2008 debacle was in full swing. The time of belt tightening that had been occurring for the last three years ended. Those working for the city who had their salaries impacted negatively wanted their sacrifices reversed. Long time civic leaders saw an opening to impose their agenda. And let’s not forget that 2014 was an election year. Taking all these into consideration, it is no wonder why it failed.

2. What will be the most important aspect you hope to see included in the proposed draft General Plan later this year?
The most important part relative to Scottsdale is growth area element. Specifically identifying those areas, if any, that are particularly suitable for planned multimodal transportation and infrastructure expansion and improvements designed to support a planned concentration of a variety of uses, such as residential, office, commercial, tourism and industrial uses. Conserve significant natural resources and open space areas in the growth area and coordinate their location to similar areas outside the growth area’s boundaries. Promote the public and private construction of timely and financially sound infrastructure expansion through the use of infrastructure funding and financing planning that is coordinated with development activity.

3. To you, what does the General Plan stand for?
The General Plan is a vision of what the 30,000-foot view of Scottsdale looks like for a decade. Since nobody has a crystal ball to know what will happen in out years, e.g. COVID-19, that was totally unforeseen and could not possibly be planned for the new GP must be a consensus document.

4. If elected to City Council, what importance will you put on the General Plan and its ultimate completion?
If elected, I will place importance on the passage of a General Plan. I would ensure that exploitation of loopholes be eliminated. That at least 75% of current Task Force members agree on a proposed final draft to bring to the voters. The communication from the city to residents be wide spread, broadly available, and transparent. The notion that minimal compliance, or noncompliance, with public meeting notices needs to addressed. Whether it be due to not being posted timely or in some cases not posted at all. These attempts to keep participation by residents limited only serves those whom are protecting their fiefdoms. Instead, they should be more concerned with protecting your First Amendment right to be heard. If you vote for Mike Auerbach, I will protect your right to be heard.

Tammy Caputi

1. The Scottsdale General Plan update is underway. Scottsdale has experienced difficulty in being able to get an update approved --- first by voters, and then a few years later, by City Council. Why is that do you think?
One thing I love about Scottsdale is we have a diverse population, distinct opinions, and unique neighborhoods. The General Plan allows us to come together and create a shared vision for the entire tapestry that is Scottsdale. We need community-wide collaboration to make the best decisions. We showed it’s possible passing the recent bond and school overrides, in the passion behind Prop 420, and how we improved projects like Museum Square. We need citizen involvement and respect for neighborhood area plans, but also an acknowledgment of our economic reality. Our model is high amenities and assets, strong property values, and low property taxes. This equation requires a robust, diversified economy to maintain. The vision needs to be clear and have buy-in from everyone.

2. What will be the most important aspect you hope to see included in the proposed draft General Plan later this year?
A draft of the General Plan must include a commitment to consensus and collaboration, and an acknowledgment of our economic reality as a city. We must balance our desire for open space and small-town feel with nurturing the economic drivers of the city. Scottsdale must focus on our livability and quality place. Education must be included in our vision for the future, as it is a key component in quality of life and attracting and retaining families and businesses offering high paying jobs. Our future requires economic vitality, a diverse economy, quality development with public benefits, and collaboration with our education system, so residents can go to school and find quality jobs from hire to retire. This should be reflected in our plan.

3. To you, what does the General Plan stand for?
The General Plan is a road map. It is an aspirational document highlighting our desire for the future. It is not a zoning amendment. It is a big-picture overall vision of what we want our city to look like. An eagle view, not an ant view.

4. If elected to City Council, what importance will you put on the General Plan and its ultimate completion?
I place great importance on the General Plan and its timely completion; it’s critical as we navigate the changing world in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. We don’t want to react to every new issue with disorientation. We don’t want everything to be the next hot button. My goal is to clearly and collaboratively define our vision of the future, incorporating the values and opinions of all our citizens, so we can proactively address our evolving needs as a city.

Bill Crawford

1. The Scottsdale General Plan update is underway. Scottsdale has experienced difficulty in being able to get an update approved --- first by voters, and then a few years later, by City Council. Why is that do you think?
I believe that the past General Plan update failed because the “good vs. evil” narrative superseded the land-use message. This narrative pitted the business community against the people who live here. The truth of the matter is that the city can be friendly to both residents and those who invest here with proper planning and fiscal responsibility, but the General Plan cannot be weaponized as a political tool to push a false narrative. In the end, that hurts us all.

2. What will be the most important aspect you hope to see included in the proposed draft General Plan later this year?
Continued allowance for flexibility as described on pages 11 and 12 of the General Plan. We must get out of the private sector’s way and let the market trends and financial resources have more of a voice in plotting our course to the future. We cannot dictate what is needed because everything changes: financing, designs, market trends, rising land costs - and economy-crushing pandemics. Just 90 days ago, we were living in the world’s greatest economy, in a city fully booked with events and seasonal tourist activity with a bustling retail sector. Who could have predicted the world we live in now?

3. To you, what does the General Plan stand for?
The General Plan is an aspirational document crafted by residents as a guidepost for how the city grows, both physically and fiscally. Adhering to its overall goals is as important as its flexibility to shift and pivot with the desires of residents, businesses and visitors, as well as unpredictable external forces that change our direction drastically like we face now with the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. If elected to City Council, what importance will you put on the General Plan and its ultimate completion?
Arizona has legislated that cities have a citizen-ratified General Plan with updates every 10 years. An update 20 years overdue cannot be ignored because what seemed viable in 2000 is no longer the case. Fortunately, the city implemented area character plan structure that addressed the unique needs of neighborhoods within our diverse city. However, right now, getting our local businesses back to work is of utmost importance to get our economy back up and running.

Tom Durham

1. The Scottsdale General Plan update is underway. Scottsdale has experienced difficulty in being able to get an update approved --- first by voters, and then a few years later, by City Council. Why is that do you think?
I think prior plans failed because there was insufficient citizen input in the plans. I am concerned that we are heading down that road again, because the Citizen Review Committee is composed of chairs and vice-chairs of various city boards and commissions. These chairs and vice-chairs are closely tied in to the City Council, and therefore they don’t reflect the view of the citizens. In particular, the current City Council majority has been very developer friendly and has supported virtually all rezoning requests over the last four years. If we develop a General Plan which leaves out the voices of ordinary citizens concerning the future of Scottsdale, it will likely fail again. One mayoral candidate has said “naysayers: stopped the last General Plan.” I would prefer to call them “citizens” --- they get a vote, too. Unless we have a plan that satisfies and unites citizens, it will fail again.

2. What will be the most important aspect you hope to see included in the proposed draft General Plan later this year?
For the reasons stated above, the development of a successful plan will require much greater citizen input. When I was gathering signatures to put my name on the ballot, I repeatedly heard from many voters that they were unhappy with the direction of the City. In particular, they were upset with increasing density, taller buildings, increased upzoning, and traffic. Citizen input is vital on these issues, while balancing growth, livability, and preserving and enhancing Scottsdale’s unique character. Once a General Plan is developed, the benefits and trade-offs included in the plan must be clearly communicated to the citizens.

3. To you, what does the General Plan stand for?
To me, the General Plan should be a road map for the future growth of Scottsdale. Its No. 1 goal should be to guide growth in a manner that preserves and enhances Scottsdale’s unique character. This included preservation of neighborhoods and distinctive character areas. In recent years, there have been several controversial disputes over land use, including Southbridge 2, the Marquee, Fiesta Ranch, and Nationwide. Each of these projects has resulted in numerous changes to prior zoning rules. And, in the Marquee and Southbridge 2 cases, the City staff informed the City Council that some of these changes were out of place and inconsistent with the area.

I view the General Plan and zoning requirements as a form of a “promise” to the neighborhood concerning their environment. This promise should not be broken without a clear and compelling public benefit. Some candidates for the City Council have stated they will look to the “merits” on a “case-by-case” basis in changing zoning. To me this is a recipe for bad government, as it allows subjective factors, such as the popularity or sway of a given developer at City Hall, to enter the equation. In particular, the current “bonus” system for allowing additional height is entirely subjective and has led to abuse, particularly in the Marquee case where the developer provided no open space. We need to adopt clear rules and follow them to gain the confidence of citizens.

4. If elected to City Council, what importance will you put on the General Plan and its ultimate completion?

I would put the highest importance on the completion and successful adoption of a General Plan, since it will govern the direction of our city for many years to come. It is vitally important that it reflect the wishes and desires of all elements in the community.

Betty Janik

1. The Scottsdale General Plan update is underway. Scottsdale has experienced difficulty in being able to get an update approved --- first by voters, and then a few years later, by City Council. Why is that do you think?
The first plan in 2011-12 was not approved by the voters because it was not the citizen’s plan. There was too much benefit given to the developers.
The second plan submitted in 2016 never saw the light of day because the usual City Council Majority did not have their way on 2035 plan. The General Plan compromise, formulated and agreed to by the citizens’ committee, recognized two categories of Land Use, “Desert Rural” (1 house per 2 acres or more) and “Rural Neighborhood” (one house per 1-2 acres). These Land Use Elements impacted the land-use matrix – a critical part of the General Plan affecting the ability to change zoning. Changes in zoning to the desert rural category required a super majority (5 of 7 City Council votes) to approve the zoning change. City Council wanted the ability to change the zoning on the largest rural lots with just a simple majority (4 of 7 votes) to accommodate massive development which would have resulted in the destruction of our rural character area and the need for massive infrastructure improvements.

2. What will be the most important aspect you hope to see included in the proposed draft General Plan later this year?
The GP needs to recognize the diversity that defines Scottsdale. I want to ensure that the character areas are respected and remain intact. I will specifically review the matrix that guides the changes in land use (zoning) and requirements for these changes, for example, going from rural to mixed retail.

3. To you, what does the General Plan stand for?
To quote the 2001 General Plan: “A General Plan provides a guide for making these choices (growth, housing, transportation, neighborhood improvement, and service delivery) by describing long-term goals for the city’s future as well as policies to guide day-to-day decisions.”

Initially, the General Plan takes a look at the City as a whole, and then breaks the city into smaller units of Character Areas and finally neighborhoods, welcoming citizen participation in the process. It is a decision making guide for both long and short term goals for the realization of the citizens’ Vision and aspirations. It values all that makes Scottsdale special --- mountain vistas, Old Town, luxurious resorts, etc. The General Plan is the blueprint for our city – both its future and its past. I hope City Council actually follows the guidelines in the General Plan.

4. If elected to City Council, what importance will you put on the General Plan and its ultimate completion?
The General Plan is second only to the COVID-19 crisis in importance to me. It will define the nature of Scottsdale and its character now and into the future. If it truly represents the Scottsdale vision, it will be ratified by the voters.

Becca Linnig

1. The Scottsdale General Plan update is underway. Scottsdale has experienced difficulty in being able to get an update approved --- first by voters, and then a few years later, by City Council. Why is that do you think?
Our council has been as divided as our residents. When our leaders cannot come to a consensus how can we expect our citizens? At the end of the day council is responsible for doing what is best for the residents. That takes leadership, collaboration and compromise.

2. What will be the most important aspect you hope to see included in the proposed draft General Plan later this year?
The GP is too outdated. There are several ways our world has changed since the current plan was introduced. In addition, it does not include anything about education or public safety. Our police and fire need to know (and feel) that they are an important part of the community and our children are the future of Scottsdale.

3. To you, what does the General Plan stand for?
It is our guiding principle, the vision of what today as well as the future of Scottsdale should include.

4. If elected to City Council, what importance will you put on the General Plan and its ultimate completion?
It is important to have an updated general plan not only because of the state requirement but for a clear outline of what is expected and what needs to be considered in the future. It is at the top of the city officials mind right now, we just need to devise a plan that works.

John Little

1. The Scottsdale General Plan is underway. Scottsdale has experienced difficulty in being able to get an update approved--first by voters, and then a few years later, by City Council. Why is that do you think?
There are a number of reasons update efforts have failed. Let’s start with the elements that must be in place for a successful citizen-driven effort.
First there must be strong leadership from policy-makers. Secondly, the process must be designed for the safe exchange of ideas. Thirdly, citizens on the committee must leave their egos and personal agendas at the door. And finally when conflict and disagreement inevitably occurs it must be managed by the group itself and failing that, the City Council must immediately intervene and not let infighting derail the hard work of the citizens. Unfortunately for Scottsdale and the Citizen’s Task Force, the process was constructed on the shaky foundation of a divided City Council.

2. What will be the most important aspect you hope to see included in the proposed draft General Plan later this year?
The most important aspect of the draft should be it’s ability to cause us to stretch and dream as a community. To reach far and high as we define the community we aspire to be. Not just for current residents but more importantly, the next generation. Within that context, for nearly two years I have been enlisting community support for the idea of adding a new General Plan Element that describes the inseparability of community quality of life and education. And while we all know our schools are not part of the city government they are inarguably a part of our city. I have found only two cities in America that have had a bold enough vision to incorporate schools and lifelong learning into their General Plans. I strongly believe our destiny as a community is directly tied to the quality of education we offer all our citizens. We need to expand the familiar aphorism; “Scottsdale, a great place to live, work, play ... and learn.”

3. To you, what does the General Plan stand for?
It doesn’t stand for anything if it evolves from a split committee, survives a divided council and passes a public vote 50.1% to 49.9%. What it should stand for is a shared vision for the future of Scottsdale. Because it requires voter approval it also represents a “contract” between the city and its residents. If the Housing Element says we will incorporate a variety of housing types at different price points and we will support and encourage life-cycle housing for young families to senior citizens on fixed incomes then by god, we have a commitment to do it.

4. If elected to City Council, what importance will you put on the General Plan and its ultimate completion?
When I’m elected I will work tirelessly to educate citizens on the importance of the General Plan. In 2002 when the plan last went to voters less that 20% of the citizens turned out to vote. We need to work really hard to find new ways to provide meaningful opportunities to engage citizens in the General Plan process. Our world is now changing before our eyes. How people work, learn, interact, will be different. The way we communicate, conduct commerce and entertain will never be the same again. This is not a time for merely tweaking a twenty year old plan. We are at the cusp of a truly transformational period of our lives. We have an obligation and a responsibility to demand a plan that is as ambitious as our dreams.

Kevin Maxwell

1. The Scottsdale General Plan update is underway. Scottsdale has experienced difficulty in being able to get an update approved --- first by voters, and then a few years later, by City Council. Why is that do you think?
A lot of people put in a lot of effort to get something passed. The citizen participation element showed that there were conflicting visions for our future and different expectations of how the General Plan “operationalizes” these visions. The failed vote reflected these differences. The subsequent attempt to develop a new plan magnified these differences and made it difficult to develop a plan everyone could get behind.

2. What will be the most important aspect you hope to see included in the proposed draft General Plan later this year?
It’s fascinating to read the General Plan written Twenty years ago. So much has changed and in some ways very little has changed. Transportation was of concern in 2001, and it’s still a problem without a solution today. The 2001 plan even talks about new technologies having an impact on traffic solutions in the future. Little did they know how right they were. I hope that transportation gets a heavy focus this time around. It is problematic for our city, and no viable solutions are on the horizon.

3. To you, what does the General Plan stand for?
It is a really good aspirational vision of the direction we want to move in. We must define our values and the type of community we want to have. It is so important that we have something that is community-driven and encapsulates our shared vision for what Scottsdale is, what it is not, and what it can become.

4. If elected to City Council, what importance will you put on the General Plan and its ultimate completion?
I would very much value the passage of a General Plan. We need to continue to leverage the input of our community, and an updated General Plan would be representative of that. Whenever Council is facing a difficult decision, we could turn to the General Plan as our North Star. For me, it would serve to offer guidance and inspiration.

Guy Phillips

1. The Scottsdale General Plan update is underway. Scottsdale has experienced difficulty in being able to get an update approved --- first by voters, and then a few years later, by City Council. Why is that do you think?
I know very well why because I was on the council. We couldn’t agree to make any parcel over 5 acres a major General Plan amendment so we just approved the state mandated items.

2. What will be the most important aspect you hope to see included in the proposed draft General Plan later this year?
The same thing. Any acreage split over 5 acres needs to be a major General Plan amendment.

3. To you, what does the General Plan stand for?
It is the guiding principle in protecting our neighborhoods from over development.

4. If elected to City Council, what importance will you put on the General Plan and its ultimate completion?
We can get by on what we have now but unless the council changes to favor the major amendment it is a moot point.