Your Words Are Your Bonds: Traffic School for Scottsdale’s Leadership

By JOHN POLICH The Arizona Republic, Scottsdale Republic, Jan. 9, 2016

A few days before Scottsdale taxpayers voted for or against new bond obligations in November, City Hall launched two trial balloons that may have affected that vote and definitely will affect the future of the West’s Most Western Town.

First, there was the proposal to improve traffic on Scottsdale Road BY NARROWING IT to one lane each way in the downtown shopping area. Please explain that to me again.

Second, there was the proposal to improve traffic on Chaparral Road BY WIDENING IT to two lanes each way. This would sacrifice an historically quiet and protected residential area to the appetites of merchants and landlords surrounding Fashion Square.

Bumper to Bumper on Chaparral Road Dec. 12 2015 with
heavy truck in "Strictly Enforced" No Trucks zone of 50
residential driveways. Photo Copyright (c) John Polich 2015

The city floated these ideas with indifference or ignorance of the convoluted history of these stretches of blacktop. Scottsdale Road has suffered several indignities at the hands of lawmakers. These included a bizarre realignment at the failed original Galleria, later undone, and the mis-named “express” bypasses that direct speeding traffic through the calm of the Civic Center on the East and the congestion of Fashion Square and new high-density apartments on the West.

CHAPARRAL ROAD BECAME A COMMUTER HIGHWAY

There is a connection between the tortuous Scottsdale Road bypasses and Chaparral Road traffic. This resulted from the decision of an earlier City Council and state officials to place Loop 101 on/off ramps at Chaparral Road rather than Camelback Road. Apparently this was done because there once were schools along Camelback Road, but the decision ignored the undeniable fact that Chaparral Road dead-ends at Camelback Mountain.

Scottsdale’s solution was to divert westbound traffic from Loop 101 along residential Chaparral Road until it reaches Scottsdale Road and a S-curve bottleneck to the “express” bypass. Thus, Chaparral Road has become a highway serving commuters and Fashion Square shoppers at the expense of residents. Police clocked at least one driver over 70 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone. That zone between Hayden Road and Miller Road includes about 50 residential driveways of the Villa Monterey subdivision, listed on the Scottsdale Historic Register.

PROPOSAL COLLIDES WITH HISTORIC DISTRICT

The proposal to double lanes and therefore multiply vehicles and noise on Chaparral would obviously subvert the intent of the Scottsdale Historic Register and potentially lead to endless lawsuits by residents and preservationists. The expansion would be only a transitory boon to area businesses because the density would eventually drive away shoppers who cannot find a convenient route or a parking space.

Very Few Cars on Roosevelt St. Dec. 12 2015 with
"Traffic Calming" along about 50 residential driveways.
Photo Copyright (c) 2015 John Polich

But it would be a long-term disaster for residents because the chockablock construction encouraged by the City Council around Fashion Square will create unprecedented traffic congestion and demands on infrastructure, from utilities to first responders who are already stretched to tame the entertainment district.

Solution: Force westbound through traffic from Chaparral along Hayden to Camelback Road and then west to Fashion Square, the entertainment and arts districts, and beyond..

And Chaparral? Preserve two lanes between Hayden and Miller, place intrusive traffic calming medians and bumps, erect a stop sign at 78th St., cut the speed limit to 25 from 30 miles per hour. This would mimic the successful implementation on Roosevelt St. between Miller and Scottsdale Roads, which coincidentally has roughly 50 residential driveways.

The City Council will make itself proud by stepping back and remembering it is Scottsdale's roots that attract commerce and not vice versa.