Shortly after the inauguration of four new members, the Scottsdale City Council voted last week to repeal a sustainability plan adopted in December.
In its sustainability plan, the city listed environmental goals it would try to meet regarding energy, water, waste, air quality and heat.
The plan was approved by a 5-2 vote in December. One no vote was Vice Mayor Barry Graham. He said the plan was too restrictive and endangered the financial security of residents.
It was Graham who steered the repeal effort.
“Our lane doesn't include searching for ways to impose restrictions on your lifestyle because our residents are smart and they don't need us to tell them the right thing to do," he said.
More than two dozen people spoke out against the repeal, including former councilmember Betty Janik. Her term ended with the new year.
“It is way more efficient to make edits to the current plan that has evolved over the course of three years with the input of hundreds of citizens rather than trash it," she said.
In a 4-3 decision, the council repealed the plan and agreed to form a task force to examine long-term sustainability.
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