scottsdale government nannies break their own zoning laws Original Article Scottsdale residents criticize WestWorld tent By Ryan Gabrielson, Tribune October 4, 2005 Scottsdale will get rid of the massive U.S. flags emblazoned across the roof of the nations largest open-air tent that was recently erected at WestWorld equestrian and events center, city officials said. The announcement comes amid criticism from north Scottsdale residents that the tent is far too tall and does not blend with its desert surroundings. "This tent is so intrusive, its so high," said Bob Vairo, president of the government and land-use watchdog group Coalition of Pinnacle Peak. The tent 119,700 square feet and planned as a multiuse building is white, except for the red and blue painted on each side to make two flags clearly visible from the heavily traveled Loop 101. "You can talk about it in a patriotic vein but at the same time its circus-like, to have a tent that size," Vairo said. "Its not as if this is something thats going to enhance the image of Scottsdale." The tents height is more than twice what is typically permitted at WestWorld and its color scheme violates the citys Environmentally Sensitive Land Ordinance, the residents argue. In addition, the city began construction on the tent before applying for building permits, in violation of its own regulations. Scottsdale had the tent pieced together quickly last month in order to have it available for an event next week, the East Meets West motorcycle show. The city purchased the structure in early August from a facility in Victorville, Calif., for $2 million with the flags already in place. "There was a lot of confusion in the community about that," said Pat Dodds, a Scottsdale spokesman. "People apparently think we ordered the tent that way and that wasnt the case." Dodds said the city always intended to remove or cover the tents flags because "we knew that would be a point of sensitivity in the community." The decision to alter the tent had nothing to do with the the rebuke by COPP, he said. Though many north Scottsdale residents have criticized the tent, some living in the citys southern half said they do not see what the fuss is about. "It got my eye," Reba Averitt, a south Scottsdale resident, said of the tent. "I dont think it was ugly, Ive seen a lot uglier." Scottsdale employees have been researching ways to alter the tents look, like installing a new "skin" on the metal frame, Dodd said. "Theres all different kinds of techniques that are out there, so were just trying to get that narrowed down," he said. It is unclear when the change will be made, said Roger Klingler, assistant city manager. "Our main concern was just to get it constructed and that was a pretty tight time frame to get it up," Klingler said. "And then look at what the options are for getting a different color." However, not all residents think the current color scheme is that bad. "Its pretty bright, I can see it when Im driving. Its all right (because) its not in my neighborhood," said resident David Walker. WestWorld is undergoing numerous changes in an effort to keep its signature events, such as the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, from moving to other cities. Craig Jackson, the car auction president, has threatened to move his event unless WestWorlds space, parking and flooding issues are remedied. The tent is to be a temporary solution to the space problem for Barrett-Jackson and some other events, said Brad Gessner, WestWorld general manager. Two other domes at West-World have recently been covered with a sandstone-colored skin, similar to what the tent might be covered in, he said. "You havent heard anything about those because I dont think people can see them," Gessner said. Contact Ryan Gabrielson by email, or phone (480)-898-2341