Three Paradise Valley officials urged the Scottsdale Planning Commission to reject a developer’s rezoning request for greater density and taller buildings on a Scottsdale mixed-use project sitting on Paradise Valley’s border.
By asking for a zoning change, Five Star Development has made it clear that its Palmeraie project is about money, not what is best for both communities, said Paradise Valley Councilwoman Mary Hamway.
“This is a classic case of bait and switch. This should not be tolerated,” Hamway said.
At the request of the developer, the Scottsdale Planning Commission continued action on Five Star’s application Tuesday until Feb. 11.
Five Star wants to develop the 20-acre Palmeraie, which would consist of a hotel, condominiums and retail, at the southwestern corner of Scottsdale and Indian Bend roads.
The land is part of a 130-acre parcel Five Star owns, with 110 acres is in Paradise Valley and the rest in Scottsdale. Five Star is developing two separate projects on the land.
Paradise Valley officials have already approved Five Star’s Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley project, which includes a resort and homes. They said they were unaware until recently of Five Star’s rezoning application on the Scottsdale parcel. The Paradise Valley Town Council has continued action on the Ritz-Carlton’s final plat until Feb. 12 because of concerns raised over Palmeraie.
Palmeraie’s current zoning of Resort/Townhouse Residential District (R-4R) allows for buildings up to three stories in height.
If rezoned to a Planned Regional Center (PRC) as requested, the buildings could go as high as five stories, or 60 feet. The Ritz-Carlton project in Paradise Valley consists of one- and two-story buildings only.
Five Star also wants a change to the Planned Regional Center zone that would reduce the minimum property size from 25 to 20 acres.
At Tuesday’s Scottsdale Planning Commission meeting, Hamway and Paradise Valley Commissioners Lou Werner and Tom Campbell raised concerns about the 60-foot height limit as well as density, traffic, water, drainage, parking, and view corridors. Hamway, who said she was speaking on her own behalf, not for her council, said the current zoning would be more in keeping with the Ritz plan next door.
“And that is why we must work together to protect the view of Camelback Mountain that is enjoyed by everyone driving along Scottsdale Road or visiting McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park,” Hamway said. The park is across the street from the Palmeraie site.
The officials said when they considered the Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley project, they pressed for details from Five Star about the Scottsdale portion of the site.
“We were told over and over again there was no plan and that the zoning was R-4R,” Hamway said.
Five Star attorney Jason Morris said after Tuesday’s meeting that Five Star never had a plan prepared for Scottsdale during the time frames Hamway suggested.
“I’m glad she’s speaking as an individual and not a council member. I guess that would be my answer,” he said in response to her bait-and-switch statement.
Morris said Five Star asked for a continuance because it anticipated some of the issues raised Tuesday. It will use the additional time to address them.
Paradise Valley and Scottsdale officials are meeting this week to discuss Paradise Valley’s concerns.
