FULL ALERT Watch for excited school children. Remember the old Burma Shave road signs? "Heed instructions and save our Tax Deductions!" View this email in your browser On July 26th the Planning Commission recommended the Marquee project to the city council on a 4 to 2 vote with Commissioner Prescott Smith recusing himself for conflict of interest. Commissioner Serena challenged the reduced setbacks from the street, stepbacks of floor levels as the height increased, and insufficient employee parking. Additionally, he questioned if there is commensurate public benefit equal to the $21 million saved by no underground parking as in the first approved 2015 office project?  Commissioner Fakih expressed concern for the potential precedence to encourage  more 150 feet applications along Scottsdale Road, and concern that the building massiveness not meeting Downtown standards.  They were the two NO votes. The project now goes to city council then back to the Development Review Board for materials and final design approvals or stipulations if city council majority approves the project . What does the Marquee builder want for Case 7-ZN-2015 #2? A Zoning District Map Amendment from Type 2 to Type 3 --taller and more intense density beyond the originally approved 96 ft tall  Shoeman Office Bldg case ( not built) to 156 ft tall with the new project called Marquee. Note: The current city council recently approved a new Old Town Scottsdale Character Area Plan which would allow additional building height to 150 feet on multiple locations throughout the Downtown Overlay. The project 7-ZN-2015 #2 request includes the adjacent 9.5 acres of the Galleria at 4419 North Scottsdale Road in the application. But, the developer’s attorney states they have no plans to raise the height of the Galleria that is adjacent to the south It includes 271,900 sq ft of office space and provides 934 parking spaces without going underground that was in the first approved project on this site.. It removes 44 Shoeman Lane public street parking spaces and redesigns to 26 parallel spaces—an 18 space loss for which the developer pays $13,800/space or $248,400 to the city’s In Lieu Parking Fund. The building is on the Shoeman Lane property line and the setback requirements from the new curb location are reduced. The building does not comply to current horizontal breaks in the walls nor the wedding-cake-like stepbacks required as a building rises above the street level. The Development Review Board accepted the builder’s requests for Exceptions by approving the project in a 5-0 vote on June 20, 2019. Improvements are made to E. Shoeman Lane for curb, gutter, lighting, street furniture $416,270.25 Cash payment to the Downtown Special Improvement Trust Fund $2,118, 515.10 Eight people attended their Tues. March 12, 2019 public open—COGS plus 5 who live in Scottsdale and two from Phoenix. HOT ISSUES and concerns heard by COGS from members and readers   Citywide Issues:  Short Term Rentals impact on neighborhoods (see city meeting details below)         Outdated Downtown Parking Ordinance   Avoiding your own downtown because you can’t find a place to park? The current required parking spaces for existing businesses and new projects are described as under-parked resulting in business employees, hotel guests and staff to park on public streets. In July the Planning Commissioners voted 7-0 to direct city staff to prepare a critique and update before the end of summer. It is reported to have full city council support.   However, it is also reported that the city council doesn’t have it scheduled for discussion until a November 2019 study session.  In the meantime many apartments, condos and other high-traffic projects will enter the pipeline with the cost-saving benefit of outdated parking requirements. If you would appreciate expediting toward solutions, please send your comments to citycouncil@scottsdaleaz.gov;   Southern Issues:   Cabana on Hayden 2240 N Hayden/Oak  2 and 3 story apartment project with 89 units—traffic impact on Oak St and area homes;  Winery Residents of Scottsdale  6961 E. 1st Ave –4 stories tall with 31 units—1 car space and no guest parking on site ; Museum Square Hotel-no employee parking and restaurant guest underparked on site; Marquee on city council Tues. Aug 27th agenda; 6903 Main Street changed from 53 units to 130 units. Central Issues:  Jenan Properties/Camelot Homes.Inc   7313 E Jenan Dr rezone from Rural-- increases density to 15 gated lots on 5.75 acres. Continued to 8.28 Planning Commission and scheduled for city council hearing 10.1.2019 Northern Issues: Windmill Road* (84th St) /Stagecoach Pass SWC-- rezone Rural to increased density of clustered 23 homes on 30 acres; Asher Hill horse trail…adjacent owner blocking trail with hazardous items *Note: This would impact Encanto Norte, Tecolote Montana, Windmill and Sandflower subdivisions SUCCESS CORNER Planning Commissioners support and directed a staff review of the In Lieu Parking program (pay for phantom space instead of meet city ordinance) and to update the current Downtown Parking requirements. Bronco Trail (Pima Rd )  Approved. Developer agreed to 13 lots, 10 ft wide public non-motorized easement/trail on North Pima Road and Scenic and Vista Corridors Wolf Springs Ranch ( 94th/Cactus) approved with reduction from 78 homes to 40 homes on 20 acres. Result of 18 months of COGS and neighborhood conferences with the developer. BLK Live (Butherus) moved bands inside and dismantled illegally built outdoor stage and hanging speakers. Fully organized neighborhood leadership in area are watchdogs over Noise Ordinance enforcement. Cabana on Hayden (Oak/Hayden) proposed apartment project is being challenged by constructive neighborhood leadership. The DRB July 18th hearing was audience-filled and the 2010 Southern Scottsdale Character Area Plan was cited by public speakers as being ignored. The case is continued with the directive from the DRB Board for the developer to meet with the neighbors for more public input.   WestWorld vies against nine countries to host 2022 world championships. WestWorld was recently named the sole U.S. destination among ten international locations being considered to host elements of the Fédération Equestre Internationale World Championships in 2022. The FEI is the international governing body of equestrian sports. Scottsdale’s premier, nationally recognized, multi-use events facility is up against competitors in Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates    Scottsdale Ranks #1 in AZ for Recreation WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 48 key metrics that speak to the benefits of recreational activities and Scottsdale came it at #1 in Arizona and # 8 overall.   Read more. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Scottsdale home is now a World Heritage site. Frank Lloyd Wright's Scottsdale home and seven other buildings designed by the famed architect were named "World Heritage" sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Taliesin West was among the Wright-designed works chosen for UNESCO's list that sought to honor the architect's 50+-year career. Wright's work is recognized on the world stage with the likes of the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids of Giza and the Statue of Liberty.   New Cases A CASE 39-DR-2019 - JOMAX STORAGE 10798 E. Jomax Road map it Near Jomax Road and 110th Place. Request approval of a site plan, landscape plan and building elevations for a new storage facility. B CASE 10-BA-2019 - SALDANA RESIDENCE 8535 E. Thomas Road map it Near Thomas Road and 86th Street. Request approval of a variance to allow an addition in the back yard. C CASE 43-HP-2019 - STEINER TOWNHOUSE DRIVEWAY WIDENING 4806 N. 74th Place map it Near Rancho Vista Drive and 74th Place. (Villa Monterey). Request approval to widen driveway to be consistent with width of carport.     D CASE 38-DR-2019 - EVANS CLASSIC AUTO 15882 N. 77th St. map it Near 77th Street and Greenway-Hayden Loop (Airpark). Request approval of site plan, landscape plan, and building elevations for a new 15,699 square foot, one-story office/warehouse building. E CASE 14-PP-2014#2 - 88TH PLACE SUBDIVISION 13681 N. 88th Pl. map it Near 88th Place and Voltaire Drive. Request approval of a preliminary plat for eight lots on a 2.5-acre property. F CASE 36-DR-2019 - LOT 10 OF CRAFTMANS COURT 4238 N. Craftsman Court map it Near Craftsman Court and Fifth Avenue. (Old Town) Request for approval of a site plan and building elevations for new retail with 4 micro-hotel rooms and 2 dwelling units.     Case Project Updates Development applications in the review process that have recently submitted revised documents. A CASE 3-ZN-2019 - RAINTREE MIXED USE 8688 E. Raintree Drive map it Near Raintree Drive and Northsight Boulevard (Airpark). Rezone to allow a large-scale redevelopment consisting of 330 residential units as well as commercial land uses including a new community storage facility and new commercial pad. B CASE 1-PP-2019 - WILDCAT HILL Southwest Corner of Cave Creek Road and Bartlett Dam Road map it Approval of a new residential subdivision on 353 acres consisting of 122 low-density lots. C CASE 6-ZN-2019 - FIESTA RANCH Southeast Corner of Rio Verde Drive and 136th Street map it Rezone to allow a master planned community. D CASE 9-DR-2019 - COUNTRY INN HOTEL 7312 E. Thomas Road map it Near Thomas Road and 73rd Street (Near Old Town). Approval of a site plan, landscape plan and building elevations for a new hotel. E CASE 19-AB-2018 - SOUTHBRIDGE TWO ABANDONMENTS 7114 E. Stetson Drive map it Near Stetson Drive and 6th Avenue (Old Town). Approval of abandonment of multiple alleys and rights-of-way to allow a mixed-use development.   TO DO NOW--TODAY Register Now for Youth Cross Country! …3rd to 8th graders The cross-country running program for third - eighth graders meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 4 - Oct. 27 and will feature two races on Sept. 28 and Oct. 26. Each week participants will benefit from experienced coaches and building healthy social and physical habits that will last a lifetime.  For more information, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search "Cross Country."   After-School Program Registration Need to keep your first-eighth grade youth busy after school? Fall After-School Program registration for children in first-eighth grades began July 29 and is still available at various locations. Visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search "after-school" for more details or call Youth Development at 480-312-2329.        Attend and/or Comment: Wed., August 7th 6 pm  Are you disgusted with short-term party houses in your neighborhood?  The city will share legal info on the 2018 state law that does NOT allow a city to make any law or ordinance to control residential neighborhood rentals of less than 30 days. A Nuisance Party ordinance is being considered. Civil citations would be issued and the homeowner/landlord could be fined. Be there to share your comments in the city’s Community Bldg. 7506 E Indian School (NEC 75th). Council will vote Sept. 24th.  E mail comments if you can't attend the meeting--  click here to send your comments.   Wed. Aug 14th at 5pm   Planning Commission hearing in the Kiva/city hall.  Sands North Townhouses request to become a Historic District.; 9823 E Jenan to expand existing Care Home with zoning variance request Thurs. Aug 15 1 pm Development Review Board.  Diamond Mountain Estates case 8-PP-2018. The staff report will be available soon. Thursday, Aug 15th 6 to 8 pm Paiute Neighborhood Center hosts an Open House from 6-8 p.m. 6535 E. Osborn Road. You'll meet center staff, learn about the Hirsch Academy charter school, get safety information and find out about the various services and programs available.   Tuesday. Aug 27th 5 pm City Council hearing  Marquee office building (see lead story) Wed August 28th 5 pm Planning Commission hearing Winery Residence  Case 24-ZN-2018  community concerns about parking…was continued from the June 26th hearing to August. Requesting 32 units with 31 parking spaces Jenan Properties/Camelot Homes.Inc   20-ZN-2018 continued from July hearing to this date Marquee  request to add 2 office floors for height of 120 ft (3-DA-2019)   Thurs. Sept 5th at 6 pm Adopt-A-Road group coordinators are invited to attend a dinner in the Community Design Studio NEC 75th/Indian School Road. RSVP will be requested soon. You can view an online map to see if a roadway is available to adopt 24/7.  The link is on the Adopt-A-Road page of the City’s website (www.scottsdaleaz.gov) in the section called “To Get Involved as a Volunteer Group” The map is updated every 24 hours and is available to both new groups wanting to join the program and current groups who want to adopt additional roadways. Mark your calendar for the next citywide litter pick-up event on Saturday, October 26, 2019 which is National Make A Difference Day.  More information coming soon.         COGS UPDATE: The organization change from 501 c (3) has been completed. COGS is now a 501 c (4) which allows the nonprofit to engage in city issues more dynamically while still supporting/donating to organizations such as SNAP—Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Projects. Voting membership dues are $35 for a family per year. (January to January but if you join now your membership will continue to Dec 31, 2020.) This membership level has ONE vote. If you wish for each member of the family to have a COGS vote, each pays the $35 annual dues. Join or renew your membership at our website www.cogsaz.net Donors and other forms of  contributors will be non-voting members.  Donations are not tax deductible. New mailing address: (to be closer to our treasurer)   8924 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Suite G-5 PMB 518, Scottsdale AZ 85255 COGS E-Newsletter.  Stay informed by requesting that the COGS newsletter be delivered to your computer or other device. Previous issues are available on our website as well as COGS positions on city issues and proposed land projects. Send your request to COGSAZ@gmail.com. Your e mail address remains confidential and is not shared with any third party. COGS land & project cases Teams:  These teams are tracking new applications, current public hearing dates and coordinating with neighborhood leaders to assure that any new development projects or zoning changes citywide BENEFIT the neighborhood area and the city as a whole. Contact the team in your area through COGS@cogsaz.com. A team member will reach you quickly to answer your questions and/or concerns. Feel free to request a meeting with your neighborhood team for guidance through the city process.   Northern Scottsdale  (north of Frank Lloyd Wright) Copper Phillips, Howard Myers, Jim Davis, Susan Kauffman Central Scottsdale  (Indian Bend Rd to FLW)     Chris Schaffner and Kathy Howard Southern Scottsdale   (Indian Bend Rd south to McKellips Rd and Downtown) Marilynn Atkinson and Sonnie Kirtley                                    _____________________________________________________________________   Economic Department Report Scottsdale leads the Valley in automotive sales. Since 2016 the city has garnered nearly $67 million in revenue from car sales. The city's competitive sales tax rate, quality dealerships and high-end auctions helped drive Scottsdale to the top spot.   More than 6,500 people are participated in the library's Summer Reading Program. Nearly 230 seniors cooled down at two senior center ice cream socials. People donated more than 7,500 bottles of water to the library's "Wash Away Fines" campaign. Vista del Camino uses the water for its "hydration station" for those who need heat relief. More than 600 students, age 7-17, participated in the city's summer programs. Kids spent time baking food in solar ovens, swimming and learning about the environment.   OH NO ! Another person with a cardboard sign on the corner intersection! Give a food coupon?  Give a dollar? A recent street count in metropolitan Phoenix shows a continued rise in homelessness – a 22 percent increase over last year. Along with that, the public has seen various activities that may be related to homelessness rise, including sleeping in public places, littering and panhandling. City staff are working to direct those in need to appropriate resources while accommodating citizens' concerns about excessive panhandling and related issues. The most visible sign of that work hit city streets last month when temporary signs were placed at "high volume" panhandling intersections in Scottsdale, including at Scottsdale Rd. and Indian School Rd. in Old Town. The signs encourage the public to donate to social service agencies rather than giving to individuals asking for money. Click here find links to social service agencies and programs along with legal information relating to homelessness and panhandling   INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE?   Purchasing - Goods and Services (Non-Construction) - Bids, Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications, Request for Quotation   20PB004 - Public Bid - GE MDS RADIOS, PARTS AND MAINTENANCE / The City of Scottsdale invites sealed submittals to establish a contract for the purchase of GE MDS radios, including parts and maintenance services. Due Date: 08/21/2019, 3:00 p.m., local time   20RP002 - Request for Proposal - Art Instruction / The City of Scottsdale invites sealed submittals from qualified firms or individuals (Offeror/Instructor), to provide art instruction for participants fourteen (14) years of age and older, at various facilities throughout Scottsdale. Due Date: 08/30/2019, 2:00 p.m., local time Contact:  Karie Ingles, 480-312-5744   20RP004 - Request for Proposal - Pest Control Services / The City of Scottsdale Facilities Department requests sealed submittals from qualified firms to enter into a term contract to provide pest control services. Due Date: 08/20/2019, 2:00 p.m., local time Contact: John Snow, 480-312-5716 Contact: Cheryl Champine, 480-312-5719     Whewww....long but informative COGS Newsletter for August!  FORWARD IT TO NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS,  FAMILY MEMBERS AND YOUR HOA BOARD.

Thank you for taking your valuable time to read the COGS E Newsletter and to be informed on what is happening in YOUR city.  There are several Hot Issues brewing such as (1) who is suiting up to run for city council and mayor in 2020?  (2) is the public ground swell to improve the current Noise Ordinance sufficient to result in city re-write actions that protect existing neighborhoods? (3) Will the Rural and large-lot areas of Scottsdale survive as optional lifestyles or will they continue to disappear? (4) Is the rumor true that ....(stay tuned)...