Scottsdale Citizens Against Mass Desert Development
... but oh my desert, yours is the only death I cannot bear
Resisting Overdevelopment
At SCAMDD, we're deeply concerned about the accelerating pace of development in North Scottsdale. North Scottsdale’s unique value lies in its open desert character, low-density neighborhoods, and preserved natural landscapes - qualities now under significant threat. The State of Arizona is auctioning State Lands at an alarming rate. It is rumored that the State will soon auction off the last 4,000 acres that were once earmarked to be part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The State's need for more funds should not drive Scottsdale's development decisions.
North Scottsdale is home to fragile and ecologically important stretches of the Sonoran Desert. Expanding development risks irreversible habitat loss and the permanent erosion of the rural desert character that Scottsdale residents and visitors cherish. Once natural desert is replaced with rooftops, pavement, and grading, the ecosystem cannot be restored. Protecting this land is an environmental duty and a core component of Scottsdale’s identity.
(The quote above is from Richard Shelton, known as "the poet laureate of the Sonoran Desert.")
The Current Threat
Plans for thousands of houses along North Pima Road
Since 2021, the Lyle Anderson Company (LAC) and the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) have been planning the development of 2,222 acres on the east side of Pima Road, south of Carefree. The current zoning allows for over 3,600 houses on this land.
In addition to destruction of the fragile desert ecosystem, such a development threatens to bring additional construction and vehicle traffic to an already-congested section of Pima Road, increased demand on Scottsdale's water resources, and negative impacts on the lifestyle of current residents.
But the most important impact may be to Scottsdale's tourism revenue. If visitors don't see the Sonoran Desert as they drive north, what distinguishes Scottsdale from any other sunbelt city?
See The Threat page for more...
Support Our Fight to Protect the Desert
Join us in opposing harmful residential development in Scottsdale. Your donation will help us cover legal expenses and strengthen our efforts to preserve the Sonoran Desert ecosystem. Together, we can make a difference for our community and future generations.