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Inside this issue:
Headlines
New Ordinances & Procedures
News to Know
Upcoming Events
Turning Apathy Into Action
by Councilwoman Betty Drake
As a long-time Scottsdale advocate, this is a call to action -- I am encouraging Scottsdale residents, business and community representatives to respond to the city’s invitation to be involved. This is the time to lend your thoughts, your expertise, your experience to ensure that Downtown Scottsdale continues to be a “highly functional mixed-use center” that provides a “creative environment in which people live, work and pursue leisure activities”.
...Read Article...
Downtown Update Process In Full Swing
Several opportunities for your involvement in the update of the Downtown Plan are currently in process. For all events and the Update processes and documents, be sure to check out www.scottsdaleaz.gov/downtown/updates.asp.
Virtual Open House
Submit your comments at any time online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/downtown/updates/virtualopenhouse.asp.
Focus Groups Continue
We are cordially inviting you to be a key participant in one of the nine focus group sessions being held on a variety of dates through February 13, 2008. The remaining scheduled sessions are:
- Oct 22 - Public Realm
- Oct 23 - Design & Character
- Nov 15 - Interconnectivity
- Dec 12 - Land Use & Urban Form
- Dec 13 - Cultural Facilities & Programs
- Jan 23 - Economic Vitality
- Feb 13 - Civic Services
Register online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/downtown/updates/involvement.asp.
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Business & Property Owner Forum
October 11, 2007from 8:00 - 10:00 AM
Scottsdale Stadium Team Shop,
7408 E Osborn Road
An open forum for the business community to discuss what they value in Downtown Scottsdale and understand next steps in the Downtown Plan process. Register online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/downtown/
updates/forum.asp. |
Downtown Placemaking Workshop
October 11th, 12th & 13th
Explore and identify opportunities to improve and enhance Downtown’s sense of place and identity. For locations and times, and to register, go to www.scottsdaleaz.gov/downtown/
updates/placemaking.asp. |
Community Design Studio Lecture Series
You are invited to free community lectures exploring issues related to design, architecture, economics and sustainability. The last three are:
October 18 - San Diego City Centre Success Story
November 6 - Visualizing Density
December 6 - Artist Centers
Go to www.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/planning/lectures.asp.
2007 Design Standards & Policies Manual (DS&PM) Effective October 1, 2007
You can download the new files online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/design/dspm.asp.
Interactive CDs are available at the Records or One Stop Shop counters for only $20.
Among the changes in this year’s edition is the inclusion of the new Land Divisions Ordinance, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, Fire Department requirements, updated Stormwater Storage Waiver and In Lieu Fee policy, and more.
Land Divisions Ordinance 3743 Effective October 1, 2007
Changes include the following:
- Removing development standards information and relocating to the city's Design Standards & Policy Manual
- Adding provisions for condos, minor subdivisions (5 or fewer lots), and perimeter exceptions (such as retail centers, mixed-use shopping centers, etc. that are treated as master-planned developments)
- Requiring minor subdivisions to provide proportional public improvements
- Requiring bonding for improvements
- Documenting an appeals process and adding the violations/remedies section
Subdivision means the division of any land for financing, sale or lease:
- Into 4 or more lots or tracts, or
- Into 2 or more lots or tracts if a new street is involved, or
- Into 2 or more lots or tracts if the boundaries of the land have been fixed by a recorded plat, or
- Into 4 or more condominiums or similarly-owned projects.
Minor Subdivision means a subdivision of 5 or fewer lots. The Minor
Subdivision process will replace the former lot split process. |
The new Land Divisions ordinance includes all types of land divisions and replaces the previous Subdivision Ordinance.
New Building Codes Now In Effect
The 2006 family of codes went into effect September 1, 2007 including the International Building Code (IBC), the International Residential Code (IRC), the International Mechanical Code (IMC) and the 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC).
The 1994 Uniform Plumbing Code remains in effect.
All projects submitted for a building permit must comply with the new codes. Projects designed to comply with the 2003 Codes and submitted prior to September 1, 2007, will have until December 31, 2007, to obtain a building permit. All builders will have until 12/31/2007 to either pull a permit or update standard plans to the 2006 codes.
Plans that have not received a building permit on December 31, 2007, will be required to comply with the new codes.
Single-family homes that were designed to the 2003 International codes may be amended to comply with the 2006 International Building Code by submitting plans that modify new code items, provide engineer truss calcs and meet all energy components.
For more information, and the new 2006 IRC Building Code Plan Review Checklist, go to www.scottsdaleaz.gov/codes/bldgcode.asp.
Scottsdale Fire Code Update
As a city of Scottsdale development services customer, we are inviting you to:
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Sign up for a new e-mail distribution service that will provide you with regular updates on changes to Scottsdale's plan review/inspection process related to the fire code -- registration only takes a few seconds by logging on to https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/listserve/ and clicking the publication titled "Fire and Life Safety - Inspection and Code Changes". Information will be specifically tailored to contractors/businesses who submit fire plans, i.e. sprinklers, alarms, etc.
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Participate in a Scottsdale Fire Code Update Workshop that will be held Nov. 15 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Fire Dept. Administration Office located at 8401 E. Indian School Rd. The workshop will provide an overview of the recently adopted fire code changes and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions and share information. Register by calling 480-312-7800.
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Consider using the city's digital submittal process -- which has recently been expanded to include fire sprinkler and alarm plans. This electronic process greatly reduces the time spent delivering and picking up hard copy plans, and provides improved efficiencies for communication related to plan corrections, etc. More information is available on-line at: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/digital.asp.
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Take advantage of the city's on-line Self-Service Center -- which provides a vast array of resources, tools to simplify the process for obtaining information and for providing you frequently requested information (see the new and improved Records request form). The Self Service Center is a great page to add to your favorites. To access go to: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/selfservice.asp.
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Consider forwarding this to others in your company, and anyone else who may benefit (i.e. your outside design teams).
We look forward to providing you timely updates on new resources, process changes, etc. and hope to see you on Nov. 15. Please RSVP to (480) 312-2647 or by response to this e-mail to let us know if you will be attending the workshop.
Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas
- Effective October 1, the city will require original site plans (copies no longer accepted) for pool plan submittals for properties zoned ESL. Refer to the new ‘Pool Site Plan Requirements’.
- All swimming pool plans are required to identify the location of the required swimming pool barrier fencing and the height of the fencing. Pool plans must include placement/location of required walls/fences (can be combined on the same site plan) -- pool plan approval will not occur until the accompanying fence/wall plan has been approved.
- Pool plan submittals will be reviewed within 5-10 days.
Find customer alerts, permit processes, pool barrier requirements, and more at:
www.scottsdaleaz.gov/codes/pools.asp.
NeW Truss Design Submittal Process
Old Process:
a. Since around 1995 plans that are submitted with a registered design professional are allowed to use a truss review waiver.
b. The registered design professional was then responsible to review the truss designs and place their shop drawing stamp on the truss design by strap and shear inspection for the field inspectors.
c. The truss designs are not submitted to the city for review.
Problem with Old Process:
a. The homes we are seeing today are much bigger and more complex, on the average, than they were even a few years ago.
b. Structural reviews are not as complete when there is no truss design to review.
c. Plan reviewers had more time to review truss designs in a controlled environment than the field inspectors.
d. The code required the truss manufacturer to provide truss to truss connections. Some engineers would not indicate these hangers on the plan. This meant the hangers had to be called out in the truss design. Since the plan reviewers do not review the design, the field inspectors were left to check hanger size.
New Process:
a. All plans will be submitted with truss designs as a rule.
b. Plans with a registrants seal will have an option to use a deferred submittal for truss design review.
c. The deferred submittal will allow the builders the same benefits (time to select a truss manufacture) as the truss waiver offered.
d. Truss design which comes in under a deferred submittal will be review in a timely manner (5 working days).
e. When truss designs are approved, a copy of the cover sheet and the truss layout sheet will be scanned into the CDS plan folder under the plan check number.
f. When the inspector receives a request for a strap and shear inspection, the inspector can go to the plan check number in the CDS to see if the house has had the trusses approved before they leave the office if they so desire.
g. On the job site, the inspectors will only need to look for our building stamp to know if the truss design has been approved. If no stamp, then the inspector can still do the strap and shear inspection and add to his correction list to provide city approved truss designs.
h. A fee on deferred submittals may encourage applicants to submit truss designs with the initial submittal.
New After-Hours Inspection Fee
Effective November 1, 2007, the Inspection Services division will begin assessing an after-hours emergency inspection fee. This procedural change will help ensure that life safety issues are proactively addressed in a consistent and timely manner.
In the past, city inspectors have responded to issues dealing with barricades, street-plating, sink holes, etc., as a courtesy. Developers, utilities, and sub-contractors that work within city of Scottsdale easements and rights-of-way will now be charged the standard after-hours inspections fee of $205 per hour.
As part of this new process, Scottsdale’s Inspection Services division will provide access to a city inspector, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., 7 days a week via an emergency pager.
For more information call 480-312-5750.
ASU/PURL Parks & Public Spaces Lecture Series
To stimulate local dialogue about the role of parks, and especially about the future of Papago Park, PURL and SALA are bringing to the region eight prominent landscape designers and thinkers.
Starting a Successful Business?
The following FREE workshops are designed for those thinking about opening a small business:
- October 16 - Business Plans
- October 23 - Management Planning
- October 30 - Marketing
- November 6 - Financial Planning
All workshops will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 pm @ the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N Granite Reef Rd.
RSVP to Rachel Busch at 480-312-7321 or RBusch@ScottsdaleAZ.gov.
Neighborhood College Classes
Whether you’re getting started as a new board member, are a seasoned board member, or just want to keep an eye on what’s happening in your neighborhood, our professional, volunteer instructors invite you to participate in the following FREE Neighborhood College classes:
- Oct 3 - HOA's from the Inside-Out & Reviewing Arizona's New HOA Laws
- Oct 8 - Selecting and Working with your Management Company
- Oct 10 - HOA Budgeting, Financials and Reserves & Insurance
- Oct 18 - Safety for Seniors - How to Watch Out for Scams
- Oct 23 - The ABC's of CC&R Enforcement
- Oct 25 - What can the City of Scottsdale do for your HOA?
- Nov 6 - Vendors, Specifications, Bidding & Contracting: What to do When Things Go Wrong
- Nov 7 - Safety for Seniors - How to Watch Out for Scams
- Nov 13 - Communicating with and Organizing Your Neighborhood & Media Relations
- Nov 27 - Neighborhood Advocacy
You must pre-register for all Neighborhood College Classes. Call 480-312-3111 or Register Online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/education/nbhdcollege/.
Water Conservation Workshops
- Oct 2 - Composting
- Oct 3 - Potted Plants in the Landscape
- Oct 4 - Drip Irrigation Design & Installation
- Oct 10 - Plant Selection
- Oct 11 - Irrigation Timer, Clock, Controller
- Oct 17 - Wildflowers
- Oct 23 - Rainwater Harvesting
- Oct 24 - Landscaping for Pools & Patios
- Oct 25 - Irrigation Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Repair
Registration is Required: Call (480) 312-5690 and leave your name, address, phone number and the date you would like to attend. Advanced registration is required for all workshops and confirmations will be mailed.
Digital Submittal Program Expands to Include Plats & Maps of Dedication
Starting in Mid-October, plats and maps of dedication will be a part of the digital submittal program. The plats/maps will need to be in DWF format, with supporting materials in PDF.
By the end of the year sign permit applications will also be accepted digitally. We have recieved requests to expand the program to include standard plans. Let us know what you want us to work on by emailing PlanningInfo@ScottsdaleAZ.gov. For more information, visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/digital.asp.
Inspection Services Winter Hours
Starting November 5, Building Inspections will begin its winter schedule: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Inspectors will be in the office 7:00 - 7:30 am & 3:00 - 3:30 pm each day.
Draft Transportation Master Plan Now Available
The Transportation Master Plan is a comprehensive look at the City's transportation system whose main goal is to build upon community mobility goals and objectives outlined in the 2001 General Plan, and to identify specific projects and programs to address transportation needs and objectives.
The Master Plan includes:
- Updated or new plans for streets, all types of transit, bicycles and pedestrians. How to coordinate these modes of transportation and improve connections or fill gaps among them.
- Creation of a Scottsdale area transportation modeling tool that enables the city to analyze current and future travel demand with greater accuracy y and analyze scenarios including impacts of proposed private development or city projects on transportation.
- Special circulation area studies for the Downtown/Central Scottsdale area, the Airpark area, and the northern areas of the city.
The Master Plan got underway with the City Council approval of a contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. in November 2005. The process has been coordinated with and will be implemented through the city's CIP.
- Winter 2005/Spring 2006 - Education and Public Engagement (Alternatives development)
- Summer 2006 - Testing of Ideas and Alternatives
- Fall 2006/Winter 2007 - Draft elements
- Spring/Summer 2007 Transportation Commission review of plan components
- Fall 2007 - Public review and plan finalization, online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/traffic/transmasterplan/drafts.asp.
For more information contact:
Teresa Huish, Principal Transportation Planner and Project Manager
thuish@ScottsdaleAZ.gov or (480) 312-7829.
Dave Meinhart, Transportation Planning and Transit Director
dmeinhart@ScottsdaleAZ.gov or (480) 312-7010.
With the September release of the city’s new web site design, the planning department resources there were some minor site organization enhancements that you should know about.
The main menu (see the URL above) has been reordered to reflect customer and staff requests to place planning resources and development resources by group. The menu now has highlighted programs at the right, frequently requested resources at the top, followed by Building and Construction Resources and Planning & Design Resources.
Another change that you may find helpful is the Site Map of planning and development resources, a listing of many of the branches of information we have online, helping you navigate the approximately 3000 resources available to you. The site-wide search feature has also been improved.
For more information, or help navigating the site, please call 480-312-7800 or email planninginfo@scottsdaleaz.gov.
Self Service Center Offers Customers Online Options
The online Self Service center is a great page to bookmark!
This page is frequently updated, providing customers with quick access to the most requested online services and resources.
You can access:
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online permit applications,
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zoning ordinance resources,
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links to the online request forms (records, setbacks, and more),
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research and reporting tools, including online project/plan search tools for project status,
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listing of acronyms, definitions, and easement abbreviations, and
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ways to stay informed.
Go to: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/selfservice.asp.
Have You Used the Digital Map Center?
Use the Land Information Web to map your customer’s lot and see what easements have been dedicated and where; you can also pull up an aerial photo, the topography, and more.
http://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/dmc/
Request Records Online!
We now have an online records request form that you can use to request site/plot plans and other parcel information. It’s a quick and easy way to find what you need regarding your customer’s lot.
www.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/records/request.asp
Have You Searched Your Neighborhood?
Get a snapshot view of most activity that has been occuring in your neighborhood.
The My Neighborhood site provides real-time information (from the last 6 months) about:
- construction activity,
- development requests,
- building permits,
- code enforcement notices and
- crime activity.
Go to scottsdaleaz.gov and click on the quick link to My Neighborhood.
One Civic Center Renovation
One Civic Center renovation will provide new concierge center intake area for Planning & Development customers.
The atrium of One Civic Center is undergoing a major renovation to construct a new reception/concierge center that will serve as the intake center for the Planning & Development Services Dept. Currently, the department has two reception areas - one that serves the Current Planning/One Stop Shop and another that is located in Plan Review. The new concierge counter will combine resources in a more central location and provide a singular point of initial contact for both areas. The concierge area is ADA accessible, will provide a new quick serve center for plans pickup, and will allow the department to modify existing office space to accommodate additional meeting room space, a designated secure area for review of case files, and a more centrally located area for plans coordination.
The opening of the new concierge center is anticipated for late this fall.
Security Enhancements at the North Corp Yard
Visitors entering the Corporation Yard building to access Inspection Services will now have to check-in with a security guard at the main entrance.
Visitors will be required to sign a log sheet and will be issued a visitor pass to wear while they’re in the building. Visitors will be announced by the security guard before being allowed to proceed past the reception area to the second floor customer service desk.
These enhancements are intended to provide a safer and more secure work site. We have worked hard to create a more secure environment while minimizing disruption and inconvenience for visitors and staff.