ScottsdaleAZ.Gov

Where is the full policy located?

• Dynamite Foothills Character Area
• Individual plans may be viewed at the Planning and Design Library at the Community Design Studio, 7506 E Indian School Road.

What is it?

The character plan was a recommendation of the CityShape process where a three-level planning approach was put into place. Character Areas were the "middle" level of the three. Similar to past area studies that looked at General Plan elements (land use, transportation, public facilities) for a designated area, character plans also include design and character guidelines and recommendations. The completed Character Plans were approved by City Council as additions to the General Plan.

Where does it apply?

Dynamite Foothills Area os generally located between 112th Street and the eastern city boundary; Deer Valley Road alignment and Lone Mountain Road alignment.

Who needs to use it?

City Council, Planning Commission, City staff, Developers, Citizens

Why was it developed?

To promote or enhance the given character of the Dynamite Foothills area by establishing guidelines for design and character while addressing traditional General Plan considerations too.

Key Points:

1. Three Goals for the Dynamite Foothills area:
   1. Preserve the existing rural desert character of this area
   2. Balance the relationship of different types of development to the environment.
   3. Promote open space.
2. For the most part existing densities were deemed appropriate for this area of the city (2-3 acre lots).
3. Open Space is critical to maintaining the rural desert character and should be provided as a visual, recreational, or character enhancing amenity.
4. Native vegetation is encouraged in streetscapes.
5. Infrastructure can be used to enhance the character through minimizing street widths, using alternatives to asphalt paving, street alignments that respond to the natural terrain, ribbon curbs, minimal street lighting, trails systems rather than sidewalks, and using colors and textures that blend with the natural environment.
6. Site planning minimizing the visual impact of development is encouraged.
7. A larger Scenic Corridor along Dynamite Boulevard should be considered.
8. Non-residential uses or specific uses like golf courses and low intensity resorts will be considered if they are low-scale, low-intensity, and similar in character to residential development.
9. Piecemeal development is discouraged.
10. Gated communities are discouraged.

References and related documents:

• Desert Foothills Character Area Plan
• City of Scottsdale General Plan (2001),
  Character and Design Element
• CityShape 2020 Comprehensive Report (1996)
• Desert Preservation Task Force report (1997)

Download printable Dyanmite Foothills Policy Card (pdf / 769 kb / 1 pg)

9/30/03