Petitioners urge parking study before garage is built near Old Adobe Mission; council directs staff to investigate

Steve Sutton delivered a petition — he said approximately 95% of approached residents signed — asking the Scottsdale City Council to conduct a parking study before the city spends millions to build a parking garage at the corral across from the Old Adobe Mission in Old Town Scottsdale.

Sutton said the 2019 bond language provides funds for public parking facilities generally but “does not require building parking structures in Old Town Scottsdale” and does not specify a garage location. He told the council his research of city materials over 25 years shows the proposed garage is not supported by scientific study. “The petition provides the city council an opportunity to do what is reasonable and wise,” Sutton said.

Mayor Lisa Borowski proposed directing the city manager to agendize the petition for further discussion; Vice Mayor Jan De Boskus and several council members then moved an alternate procedural action to direct the city manager to investigate the matter and prepare a written response to the council and the petitioner. The alternate motion passed.

Council members said the issue had arisen repeatedly and that a staff review or report would be helpful to provide updated data and clarify whether bond language or other obligations require a garage at that particular site. City staff will investigate and prepare a written response to the petitioners and the council as directed.