Council agrees to review DRB approval for BB Living at Cabezon after neighbors and vice mayor raise design concerns

Scottsdale City Council on May 6 voted to initiate a formal review of the Development Review Board’s April 17 approval for BB Living at Cabezon, a proposed townhome community, after Vice Mayor Jan De Boscas and other council members raised concerns that the approved design did not fit North Scottsdale’s character.

Vice Mayor De Boscas said the submitted elevations appeared “cookie-cutter” and more appropriate to other markets rather than North Scottsdale; she told council the applicant had since expressed willingness to revise the design to better match local architectural character and neighboring development such as Greyhawk. Councilman Barry Graham and others said the council has statutory authority to request review of DRB decisions and that using that authority on a project that may be reworked could produce a better outcome for the neighborhood.

Councilwoman Solange Whitehead said she generally prefers the DRB process be used to resolve design matters but acknowledged the applicant’s willingness to revise plans. After discussion a motion to initiate formal city council review was moved and seconded and the council approved the request to reconsider the DRB decision; staff said the item will be scheduled for a regularly scheduled council meeting at least 30 days after the motion to review the matter.

Council members said the review is intended to allow focused consideration of architecture, colors and other design elements and to encourage a final plan that better fits North Scottsdale’s character. The applicant and staff were directed to coordinate updated design materials for the council’s review.