In the heart of Scottsdale, Arizona, a battle is brewing between neighbors and the Westin Kierland Resort, with a golf course at the center of it all. The resort's ambitious plan to rezone one of its golf courses for residential development has sparked a fierce debate, pitting community preservation against progress.
The Golf Course Conundrum
The Westin Kierland Resort, a renowned destination in Scottsdale, has proposed a rezoning application to transform one of its three golf courses into a residential area. This move, dubbed the Copper Residences Planned Unit Development, aims to bring homes, townhouses, condos, or apartments to the 9-hole Mesquite Golf Course. However, this proposal has ignited a passionate response from the local community.
A Fight for Open Space
Neighbors like Mark LaPalm, a resident of Kierland for two decades, are leading the charge against the rezoning. They argue that the golf courses are integral to the community's identity and way of life. LaPalm emphasizes the importance of open spaces, stating, "One of the reasons that drew me to this area is that I loved the open space."
The residents feel they were sold a vision of a master-planned community surrounded by golf courses, and they are not willing to let go of that promise easily. LaPalm questions the integrity of master plans, wondering aloud, "What good is a master plan if anyone can come and just trash it 30 years later?"
Community Resistance
The neighbors have organized a formidable resistance. They've created T-shirts, launched a website, and are actively gathering petition signatures. Banners and signs throughout the Kierland area showcase their determination to protect their community's character.
Host Hotel & Resorts, the property owner, has declined to provide details on their revised plan, stating their commitment to water conservation, trails, and open space in the proposed development. However, the neighbors remain unconvinced, believing that the golf courses are an essential part of the community's fabric and should be preserved.
The Road Ahead
The rezoning application is still in the early stages, with hearings and recommendations from planning committees and commissions yet to come. The final decision rests with the Phoenix City Council, and the process is expected to take several months.
LaPalm and his fellow residents vow to be present at every step, determined to protect the community they call home. This battle highlights the delicate balance between development and community preservation, leaving us with a deeper question: In the pursuit of progress, how much are we willing to sacrifice the essence of our neighborhoods?
