Scottsdale Mayor Opposes Axon’s Housing Plans Amid Backlash

Categories: Arizona Business NewsArizona State News

A proposed design for Axon's mixed-use project in Scottsdale, highlighting residential and corporate integration.

News Summary

Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky opposes Axon Enterprises’ plans for a new 400,000-square-foot headquarters and 1,875 housing units. The opposition has arisen from concerns over community input and local lawmakers advocating for voter rights. The City Council has hired legal counsel to examine the constitutionality of a recent law affecting the zoning process. Despite pushback, Axon remains optimistic about collaboration. This situation is critical for Scottsdale, shaping future development in the region amid divided public sentiment on high-density housing.

Scottsdale Mayor Opposes Axon’s Housing Plans Amid Controversy Over New Headquarters

In Scottsdale, Arizona, Mayor Lisa Borowsky has voiced strong opposition to Axon Enterprises’ proposed housing plans associated with its new headquarters project. Axon, which is well-known for manufacturing Tasers and body camera technology, intends to construct a new 400,000-square-foot headquarters that includes the development of 1,875 housing units. The opposition has primarily emerged from local lawmakers who argue that the plan undermines the rights of voters.

The Mayor criticized the approval process for the housing project, claiming it disregards community input. While campaigning before taking office, Borowsky positioned herself against high-density apartments, reflecting the predominant views of the citizens, who she asserts largely oppose such developments. Current data reveals that there are already 2,100 apartments within five miles of the proposed headquarters, which are reportedly experiencing a 5% vacancy rate.

Axon acquired a 70-acre parcel in 2020 for its new headquarters, but the plans faced significant backlash, leading to a temporary halt when local opponents successfully gathered enough signatures to place the zoning change on the ballot for a vote in 2026. However, the situation took a turn when Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed legislation that exempts certain zoning amendments in Scottsdale from requiring voter referendums. This legislative change effectively removed the potential ballot obstacle for Axon’s development.

In response to the new state law, the Scottsdale City Council took action by allocating $100,000 to hire outside legal counsel for a thorough examination of the constitutionality of the law as it pertains to Axon’s project. This decision was made despite some council members expressing concerns about how it may affect the city’s negotiations with Axon. The council ultimately voted 5-2 in favor of securing external legal expertise, although Mayor Borowsky recommended reducing the expenditure from $200,000 to $100,000 in order to conserve taxpayer resources.

Axon President Josh Isner has expressed optimism for a collaborative approach with the Scottsdale City Council moving forward. The new law not only affects Axon’s plans but also has broader implications for corporate development across Arizona, potentially mandating major cities to permit hotels and apartments situated at the headquarters of large companies. This change in policy could reshape the landscape for future development initiatives in the region.

The proposed Axon campus, as depicted in renderings, is designed to be a modern mixed-use space that includes not only residential units but also a hotel and dining establishments. This ambitious project aims to integrate both corporate and community needs into a cohesive environment, though the ongoing opposition and legal challenges pose significant hurdles that could affect its realization.

As local sentiments remain divided on the merits of high-density housing developments in Scottsdale, the outcome of this situation will likely be a focal point of public discourse in the upcoming months.