Legal battle intensifies over Axon headquarters

Scottsdale Anti-Apartment Group Files Second Lawsuit Against Axon Deal

The battle over Axon's massive north Scottsdale headquarters just got another round of legal fireworks.

Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions, the scrappily named group better known as TAAAZE, filed a new lawsuit Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court challenging the compromise deal the City Council approved in November. This marks the second time the group has headed to court to fight the Taser manufacturer's plans to build housing alongside its global headquarters near Loop 101 and Hayden Road.

Led by former Scottsdale City Councilman Bob Littlefield, TAAAZE argues the memorandum of understanding between the city and Axon is essentially a zoning ordinance wearing a disguise. The group claims the deal bypassed required legal processes including a housing impact statement and public hearing.

The complaint takes particular aim at water concessions granted to Axon, exempting the company from purchasing long-term storage credits from Gila River Water Storage. In a drought-conscious desert community, that raised eyebrows.

The current agreement allows Axon to build 1,200 housing units, down from the original 1,900 that sparked the whole controversy. The City Council approved the deal 4-3 in November, with Mayor Lisa Borowsky casting the deciding vote.

TAAAZE still has another lawsuit pending against the state law that killed their ballot referendum. That case is scheduled for March. If they win either battle, both the law and the deal could be toast.

Supporters say the project brings 5,500 jobs and billions in economic impact. TAAAZE sees it differently, viewing this as a fight about whether residents or corporations get the final say on what gets built in their backyard.

The legal meter keeps running.

Sources: AZ Family | Arizona Mirror | Daily Independent | Arizona Capitol Times | KTAR | Scottsdale Progress