Stop Overdevelopment

Perhaps the most-debated, and longest-standing issue in Scottsdale is the of the city's attitude towards development. There are currently over 15,000 housing units in the pipeline to be constructed in Scottsdale.

Despite the constituency of Scottsdale being overwhelmingly opposed to the influx of high density housing being pushed onto the city through out-of-state developers and other special interests, the current seated majority council has made it a priority to frivolously approve up-zonings and developments that do not fall in line with the unique character, history, and beauty that make Scottsdale "A Nice Place to Live."

Incumbents, Tammy Caputi & Tom Durham, have spent their tenure on the council focusing their efforts on asking what they can do TO the residents of Scottsdale, rather than what they can do FOR the residents of Scottsdale.

Ironically enough, none of the current seated councilmembers have a background in real estate.

Nevertheless, allowing overdevelopment to go unchecked can have many long-term detrimental effects on our community. Some of these negative effects may include:

Threatens the integrity of Scottsdale's character
Strain on public services
Increased crime
Undermines sustainability measures
Traffic congestion exacerbated
Reduction of home values

Scottsdale maintains a rich and historic character that made so many, like myself, move here in the first place. In order to preserve that character, it's imperative that Scottsdale City Councilmembers enforce and uphold the zoning regulations that are in place today. The mistake made by cities that subdued to the urban sprawl agenda was the inability to prioritize long-term sustainable growth, over the immediate, and short-term benefits that increased developments have on the city's economy.

While tax revenue will grow with the inevitably rapid and unchecked population growth in Scottsdale, so too will the strain on our already underserved public services. According to Scottsdale PD, estimates show that our police department is already 20% short-staffed. With a rapid population increase, it would be more than reasonable to assume that crime and demand for other public services will increase simultaneously.

It's been said that tenants in high density developments utilize less electric, gas, and water on a per square foot basis, but then again most single family homes aren't 10-12 story buildings housing thousands of people.

While councilmembers Caputi & Durham have been voting to approve high density housing all across Scottsdale, while simultaneously pushing the "road-diet" agenda which seeks to eliminate traffic lanes for motorists. Read more about that here.

Finally, one of the most concerning effects of unchecked growth is the potential to reduce our housing market, and ultimately the affluent nature that Scottsdale maintains. The relationship between supply, demand, and price is an elementary microeconomic concept that the majority council fails to grasp. Increasing the supply of available housing units disproportionately with demand, will not only decrease home values, but it also threatens to tarnish the reputation of exclusivity that makes Scottsdale a popular destination for tourists from all across the world.

As you councilman, I pledge to preserve the character of Scottsdale by using my training and experience in the commercial real estate world. I seek to adequately service residents by make sensible decisions regarding developments in Scottsdale.