In Scottsdale, you’ve never really needed a program to tell the players, the people who have long had entrée into city offices and the ear of the People Who Run Things. These days, however, the influence of some of Scottsdale’s long-established players is fading. Here are a few who may find city hall not so…

2009 is sure to be fascinating, given how the city has been shaken by political, economic forces. The champagne has run dry, the party hats are put away and the holiday bubble, so to speak, has burst. Finally, it’s 2009. I don’t know about your, but I’m glad to see the old year go. Everything…

Beth Duckett, The Arizona Republic Former Fountain Hills Mayor Wally Nichols is heading a committee seeking to defeat a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot. Save Our Small Town, a group of residents, supports the referendum. They oppose what they believe would be undesirable effects, especially traffic, from a 1,350-home development planned by the Ellman…

Beth Duckett, The Arizona Republic Plans to build 1,000 homes east of Fountain Hills got the initial thumbs up Wednesday from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Overlooking complaints from the nearby Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the supervisors voted 5-0 to approve a master-plan amendment for the Preserve at Goldfield Ranch, a subdivision headed by…

Kate Nolan, The Arizona Republic A planned historic overlay for part of Taliesin West reached final stages with its recent approval by the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission. Now Taliesin’s owner, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, is turning to another zoning project. The foundation is seeking special campus zoning for the 500-acre campus Wright started in…

Weldon B. Johnson, The Arizona Republic A rezoning plan for the Mayo Clinic breezed through the Scottsdale Planning Commission without opposition. The change approved late Wednesday will be subtle and gradual for neighbors of the clinic near 130th Street and Shea Boulevard. The land will go from being designated commercial office to holding special campus…

Dan Nowicki, Scottsdale Republic John Berry is the No. 1 name in downtown Scottsdale redevelopment. He’s the local attorney who more often than not represents the folks behind the highest-profile projects, from the Scottsdale Waterfront to Optima Camelview Village to the W Hotel. Here are a few of Berry’s thoughts on revitalizing downtown Scottsdale in…

Sarah Anchors, The Arizona Republic The urge to preserve rural tranquility is so strong in the Rio Verde area that some residents not only object to new golf courses, subdivisions and shopping centers, they’re digging in their heels against horse ranches. Casa de los Caballos’ neighbors are fighting the horse ranch’s application for a special…