The year is ending on an ominous note that could be a harbinger for many residents in 2024.
Linda Milhaven, who recently announced her candidacy for mayor, telegraphed her campaign’s intentions to target the city’s “naysayers,” whom she claims have been emboldened by Mayor David Ortega’s “lack of vision and action.” Milhaven has revived that term to label residents who don’t agree with her on any number of issues – especially the rate of growth and types of development.
Because the two candidates detest one another, the Milhaven vs. Ortega race is expected to be a nasty affair. It’s anticipated to shape the dialogue about issues in the 2024 election, so it will likely trickle down to the contest for three seats on the City Council.
Traffic was the most talked about issue in 2023. Residents’ agitation grew over the difficulty of getting around the city that many drivers attributed to “overdevelopment.” Much of the problem, however, is compounded by the burgeoning number of those who commute from other Valley locations to work in Scottsdale.
Residents’ frustrations about overcrowded roadways led to the perfect storm when Councilwoman Solange Whitehead championed “road diets” to actually reduce the number of traffic lanes to add more bike lanes throughout the city – which didn’t end well for Whitehead. She was continually caught misrepresenting facts and backpedaling on the issue that instantly tarnished her credibility.
Since traffic conditions will only be getting worse, they are expected to continue dominating residents’ concerns about how it will impact their quality of life in 2024.
Two issues in 2023 centered on geography.
Recently reported Short-Term Rental statistics shocked residents:
City staff said that 1 million short-term renters are booking stays in Scottsdale every year – so it’s no surprise that the city is being challenged to keep up with the enforcement of ordinances created to minimize neighborhoods from turning into nightmares for residents. According to staff, 70% of all the STR properties, estimated at more than 4,000 different locations, are scattered throughout South Scottsdale.
Shifting from the previous center of controversy in the downtown area, North Scottsdale became the epicenter of the ongoing dispute over development. After purchasing 74 acres from the State Land Trust at the convergence of the 101 and Hayden Road, laser manufacturer Axon shared its plans to build a new headquarters, plus 2,500 apartments. The company’s proposal stalled when another developer blew the whistle on Axon, accusing the company of purchasing the property without disclosing that it planned to construct the largest apartment complex ever proposed in the city.
The project is now stalled as the company attempts to re-negotiate its purchase agreement with the State Land Department to accommodate apartments. That incident caused mega health care provider Banner Health, which like Axon had purchased land from the State Land Department, to put a proposed hospital near the same location on pause.
Meanwhile … back at City Hall, councilmembers reappointed three apartment-happy incumbents to the Planning Commission. Thanks to Councilman Barry Graham’s persistence, residents learned that most of the bond projects voters passed four years ago have been delayed and many are over budget. And councilmembers unanimously lifted the city manager’s “acting” title and restored his initial title as city manager.
Two of the most contentious issues in years were resolved in 2023 -- but not without giving the city and some councilmembers black eyes: The Rio Verde Foothills water controversy and the Homeless Shelter Hotel arrangement between the city and a hotelier.
The year ends, however, with several issues unresolved: Providing more downtown parking for visitors and residents, accelerating the funding and construction of bond projects and creating affordable housing.