A Tale of Two Cities...on rezoning and greed

Actually, it is a tale of one city, Phoenix. As Alan Stephenson, City of Phoenix Planner III wrote on October 19, 2006, “The proposed commercial (Cave Creek/Carefree Road) rezoning is inconsistent with the City of Phoenix’s long‑term plans for the area south of Carefree Highway.” Of course it is “inconsistent,” the City of Phoenix wants all the stores and all the sales tax revenue! 

Then on January 18, 2007, Alan’s boss, Debra Wilkins Stark, City of Phoenix Planning Director wrote, “Phoenix Planning staff is opposed to the amount of acres that are designated for commercial development. It does not appear as if there will be enough residential population within the trade area to support the amount of commercial acreage requested.” Has this self‑serving Phoenix view stopped Phoenix from their rampant commercial development of this area? Hardly.  

The little Town of Cave Creek vs. the huge City of Phoenix is only seeking our opportunity to establish a retail setting and architectural style of our own choosing with a sales tax revenue income we need to assure our future.  

Ms. Stark further writes about Phoenix’s concerns about maintaining a rural “large‑lot” lifestyle, yet they continue to encourage and approve big box commercial development with signage and lighting that impacts all of us who love the dark skies. Her comments are such a self‑serving tale, they are almost fodder for amusement.

A “tale of two cities” building design standards are easily compared with two gas stations: one at Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway which is in Cave Creek, and the other at 48th Street and Carefree Highway in Phoenix. How much more illuminating an example would Phoenix like to show us on their caring about their commercial development?

Bob Moore
Cave Creek