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Why a new park has Scottsdale residents concerned. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Great Hearts Academy in working with the City of Scottsdale to help develop a public park.) “DC Ranch gave the park land to Scottsdale in 2003. Now, Great Hearts Academies is offering $4.5 million to build athletics facilities on the property.” AZCentral has the latest developments. http://bit.ly/2p3w1fD
Sanctuary amendment deliberations at Paradise Valley Planning Commission. “The submitted request… outlines… additions to… existing casitas, the creation of two new casitas… a new pool and snack bar, and ballroom expansions… Members of the Paradise Valley Planning Commission [had] notable comments surrounding certain setbacks… and potential noise concerns.” Read their remarks and check out renderings, including a ground-level view of “how interstitial innovation can create new keys,” at Paradise Valley Independent. http://bit.ly/2pBiGrg
Paradise Valley Board of Adjustment upholds San Miguel zoning appeal. “Board of Adjustment Wednesday, April 12 voted unanimously to honor an appeal halting the development process of a home atop Camelback Mountain that has drawn the ire of neighboring residents…. There was hardly standing room in the council chambers at Town Hall… as residents packed-in to hear the outcome…. There were 85 resident forms turned into the Board supporting the appeal…. The property is located at 5507 E. San Miguel Ave. and is owned by TMS Ventures LLC.” Full details at Paradise Valley Independent. http://bit.ly/2ocsZSb
GHOST BUSTERS – Casa Grande trying to bring life to ‘ghost’ development. Unfinished subdivisions are haunting Casa Grande. Now, the town’s P&Z has set out to “combat that ghost-town feeling” by voting “to send a code amendment to the City Council for future consideration.” According to Pinal Central: “At the crux of the matter is the amount of time developers and builders have to complete basic infrastructure after subdivisions are given approval by the city.” Get the rest of the scary story here: http://bit.ly/2pBfOKM
Queen Creek begins annexation process with Banner Ironwood Medical Center. “Town Council has approved a pre-annexation agreement with… Banner Ironwood… in San Tan Valley.” Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney: “The town agreed to the annexation… because it meets our criteria, which includes bringing high wage jobs into the town…” Queen Creek Independent has more on the annexation, including some strong feelings expressed in the comment section on its potential impact for San Tan Valley. (Will it motivate these folks to attend the April 19th public hearing?) http://bit.ly/2p3zriC
Crossroads Park to get a family entertainment center. “Gilbert has agreed to a public-private partnership with Mesa based SAP Holdings LLC for a family entertainment center within [Crossroads District Park]…. [O]utdoor amenities could include up to three 18-hole miniature golf courses, an outdoor maze, ropes course and batting cages. A public splash pad… is also on the cards.” (IDEA: What would really bring some edge to Santan Adventure Park is if it had a thrill-attraction called “The United Airlines Boarding Experience.”) East Valley Tribune. http://bit.ly/2oHNcT8
American Leadership Academy breaks ground on new Queen Creek campus. ALA’s “newest K-6 campus on Signal Butte Road south of Ocotillo Road in Queen Creek… will be home to 700 students and over 60 employees.” Find when the campus is scheduled to open and check out the site-map graphic featuring fluorescent-green play fields — at Queen Creek Independent. http://bit.ly/2pfyGSZ
WRIGHT BACK WHERE HE STARTED – Chandler names East Valley native as assistant city manager. “Josh Wright grew up in the East Valley, and said moving to Chandler and starting his new job as assistant city manager feels like coming home…. Wright, who starts May 1, fills the position vacated by Marsha Reed, who was appointed city manager a year ago.” More about Josh Wright in East Valley Tribune. http://bit.ly/2pBj0pI
Best Kentucky Derby Party in Arizona returns May 6th – http://bit.ly/2p8RGzC
As a supplement to the Dealmaker, we thought you might enjoy these articles!
This new solar-powered device can pull water straight from the desert air. “[A] new spongelike device that uses sunlight to suck water vapor from air… can produce nearly 3 liters of water per day, and researchers say future versions will be even better.” In this fascinating report, Science magazine looks at this “water harvester,” a device that several of the 280+ posters in the comment section agree puts us “one step closer to Star Wars.” http://bit.ly/2nN4YF4States and cities in power struggle over local laws. Arizona isn’t the only place with “pre-exemption laws” that penalize municipalities which have ordinances that clash with state law. Other states are also “stepping up a push to rein in the power of local governments… as a way to get ahead of a flurry of local actions… such as a plastic-bag levy in New York City, a paid sick-leave requirement in Philadelphia and ride-sharing regulations affecting companies such as Uber.” The Wall Street Journal. http://bit.ly/2pfpGNX
HOA cites homeowners for hanging rainbow flag to celebrate diversity. “Ken Haycraft hung an American flag and a rainbow flag, which honors gay and transgender communities, inside a garage window… The homeowner’s association sent him a letter… demanding Haycraft remove ‘unsightly items’ from public view…” Haycraft is “appealing the citation from the Dove Valley Ranch Community Association.” But given the “relevant statute,” should he instead be hoisting a white flag? In Cronkite News. http://bit.ly/2ov2OH8
Pinal County attorney fears long term implications of new RICO bill. The bill “raises a prosecutor’s burden of proof for seizing assets connected to criminal activity…. Gov. Doug Ducey signed it into law Wednesday…. Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer thinks [HB2477] will be an ‘open invitation’ for more drug cartel activity.” Details at Pinal Central. http://bit.ly/2nNflca
House OKs restrictions on disabled-access lawsuits against businesses. “SB 1406 is designed to end what has become a cottage industry of litigation as a small group of attorneys has filed suits against businesses over violations [of the Arizonans with Disabilities Act]… One key provision gives businesses at least 30 days… to fix a problem before a lawsuit could be filed” — and one Democratic rep isn’t too happy about that. Find out why, in Howard Fischer’s report at Arizona Daily Sun. http://bit.ly/2pfsJpf
[IN-DEPTH] Siege has ended, but battle over public lands rages on. “A year after the armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge [in Burns, Ore.], new and old players wage battle over what and whom the lands are for.” Some are hoping that “regulatory rollbacks… will return lands to private use,” while others, including “conservatives and corporate executives,” are “speaking up alongside environmentalists in defense of public lands.” The New York Times. http://bit.ly/2oHUPsp
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