Two friends of mine, Darlene Peterson and Patty Badenoch, asked this question at a back yard gathering, and as a candidate for City Council these voters deserve an answer. Now Darlene won't let me beat around the bush, so here it goes: No, we can't stop growth like Santa Barbara or Martha's Vineyard and here's why.

Scottsdale is tied at the hip to the best and the worst of the Phoenix metropolitan area, whose population exceeds 3 million people. Scottsdale is the meeting place of choice for residents of East Camelback Road, northeast Phoenix, east Tempe and Fountain Hills, and these people either own businesses here or visit businesses, special events, shop or dine here.

Demographics show that within a 10-mile circumference of Pima and Indian Bend roads there are 741,000 people, yet we only count 237,000 in our entire city. I've talked to around 9,000 people getting 1,800 petition signatures (5:1) and it takes me two hours to get one page of 15 because few live here. A few points to consider:

The emergence of the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale Health Care systems, the bio-medical industry and the traffic and prosperity it has created.

The advent of the whole Phoenix metro area as a major tourist and sports town (FBR Open golf, auto shows, etc.) all filling Scottsdale's hotels and filling our streets, restaurants, clubs and retail stores.

The expansion of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport both domestically and internationally and the propensity of people in general to travel more.

Our states three major university's draw more young people who stay to work after graduation.

The huge growth of the traditional employment sector, resulting in greater migration to Sunbelt cities as well as the new business opportunities.

Our focus must be on the organization and management of growth, because undue restrictions will result in adversity for both the residents and the vast private business sector that depends on growth. With my 30 years in real estate management, I believe I can help.

The present City Council lets staff take the lead, and then council responds in an ad-hoc manner on a case-by-case basis at the last minute. City policy planning moves too slowly to satisfy the residents and the result is a lot of noise and irresponsible actions (such as the Hanover referendum).

We can accelerate and clarify rules governing development and the General Plan 2011, which I have proposed for years. I would emphasize "positioning" useful projects that meet better stipulations and a degree of acknowledgment from residents, staff and council that the private sectors goal is to deliver that which the tenants and buyers want.

Substantial, complicated policy cannot be detailed here, because Darlene and Patty won't let me, but basically my proposal is two-fold:

1. Get rid of linear feet height and instead replace it with height tied to floors and design. To stay unique, which is essential to our prosperity, we can limit larger projects to six floors and rid ourselves of buildings that resemble refrigerators laying on their side. Good design features will give us more step-backs and allow for deeper landscaped buffers, as well as surface parking which will serve as additional buffers to neighborhoods and surrounding businesses and will result in better scenic view corridors. (Developers won't like this, but will accept it).

2. Focus development projects to three distinct locations: Downtown, Scottsdale Road and Loop 101. By focusing future development we can actually lower overall density throughout the city and improve quality of life. By focusing various kinds of development so that they work together, we improve highway congestion by allowing people to live closer to work and services.

We must never forget that rent taxes and retail sales taxes pay the bills, and in these turbulent times we cannot increase property taxes or sales taxes.

As the world's resources become scarce, we are in for extended tough times and people will want to save on gas, reduce commute time and downsize their housing. We can be smart or we can make a lot of noise and fight the future. I've been working for two years to get on the council to help and I'm betting that we're going to be smart as well as maintain our character.

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Joel Bramoweth is a Scottsdale resident and a candidate for City Council.