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The City of Scottsdale's Zoning Ordinance has specific requirements for community
notification to ensure opportunities for community awareness/input. The type and extent of
this notice is dependent on the type of project being considered. Because you know your
neighborhood best, we want to hear from you about the potential impacts of a proposed
project.
Who can Comment?
Anyone! Residents, students, employees and business owners - anyone who feels they might
be impacted by a proposed project.
Why Solicit Community Input?
The city recognizes that residents and people who work, travel, or recreate in
Scottsdale have unique knowledge about the character of the areas in which they live and
work. You may not be an expert in planning, design or development, but the history or
other perceptions you can provide can help ensure a safer, more livable and sustainable
community. The purpose of collecting comments is to help the city identify potential
concerns and find workable solutions within the legal limits established by city and state
laws.
When Can Comments Be Made for a Specific Project?
The signs and postcard notices sent to property owners contain important dates spelling
out the beginning and the end of an official comment period. This period, in most cases 15
days, is the minimum time the city allows for comment and may generally be extended an
additional 14 days if requested by anyone. Getting your comments in early via e-mail to
Planning Commission, Development Review Board, or City Council (Need to provide electronic
input form); or fax (480) 312-7080 or phone call (480) 312-7000 is the best way to ensure
that decision makers see them and have time to carefully consider them before a decision
is made.
What Kinds of Comments can be Taken Into Consideration?
There are specific issues that the city is required to take into account when making
decisions, and others which cannot be considered.
Can I Make a Difference?
Absolutely! Neighbors who had witnessed dumping on a vacant lot helped to identify and
avoid a potential problem on a new housing proposal. Several developers have reported that
comments really helped them improve their projects and were grateful for the input from
neighbors. Community comments on more than one project have prompted the applicant to
return to the drawing board and propose modifications or a completely new plan that
addresses neighborhood concerns. What makes a difference are comments that are directly
related to the specific project, that recognize how much of the problem is caused by the
project, and that propose reasonable solutions for consideration.
How Can I Provide Effective Input?
- Although the quantity of letters may indicate the extent of neighborhood or agency
interest, it is the relevance of the comments - the information they contain - that will
most affect a project's outcome.
- Briefly explain who you are and why you are interested in the project
- State your comments/concerns clearly and succinctly using objective language
- Comment only on issues relevant to the decision being made
- State opinions and preferences, ask questions, and propose alternative solutions to
particular issues. State informed opinions and, where possible, include data/background to
support your opinion
- Review the project's technical reports/case file analysis, comment on conclusions,
assumptions and the data collecting methods
- Keep focused on your objective. You want the city to hear your comments/concerns and be
compelled to respond or investigate further
- Identify the topics you want to include in your letter/input and how you want to
organize them
- Ask for studies you think are important but have not been provided
- Identify project features that you like and think should not be changed
- Provide any comments about the project's compliance with city regulations
Any suggestions/comments? Contact the Planning & Development
Services Customer Relations Office at 480-312-7800. If you have recieved a postcard,
please provide your input.