The Scottsdale Planning Commission had been scheduled to vote on the Ashler Hills Park Municipal Use Master Site Plan in its Aug. 10 meeting, but questions and comments from nearby residents led to the item being continued to a later date.
Voters approved Ashler Hills Park in north Scottsdale as part of a 2019 bond package. Current plans call for a 15-acre park area with pickleball, dog areas, playground, basketball court, a picnic area, walking path and parking spaces.
City officials have said the developed three-to-four acres aligns with other Scottsdale neighborhood parks. The residential neighborhood lies north of the park site, and most of the development will be placed on the south side of the property. The undeveloped area will be left as desert.
Residents, including the Los Piedras Sevano Village Homeowners Association, submitted questions and comments in February, as well as to the August meeting.
Concerns included parking volume, traffic congestion, noise, hours of operation and worries that the park’s lighting might disrupt the neighborhood.
More than 200 written comments were submitted following outreach meetings, many of which expressed support.
During this month’s meeting, some residents said the park would permanently impact neighboring homes. They also complained the park plan has grown in scope from the original 2018 proposal, including the number of parking spaces and amenities.
Parks and recreation representatives said Ashler Hills has always been planned as a 15-acre park, although the plan has been modified slightly due to feedback from the public.
After some members pressed for more reconciliation with residents, a motion was made to continue to hearing and passed on a 4-3 vote. (Source)
