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Bulletin Contents:
2006 Customer Survey
Please take a moment to rate your interaction with the Planning & Development Services Department. Your input will help us identify opportunities to improve our services and help to prioritize workplan items for the next year.
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Scottsdale Develops New Green Building Standards
New process reflects increased demand for green construction
On September 1, 2006, Scottsdale implemented a new green building rating checklist reflecting industry-wide changes in the home building market. The new checklist addresses regional issues by rating the environmental impact and health of a home in the categories of site, energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and material resources. The checklist guides building design during the planning stage as well as incorporates a streamlined green building inspection process. City building inspectors use the checklist as part of their regular building inspection process. Self-certified checklist items have been identified and accountability will be placed with the builder who will be required to sign a self-certification form upon final inspection for those items not inspected by the city. The self-certification will become a permanent city record along with the Certificate of Occupancy.
The following regional and national changes in the building and environmental arena are moving the building industry towards environmentally responsible practices and have guided the Scottsdale checklist update:
Energy code changes in the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) and International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC).
Energy Policy Act of 2005 tax incentives (effective 1/1/06) for homes utilizing solar technologies and/or designed to use 50% less energy than outlined by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Regional issues and practices associated with the desert urban environment including water, solar energy, and the heat island effect.
Improved building practices for constructing energy efficient homes as a result of building science training programs supported by third-party energy certification organizations, local Utility Companies, and State Energy Office initiatives.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, standards and programs including Energy Star and Water Sense.
New green building materials and products that improve energy efficiency (e.g., insulation, radiant barriers, shading devices), indoor environmental quality (e.g., reduced off-gassing), material resource efficiency (e.g., recycled content, waste reduction), and water efficiency (e.g., plumbing, irrigation).
Improved green product labeling programs including Energy Star, Green Seal, GreenGuard, FloorScore (Resilient Flooring Council), Green Label Plus (Carpet and Rug Institute), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI).
National Association of Home Builders Model Green Home Building Guidelines U.S. Green Building Council pilot LEED for Homes program.
More informed general public on indoor health, energy and environmental issues.
Scottsdale’s Green Building Program was established in 1998 as a voluntary program to reduce the environmental impact of building.
CITY LAUNCHES NEW DOWNTOWN WEB SITE
www.scottsdaledowntown.com 
This new site provides updated information about downtown businesses, events, theaters, museums, shops, restaurants and more.
Businesses - if you’re not yet highlighted on this Web site, you should be! It’s FREE!
Here’s how you can include your business:
New Credit Card Authorization Process Goes into Effect
December 1st
Due to a change in the City’s agreement with the credit card companies and an effort to prevent credit card fraud and eliminate the City’s exposure to liability, the City has revised its credit card authorization policy.
Effective December 1, 2006, credit card payments will no longer be accepted from individuals who do not own the credit card being used to make payment, with the following exceptions:
- Corporate credit cards – Must include the user’s name, printed on the face of the credit card and include the person’s signature on the back.
- All credit cards – When the individual making payment is not listed on the face of the credit card, the card owner must provide a copy of his/her agreement with the credit card company that clearly identifies the payer as an authorized user of the card. A letter, on original credit card company stationary, signed by an officer of the credit card company, listing the names of individuals authorized to use that specific card will also be accepted.
- In all cases, valid forms of identification will be required when paying with a credit card. This change in policy does not apply to online credit card payments, so if you make payments online, you will not be affected.
If you currently pay for City services using a credit card other than online and wish to delegate authorization to use your credit card to another individual, you must meet the above criteria. On and after December 1, 2006, payment for services using credit cards will only be accepted from individuals whose name appears on the credit card unless the above criteria have been met. It is the responsibility of the credit card owner to update credit card authorizations through their credit card company and provide the City with current information.
One Stop Shop Customer Alerts
Submitting or Picking Up Plans? Please Arrive Before 4PM
In an effort to provide service in a timely manner, if you are submitting or picking up plans, please arrive at the One Stop Shop reception desk between the hours of 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (9:00 - 4:00 on Wednesdays). If you arrive later than 4:00 p.m., you may be asked to return the next business day to retrieve your plans and conduct your business. If you are picking up larger plans, please arrive by 2:00 p.m. to allow enough time to process.
Using a Courier Service for Plan Processing?
Plans may not be dropped off without the attending courier or other messenger following the standard plan submittal process. Plans will not be accepted otherwise. Couriers utilized to submit or pick up plans must sign in with the One Stop Shop receptionist, be placed in the wait queue, and will be called by the next available Development Services Representative. All customers (including couriers) are provided service on a first come/first serve basis, and wait times may vary from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of customers awaiting service.
Temporary Construction Meter or Hydrant Meter?
Need water during construction? A temporary construction meter is used when the water line is being extended - fees are paid at the One Stop Shop, 480-312-2500. For all other projects a temporary hydrant meter is used - fees are paid at Water Operations, 480-312-5650.
Need Water Pressure Information?
Contact your engineer (not Water Operations staff) as there are many variables involved with making this determination.
Airpark Directional Signage Option Under Review
Planning & Development staff, working jointly with City Council, Scottsdale Chamber, and Airpark business representatives, have identified a proposed signage option for businesses located in the industrially zoned districts of the city, such as the airpark.
Staff worked with a local business to develop a directional sign that:
meets the intent of the city’s sign regulations (provides the essential identity of, and direction to, facilities in the community);
is low scale;
lists the names of up to four tenants; and
presents a consistent streetscape design that is easily identifiable.
...more info...
NEW Scottsdale Supplements to MAG Standards
Effective October 19th
Download your packet (available online only) at: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/design/COSMAGSupp/.
What are they? Supplement to Maricopa Association of Governments Uniform Specifications for Public Works Construction.
2006 Design Standards & Policies Manual Now In Effect!
All plans submitted after September 25, 2006, will be required to design per the 2006 Design Standards & Policies Manual (DS&PM). The 2006 revision include new or updated content in 8 of the 10 chapters, with significant changes throughout.
The DS&PM is available online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/design/dspm/, where a listing of changes is also posted. The online version is free, the interactive CD is only $20, and a limited number of printed notebooks will be available for $100 (we expect them back from the printers by the end of October).
Stay informed on all DS&PM updates by subscribing to an e-mail subscription just for you at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/design/dspm/.
Zoning Ordinance Updates
Recently adopted, the following text amendments go into effect October 27, 2006:
- 2-TA-2006 (side yards in ESL)
- 4-TA-2006 (aircraft in residential districts)
The following currently proposed zoning ordinance changes:
- 1-TA-2006 (private school spacing)
- 3-TA-2006 (non-conforming structures)
- 5-TA-2006 (restrict non-residential uses in residential districts)
- 6-TA-2006 (minor amendments to ESL)
- 7-TA-2006 (definitions update)
- 8-TA-2006 (amending ESLO plant materials)
- 10-TA-2006 (accessory structures)
- 11-TA-2006 (violations penalties)
Several of these text amendments will go to Council by the end of the year. Case fact sheets for proposed ordinance changes are available on the city’s web site: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/codes/Zoning/update.asp.
An Easy Way to Have Your Say
The Current Planning Division has unveiled a new e-mail address to make it easier for residents and property owners to comment on projects currently in the public hearing process. For development cases appearing before the Board of Adjustment, Development Review Board, Planning Commission, or City Council, send your feedback to:
ProjectInput@ScottsdaleAZ.gov
Comments and questions sent to this new e-mail are automatically forwarded to the appropriate staff and a copy placed in the case file as public record; this correspondence will then be included in the staff report when received prior to printing deadlines. The inbox is monitored throughout the day to ensure that all time-sensitive materials are addressed as quickly as possible.
This e-mail address is a valuable, easy to use, communication tool for expressing neighborhood concerns and/or support for development projects.
NEW TITLE EVIDENCE SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
The new city's Title Evidence submittal requirements have been posted here:
www.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/PlanReview/title.asp.
To summarize:
- The city accepts only Title Insurance Commitment for proof of Title.
- The title commitment must cover the whole project site, just as if the city were a commercial real estate developer who was going to buy the whole site from whoever owns it today.
- All submittals must include a complete Schedule A and B.
- The City of Scottsdale must be listed as the proposed insured.
- The title information must not be more than 30 days old at the time of the dedication.
Please review and provide a copy of the new requirements to your Title Company.
Historic Preservations Commission Initiates Process to consider Scottsdale Estates 4 for Historic Designation
Scottsdale Estates 4 contains 124 brick single-family homes built by Hallcraft. It is generally located west of Coronado High School, between Oak Street and Wilshire Drive and between 72nd Place and 74th Street. This is the third 1950s era neighborhood to be considered for historic district designation. Village Grove and Town and Country were both designated historic districts last year.
The tentative schedule is:
- October Historic Preservation Commission hearing
- November Planning Commission hearing
- consideration by the City Council in December.
Historic Preservation Guidelines & Resources Online
Now available on the city’s web site at: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/historiczoning/.
Archeological Resources Guidelines & Resources Online
Now available on the city’s web site at: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/codes/HistoricZoning/archaeology/.
2006 Customer Survey
Please take a moment to rate your interaction with the Planning & Development Services Department. Your input will help us identify opportunities to improve our services and help to prioritize workplan items for the next year.
Complete Survey Online
Download survey to complete offline: 2006 Survey (pdf / 341 kb / 2 pgs)