Planning commission recommends amended 2‑story independent‑living project at Dynamite and Alma School to city council

The Scottsdale Planning Commission voted to recommend approval to City Council of a revised development plan for the Artessa Tuzian project at Dynamite and Alma School, asking that the council consider the applicant’s recent change that removes a third story and reduces the residential component to 47 units.

The commission’s recommendation, approved after debate and a failed initial motion, forwards the zoning map amendment and updated development plan to City Council “as amended based on the applicant’s changes,” per the motion that passed on a roll‑call vote.

Staff planner Jeff Barnes told commissioners the 22.26‑acre site is currently zoned Planned Community Center (PCC) with the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) overlay and that the request is for a plan‑shared development overlay and updated development plan. “The request before you tonight … is a recommendation to City Council for approval, zoning district map amendment … on this 22.26 acre site,” Barnes said, describing existing commercial uses at the site’s frontages and an undeveloped rear portion the applicant proposes to redevelop as residential.

Applicant representative Susan Bitter…