Mattox Leads the Way

June 2, 2011 - PRLog -- The race to become the next Mayor of Phoenix is all about leadership: The ability to bring together opposing sides to solve complex problems efficiently, practically and cost-effectively. Leadership is at a premium in our City today, too often neglected in the face of politics.

Tonight, Councilman Claude Mattox, a candidate for Mayor, demonstrated the leadership our City needs, crafting a solution in a hotly contested and controversial zoning case involving the possibility of four 10-story-tall billboards along the 101 Freeway in west Phoenix.

Mattox, working against a tight deadline, was able to save the City from the expense of a lawsuit and a possible referendum election over the Algodon Center billboards, meanwhile helping to protect scenic corridors throughout Phoenix, which are currently not protected.  Just as importantly, the compromise allows John F. Long Properties’ 800-acre Algodon Center project to move forward, creating jobs and stimulating economic development in the City.

“I intend to continue working with all involved, leading the way to a billboard policy that balances economic development with the need to preserve scenic beauty and neighborhoods,” said Mattox. “I’m just glad we were able to solve the billboard issue without compromising the Long family’s project, which is much-needed on the west side and in the City.”

The Mattox compromise involved multiple parties. After securing a commitment from American Outdoor Systems not to move forward with signs they had planned along the 101 in the City of Glendale and the North Black Canyon Corridor, and to drop a lawsuit already in the works over signage along SR 51, Mattox convinced Long Properties to drop its sign package from the planned unit development application before Council.

Mattox praised John F. Long Properties for their willingness to be involved in a brokered compromise. “They have always been great community partners willing to step up and help the very neighborhoods they have been a part of for so long,” Mattox said.

Tonight’s Council action likely helped kill a referendum being threatened in the event the billboards had been approved.

A billboard study group has already been formed to evaluate the City of Phoenix policy on billboards.  Mattox’s motion effectively stays the City’s sign issues until the study group comes back with its recommendations and a uniform policy can be adopted in Phoenix.