Objecting to how a 40-unit development in Old Town incorporates shade, Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega has put a request before City Council to overturn a Design Review Board approval for the project’s site plan, landscape plan and building elevations.
The Goldwater is designed as a 40-unit development with 7KSF of commercial area in a 70-foot-tall building totaling 91.7KSF on East 4th Street.
Ortega was not a member of the June 2nd DRB meeting, but he attended in his capacity as mayor, questioned staff and project representatives, and expressed concern about the design.
DRB approved the requests on a 6-1 vote.
The mayor’s objections consist of a lack of covered walkway – which is generally required for Old Town developments – and a cantilevering feature atop the building that he claims in not in keeping with area character.
In response to Ortega’s questions at the meeting, project representatives said the building’s shape naturally provided shade and enclosure, which eliminated a functional need for a covered walkway.
Ortega, who stipulated he was not voting at the DRB hearing, said he would not approve any project in Old Town without a covered walkway because “covered walkways are just the way we do it.”
Council will decide in its June 21st meeting whether or not to consider the mayor’s appeal of the DRB decision. If it decides to take up the matter, the earliest it could review the decision would be at its August 22nd meeting. (Source)
