By Jennifer Conrad, Managing Editor
May 29th didn’t feel like just another town hall. It felt like a turning point for Scottsdale. At the Mustang Library auditorium, every seat was taken. The aisles were packed. Residents stood shoulder to shoulder against the back wall, eager to be heard—and to hear from their new mayor. As Managing Editor of Arizona Ascent, I stood near the back, capturing the moment on my iPhone. I wasn’t just reporting I was witnessing a defining civic moment.
At the center of it all was Mayor Lisa Borowsky, just five months into her first term. With no notes or script, she fielded an hour-long volley of questions—sometimes difficult, sometimes heated—on topics ranging from wildfire mitigation and water security to zoning disputes, development concerns, and the future of Scottsdale’s public spaces.
This was her first major public forum since taking office—a high-stakes test of her leadership and her promise to lead with transparency. The mood was charged. Residents aired frustrations. Borowsky responded openly and candidly. Despite moments of tension, there was a clear shared purpose: a community committed to shaping its future together.
“I’m five months in and committed to transparency,” Borowsky said. “These events will continue frequently over the next three and a half years.” With that, the microphones opened and the questions followed.
From Courtroom to Council: The Making of a Mayor
Before diving into the night’s issues, it’s important to understand the woman at the helm. Lisa Borowsky is a lifelong Scottsdale resident and proud product of its public schools.
After graduating from Arizona State University and earning her Juris Doctor from St. John’s School of Law in New York, she returned home to build a legal career, representing homeowners in construction defect litigation for over two decades—recovering millions for families along the way.
Borowsky previously served on Scottsdale’s City Council from 2008 to 2012, where she championed a key charter amendment to make the City Treasurer directly accountable to residents. She’s been active on boards like Experience Scottsdale and the Charros Foundation, with a special focus on youth, seniors, and tourism.
So when Borowsky promised frequent town halls over her term, it wasn’t just a campaign line. It was a commitment to connection and accountability.
Tackling Wildfire Risks
The night’s first question came from Bob Wells, a local resident concerned about wildfire prevention, referencing last year’s Diamond Fire. “What precautions are in place, especially with construction near our desert?” he asked.
Borowsky leaned in with urgency. “Wildfire mitigation is a top priority,” she said, outlining a multi-pronged approach. She is collaborating with Fire Chief Shannon to expand the Fire Volunteer Corps, empowering volunteers to clear overgrown brush in the Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) zones. These zones, designed to preserve native vegetation, have become fire hazards due to invasive species.
Borowsky leaned in with urgency. “Wildfire mitigation is a top priority,” she said, outlining a multi-pronged approach. She is collaborating with Fire Chief Shannon to expand the Fire Volunteer Corps, empowering volunteers to clear overgrown brush in the Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) zones. These zones, designed to preserve native vegetation, have become fire hazards due to invasive species.
“Dead brush is fuel for fires,” she warned, announcing plans to revise NAOS ordinances to allow brush clearing while protecting the preserve. She also revealed plans to adopt AI-based fire detection technology, similar to APS’s power line monitoring system. “That would be a huge advantage,” she said, connecting deeply to the land she grew up exploring on horseback.
Balancing Growth and Preservation
Bob Wells wasn’t done. He urged the city to “apply the brakes” on rampant construction, warning that it threatens Scottsdale’s quality of life. Borowsky agreed without hesitation. “The overwhelming majority of residents share your concern,” she said. She pledged to prioritize “high-quality, low-density residential” development over sprawling projects.
Borowsky unveiled plans for architect self-certification and fast-track permitting for urgent cases signaling a broader effort to cut red tape while maintaining standards. On the practical side, she addressed resident Mark Lewis’s frustration over a 96-day wait for a remodeling permit. “That’s excessive,” she said.
Regarding commercial development, Borowsky struck a careful balance. “There’s room for redevelopment, but it must be high quality,” she said threading the needle between growth and preservation.
The Axon Controversy
The Axon Project, a massive development greenlit by state legislation SB 1543, sparked intense debate. Resident Tim Walsh asked for an update. Borowsky was frank: “It’s very complicated.” The law stripped Scottsdale of zoning authority over Axon, allowing it to bypass infrastructure requirements like water credits.
“We believe we have a constitutional challenge,” Borowsky revealed, confirming the city has retained counsel to contest the law. The stakes are high—three other Scottsdale parcels may face similar state overreach. She expressed willingness to negotiate reduced density but stressed the need for council support. “I can’t work in a vacuum,” she said, noting the council’s divisions.
Parking Garage Uproar: A Community United
The proposed parking garage at First and Brown, near the historic Old Adobe Mission, ignited the night’s most passionate responses. Lorraine Rogers thanked Borowsky for backing a citizens’ petition to pause the project. “The last parking study was from 2015,” Borowsky said. “Rideshare and other factors have changed everything. We need a new study.”
Resident Mary Rannis challenged claims of majority support for the garage, citing an outdated survey. “Thousands are signing against it now,” she said. Borowsky confirmed the overwhelming opposition: “We got 92 emails opposing the garage, only two in favor. I haven’t met anyone who supports it.” Petitioners continued gathering signatures in the lobby—a testament to the issue’s galvanizing power. Borowsky urged residents to keep up the pressure.
Water Sustainability
Tim Gingras raised concerns about water shortages, especially with new developments. Borowsky, who sits on the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) board, was blunt: “We’re expecting a 20% cut in our Central Arizona Project (CAP) allocation.” Still, she highlighted Scottsdale’s strength: “Our water recharge facility is a national model, far ahead of the curve.”
She criticized lax oversight on projects like Axon, which didn’t secure water credits, unlike Optima, which purchased thousands of acre-feet. “That’s unacceptable,” she said, tying water security to disciplined development.
Sustainability
Resident Mark Rance questioned the council’s repeal of the Scottsdale Sustainability Plan—a $2.2 million, 140-page document developed over three years. Borowsky called it “purely aspirational” with “no deadlines, no enforcement.”
She pointed to the city’s General Plan as a more actionable framework. “We don’t need another task force,” she said. “We need action.” Her stance reflected fiscal conservatism and pragmatism rooted in her legal experience. “As a litigator, I know a 140-page aspirational document has little value.”
Airport Noise Complaints
Scott Callow delivered a gut-punch moment, decrying jet flight paths that have shifted dangerously low over Scottsdale homes. “The FAA laughed at us,” he said.
Borowsky acknowledged limited leverage but noted a new airport director and her push for direct commission appointments to amplify resident voices. “We take this seriously,” she said. Then, turning to Callow with a spark: “You’re appointed!”
Smaller But Telling Issues
Lynn Stark questioned underused trolleys. Borowsky promised a staff review to optimize routes for seniors and spring training visitors. Michael Seidman raised the loss of $29 million in federal funding after the council scrapped a roundabout for a signal intersection. Borowsky, who voted against the change, called it a taxpayer burden. “We had the money in hand. Now we reapply.”
Your Voices Matter: A Call to Action
As the hour wound down, Borowsky looked at the still-packed room. “I’ve done all I can,” she said. “Now it’s your turn. Your voices matter.” She urged residents to flood council meetings, sign petitions, and get involved. Walking out, I saw families signing petitions in the lobby. The energy hadn’t faded—it had crystallized. This wasn’t just a mayor answering questions. This was a city finding its voice. “You elect people every November,” she reminded them—a nod to the power of the ballot box.
Why It Matters
Mayor Borowsky’s town hall was more than a forum—it was a mirror reflecting Scottsdale’s hopes and anxieties. From wildfire risks to water scarcity, unchecked development to bureaucratic delays, residents laid bare their fears. She met them with pragmatism, policy, and a call for collaboration.
Her push for direct commission appointments and willingness to challenge state overreach signals a mayor unafraid to disrupt the status quo. Yet, her repeated refrain “It’s resident input” underscored the truth.
Scottsdale’s future depends on its people stepping up. As I left Mustang Library, petition tables were still active, and small groups lingered in conversation. This was no end, but a start of a movement, and the residents of Scottsdale are awake.
