A long-range general plan that will include a definition of permissible high-rise construction in Scottsdale will be presented to city voters in November.
The plan is designed to serve as a roadmap for how the city wants to grow and is updated and sent to the voters for their approval every 10 years.
Currently, the city puts limits on the construction of buildings ranging in height from 40 feet to 150 feet, depending upon the neighborhood.
Downtown and historic sections of the city generally have lower limits in the 40 foot to 48-foot range.
According to sources, developers have complained that the limitations are too restrictive, although taller buildings in some parts of the city are allowable if a project includes open space or public art, among other amenities.
Two years ago, a 150-foot tall office building project secured the approval of the city council on the condition that the developer agreed to pay more than $2.1 million for certain pedestrian and street improvements.
Advocates of height restrictions in Scottsdale say such regulations are particularly important when it comes to projects in the city’s historic Old Town, noting that structures taller than 40 to 48 feet threaten to dwarf the many smaller historic one and two-story buildings in the area.
An updated general plan is expected to be reviewed and voted on by the Scottsdale City Council this summer, as a preliminary to the November election.
By Garry Boulard
