Dear City of Scottsdale Council Members

Mayor David Ortega, City Councilmembers – Tammy Caputi, Tom Durham, Betty Janik – Vice Mayor, Kathy Littlefield, Linda Milhaven, Solange Whitehead

We, the citizens of Scottsdale, are deeply concerned about the Re-Zoning request at the corner of Greenbelt / Hayden, project 15-ZN-2020.

After two years of trying to work with the developer, we are requesting denial of this project that fails to meet the nexus of benefit versus detriment to the community.

The following are the reasons we are requesting a No - Zoning Change and do not allow this Zoning Change:

The average density is 20-24 units per acre in the local area. The project would more than double the density compared to the surrounding area at a density of 34 units per acre. The project is started at 388 units and is now down to 238 units. HOWEVER,

THE PROJECT IS TOO DENSE FOR THE AREA.
The newly revamped reduction to 238 Units is still 34 units per acre. Not suitable for this area.

UNSUSTAINABLE UNIT MIX

There are approximately 8,000 new apartments already approved in Scottsdale and waiting to be built. The mix of units is Studio, 1 BDR, and 2 BDR with the average unit size being 778 sq feet are more in line with extended stay hotels than homes. These apartments are not intended to attract long-term residents: The target tenant will be more transient members with little investment in the community.

The project adds 368 spaces for residential parking and in addition to the commercial parking requirements, for a total of 465 vehicles. The corner will become congested with traffic. Peak traffic currently results in difficulty exiting this site and has higher accidents than other intersections. The additional tenants will cause more significant congestion. The community is concerned about the traffic at the corner with vehicles exiting onto Hayden. The community is also concerned with exiting the project headed west towards Scottsdale Road, as there is only one exit way on the Northside of the project.

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION HAZARDS

A roundabout is planned for the intersection of Miller and Osborn. Traffic will feed into the Osborn Hayden corner; the community is concerned about the safety of pedestrians with increased traffic. If citizens walk to the Greenbelt or access the property, the additional vehicles and parking are a hazard for both citizens and cars. The walking areas surround the outside of the building requiring pedestrians to walk across the parking lot to access the West side of the property. The project increases the potential to have more pedestrians in the parking lot and vehicle circulation of the property. We are concerned for the safety of the pedestrians trying to access the Greenbelt if they are not using a city-designated sidewalk..

BUILDING HEIGHT

Greenbelt 88 does not add public value to this area.

Per the DRB report on 4/22/2021 - "The proposed building height should be justified/offset by public benefits. More attention needs to be provided to the building massing in an effort to reduce bulk/height". While the DRB recommended the approval. The community will not realize more benefits to substantiate the additional height of 48' + 10' ft mechanical screen for a total of 54' in height.

REDUCED COMMERCIAL

The retail reduction from 65,000 sq ft is limited to the 25,000 retail designed in shallow store frontage that limits potential tenants, including the current businesses on site. The community is concerned that not all of the 25,000 sq ft are designed for public commercial uses and may be allocated for tenant uses such as a "pet spa" and the leasing office for the building tenants. Scottsdale needs to retain its commercially zoned properties for a sustainable economic portfolio. Commercial uses provide jobs to residents and revenue to the city.

The newly revamped model is only adding in up to 5,000 commercial OR AMMENTIY for the residents.

LACK OF LAND USE BALANCE

The PUD would change the retail mix from 100% down to an insignificant 8% retail and 92% residential combination.

The public has spoken out repeatedly on the uses of the retail center; the shopping and restaurants are supported considerably by the local community.

The restaurant Uncle Sal's confirmation on staying has not been secured for the new location. Neither have any of the current tenants such as The UPS Store, The Blind Big, The Copy Max, The Dance Studio, and several others on the list. The community is concerned at the loss of all of the retail that, based on the structure of the new building, will not secure tenants that are significant to the community.

The Greenbelt is one of the crown jewels of Scottsdale. Per the City of Scottsdale Indian Bend Wash Master Plan, the community creates urban "green spaces". The height and the building along the Greenbelt will diminish the city's current project already set in place. The height will allow for additional precedence to be developed and will reduce the ability for the City Council to negate other sizes and densities along the Greenbelt

The change will have a significant impact on our neighborhoods and compromise the spirit and intent of the surrounding community that is predominantly a single-family home neighborhood.

Please sign the petition to vote NO CHANGE IN ZONING. Keep our retail and reduce the density and apartments in our area.

PLEASE EMAIL the City Council.. citycouncil@scottsdaleaz.gov

PLEASE LIST YOUR EMAIL AND DISTANCE FROM THE HAYDEN/OSBORN