By Joshua Bowling | The Republic
Since 2012, developers can construct tall buildings in exchange for public benefits. Some council members want to see that change.
Two Scottsdale City Council members are calling for the city to significantly change or completely do away with a policy that allows developers to build tall, dense buildings.
Although outnumbered, councilmembers David Smith and Kathy Littlefield objected Tuesday to Scottsdale’s practice of letting developers build taller buildings in exchange for upgrades such as pieces of public art or sidewalk improvements intended to benefit the public.
They see the tall buildings as detracting from Scottsdale’s desert views, while others see them as signs of economic vitality.