Back in the day when I first moved to the Valley in 1981, Lincoln Drive was the end of the earth. Nobody lived “way up there” and the landmark Marriott Camelback Inn was one of only a few resorts here.The article published by the Arizona Republic recently gives us a sense of what is to come. With smaller residential infill projects taking up intersections in North Scottsdale, we wonder what might be in the works for the expanse of desert acreage remaining aside from the 46 square mile McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Here are a few tidbits from the article:
1000 acres of raw land have already been earmarked for over eight new projects north of Thompson Peak Parkway. These are the key proposals under review or in process now, according to the Arizona Republic Article by Parker Leavitt & Tom Tingle:
- “Plans for a 443-house subdivision called Storyrock on what might be the area’s last large tract of privately owned desert at 128th Street and Ranch Gate Road, near Tom’s Thumb Trailhead. Zoning was approved in 2014. Construction could begin within 12 to 18 months, with prices expected to range from $795,000 to $1.3 million.
- A higher-density neighborhood with 190 houses and an 18-hole golf course near Pima and Cave Creek roads, on the southern end of the Desert Mountain community. The project will require City Council approval.
- A commercial project called the Outpost, at Pima Road and Dynamite Boulevard, expected to include a grocery store, hardware store and restaurant. The City Council approved zoning last year.
- A 50-lot subdivision on 58 acres at Pima Road and Los Gatos Drive. Zoning was approved last year, and construction started recently. [This is White Horse by Camelot and will be similar to Bocara, their enclave just north of Scottsdale Road & Pinnacle Peak.
- Plans by GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons to build an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and villas on about 370 acres near Rio Verde Drive and 118th Street. The City Council approved a plot for the project in February, but the Development Review Board has not yet approved site plans and architectural designs.”
4000 acres of State Trust land has gained approval for higher density zoning including 5000 homes and 76 acres of resort property:
- This has already been divided into 10 master planned parcels; two of these lots located at the northeast corner of Pima & Dynamite will be up for auction next month. Although these areas are residentially zoned, they could be purchased by the city to add to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve acreage.
- The additional acreage remaining is zoned residential as well except for two sites reserved for resort accommodations (SE corner of Scottsdale & Jomax, and east of Pima near Legend Trail.
We will keep an eye on all of this and see how things unfold as the desert preservancy and real estate development discussions continue.
Source: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
