By james art 
Although Rick Smith says he wants to compete with Axon – and Scottsdale – in a thriving future, he may have hit another speed.
While expecting news about the opposition group’s efforts to present to the voters AXON planned live work in North Scottsdale, Smith and his Taser production company have apparently been blinded by comments raising safety concerns.
The President of the Scottsdale Firefighters Association told Progress that Scottsdale does not have enough teams for emergency response and equipment to support Axon’s plan for about 1800 apartments and a hotel.
“This is demand and supply,” said Sasha Weller, president of the association with over 300 members.
“If you add 2000 apartments and it added 4,000 people – it’s a small town in our city. You need to have the right resources to serve this.
Adding apartments and people without the addition of firefighters will adversely affect the response time, Weller warned.
The head of the fire department in Scottsdale Tom Shannon does not agree with Weller’s opinion.
Shannon insists that the planned Axon residential complex is much better than the potential alternatives for the unprecedented Loop 101 and Hayden Road land.
However, the fears of the leader of the fire union – which three members of the City Council said they share – may be another challenge for the extraordinary AXON plan.
In 2024, the Chaparral High Grad Smith overcame complaints about potential traffic and overall density, winning the approval of the Municipal Council to expand Axon in his hometown.
But the issue of emergency response has never been raised.
“The ability to service is influenced by a significant increase in density,” Weller said.
“We have to turn to politicians and say” if there is more density, we need more resources ” – otherwise we will not be able to serve at the same level.”
Axon purchased 74 acres of former state land in 2020. The company that produces Taser electric shock pistols and cameras for a police body quickly reached a development agreement to sell part of the city’s land, which will then build a fire department there. The fire department is under construction.
But the Axon Development Agreement of 2021 required only a new corporate headquarters.
Last year, Smith revealed the plan to add four residential buildings and a hotel.
“The fire department will have a capacity or near it on the day of its opening,” Weller said. When the fire department was reached, “it was offered with the existing (homes) in the area – without the apartments.”
Axon officer said he was puzzled by Weller’s fears.
Charles Huelmantel, Axon’s lawyer for this project, said that he and Smith met Weller “Months Monthly to discuss this project” – and “No concerns about the workforce were expressed.”
And Huellmantel said, “We have worked closely with the fire chief for several years to ensure that Axon’s new global headquarters will work for the fire department in Scottsdale.”
He said the fire chief Shannon “noted that our proposal would almost certainly cause less impact on SFD resources than the industrial use for which the site was zoned to adapt.”
Hughmantel added that he and Smith had met Weller “Months ago to discuss this project” – and “no concerns about the workforce were expressed.”
And according to the Huellmantel, the AXON expansion will mean more money to the city: “$ 11.5 million new tax revenue that Axon’s campus will deliver to the city, will finance the construction of numerous new fire stations in all of Scottsdale, plus the funding of the new engines and hiring dozens of new firefighters and paramedics for staff at these stations.
Smith threatened to leave Scottsdale if they prevent him from implementing his plan – and suggested that he could resold the land of Amazon -type operation.
As Shannon sees it, it would be a much worse scenario. “In my opinion, the proposed development of the Axon campus, previously approved by the Council, would have less impact than an alternative major project that would lead to greater traffic and loading of the building under more risky conditions,” Shannon told Progress.
“My position is that if the development of the property includes residential buildings,” Shannon continued, “Demographic data in these loans will probably generate very few additional service calls as they are younger and are probably in better health. “
“Axon,” said Scottsdale police chief Jeff Walter in November, “Makes Scottsdale safer.”
He added that he “shuddered at his boots at the thought that Akson was leaving Scottsdale.”
the relevant advice
The Progress shared Weller’s problems with several city council members.
“This is anxious,” said adviser Barry Graham. “We must listen to our public safety experts.”
Graham confirmed that the issue of reaction time was not raised in meetings – or behind the scenes.
Potential longer reaction times due to more apartments “bother me”, advised adviser Adam Quasman. “I hope there will be negotiations to solve all the problems.
A recent family emergency medical care has reinforced the position of a kvassman, the new councilor said.
“When my youngest child stopped breathing, the firefighters were next to us,” Kidman said, noting that the reaction was quick.
“I will make sure that everyone has access to these resources and (emergency response agents) are fully funded.”
Council member Jan Dubauskas, also new to urban policy, said the problem was her radar.
“I heard these concerns from the Scottsdale Firefighters Association. And the answer that Axon expects to generate revenue for the city, “she said.
“Although it is true that Axon is expected to generate revenue for Scottsdale, it is also true that there will be expenses from Axon’s campus: an increased number of firefighters, police, road maintenance and more.”
After the establishment of a subcommittee at the meeting of the Municipal Council on January 14, this may be a topic that the subcommittee for public safety addresses, among many other throughout the city, “Dubauskas said.
In fact, not only Axon is a potential problem, according to the President of the Fire Union.
Weller said the new apartments from the McDowell Coridor in the southern part of the city to the projects in North Scotsdale “increased the density significantly.
“We haven’t changed the staff,” he said. “This absolutely affects our ability to react.”
According to Weller, “at one point or another, we have to ask for a pause and say that the fire department’s resources are not bottomless …” If you want to build it, build it.
“This is not the decision of the association … But if you are going to build it, we need resources to protect it.”
Weller said there was no problem with Smith’s company, which was praised by the city authorities.
“I don’t have an ax to grind. I’m not angry with Axon, it’s just a matter of reaction problems, “Weller said.
“Stretching the already stretched resources is even more problematic. I don’t point Axon – I would say this about every major development. “
As long as a kvassman sees it, it’s a simple question.
“So many apartments,” said the new Axon plan advisor, “It’s not acceptable.”