Originally adopted by the City Council in 1984, updated in 2009 and 2018, and again most recently in 2023 and now 2024 (in two phases), the Old Town Scottsdale Character Area Plan (formerly Downtown Plan) serves as the comprehensive policy document that guides growth and development decisions for Scottsdale’s downtown. As an adopted Character Area Plan, the Old Town Scottsdale Plan incorporates community goals and policies consistent with (but not duplicative of) Scottsdale’s General Plan, yet specific to the special attributes of Old Town Scottsdale and how it functions.

City Council adopted - February 2024

Generally, Old Town is bounded by Chaparral Road to the north, Earll Drive to the south, 68th Street to the west and Miller Road to the east.

Since its adoption in 1984, the plan has been successful at shaping the growth, both financially and physically, of Old Town Scottsdale. Over time, the majority of the goals, policies and implementation programs established by the community have been successfully accomplished under the plan.

In addition to the community achievements realized, public policy, market conditions, building technologies, and community composition have and continue to change. Further, with any long range plan, periodic evaluation and assessment is important in order to ensure that the downtown’s vision, goals and continued success continue over the next twenty years. Consequently, the plan has been through several update processes, including 2009 and 2018, and again most recently in 2023 and now 2024 (in two phases). These update processes ensure the plan remains aligned with other contemporary, adopted plans, adjusts for changes in the downtown business, residential and retail markets, ensures implementation items are continually evaluated, and maintains quality development and redevelopment in downtown.

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