http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/ind...dest=STY-83891
Proposed hotel, condos could uproot residents
By Brian Powell, Tribune
February 11, 2007
Look up and the glamour and wealth of Scottsdale engulfs you. Safari Drive condominiums are under construction directly across the Arizona Canal. Two towers of the Scottsdale Waterfront provide a backdrop to the west.
Turn to the south and the planned W Scottsdale Hotel frame is visible.
Look down and you will find one of Scottsdale’s rare pockets of rundown apartments, a place some area residents refer to as the “Scottsdale ghetto.”
Neighbors say police cars are a common sight as they drive down 73rd Street north of Camelback Road and through the parking lots behind the apartment buildings that back up to the canal.
But those days may be numbered, as another high-end downtown development has been proposed that would replace the rented homes with a 72-foot luxury hotel and 65-foot condo buildings, pushing highrises ever closer to established single-family home neighborhoods.
“Look at all the building going on,” said Marian Dole, who lives across the street from the planned project. “This is going to happen. It’s inevitable.”
The proposed Waterview project — which developers say is a working title that will be changed — is both praised and criticized by neighbors. They like the idea of cleaning up the block along 73rd Street, but are wary of a long construction project. In addition to those who would be forced to move, renters across the street feel they may be next. Others have concerns about taller buildings surrounding their primarily single-level homes and the loss of view corridors.
City activists who do not live in the neighborhood have also expressed concern about the height, with one already threatening a referendum.
The Scottsdale City Council must approve a rezoning request before the project can move forward. A formal application is expected in about a month, project developer Mark Madkour said. No public hearings have been set.
The Waterview project would start at the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Camelback roads and continue north and east along the canal. The hotel and restaurants would be closer to the intersection and the condos farther east along the canal.
The developer has assembled vacant offices on Camelback Road, the apartment buildings north and east along 73rd Street and four singlefamily homes at the end of the block.
A preliminary submittal to the city last month says the sixbuilding project would feature the tall buildings, which are both allowed under the downtown zoning the developers are seeking. The early plans call for 200 luxury and resort guest units, 200 condo units and 14 private homes. In addition to dining and drinking establishments, the project would boast a “sky-level” pool, restaurant and bar. Meeting rooms, a spa, underground parking and a bridge across the canal also are planned.
“It’s going to be over the top; it’s going to be rather remarkable ... and nothing like that which is already offered,” Madkour said.
Project developer John Wanninger said they have selected a 5-star hotel flag not presently in Arizona, but due to a nondisclosure agreement cannot release the name at this time. If the project is approved by the council, Wanninger said he hopes to break ground by early 2008.
“I’m encouraged they plan to do away with what is almost a slum and put something in that’s relatively nice,” Councilman Wayne Ecton said. “Whatever goes there will be better than what is there today.”
Recently, a speeding car ran into a building in the neighborhood. And five apartment properties have been hit by codeenforcement violations in the past month, including faulty weather protection, litter control and public nuisance.
Nancy Cantor, Scottsdale Coalition co-chairwoman and a city activist, said she expects the group will oppose the height request. Bob Vairo, president of the Coalition of Pinnacle Peak residents’ group, said he also has his eyes on the project to make sure the neighborhood, which includes single-family homes and the Villa Monterey patio home community, is protected from the height.
“This is going to be a controversial one,” Councilman Bob Littlefield said. “Right now, people are not in a ‘height and density’ mood.”
Rose Snell said many of her neighbors she has spoken with plan to relocate wherever there is a place, possibly in the Holiday Park area near Thomas Road and 68th Street.
“They are not totally worried,” Snell said. “They will go wherever there is a place.”
Snell rents across the street. Her unit is not part of this project, but she realizes it could one day be purchased for another project.
“The rent is cheap and sometimes I wish we could move,” Snell said. “Eventually we will have to move.”
Joe Mims, who owns a singlefamily home across the street from the planned project, said he doesn’t plan to stick around to watch the construction take place outside his front door. He said the project is progress and will clean up the neighborhood and eventually raise property values in the area, but he is concerned with the height closing in on the neighborhood.
“We’ll never see the sunset in this neighborhood again,” Mims said.
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^^^^^^ WELCOME TO SCOTTSDALE! i love this city. downtown scottsdale is fast on its way to becoming a global retail and tourist destination. it already is but in the next 5 years it will be way more so. one thing about scottsdale that kinda sucks is the height restrictions. i wouldnt want any tall towers in north scottsdale (gasp did i just say that on ssp?) but downtown it would be cool if they would at least allow for 20 stories. that would be awesome. 
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