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Successes

Coalition of Greater Scottsdale > Who We Are > Successes

COGS POSITIONS and SUCCESSES ON MAJOR ISSUES

Prop 490 Passes with Overwhelming Support – A Win for Preservation, Parks, and Public Safety
In the November 2024 General Election, Scottsdale voters approved Prop 490 by a wide 69% margin, securing 30 years of dedicated funding for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, city parks and open spaces, and vital public safety projects. The proposition ensures long-term support for maintenance, staffing, and capital equipment—critical for fire prevention and the protection of Scottsdale’s natural resources. COGS played an active role in the campaign, going door-to-door with informational flyers, speaking at neighborhood and senior centers, and placing signs throughout the city to inform and engage voters. This community-backed measure reflects Scottsdale’s commitment to responsible stewardship and public safety.

Prop 491 Passes – Unlocking Voter-Approved Funds for City Use
Scottsdale voters approved Prop 491 in the November 2024 General Election, raising the city’s outdated 18-year-old budget ceiling to allow City Council to spend the revenues already collected. This adjustment does not raise taxes—it simply gives the city the authority to use existing funds to meet today’s service and infrastructure needs. COGS actively supported the proposition by placing signs in public right-of-ways, speaking at public and neighborhood meetings, and informing voters through the COGS newsletter. The passage of Prop 491 ensures that Scottsdale can responsibly invest in its community without artificial spending limits.

Asher Hills Park 18-UP-2021/51-DR-2021 – Original design and high activities are not Neighborhood Park and are more Community Park which permits increased car traffic, and parking lot and sport court lighting issue. Council decision on final plan includes: (1) moving sport courts to southern boundary by Target complex (2) lowering light poles (3) potential city light 10 pm shutdown variance for this park (4) moving the ingress away from the blind curve. The HOA groups were well-organized and did an excellent presentation to the council in July 2022. A COGS member was a leader in the neighborhood work.

Greenbelt-88 15-ZN-2020 COGS worked for many months with a well-organized neighborhood group called Safeguard Scottsdale. Some of their requests that improved the project were in the final plan. We supported increased step-backs from the Greenbelt, removal of cantilevered apartments over the walkway, and reduced height and density. Council added a reduction of 30% of the 4th floor and the revised plan passed 5-2. Our membership was split on support/nonsupport so at the February 2022 council meeting COGS was “neutral”.
UPDATE 2024  The owner decided not to build this project and Uncle Sal’s, UPS Store and other businesses remain.  Big 5 was replaced by Harbor Freight.

Parking Code update 2021 City staff reports summarize that there is sufficient downtown parking available—just not where needed. COGS has worked with and supported the leaders in the Arts District to upgrade the parking requirements citywide for new projects. Under-parked projects use public spaces needed for our merchants and public. Important increases in requirements for various project land uses was approved by city council 6-1 vote on 5.18.2021

Closure of Scottsdale Road south of Indian School Road for events
COGS supports the Downtown businesses and property owners to oppose any closures of Scottsdale Road.  The loss of parking spaces and transit into their shop areas would be detrimental to revenue. Competing street markets are not revenue generators for established merchants.

Historic/western lighting fixtures and benches The Historic Old Town Association was supported in negotiating with the city staff/administration to replace street lights with appropriate historic/western fixtures. Overhead street bulb night lighting has been added and the wooden benches will be replaced.  A COGS Board member is President of the Old Town Merchants’ Association and chairs the area Historic Old Town Architecture Committee.

NWC Scottsdale Rd & Dixileta 15-ZN-2019 and 2-AB-2020 Rezoned desert acreage from R1-70 to R1-43 with an original request of 17 lots. COGS concerns included excessive lot request, walls between homes that deterred wildlife and water runoff, and maintenance of the Scenic Corridor and trails. Council approved 7-0 with reduction to 14 lots, height from 32ft to 24ft on homes and changes to setbacks from roadways.

Other Successes:

  • Win: Desert Discovery Center stopped – COGS helped defeat Preserve development with 37,000 signatures and a public vote.

  • Win: Bronco Trail zoning preserved – COGS backed neighbors to stop small-lot rezoning. Camelot kept original zoning.

  • Win: 128th St closed to public – COGS opposed a public road through the Preserve “neck.” Council approved emergency-only access.

  • Win: 2019 Bond passed – COGS supported the bond and served on citizen working groups. Voters approved.
  • Win: Sherwood Heights zoning protected – COGS backed neighbors to stop lot splits and limit building height. Council approved.
  • Win: Dispensary withdrew near school –COGS organized opposition to a distance waiver. Applicant dropped the request.
  • Win: Code violations finally enforced – COGS backed neighbors. A fine was issued, and no-parking signs were installed.
  • Win: Estates on Hayden approved – COGS supported low density and 40% open space on sensitive land.
  • Win: Gentry on the Green moves forward – COGS backed this 25-acre project with 36% open space and bike paths.
  • Win: Lot 10 project revised – COGS opposed the original. A smaller hotel/retail plan was approved.
  • Win: Veterans’ Commission created – COGS supported veterans-only appointments. Passed 7-0.
  • Loss: RockBar lease approved – COGS documented misuse of city alley. Lease and permit still granted.
  • Win: Tourism directory cover improved – COGS pushed for family-friendly images. New covers reflect Scottsdale.
  • Win: Camelot rezoning withdrawn – COGS backed neighbors. Developer pulled the gated, high-density plan.

  • Win: Chaparral Commons across from the high school removed its 4th floor.

  • Win: The majority of the amendments INCLUDING MANDATORY were approved for the IECC,IRC ( 5 to 2 Caputi and Milhaven no) and IBC.

  • Win: Shadow Ridge North was withdrawn when COGS bullet pointed all the failures to comply with the Rural Neighborhood standards.

  • Win: The Kiva is nominated for a Historic Designation.

  • Win: Fiesta Bar to be built across form the Best Western on Camelback Rd has to include a 3 foot vertical glass or plexiglass sound barrier facing Camelback Road.

  • Win: Crown Castle can’t build its 60 plus foot wifi tower at the Sunrise Sonoran church.

  • Win: 128th street through the neck of the Preserve will be closed to public traffic and an emergency gate only for fire/police access.

  • Win:  Most of our recommendations were incorporated into the General Plan 2035…only loss (and a big one) was to protect Rural land category.

  • Win:  The front cover of the city’s Tourism booklet was changed from sexually charged set of images to a family running through the desert.

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