Scottsdale Plaza Resort readies next chapter of Paradise Valley hospitality
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
The Scottsdale Plaza Resort is destined for rebirth, revitalization and rejuvenation.
Paradise Valley Town Council is giving proponents of the revitalization of the Scottsdale Plaza Resort the proverbial blessing as the local governing board Thursday, June 8, approved amendments to the landmark resort property’s special use permit.
The Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale Road, has been a landmark tourist destination for as long as the Town of Paradise Valley has been incorporated — the resort itself predates the municipality.
But owners who took on the property in 2019, Highgate, a hospitality investment company, have put forth a plan measured by town officials as an intermediate SUP amendment town leaders appear to agree is an exciting development in the history of the resort.
The zoning in the Town of Paradise Valley is relatively simple as the majority of the dirt is zoned residential meanwhile a handful of commercial properties exist — resorts, houses of worship and educational entities — and are regulated through what locals call “the special use permit.”
The developer in the case is represented by the Rose Law Group as co-founder Jordan Rose along with representatives of Highgate came to Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive, to finalize municipal negotiations and received a unanimous approval.
Paradise Valley Town Council unanimously — with a vote of 5-0 — approved the intermediate SUP application that proponents of the project say will revitalize and refresh a resort community beloved by the community. Paradise Valley Councilwoman Ellen Andeen was not present for the vote.
The 36.5-acre site at 7200 N. Scottsdale Road is a landmark resort part of the jurisdiction of the Paradise Valley Town Council — the property straddles both Scottsdale and TPV — whereas since December 2022 the special use permit case has been debated, deliberated and fine-tuned.
In broad strokes, the application on file at Town Hall includes a plan to add 64 hotel dwelling units, which will bring the entire total of rooms to 464 on site equating to 1 unit per 4,000 square feet.
A brief dive into Scottsdale Plaza Resort deliberations
During last night’s work session discussion, Paul Michaud, acting Paradise Valley community development director, brought local policymakers through the extensive, detailed and thoughtful deliberations occurring at both Town Council and the Paradise Valley Planning Commission, which serves as an advisory board, since December 2022.
Mr. Michaud presented to Town Council the calendar of events leading up to last night’s public vote. Those dates included:
- The Paradise Valley Planning Commission provided a unanimous recommendation of approval on Tuesday, May 2.
- Paradise Valley Town Council hosted four work sessions covering the full amendment review on these dates: Dec. 20, Feb. 7, April 4 and May.
- New architecture and parking plans were provided at Town Hall on April 18.
Furthermore, Mr. Michaud delivered a detailed account of the project itself with specifics to floor-area ratio and parking discussions amid the 34 stipulations defined by Paradise Valley Town Council. Those stipulations include:
- If conflict between stipulations and plans, stipulations govern.
- SUP runs with land and this SUP supersedes all prior SUPs.
- Violation remedies pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance.
- Use comply with all laws and when conflict SUP prevails.
- Development conform to approved plans.
- Applicant provide electronic version of approved plans.
- Name of the resort can change without requiring SUP amendment.
- Time shares and subdividing for sale/resale is prohibited.
- Owner has right to develop in accordance with SUP.
- SUP is valid and enforceable.
- Owner provides waiver of claims.
- Provides a schedule for demolition with first building permit.
- No building permit issued without engineering/architectural plans that meet current codes and no C of O issued until deemed complete/accepted.
- Submit a construction schedule prior to permit issuance.
- Meet and install all required fire items prior to certificate of occupancy.
- During construction post sign with contact information.
- Install temporary screening around the construction areas.
- Sweep public streets during construction.
- Complete ROW improvements prior to last certification of occupancy – utility screening.
- Coordinate with others on planned ROW improvements & town manager authority to approve necessary construction/related easements.
- Screening of utility & mechanical equipment.
- Walls meet approved plans, 5-foot minimum setback to right-of-way.
- Re-dedicate the adjoining right-of-way widths.
- Combine all 3 parcels prior to issuance of first building permit.
- Property be under unified management and not subdivided for sale.
- Maintenance coordinated through single entity and in good repair.
- Employee areas located near buildings away from perimeter.
- Designated contact person at the resort to address issues.
- Interiors may be remodeled with SUP amendment.
- No outdoor material storage allowed except at construction.
