Councilwoman Peggy Neely's
Tatum Sun Times Column

September 2006

Protecting Our Scenic Corridors

As one of the fastest growing parts of the United States, our Valley is faced with a unique set of opportunities and challenges. One of them is ensuring that the character and attributes of an area are not lost as a result of growth. Creating and maintaining a “sense of place” is vital for growing communities as they aim to be unique and special locations to live, work and play.

To meet these crucial goals, Phoenix is moving ahead with an ambitious plan to expand our officially designated Scenic Corridors in north Phoenix. The planning will preserve more of the desert that we all enjoy in our more-traveled areas and serve as a reminder to visitors and residents alike that they are in the Sonoran Desert.

Our current Scenic Corridors along portions of Scottsdale Road, Pinnacle Peak Road, Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway – all designated by the City Council – are subject to some guidelines. But as of now, there is no cohesive set of regulations ensuring that new developments in our most scenic areas are sensitive to the beautiful views and the rural character of these areas.

The design guidelines being prepared represent a comprehensive approach to addressing development issues within Scenic Corridors in north Phoenix, which includes almost all of District 2.

Areas within our district that would receive the special Scenic Corridor designation, in addition to those streets already designated, are Happy Valley Road between Cave Creek Road and the Central Arizona Project Canal and three planned roadways, the Sonoran Parkway, Dove Valley Road and Lone Mountain Road. Also, the Carefree Highway between I-17 and the western city limits would be included.

Developers along these routes would have to maintain deeper building setbacks from the streets, limit the height and use of buildings, provide some open spaces, landscape with native plants and materials, build fewer driveways and smaller parking lots, and limit light sources and signage.

As the areas develop, the proposed design guidelines would preserve much more of the desert, the visual impact of the developments would be minimized and the area along the roads would appear as an extension of the desert. In addition, areas that have been adversely impacted either by people or nature would be returned to their natural setting, by reshaping the topography and planting new native vegetation.

While we only are in the early stages of developing the new guidelines, we already are working on setting up public meetings where residents of the community can learn details of the proposal and offer their comments and suggestions. Residents who live near the target areas will be receiving letters from the city in September explaining the plan and providing information about the upcoming meetings and you can always contact my office for more information.

By working closely together, we can assure that future developments in areas that are certain to see new growth become an extension of the unique desert within our midst and do not diminish its beauty.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which includes most of northeast Phoenix. She can be reached at 602-262-7445 or through e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.