![]()
Print Version
(pdf / 477 kb / 6 pgs)
Inside this issue:
Headlines
Keeping You Informed
Key Resources
A Look Inside Our Organization
How's That Work?
Chief Planning Officer Resigns
After a great deal of
deliberation, I have decided that it is an appropriate time in my career to pursue the
goal I have had to get into private sector consulting and am resigning my position with
the city. I have been offered an enticing position with a local law firm that provides me
with new challenges and with the opportunity to grow professionally.
This has been an extremely difficult decision for me. More than anything else, I have
loved working with all of you. I have loved working for the city and am truly grateful for
the opportunities I have been given over the past 20 years.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
- Randy Grant,
Chief Planning Officer & Zoning Administrator
A long-time city employee, Mr. Grant has played a significant role in the review and
development of many of Scottsdale’s signature projects and has been instrumental in
administering the city’s zoning ordinance. Randy’s last day with us will be
January 26, 2007.
Limited Saturday Inspections Available Starting Jan 13, 2007
Because inspections often require homeowners to be on site and frequently cause
interruptions to work/week schedules, the Inspections Services department is now offering
Saturday service for a limited number of inspection types.
Homeowners can now request Saturday inspections for:
- water heaters,
- hot water recirculator pumps, and
- swimming pool finals
To schedule a Saturday inspection for the inspection types listed above call 480-312-HOME
(4663) and leave a message with your name, phone number, type of inspection and
address.
A city of Scottsdale building inspector will return your call to confirm the type of
inspection being requested and schedule a time. Our goal is for the inspection to occur
within a one hour window of the time identified.
Keeping You Informed
Zoning Ordinance Changes
www.scottsdaleaz.gov/codes/zoning/updates.asp
- Updates to R1-7 District Continues
This section of the Zoning Ordinance applies to approximately 14,000 residential
properties in southern Scottsdale. In the first phase, staff is addressing issues relating
to non-conforming structures (approved by the Council on Nov. 21) and walls/fences, which
was held on Nov. 30. The second phase will address carport conversions, setbacks,
accessory building location and corner lot height. The third phase will focus on alleys as
well as building heights and second stories. Staff has provided site plans with ideas for
residents wanting to maximize buildable space under current zoning requirements, available
online at: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/codes/zoning/.
- Changes to Sign Ordinance
In response to City Council direction, staff is initiating the process to review
regulations related to temporary signs that are located in the public right-of-way and/or
on private property. The proposed changes will include options to further limit and in
some cases prohibit the location of temporary signs which include political signs.
Planning Commission review will take place at the February 14 hearing; City Council review
is date is to be determined. Comments and questions can be emailed to
signs@scottsdaleaz.gov.
- Changes to Temporary Fencing Regulations
The Planning Commission will review proposed changes to temporary fencing regulations that
will clarify: when temporary/security fencing should be required, allowed, and prohibited;
whether screening on temporary/security/fencing should be required, allowed, and
prohibited; and whether signage (limited to development advertising, contractor
advertising and public safety) shall be allowed or prohibited.
Update on Downtown Town Hall Meetings
The city, in conjunction with the Arizona Town Hall, held a series of discussions
focusing on the future of Downtown Scottsdale in November 2006. The Town Hall
kicked-off a comprehensive community process to update the Downtown Master Plan.
Over 100 Scottsdale stakeholders, including residents, investors and business owners
provided input on what programs, services and facilities will be needed in Downtown’s
future. A Town Hall Final Report and Summary Report are available on the Downtown web
site: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/downtown/townhall.asp.
As part of the ongoing community dialogue involved with updating the Downtown Plan, the
city is hosting a series of speakers who will highlight issues related to urban
environments, design, public open spaces.
February 13 City Council Study Session - Review of Area Plan Process and Arizona Town
Hall Final Report
As the first part in an extensive public outreach effort, the Downtown Town Hall
recommendations will serve as a baseline to help guide the comprehensive update to
Scottsdale’s 1984 Downtown Plan.
Over the next year, as the Downtown Plan Update progresses, a variety of public
outreach efforts such as public workshops, citizen group meetings and open houses will
occur to ensure continued public input into the specifics of the plan update.
It is the City’s hope that the Town Hall participants will continue to be a
valuable part of this year-long process to update Scottsdale’s Downtown Plan in order
to guide continued future success for Downtown Scottsdale.
Proposed Stormwater Mitigation Process (SIMA)
The City Council has charged staff with deriving a plan to improve the quality of
stormwater management systems and ensure that the public is protected against adverse
stormwater impacts.
A new review process has been proposed -- Stormwater Impact Mitigation Analysis (SIMA)
-- implementing a third-party review of stormwater impacts. This process would require
proposed projects located in areas of special concern (see map at right) to go through a
new, additional review process to ensure no adverse impacts on neighborhoods.
Objectives during review: Ensure the community’s interests are protected during
development. Enhance citizens’ confidence in conclusions drawn from stormwater
analyses.
Visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/bldgresources/forms/
- click on Drainage Report Resources.
Proposition 207 Waiver Form Now Available
A new form, Agreement for the Waiver of Claims for Diminution In Value of Property, is
available for submittal on all land use applications processed by the Planning Commission,
Development Review Board, and the Board of Adjustment. This form is in response to recent
voter adoption of Proposition 207, the “Private Property Rights Protection Act.”
The city and property owners are seeking to avoid any potention future argument that
the application of the City’s land use laws to the Property constitute a
“diminution in value” of the Property as defined by this recent legislation.
The Private Property Rights Protection Act (e.g., A.R.S. 12-1134.I) recognizes that
private property owners can enter into agreements with political subdivisions to waive any
claim for diminution in value of their property in connection with any action requested by
the property owner. This form constitutes that agreement.
Register for Design Day 2007
Homeowners south of Indian Bend Road are invited to participate in Scottsdale’s
Design Day 2007 event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on February 10, 2007 in the Saguaro High
School cafeteria, 6250 N. 82nd Street.
Sponsored by the city and Scottsdale’s Green Building Advisory Committee,
pre-registered participants will have the opportunity to meet with volunteer architects
and landscape and interior design specialists to discuss home renovations and landscape
redesigns during a free, 45-minute consultation.
To ensure a successful consultation, pre-registered participants should bring all
sketches, photos, measurements and design ideas to their appointment.
To register: Call 480-312-2454. Space is limited so pre-registration is required.
Deadline to register: 5 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2007
Customer Favorites
Digital Maps
Access the City of Scottsdale online maps at the Digital Map Center.
From www.scottsdaleaz.gov click on Planning,
Building & Zoning then Zoning & Land Use Maps.
Award Winning Web Site
Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood (permits, crimes, construction
projects and more).
Visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov - click on My
Neighborhood in the right hand column.
On-line inspection scheduling
Got your key code?
Check inspection status and schedule new inspections online at: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/inspections/
New Online Resources
Watch SkySong as it grows!
Construction photos are now online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/ASUScottsdale/.
Saving you Time & Money
HOW ARE WE DOING?
Your input will help us identify opportunities to improve our services and help to
prioritize workplan items for 2007.
Thank you for your time and input. |
2006 FAST FACTS
417 Pre-application meetings
426 Public hearing cases
8,284 Plans reviewed
13,126 Permits issued
213,168 Inspections conducted
2,930 Certificates of Occupancy |
Scottsdale DS&PM Notebook In Print and Available for Purchase
The 2006 Design Standards & Policy Manual is now in print and available for
purchase.
The 2006 DS&PM has been available online and in CD format for some time, but we now
have the notebook available in print for those that prefer hard copy manuals.
Cost for the 2006 DS&PM:
- Full-Color Notebook - $100
- Interactive CD - $20
- Online PDF Files - Free
Buy your copies at the Records Counter - 7447 E Indian School Road, Suite 105.
Find it online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/design/dspm/.
Need a phone number? New City Guides Now Available.
Residents looking for contacts to key Scottsdale services have a new tool -- the
updated City Guide, a free 27-page booklet loaded with phone numbers to city departments
and other local organizations.
The guides are available at all Scottsdale public libraries and neighborhood resource
centers.
Inspection Services Available in Spanish
Scottsdale’s Inspection Services division has Spanish-speaking staff members
available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays to provide assistance to customers. The
city’s automated inspection request line -- (480) 312-5796 -- can accommodate
inspection requests from Spanish-speaking customers.
Introducing The New Development Review Board Liaison
Steve Venker joined the
Planning Services division on October 30th as the Development Review Board liaison. He was
previously employed by the City of Tempe, and has an architectural degree as well as a
masters in landscape architecture. In addition to providing oversight for the Development
Review Board process, Steve will be working closely with Advance Planning as the develop
and refine design guidelines.
Steve received his Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture
degrees from Kansas State University. He began his professional career with nine years
experience in Campus Planning and Development, including Kansas State University, Fort
Hays State University, and locally, work as a Design Project Manager for the first phase
of development of ASU West Campus from 1985 through 1987.
As a Principal Planner with the City of Tempe for 18+ years, Steve served as Design
Review Manager, Planning and Zoning Manager. He has also served as Zoning Administrator,
Hearing Officer, Acting Deputy Development Services Manager, and two terms as a member of
the Tempe Downtown Vending Committee.
During the past eight years he was a member of the technical staff review teams for
Tempe’ s Center for the Arts that is now under construction at the west end of Tempe
Town Lake, the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Ordinance (1997), the
Comprehensive Transportation Plan (2002), and the Zoning and Development Code (2005).
From 2003-2006 Steve has been the chairman of the Chandler Architectural Excellence
Awards Committee. Steve is a Registered Architect (Arizona) and a Registered Landscape
Architect (Kansas).
Current Planning Organization Structure Based on Regions
Temporary Construction Meters vs. Temporary Hydrant Meters
Many customers are confused by these temporary water meters – not surprisingly
since they are routed through three different departments. Though seemly similar, each
meter is used in different circumstances and requires fees paid to different offices. The
city is developing a comprehensive resource to help customers determine which meter they
need, what fees apply and how to obtain refunds if applicable.
A Quick Guide to Temporary Flow Meters
- Temporary Construction Meters:
• Used on project where the water main line is being extended.
• A deposit (current $600) is paid to the One Stop Shop – 480-312-2500.
• Prior to installation, the water line must be prepared according to COS Standard
Detail 2346 (online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/design/detaildrawings/).
• A Backflow Preventor is required, and is provided by the customer.
• When prepared according to Detail 2346, contractor calls Water Operations at
480-312-5650 and provides the deposit receipt number. The meter is installed the next
business day.
• The company or individual who has paid for the deposit will be the responsible
party; the account will be set up under this name.
• When project completed, call Water Operations to request removal. After the meter
is checked for damages, and Utility Billing will be informed of the removal and any
charges for damage.
• Utility Billing will close the account and send the final bill to the contractor.
• After the bill is paid, contact the One Stop Shop to request a refund of the
deposit.
- Temporary Fire Hydrant Meters:
• Used as a temporary water source from the existing water line.
• A deposit (current $600) is paid to Utility Billing at 480-312-2461.
• Prior to installation, the water line must be prepared according to COS Standard
Detail 2380 (online at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/design/detaildrawings/).
• A Backflow Preventor is required, and is provided by the customer.
• When prepared according to Detail 2380, contractor calls Water Operations at
480-312-5650 and provides the deposit receipt number. The meter is installed the next
business day.
• When project completed, call Water Operations to request removal. After the meter
is checked for damages, and Utility Billing will be informed of the removal and any
charges for damage. The meter account will be finalized and the deposit will be applied to
the account balance.
Please Note: The backflow assembly must be tested before being put
into operation by a certified tester that is recognized by the City of Scottsdale; test
results to be forwarded to Backflow Prevention office immediately upon completion –
480-312-5668.