Developers just don’t get it

A hearty thank you to reporter Brian DiTullio for his story “Residents object to rezoning near Cave Creek town core” (Aug. 31). Mr. DiTullio was the only local reporter to give any attention to what occurred at the Aug. 20 public hearing regarding properties classified as desert rural residential zoning in the town core.

Community zoning codes separate land uses and densities that are incompatible with one another. From this action we get a “sense of place” and a distinctive character of a community is protected. Some are coming to Cave Creek who wish to change that distinctive character for “glitzy and upscale” instead of “rustic charm and quirky.” T.C. Thorstenson is one such person.

Mr. Thorstenson told those present at that meeting that he loves Cave Creek. He wants to upzone the former Terry property from sacred desert rural residential zoning to commercial for a WestWorld‑type arena. (T.C. moved from Scottsdale to Cave Creek just after successfully

getting the Scottsdale Council to upzone his 10‑acre ranch in the “Cactus horsey corridor” to allow for many houses without horses.) T.C. says Cave Creek has much traffic, and many visitors and not enough parking for cars. His solution is to bring in more by converting two houses into a public space so he can strut his stuff, shoot guns and make money on his 5.54 acres. T.C. told the group that growth is coming and before long, the 5‑acre parcels we all enjoy will be rezoned to one acre or less anyway. T.C. says that’s inevitable.

Maybe Mr. Thorstenson believes he is in Hicksville and fails to see that residents here have always been hesitant to approve town core rezoning for fear of losing our funky ambiance and wonderful quality of life. He ignores the fact that his 5.54 acres has been the target of several attempts at upzoning–all of which failed. Additionally in 1999, the owners of the residential land directly behind Harold’s also tried to upzone to build an upscale resort hotel. At the end of the day, that attempt failed too.

The Town Core Plan and the General Plan may show this 5.54 acres as "appropriate for more intensity,” but seven out of seven American Planners all held firm in conversations that the site should remain within the requirements of the underlying zoning, which is low‑density desert rural residential. The Core Plan and General Plan are simply guidelines, like an architect’s drawings, where changes can be made for additions or deletions at any time. It is time

to take away those words "appropriate for more intensity” which have caused more turmoil and battles, and should no longer be tolerated.

Cave Creek’s Planning and Zoning Commissioners are ready to listen and are holding a public hearing on Sept. 20, at 7 p.m.. How many ways can you say no and how many times? Do it again. Attend this meeting and speak out. We must, because as Cave Creek fights to keep it’s character, which is best described as a range from funky to eclectic, the developers, like Mr. Thorstenson, just don’t get it. They don’t have a sense of where they are; not in Scottsdale, not in Phoenix. They are in Cave Creek.

Anna Marsolo
Cave Creek