By J. Graber | Daily Independent (abridged)
The City of Scottsdale will not challenge the constitutionality of Senate Bill 1543, known as the Axon bill, in a court of law — at this time.
The City Council voted 4-3 to not pursue litigation right now on the matter during its Sept. 9 special meeting, according to a recording of the meeting.
Mayor Lisa Borowsky and council members Adam Kwasman, Maryann McAllen and Solange Whitehead voted to remove an agenda item that would have set the lawsuit in motion.
Vice Mayor Jan Dubauskas and council members Barry Graham and Kathy Littlefield voted to move forward with the litigation.
Borowsky tried calling the vote before Graham had a chance to address the packed house, many of whom were Axon supporters.
However, when called upon, acting city attorney Luis Santaella said Roberts Rules of Order do afford Graham the opportunity to speak before the vote.
“I am stunned, and I am shocked that we are vacating this motion or withdrawing it, and I see that as a vote for this apartment complex,” Graham said.
Security technology company Axon, most famous for its tasers, intends to build 1,895 apartments as part of its plan to build a new world headquarters campus in north Scottsdale near N. Hayden Road and the Loop 101.
They received a rezoning approval, allowing the apartments to go up, by the last council in November 2024.
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