By Staff Reporter |
An appointed group of Scottsdale residents used to approve land and development plans, but state law now requires city staff to do it.
Municipalities must adhere their development review processes to HB 2447, legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-LD25) passed by the Arizona legislature last year.
The bill made it a requirement, rather than an option, for municipalities to have administrative personnel to review and approve site and development plans, land divisions, lot line adjustments and ties, and preliminary and final plats without a public hearing. It also requires administrative personnel to review and approve design review plans based on objective standards, also without public hearing.
Additionally, the bill requires municipalities to allow at-risk submittals for certain on-site preliminary grading and draining work on infrastructure, and applicants with a history of compliance with building codes and regulations to be eligible for expedited permit review.
The goal behind the legislation was to accelerate development approvals, according to Rep. Carbone.
“It’s more about expediting versus the long process which takes anywhere from six months to two years,” said Carbone during the House Commerce Committee hearing last February.
The city of Scottsdale announced on Thursday that they would still rely on their citizen-led board as they adopt the changes required by law.
Previously the city relied on appointed citizens to its Development Review Board (DRB) to undertake those responsibilities modified by HB 2447. Although residents will no longer be charged with handling all development approvals, the city says the DRB will continue “under a revised structure” in which the board will review applicant-requested deviations from objective design standards.
Additionally, the city said the board will be the one to ensure compliance with state requirements by transitioning existing design guidelines into clear, objective standards.
DRB’s staff liaison and the city’s Planning & Development area manager, Brad Carr, said city staff would play more of an assisting role to the DRB.
“The Development Review Board has always had a mission to uphold the highest standards for development in Scottsdale,” said Carr. “While the new state law alters the scope and practice that the DRB has employed in the past, the mission remains the same. City staff is committed to assisting the board in that mission.”
The city of Scottsdale notified the public in a press release that city staff are also evaluating and updating city code and zoning ordinances to align with the new state law, and had already amended the Land Division Ordinance in December for administrative processing of land division plats.
Scottsdale leadership has been critical of the changes.
Scottsdale Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas told Scottsdale Progress that the legislation removed community control over development processes.
“Local control ensures that our communities remain distinct and in Scottsdale helps us keep our unique charm,” said Dubauskas. “In Scottsdale, our design and planning commissions bring residents to the table to help keep our city special. The legislature’s effort to erode local control is concerning because it will eventually homogenize all communities.”
The bill received support from a number of builder advocate groups and some municipalities: the Arizona Chapter of NAIOP; Arizona Chamber of Commerce; Arizona Multihousing Association; the cities of Goodyear, Glendale, Buckeye, Maricopa; the town of Queen Creek; Home Builders Association of Central Arizona; and League of Arizona Cities and Towns.
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