Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 143

I Northeast SERVING North Phoenix Paradise Valley Scottsdale Sunnyslope THE PHOENIX GAZETTE THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC Wednesday, October 9, 1996 LOMmUNI Li Desert Ridge developer seeks sweeping changes BY THE WAY public hearing process. That proposal has met with strong opposition because homeowners fear land designated for single-family homes next to their development could end up apartment buildings without their input. But the swap would only occur on paper and any development would still have to go through the public process, including the Planning Commission and City Council- Opponents to the Sumitomo plant say Desert Ridge is pushing them off a cliff. They say the changes in the master community's specific plan will be a slam-dunk. See DESERT, Page 4 with eight-story buildings in front of asks Chris Estes, a neighborhood activist and member of the Desert Tri-View Village Planning Committee.

NPP wants to put up unlimited eight-story buildings in the village core that is bounded by the proposed Pima Freeway and Deer. Valley Drive, and Tatum Boulevard and 56th Street. In addition, the developer wants to increase the square footage of buildings and eliminate a requirement that it provide multifamily housing in the core, like that offered in the famous Sears Tower in Chicago. These changes are needed, Anderson says, because the attraction of major employment centers, such as the Sumi By Kim Sue Lla Perkes Staff writer The developer of Desert Ridge is proposing sweeping changes in the master community plan for the development, including bigger and taller office buildings and a 600 percent increase in rooms at a planned resort. Northeast Phoenix Partners wants the changes to give it more flexibility in development, said Stephen Anderson, an attorney who represents the developer.

Some northeast Phoenix residents think they'll have to kiss their mountain views goodbye. "How can you be guaranteed a view DUD tomo silicon-wafer manufacturing plant and Mayo Hospital, to the core means more demand for office space. The village core is expected to be anchored by a major shopping center and the surrounding buildings would provide office space. The planned resort needs an increase from 200 to 1,200 rooms and three stories to six because major resort developers do not want to invest in a small operation, Anderson says. If the city agrees to the change, the Desert Ridge resort will be the largest in the Valley, Anderson admits.

Another proposal would allow the developer to swap high- and low-density parcels without having to go through the 1 fcJT I JJ- I 1 French Quarter remembered By Gall Tabor Staff writer Scottsdale ur history lesson for today begins with a question: What Scottsdale "landmark," which actually isn't and never has been, is being mourned as passing into history? Answer: The Brown Derby Restaurant, located in the Safari Resort only since January 1981. What is causing the confusion, aside from faulty memories and lack of basic research, is the true landmark associated with the Safari: Paul Shank's French Quarter, which brought big-name entertainers to Scottsdale from 1960 to 1975. The Safari, at 4611 N. Scottsdale Road and owned by Trammell Crow Co. since 1982, has played an important role in Scottsdale's hospitality industry, which until the 1950s consisted primarily of dude ranches.

The site of I i I i I The best policy? Let's face it, sometimes you can be just too honest for your own good. June Reynolds, a 71 -year-old retired teacher running for the Scottsdale school board, may-have stepped over that line at a recent forum. Asked to introduce herself, she said, "I'm running for the board because I saw in the paper that no one was running. That must have been an early story: Reynolds is one of 10 people jousting for three seats. THE BOTTOM LINE Closed sign: The Diarriondback Steak House at WestWorld is closed while management negotiates with a company to take over its operation.

Manager Bill Ensign wouldn't name the company but said it is of high stature and visibility and has restaurants all. over the Valley. This, he said, would enable them to pull in customers that current management has never done. Bottom line is, he added, they've determined to plug up the money drain. Stay tuned, we'll let you know the results.

COMING SOON Saddle up: Seems like only yesterday but actually it was almost a year ago that the Scottsdale Jaycees geared up for the biggest, grandest Parada del Sol they've ever had. They're doing it again, and you can participate. Entries for the Jan. 25 parade are being accepted for the world's Longest Horsedrawn Parade but you've gotta be quick. Get them in by Friday.

The theme this year is "The West's "Most Western Parade" and the entry must reflect that. Should be easy to get out the jeans, saddles and Western, hats. To join iri the fun and pay tribute to early Scottsdale as well as our state, spectators should also be garbed for early Western days. The event's overall theme is, "Rodeo's Heritage: Ranching in Arizona." For more information, and if you need an application, call the 1997 parade chairman Stacy McCreigh, 404-41 17. And hustle!" ON THE ROAD Back home: Fred Hillegas has re-surfaced.

He's been gone so long we thought our license-plate-spotter extraordinaire had jumped ship. Nothing so drastic. He has been on a lengthy tour of the great Northeast. Fred is now "resuming reportorial reconnaissance and submits the following license plate: MS VIP, on a parked car in Scottsdale. "Is she the Mrs.

of a Mr. VIP or a VIP in her own right?" he asks. Dunno, Fred. Can anyone help us out? Heard something Interesting? Let us know, we'll spread it Around Town. Call us at 675-7482, fax us at 675-7488, or drop a note to Around Town, 5111 N.

Scottsdale Road, Suite 150, Scottsdale, AZ 85250. We also can be reached at nenewsaol.com on the Internet. PRESSLINE for a quick question. telling us what you think. Photos courtesy the Scottsdale Historical Society From 1960 to 1975, Paul Shank's French Quarter drew many celebrities.

a 'f ti ItiGU today's luxurious resorts still was raw desert. However, astute businessmen saw the city's potential through its booming population growth: From 2,032 to 10,026 in one decade, 1950 to 1960. In 1956, two hotels 6pened within two months and a few blocks of each other. One was the Safari, at Camelback and Scottsdale roads, and the other was Valley Ho, at 68th and Main Streets. The two resorts immediately became social centers for residents and visitors alike.

At the Valley Ho, some famous guests included Jimmy Durante, who reportedly entertained lounge crowds by singing and playing the grand piano. Others were Bing Crosby, John Charles Daly, Harry Reasoner, Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner were married there in 1961. See SAFARI, Page 3 A dozen or so students witnessed the attack on the youth, who was treated at John C. Lincoln Hospital Health Center and released, according to Phoenix police and Assistant Principal Larry.

Stevens. The victim wasn't seriously injured and returned to classes the following day, Stevens said. Stevens imposed 10-day suspensions on the three students who were identified as the attackers. He said he will recommend that the Paradise Valley Unified School District board expel the trio from the All these things help, but give LaSota credit. He came up with a glorious defense, breathtaking in its boldness.

Which was just this: admit everything but concede nothing. And when it is done, walk out of Paradise Valley a winner. It was a pleasant Sunday morning in May, Mother's Day, when LaSota found himself in the eye of dreaded photo cop. LaSota and family were on their way to church. They had just rounded the curve where 44th Street turns into MacDonald, when he was nailed.

The picture says it all: 51 in a 40 mph zone. Now, I don't condone speeding. I like photo radar, especially when it's aimed at someone other than me. I believe the police when they say it reduces accidents. But it begins to smack more of a speed trap than a lifesaver when you put the camera just beyond the curve, just at the entrance to town, at 9 a.m.

on a Sunday. Scottsdale's Safari Resort houses lots of memories. The interior scene shows the French Quarter In Its heyday. The Ramada Inn chain gave the dining room operation to The Brown Derby Inc. of Cleveland in 1981.

1 IP i ll. i L.1 expelled said. "It just escalated from there," leading to the second assault, he said. The victim was eating lunch on the basketball courts at Shadow Mountain when the trio attacked him, Stevens said. He said the police told him the assailants, who were questioned and then released to their parents, would be referred to juvenile court.

Shadow Mountain High is at 2902 E. Shea Blvd. Don't deny i from Dozer, the guy who somehow missed getting his picture taken Not surprisingly, Dozer agreed with him. Elsa Lynch, the hearing officer, bought it. And so LaSota is off the hook.

So far, at least. Kennedy, who expresses surprise that LaSota would push this thing, said she may appeal to Superior Court. If she does, LaSota 6ays he'll be there. "There's something good about government being put through its paces every now and again," he said. "And I'd! say that even if I lost." However it goes, I figure LaSota's battle will be long remembered.

It's a day that' will live, well, maybe not in infamy, but! certainly in traffic courts across the lan. Laurie Roberts can be reached at 675-7477 or robertsneaol.com via e-mail. I mrr, Assistant principal wants There's a way to beat photo-radar speeding charge: 3 attackers district. The rumor mill exploded after last Thursday's incident. "I've been fielding phone calls from parents that they had heard this kid (who was attacked) had a broken neck, that there were gangs.

It was nothing like that," Stevens said. In a pickup basketball game two days before that attack, the victim had been punched in the eye by one of the assailants when friction developed between them during the game, Stevens Paradise Valley cited 45 drivers that morning, bringing a tidy sum into the town for a few hours' work. Town Attorney Jill Kennedy estimates about 80 percent of drivers caught by the camera either pay the fine or go to driving school to avoid a jump in insurance rates. Fewer than 5 percent fight the ticket, she said, and most who do lose. Ah, but then there is Jack LaSota.

The state's former top attorney knew he was taking a risk. By fighting the ticket, he forfeited the chance to go to driving school and wipe his record clean if he lost. But LaSota is also one of those rare individuals who has actually read the Arizona Revised Statutes. He knew that the speed limit is not the last word. So he admitted doing 51 in a 40 zone.

But, he added, 51 mph was reasonable for the conditions that day. Then LaSota presented an affidavit Shadow Mountain High School student winds up at hospital By Ray Schultze Staff writer Expulsion is being recommended for two freshmen and a senior at Shadow Mountain High School who officials say punched, knocked down and kicked a sophomore at lunchtime on the northeast Phoenix campus. drivers with lame excuses about how they had to speed so they could get: A To the hospital. B. Away from bad drivers.

i Or my personal favorite, Home before the wife discovers they've been out for the evening. LaSota's system is far more sophisticated. Laurie Roberts Of course, it helps to be an attorney, not to mention a onetime attorney general for the state of Arizona. And it never hurts to point out that the guy in the next lane was pulling away from you and he didn't get nailed. Especially when that guy is Rich Dozer, president of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

A'" There comes a time in everyone's life when they must take a stand against tyranny. When they must fight their oppressors on every field of battle, at every mile marker. Wherever speed limits are stupid. Jack LaSota is just such a man for these times. He has gone up against the oppressor and come away victorious.

He has stared into the jowls of the demon photo cop and bested the beast. In other words, he beat photo radar. Yes, apparently it can be done. And what better time to find out than now, as cops with cameras prepare to broaden their focus to Scottsdale and beyond. Of course, the LaSota system is not io everyone.

Certainly not for the faint of heart those people who couldn't survive the shock of a meteoric rise in their auto insurance rates should they fail. And it's not for the obviously guilty,.