Airport panel rejects Axon plan

Jan. 21—Though it may prove a nonlethal blow, Taser-maker Axon's plans for a live-work "campus" in North Scottsdale received a hard slap to the face Jan. 17.

Hopes the billion-dollar giant had for a quick approval were reversed by the Airport Advisory Commission's seven volunteers — who unanimously rejected Axon's rezoning request.

Several commissioners made the case that Axon's plan to build nearly 2,000 apartments and a hotel would not just be an intrusive nuisance to the neighbors who are protesting it — but an existential threat to the Scottsdale Airport.

Though the giant's plans were hardly killed, the "Davids" who live near Axon celebrated what they feel was a stinging stone slung by the commission.

The airport commission has no regulatory power, merely making a "recommendation" for subsequent commissions that will be involved in Axon's long path to rezoning.

Even so, this was a stumbled start to Axon's ambitious plans to bring a slice of Silicon Valley to Scottsdale.

In his pitch for a live-work-eat "campus," Axon attorney Charles Huellmantel tipped his cap to California-based mammoths: "You've probably heard about Apple and Google doing similar things."

Good for them, ruled the seven airport commissioners — Charles McDermott, Peter Mier, April Beauboeuf, Ken Casey, Michael Goode, David Reid and John Spalj — but not in our house.

Located around 4 miles from the Scottsdale Airpark, Axon's current headquarters and adjacent empty land came before the commission as it — as well as other former state land in the area — is in the Greater Airpark Area.

The Scottsdale-headquartered powerhouse purchased land near the Loop 101 and Hayden Road with originally-announced plans to expand its office.

Founded by Scottsdale native Rick Smith, Axon is a global powerhouse. Last year, it rang up sales estimated at $1.5 billion for its "nonlethal" stun guns and police body cameras.

Huellmantel emphasized to the airport commission Axon is growing fast, with a "problem" of attracting workers.

Axon is headquartered next to the undeveloped 74 acres Axon bought in 2020 for $49 million.

That land is zoned for industrial use.

Last spring, Axon shocked its Stonebrook neighbors with plans for some 2,000 apartment units and a hotel in addition to the office expansion.

But before it can build four apartment buildings and a hotel, Axon must have its land use reclassified by the city.

Armed with a letter from the state giving it permission to seek rezoning from the city, Axon last week began a long journey toward its goal of building five-story apartments where its employees and others can live, as well as a similarly-tall hotel.

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, Axon will make its request to the Scottsdale Planning Commission, followed by a not-yet-scheduled plea to City Council.

Subsequent city government meetings will carry the weight of the Airport Advisory Commission's not-on-our-watch ruling.

After a brief presentation from the Axon attorney, several residents of the adjoining Stonebrook neighborhood called on the commission to reject Axon's "invasive and intrusive" plans.

They cited concerns that the apartment residents would create a traffic nightmare.

While Stonebrook residents worried about noise the Axon development would create, commissioners saw it a different way: Axon apartment dwellers incessantly complaining about airplane noise.

Spalj led the way.

After coming up with an estimated number of residents the 2,000 Axon apartments would house, Spalj insisted "we have a potential for 4,000 people to complain."

He pointed to Santa Monica, where the city's airport was closed after persistent noise complaints by neighbors.

"And I think multifamily housing — this density — threatens the long-term viability of this airport," Spalj said.

"These 4,000 people are going to generate a whole lot of problems for this airport over time," the commissioner concluded.

Huellmantel's counter that Axon would use high-quality building materials to reduce noise from low-flying planes fell on deaf ears, so to speak.

The Axon attorney also stressed apartment dwellers would have to sign waivers of some sort acknowledging they understand they are in the flight path.

"Sounds good in theory — but then when you get wakened up at 6 a.m.," Casey suggested.

A jet plane's engine revving from a plane taxiing just outside the Scottsdale Airport Aviation Business Center underscored his concerns.

Huellmantel appealed to the commissioners: "Our main problem we have in expanding is there is a housing issue. We're asking you to let us solve our own problem ...We have to grow. And we have to figure out how to do that."

Figure out a different way, the airport commission essentially said in its unanimous rejection.

Susan McGarry, the Stonebrook HOA president, and her neighbor Lisa Kotler were almost giddy after the meeting.

"We are very pleased with the airport commission's recommendation to deny this rezoning request," McGarry said.

"A development of this magnitude and density is incompatible with the surrounding area — and especially so with our 174-single-family home well-established community that is immediately adjacent."

McGarry and Kotler were hopeful the Planning Commission will understand their concerns about Axon apartment dwellers and hotel guests being able to see into their backyards and living rooms — and the traffic that McGarry said "would flood our neighborhood streets.

"Axon purchased this land from the state land trust under a zoning classification that specifically prohibited residential housing. The company should be held to that restriction and develop it accordingly," McGarry told the Progress.

Huellmantel did not immediately respond to a Progress question on how the Airport Advisory Commission ruling would impact his strategy.

McGarry said she expects the Planning Commission "will have a different perspective on this proposal — but we hope they will come to the same conclusion and deny the rezoning request."