Developers have had their eyes on the Shalimar Golf Course for redevelopment since shortly after it opened. The first plan to erase the course was almost 45 years ago, the plan pictured above. But because of the relentless effort of a vocal neighborhood, the land has remained a golf course that provides open space, walking paths, meeting spaces, live music, dance lessons, family food trucks and so much more for the community.
The Shalimar Association unofficial archive is a stack of papers 3 feet high that documents how hard previous generations have worked to get us to this point. Tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours by generations of Tempe residents have been put into fighting to keep Shalimar green. While their fight is over, it is our turn to carry the torch and play our role in protecting this land from re-zoning.
The Hard Facts
A new developer now eyes the course with the sole goal of generating wealth while robbing the community of the green core it’s so rightfully named after.
The hard-fought court battle that got us here expires Jan 1, 2025. After that date, there is no requirement for the land to be operated as a golf course. Very little would stand in the owner’s way from bulldozing the clubhouse, scraping the greens, and cutting down the trees. It is private property and we do recognize that.
While the owners do have rights within the confines of its current Agriculture zoning, they do not have the right to change the zoning. The current club owners purchased an AG zoned golf course and should have no expectation for rezoning to a higher density for a higher profit.
Homeowners, both old and new, invested in the Shalimar neighborhood knowing that a covenant was in place to maintain the golf course. Under pinning this covenant, is an AG zoning permitting just one home per acre. Neighborhood buyers were able to make an informed purchase or investments knowing that the golf course could continue as a green space or, in a worst-case scenario, could have extremely low-density development.
Their Plan
The developers hope the neighborhood stays silent and their plans are approved uncontested. They have the money, legal team, and development expertise to play in the gray and push through a lucrative self-serving rezoning that’s masqueraded as a solution to the “Tempe housing problem” that provides the neighborhood with “generous open space” and “opportunity for community interaction” despite their plans showing a 90% reduction in green space and demolition of the club house & community facilities.
The current development plans, included as an exhibit, give you an idea of the density and reduced green space planned for your community. Note the erasing of the clubhouse to make room for a roundabout needed to funnel 1,100 parking spots worth of traffic to access the two and three story multifamily rental units and smaller single-family lots.
Our Plan & Your Part
The Shalimar Association alone will not be enough to stop this re-zoning & future high-density development. While the Mayor and a few city council members appear supportive, they will need to hear from all of us in a big way. The Shalimar Association’s primary focus is to organize the community and provide opportunities to show up in force & convey that this project does not serve the community, but rather line the pockets of a select few investors.
Make no mistake, this is a now-or-never situation, and we would like to pull out all the stops. We know this neighborhood is passionate about stopping this development and need your help!
Volunteer Opportunities
The Shalimar Association is actively seeking volunteers from the community in various ways to help our cause.
If you or someone you know can volunteer their time and skills in any of these areas, please reach out via email to info@saveshalimar.com
- Website management and design
- Social Media
- Data Management
- Environmental impact specialist – wildlife, trees, paving impacts etc
- Rezoning law or campaign experience
- Legal support
- Branding and design for t-shirts, signs, etc.
- General Communications Support
- Newspaper Reporting
- Editorial letters
- City Council letters
- Neighborhood outreach for rezoning meetings, petitions, and awareness