Tempe delays vote on towers over Monti’s

Tempe delayed a vote on the ever-changing proposal for high-rise towers at the historic Monti’s La Casa Vieja site after one of the most contentious and confusing debates in years.

The City Council was on the brink of voting on the plan for two — or possibly three — towers after nearly three hours of debate Thursday night.

But Paul Gilbert, an attorney for developer Tony Wall of Scottsdale-based 3W Companies, asked for a delay when Councilman Ben Arredondo indicated he’d vote against the project.

It seemed a single “no” vote could kill the project because of a legal protest flied by neighboring landowner US Airways. The airline objected to the proposed density and said the height could prove a safety hazard to its planes taking off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The protest requires a “super majority” approval, which means six out of seven members’ votes. But Councilwoman Shana Ellis was absent, creating confusion as to whether five-out-of-six votes would suffice.

So after three hours of numerous proposed changes, Gilbert asked to delay the vote until Jan. 10.

US Airways, which owns land south and west of the site, was grilled by Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman and Gilbert for apparent inconsistencies in its opposition. The airline had requested a 300-foot building be lowered to 257 feet. However, at the meeting airline representatives requested a 225-foot limit.

The project has generated criticism since it was first announced. La Casa Vieja was built in 1871 by Tempe founder Charles Trumbull Hayden. It is the Valley’s oldest continuously occupied building. The historic structure would be preserved while the towers would fit south and west of it.