Scottsdale Residents Protest Proposed Tank Height

Feb. 22, 2005

In Scottsdale, Ariz., neighbors of an arsenic treatment facility still in the planning stages are protesting the proposed height of the tanks, saying the structures would obstruct views and lower property values.

The group has retained an attorney and plan to meet with Scottsdale officials to negotiate a compromise with Arizona American Water Company.

At issue are two water tanks, 22 feet tall and 117 feet wide, the company plans to build near the Arizona Canal. The Scottsdale City Council approved the facility Jan. 11 and declined to reconsider it Jan. 25.

The neighbors say they were promised the height would be limited to about 10 feet above ground during community outreach meetings last fall.

Minutes from those meetings back the water company's assertion that consultants told residents the reservoirs would be about 24 feet tall. But the residents say they were misled by confusing drawings.

Now residents want the water company to partially recess the tanks below ground, so they would rise only 10 feet above ground. They have even set up a website: www.burythetanks.com.

John Berry, the attorney who represented Arizona American through Scottsdale's planning process, denied residents had been misled.

He said the reservoirs were an vital part of the facility, which will enable the private water firm to meet a new federal mandate requiring the level of arsenic in drinking water be reduced to 10 parts per billion by January 2006. Current law allows 50 parts per billion.

He noted that existing zoning on the site would have allowed the construction of a 38-foot-tall building on that site. In addition, he said the structures would be surrounded with desert vegetation and painted green and brown in an effort to camouflage them.

Regardless, residents believe they still have a case, asserting that the company's application lacked a necessary sight-line study and other documents.

Source: The Arizona Republic

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