Scottsdale Plaza Resort first step toward revitalization starts at Town Hall
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
Paradise Valley Town Council is expected to render a vote on plans for the revitalization of the Scottsdale Plaza Resort during a June 8 public hearing meanwhile last week the local governing board hosted a brief, but detailed update on final drafts of ordinance documents at Town Hall.
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.
Paradise Valley Planning Manager Paul Michaud provided local policymakers with both the lineage of deliberations and the forthcoming 34 stipulations destined for a public vote the first Thursday of this June.
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.
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 special use permit amendment town leaders appear to agree is an exciting development in the history of the resort.
Scottsdale Plaza Resort first step toward revitalization starts at Town Hall
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.
Mr. Michaud presented to Town Council the calendar of events leading up to last week’s study session discussion. Those dates included:
- The Paradise Valley Planning Commission provided a unanimous recommendation of approval on Tuesday, May 2.
- Paradise Valley Town Council hosted three work sessions covering the full amendment review on these dates: Dec. 20, Feb. 7 and April 4.
- New architecture and parking plans were provided at Town Hall on April 18.
Over about 20 minutes, Thursday, May 11, 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. In general, those are:
- 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.
Paradise Valley Town Council is expected to host a public hearing on the pending SUP application 6 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive.
