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Scottsdale unveils draft of new downtown plan
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Scottsdale unveiled a vision for downtown that includes a more urban setting with taller buildings, better access for walkers and transit riders, and a continued dedication to arts and medical uses.
The 93-page draft version of the downtown plan released Monday also supports increasing the roughly 700-acre downtown area in five areas, which would allow for greater flexibility in development — including greater height — on the periphery of the area. The plan also supports the continuation of free parking and encouraging mixed-use development, with a shop or office on the first floor and residences above.
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The plan also emphasized the desire to preserve the historic Old Town and Marshall Way districts without allowing additional height.
The plan does not, however, offer specific height limits or the recommendation of a preferred regional high-capacity transit option, or indicate whether Scottsdale Road should remain two lanes in each direction through Old Town.
The plan has been much debated even before its release, including a council vote in June to not send the plan to the voters. The city is now seeking public feedback, and public hearings are to start in September. After a version of the downtown plan is adopted, the council will be asked to make changes to zoning codes and infrastructure plans.
Acting City Manager John Little said exact height limits will be a question for the City Council.
“How high that is, I don’t think anyone knows,” Little said.
This is the first update of the downtown plan since 1984, and one that’s expected to guide development for the next 20 years. No potential costs to implement the plan were released.
More than 700 people participated in the public process that influenced the plan, starting with the Arizona Town Hall in November 2006.
A previous report showed that 10- to 12-story buildings could be considered for a site next to Scottsdale Fashion Square, along with the Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn site. There was no mention of these sites in the plan.
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