100 down to 88?

The request by Five Star Development to reduce the number of high-density condo-like duplex units at the Five Star Development's Ritz-Carlton Residences project from the Town Council and Planning Commission approved number of 100 units down to 88 units only proves the fallibility of the approval process. How much less dense should the project be made? Commissioner Lou Werner reminded the applicant that the commission was told the project had to have 100 patio homes in order to make it work. Both Council and Commission fell for this developer kool-aid. The result will be a project we fear the Town will ultimately regret. First Montelucia at the corner of Lincoln and Tatum and now this. We have it on good source that there were serious objections to fire safety problems posed by the building density during the Planning Commission review. Commission Chairman Dolf Strom said the current project approved unanimously by both the commission and the Paradise Valley Town Council met all of the town's safety requirements but even the applicant had to concede that the changes would result in a safer project. Here again, the approval process is not perfect. Will this change make it safe enough?We regret the decision to allow this project to go forward but POP did not lose the decision on Prop. 411, sadly the high priced lobbyists paid for entirely by Five Star bought it. At $150,000, Five Star outspent POP by about 15 to 1. Remember that 2166 voters opposed the project, more than it has taken to elect a Town Councilman. In 2004 Indian Bend Road west of Scottsdale Road carried 19,600 vehicles per day. The Scottsdale Transportation Department estimates that the traffic volume will increase to approximately 25,000 to 30,000 by 2020. With the coming of the high-rise 250 room "Edition Hotel" on the southwest corner of Indian Bend and Scottsdale Road there is a good probability heavy traffic will be siphoned off into Paradise Valley further compounding problems created by the Five Star project.The Paradise Valley Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Dec. 2 in order to render a judgment on the developer's request. We hope concerned citizens will attend to voice opinions.

Five Star Wants a Change

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 6 P.M.

Town Planning Commission meeting.

Five Star Development/Ritz-Carlton Residences requests reducing the number of patio homes from 100 down to 88.
Find out why

POP remains mobilized in an effort to safeguard the values of the Town of Paradise Valley. We need your help.
Thank you for helping Preserve Our Paradise. Let's not become Paradise Lost.
Find us on the Web at www.pvpop.org