SCOTTSDALE – City Council members were so impressed by the "green" building standards of a proposed condominium project Tuesday they suggested that all developers consider using them.
"Green building should be expected, maybe even required," Councilman Tony Nelssen said.
The water- and energy-conscious quality of buildings failed to impress all the future neighbors of the Condos @ Hayden, a 42-unit development planned for a site behind the Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 3110 N. Hayden Rd.
Several of them complained that the project was too dense for the 1.82-acre site and the contemporary glass-and-steel buildings too jarring to the older, stucco neighborhood.
"We just want to preserve our quality of life," neighbor Marti McVey said.
The majority of council members disagreed, saying that the project was in a neighborhood already densely developed with commercial and multifamily housing.
The council voted 5-2 to approve the plans but asked that the Development Review Board be conscious of neighbors’ concerns when considering the design.
Councilmen Bob Littlefield and Nelssen voted against the proposal, arguing that it would have too much impact on traffic.
Councilwoman Betty Drake – who supported the project with Mayor Mary Manross and Councilmen Jim Lane, Ron McCullagh and Wayne Ecton – said she would like the council to consider a policy requiring green development with new buildings.
Lesley Wright
The Arizona Republic
