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Neighbors urge Tempe council to oppose rezoning of Shalimar Golf Course
Summary
Scores of Tempe residents urged the City Council to reject rezoning of the 44-acre Shalimar Golf Course, citing traffic, infrastructure strain, loss of green space and property-value impacts. Residents said the developer’s revised plan (reduced from 396 to 244 units) still poses risks to the neighborhood.
Dozens of Tempe residents told the City Council at public comment that they oppose rezoning the 44-acre Shalimar Golf Course for higher-density housing, arguing the change would worsen traffic, strain aging infrastructure and permanently destroy neighborhood green space.
"Please, no rezoning," longtime resident Nathan Beaver told the council, urging officials to protect the neighborhood character rather than approve changes that he said would "eviscerate" the community. Several speakers described narrow driveways and sight-line problems near existing walls and said denser housing would increase traffic on Balboa, Alameda, Clark Drive and Aspen.
Lauren Whitaker, who said she has owned a home in Shalimar for more than 25 years, told councilmembers the developer reduced the proposed density from 396 units to 244 but that the revised plan would still place about 5.4 dwelling units per acre and feature a concentration of rentals. "With 70 to 75% of the development planned as rentals and no assurances against institutional investor purchasing, this project would shift the balance of our neighborhood," she said, and added concerns about collapsing sewer lines, failing pavement and the loss of hundreds of mature trees and irrigated lawn that residents rely on for cooling and habitat.
Other residents emphasized social and recreational benefits of the golf course. Steve Norris and others recounted fundraising and youth programs tied to the course and said the site contributes to community cohesion. Speakers repeatedly called on the council to protect property values and the community’s quality of life.
The comments were part of the meeting’s "call to the public" segment; no formal zoning action was taken during tonight’s session. Several residents asked the council to preserve the site’s open space and require that any development not overload aging neighborhood infrastructure before any rezoning is approved.
The council did not vote on the rezoning during this meeting; the city’s next regular council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2026.
