Scottsdale Mega Project Wants 500 More ‘Residential Units’

Article originally posted on HERE on December 11, 2023

In what seems as familiar a tune as “Jingle Bells,” a huge development in North Scottsdale is looking to change its plan – and add more apartments and/or condos.

Joining the likes of Optima and Axon, two other mega-projects maneuvering for as many “residential units” as they can get, One Scottsdale is getting in line.

DMB, the developer of the 120-acre project east of Scottsdale Road from the Loop 101 to Thompson Peak Parkway, hosted a Nov. 29 meeting at the Boys and Girls Club in Thompson Peak Park. 

The informal presentation on trading 1 million square feet of commercial space for 500 residential units – leaving unanswered the apartments or condos question – emphasized its savings.

Adding 500 homes will cut traffic and use 45% less water than the plan the city approved in 2016, according to DMB.

While some were believers, put Beverly Bond in the “not” category.

“It doesn’t make sense,” she said, walking away and shaking her head.

Though she has lived in Grayhawk for 20 years, Bond hasn’t lost her East Coast brusqueness – as shown when asked what she thought of the format of the meeting.

“I think it stinks,” she answered without hesitation.

While she was mildly annoyed by walking past blown-up photos of the project and hearing from company representatives, what really lights her fuse is the potential for hundreds more apartments within shouting distance of her house.

Bond said her neighbors share her opinion about One Scottsdale’s plans.

“People are upset about what’s encroaching on them or coming – but they don’t feel like they can do anything about it,” she said.

Residents of her neighborhood, she added, “see that the enormity of the tremendous influx of housing that is about to inundate us will totally change the character of this Grayhawk neighborhood, bringing many more people, cars and visitors.”

Bond said she understands the project was approved years ago but thinks the requested change could set a dangerous precedent.

“What would stop the many other projects and developers in our area from asking for the same kind of amendment to their plans?” she wondered.

Michael Burke of DMB told the Progress he would not commit to the extra 500 residential units being condos or apartments.

“The markets there will tell us if we can sell more condos or apartments,” he said.

Back in 2016, he added, DMB asked the city for 2,500 residential units at One Scottsdale – but Scottsdale City Council put a cap at 2,000 apartments/condos.

Burke said close to 1,000 apartments are nearing completion, with a few hundred more apartments and condos to be built by the summer.

After satisfying the “public outreach” required by the city, DMB’s next step will be to request approval of the change from the Planning and Zoning and Airpark commissions.

Scottsdale City Council will have the ultimate say on the request.

Susan Bitter Smith, a former councilwoman working for DMB on the project, said at a recent Grayhawk meeting, “people were very anxious for more neighborhood resources – restaurants, coffee shops, bars, those kinds of things. Places they could walk to.”

One Scottsdale, she promised, will offer “more pedestrian connectivity.”

And, she said, the new plan will have fewer cars.

“Our traffic analysis shows that there will be a 15% reduction in weekday trips under the new land use budget allocation from the original entitlement,” Bitter Smith said, “and a 23% reduction in morning and afternoon/evening traffic from the existing plan to the new plan.” 

A Panera Bread restaurant could open in six months, ditto for a Quik Trip gas station/convenience store.

A Hilton hotel and retail shops are also planned for One Scottsdale, though many details have not been revealed.

According to the project’s website, “One Scottsdale will feature retail, restaurants and Class-A office space and hospitality to support a variety of residential choices for those seeking an urban lifestyle in close proximity to amenities.”

Asked if people understand DMB is asking for a change to a previously-approved project, Burke said, “Most people do, but not everyone.”

After DMB sent a letter explaining the proposed changes to neighbors, he said “several people” called with questions – “because they just moved here or they weren’t here when One Scottsdale was developed.”

Bond is one who had her boots on the ground in North Scottsdale for decades – and plans to fight the DMB changes every step of the way.

Looking at one of the blown-up photos of the One Scottsdale presentation, Bond pointed out where her house is and groaned.

While One Scottsdale wants to add more apartments/condos west of her, a project called Legacy North Apartments at Crossroads will be asking the city permission to build a 443-unit “mixed use” complex.

“It looks like a dorm,” Bond scoffed.

She wonders what will become of the Grayhawk she cherishes.

“This neighborhood,” she said, “is on the verge of losing its unique character and becoming just another chaotic area with too few services and too many people.”