By Mike Scerbo | Rose Law Group Reporter
(Scottsdale, Ariz.) While a vocal minority may give the impression that Scottsdale residents do not want to see any new multi-family housing, a just competed public opinion survey presents a stern rebuke to that assumption.
As rising housing costs in Scottsdale are making it nearly impossible for essential workers such as nurses, medical professionals, teachers, police officers, and fire fighters to live in Scottsdale, there is significant support for a much-needed apartment complex next to Honor Health North Scottsdale.
Sixty-nine percent of Scottsdale residents surveyed in the recent poll feel building a 285-unit apartment complex near 92nd Street and Shea Boulevard is a good idea compared to twenty-five percent who think it is a bad idea. The project, 92 Ironwood, would replace an abandoned and run-down office complex with high quality housing. It would also offer discounted rates to first responders, medical professionals, and educators. It is not seeking to increase allowed heights.
The poll was conducted January 21st to 23rd by Data Orbital, a premier Arizona-based data and survey research firm which conducts survey research across the country. The company surveyed 300 Scottsdale residents who voted in the 2020 November General Election. During the 2020 Presidential Elections, Data Orbital accurately predicted 23 out of the 26 races it surveyed and was the most accurate firm to survey the US Senate and Presidential races in Arizona, coming within 1% of the final outcomes.
The survey asked Scottsdale residents the following questions:
Adjacent to a shopping center near 92nd and Shea that includes a Chompie’s, Sprouts, and Honor Health’s North Scottsdale hospital is a seven-acre lot with an empty field and empty office buildings. The owner is proposing to replace this with 285 new apartment units. The $95 million complex would include discounts for firefighters, nurses, police officers, and teachers and even include one free unit for a police officer. The heights for the new project would not be increased from what current zoning allows, remaining at 3 and 4 stories. The plan has been endorsed by Honor Health, the shopping center next door and the Arizona Nurse’s Association, among others. No residents living within 2,000 feet of the site oppose the plan. In general, would you say that this plan for the property is a good idea, or bad idea?
69.2% feel this is a good idea. 25.3% feel this is a bad idea. 2.7% were undecided. 2.5% were neutral. 0.3% did not respond to the question.
Indeed, there has not been any new apartment buildings constructed in the area for many years. And the vast majority of those opposed to the project do not live in the neighborhood.
The survey results follow those of a previous open house held by the owner/developer at the site on January 12 in which 57 of those attending expressed support for the project while 17 did not.
An even larger majority agree that pricing first responders, medical professionals, and teachers out of the housing market is not good for Scottsdale’s long-term health.
The survey asked the following:
While the recent increases in housing prices in Scottsdale might be good for some, they are also pricing out police officers, teachers, nurses, firefighters and others who can no longer afford to live in the community in which they work. This is not a good thing for the long-term health of the city. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?
77.1% agree with that statement. Only 18.7% disagree. The rest are undecided or neutral on the subject.
Scottsdale Not As No Growth As Many Believe
When it comes to new residential projects in Scottsdale, those who are in favor of some residential projects vastly outnumber residents who oppose all residential projects further dispelling Scottsdale’s no-growth reputation.
The survey asked the following:
In general would you say that Scottsdale should reject ALL new residential projects to stop more people from moving into the city or that the City Council should approve some projects but not all in order to help ease the housing price crisis and allow some of those who want to live in Scottsdale to do so?
70% feel the Scottsdale City Council should approve some residential projects. Only 22.2% feel the city should stop all residential projects. The remainder are either undecided, neutral, or declined to answer the question. Only 11.9% feel strongly about a desire to stop all residential development, reinforcing the vocal minority that can often overshadow community dialogue.
Pollster George Khalaf, President of Data Orbital, conducted the survey. Khalaf said, “The results of this poll seem to dispel the myth that Scottsdale residents are strongly opposed to every new residential development. Instead, they are selective, as the results demonstrate. The poll is clear that Scottsdale residents understand the importance of having those who serve the community, live in the community. The results show, at least in this case, the vocal minority which can drive public discussion, is not representative of Scottsdale voters as a whole.”
Residents Generally Happy With Scottsdale’s Direction/ Neutral On Elected Leaders
The survey also found that most Scottsdale residents are happy with the direction of City of Scottsdale. 60.2% feel the city is moving in the right direction. 23.5% feel Scottsdale is moving in the wrong direction, 15% are undecided and 1.3% declined to respond to the question.
When asked, 31% have a favorable view of Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega, 18.8% have an unfavorable view, while 50.1% are neutral.
When it comes to assessing several members of the Scottsdale City Council, the vast majority of respondents are relatively neutral in their opinions.
Kathy Littlefield
Net Favorable 17.9%
Net Unfavorable 14.3%
Neutral 67.8%
Solange Whitehead
Net Favorable 10.7%
Net Unfavorable 8.6%
Neutral 80.7%
Tom Durham
Net Favorable 7.3%
Net Unfavorable 10.1%
Neutral 82.6%
Tammy Caputi
Net Favorable 8.8%
Net Unfavorable 12.9%
Neutral 78.3%
Of those surveyed 42% are Republican, 28% are Democrat, 29% are Independent or unaffiliated, 1% are listed as other.
20% of those surveyed are 18 to 34 years old.
12% are 35 to 44.
15% are 45 to 54.
19% are 55 to 64.
34% are 65 and over.
Media seeking interviews with the developer or wishing to obtain copies of the survey are asked to contact Mike Scerbo at MScerbo@RoseAllynPR.com.
The poll by Data Orbital was commissioned by 92 Ironwood. Data Orbital is a member of the American Association of Public Opinion Researcher’s (AAPOR) Transparency Initiative and has also earned an A/B rating from FiveThirtyEight, the highest possible in its category.
