Full Breakdown
Scottsdale Residents Oppose Housing Development at Westin Kierland Golf Course
3/18/2026, 9:33:05 PM
Proposal Overview: Housing Development Plan
Residents near the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, are actively opposing a proposal by Host Hotels and Resorts to convert the Mesquite Golf Course, a 72-acre property, into a high-density housing development known as Copper Residences. This plan involves replacing one of the resort's three nine-hole golf courses with a mix of housing types, including high-end condominiums and traditional single-family homes. The proposed development is divided by Greenway Parkway, with 16 acres on the north side designated for condos at a density of 10 to 15 units per acre, and 56 acres on the south side potentially accommodating both condos and single-family homes.
Community Concerns and Opposition
Local residents have expressed significant concerns regarding the impact of the proposed development. Protest signs with messages like “Don’t trade green for greed” have appeared throughout the Kierland area. Mark LaPalm, president of the Kierland Homeowners Association, articulated the community's sentiments, stating, “I think we’re all deeply saddened and frustrated by this.” Residents fear that the development will lead to increased traffic congestion and alter the character of their neighborhoods. Greg Forsythe, a resident whose property borders the golf course, highlighted the personal impact, noting, “I will be looking at the first floor of a condominium, and then 54 feet of stucco.”
Amy Satterfield from the Kierland Community Alliance emphasized that the concerns extend beyond aesthetics, raising issues about traffic safety, sewer infrastructure, and the potential loss of wildlife habitat. She pointed out that the golf course is Audubon-certified, and its disappearance would have ecological consequences.
Community Mobilization and Responses
The opposition has galvanized local residents, who have been attending public meetings to voice their concerns. City Council candidate Danny Mazza remarked that the community is not against development in general but is specifically opposed to the proposed changes on the golf course. “We’re not saying no development. We’re just saying no development on this golf course,” Mazza stated.
As of now, Host Hotels and Resorts has not provided a public comment regarding the proposal or the community's opposition.
Conclusion: Ongoing Debate
The proposal to replace the Mesquite Golf Course with a housing development has sparked a significant backlash from the surrounding community, highlighting the tension between development interests and local residents' desires to preserve their neighborhood's character and ecological integrity. The outcome of this debate remains to be seen as residents continue to mobilize against the proposed changes.
