Tempe residents oppose Shalimar Golf Course rezoning, raise broader concerns that developer renderings differ from finished buildings

Several Tempe residents urged the City Council on Tuesday to reject rezoning plans for the Shalimar Golf Course and asked the council and staff to ensure that developer renderings shown at approval time match completed projects.

The comments came during the public‑appearance portion of the Tempe City Council meeting. Residents said a proposed change to allow dense, rental housing on the former Shalimar Golf Course would increase traffic and disturb wildlife, and one speaker pressed council members for direct feedback about apparent differences between council‑level renderings and built projects elsewhere in the city.

Shawna Mathias, a Tempe resident, said she opposes “the rezoning of the Shalimar Golf Course, specifically for the high density and heavily weighted rental units,” and warned planners that the developer’s plan includes “the addition of over 1,000 parking spots alone.” Mathias said Gulf Avenue, one of the likely access streets, “is a very busy street as it is” and that thousands of additional vehicle trips would harm neighborhood livability and safety for children.

Erica Gregory, also a Tempe resident and former Shalimar employee, told the council the site supports wildlife and that “if the rezoning goes through and they build a apartment complex, you know, all that's gonna have to go.” She said the neighborhood’s character and longtime residents would be harmed by a high‑rise rental project.

Deborah Zajac, a 30‑year North Tempe resident, broadened the comments to question whether developers’ public renderings match final construction. Zajac cited two recent projects she said differ from published renderings — a project formerly referred to as Banyan (now called North Bend) and the Smith Rio project at Tempe Market Station — and said, “what is presented and what is being built don't match.” She asked for a one‑on‑one meeting to review specific examples; Mayor Woods asked staff to follow up and staff indicated they would meet with her.

None of the speakers cited an active rezoning ordinance or vote at the meeting; the comments were part of the council’s public‑appearance period. Council members did not take public action on Shalimar rezoning during the session.

What happened next: Mayor Woods closed the public comments portion after the submitted cards were read and moved to the consent agenda and other business. Staff indicated they would follow up with Zajac to discuss her concerns about renderings.

Why it matters: Rezoning land from recreational to higher‑density residential can change traffic flows, demand for public services and neighborhood character. Residents asked the council both to hear their neighborhood safety concerns about a planned increase in vehicle trips and to clarify what standards the city uses to ensure public renderings align with final construction.

Looking ahead: The council did not vote on any rezoning at this meeting. Residents seeking changes or council responses must monitor future agenda postings and may request the matter be placed on an upcoming agenda.