Axon Secures Senate Greenlight for Scottsdale Headquarters

The Arizona Senate approved Senate Bill 1543 on April 15, facilitating the construction of Axon’s global headquarters in Scottsdale without requiring voter zoning approval. The bill mandates that cities with populations between 200,000 and 500,000 must permit hotels and multifamily residential housing in areas designated for light industrial use, sidestepping public hearing processes.

This legislation aims to support Axon’s ambitious plan for a vast campus near Loop 101 and Hayden Road, which would encompass around 1,900 apartments and condominiums, a hotel, and retail spaces integrated into the headquarters. Approximately 30% of the residential units are designated for employees.

While the Scottsdale City Council endorsed the zoning for the project in November, community backlash led a group named Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions to gather signatures to place the measure on the ballot. This sparked contentious discussions among lawmakers, with both support and opposition emerging following the bill’s final passage.

Proponents argue that retaining Axon—and the jobs associated with it—is vital for Arizona’s economic landscape. “If they leave, it will be challenging to rebuild our reputation for attracting businesses,” noted Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson. Sen. Brian Fernandez, D-Yuma, echoed these sentiments, asserting that keeping high-paying jobs would generate economic growth and signal that Arizona is a hub for innovation.

Conversely, critics labeled the bill as “special legislation” designed to bypass voter input, voicing concerns over its implications for local democracy. “This is voter suppression on steroids,” remarked Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, emphasizing that the bill would invalidate an already scheduled election regarding the project. Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe, also raised alarm, linking the situation to past controversies surrounding voter rights and development proposals.

In response, Axon stated that the approved legislation would be pivotal for Arizona’s economic growth, projecting the creation of over 5,500 high-quality jobs and generating an estimated $38 billion economic impact over the next decade. The company expressed that the measure would help address the ongoing housing supply crisis by increasing living options in the Valley, especially amid challenges of affordability and availability for many residents.