Courtesy photo Cave Creek officials issued a cease and desist order to T.C. Thorstenson this week as the area cleared for cars pictured above was more than allowed. (Click picture for full size image)

One man’s junk is another’s treasure by Brian DiTullio CAVE CREEK – Anna Marsolo sees 10 acres of “pristine desert” being destroyed. T.C. Thorstenson sees 10 acres of blight being cleaned up to benefit the town. Marsolo, a community activist, said last week she discovered Thorstenson, a local businessman, blading his property along the south side of Cave Creek Road, just west of the Buffalo Chip Saloon, in the town core. She related that when she approached him, Thorstenson claimed he was cleaning up the area and turning part of the commercially zoned property into a parking lot. “I fear the few standing trees and cactus left from his blade will die also, as motor oil (etc.) drip and travel upon the root systems do their damage,” said Marsolo in a Feb. 17 e‑mail.

Thorstenson explained on Monday that illegal aliens had been living on the property and that he regularly has been taking out “dumpsters” of trash from the site.

“I can’t tell you how much trash I removed from that property,” he said, noting he’s hauled out junked cars, toilet paper rolls and beer cans.

While not denying he had been blading the area to create a parking lot, Thorstenson stated he thought the area he was blading was less than 500 square feet, which doesn’t require a permit, according to town code. However, Cave Creek Director of Planning Ian Cordwell said it was determined the area being bladed was greater than 500 square feet and a cease and desist order was issued.

Thorstenson said he now has applied for the required permits and Cordwell related the application is being processed.

“I got (the property) to where the city can use it,” said Thorstenson. “I think, in my opinion, that’s pretty productive.”

According to Thorstenson, he wants to eventually put an artgallery on the site, but he says more than 35 percent of the land will remain “green” after it is fully developed.