Axon hopes Arizona Legislature clears way for big Scottsdale project

PHOENIX – Axon Enterprise Inc. is hoping Arizona lawmakers clear the way for the Taser maker to build a new headquarters and housing development in Scottsdale without voter approval.

The homegrown multibillion-dollar company’s ambitious plans were put on hold earlier this year because of a pending ballot initiative, but SB1352 would make local rezoning an administrative act that isn’t subject to referendum petitions.

The bill, if passed, would be retroactive to July 1, 2024, essentially wiping out the petition effort by a group called Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions (TAAAZE).

Axon boss blames special interest groups

Axon CEO Rick Smith told KTAR 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Tuesday that special interest groups are behind referendum efforts like the one his company faces.

In fact, he accused the California group behind the successful effort to keep the Arizona Coyotes from developing an arena in Tempe of funding TAAAZE.

“The current referendum process, it sounds great in theory: ‘Yeah, democracy for the people.’ But not one of these referendums against a development actually come from the citizens. It’s all been driven by special interest groups,” he said.

Taser company bought land for new HQ in 2020

Axon, which has been based in Scottsdale since it was founded in 1993, develops technology and weapons for law enforcement, military and civilian use.

Last week, the company announced that its revenues grew 33% to $2.1 billion in 2024, the third consecutive year with annual growth of at least 30%.

The company purchased the 70-acre parcel it wants to develop for $49.1 million during a State Trust Land auction in 2020. The site near Hayden Road and the Loop 101 Pima Freeway is just north of the company’s current headquarters near Princess Drive and Loop 101.

In November 2024, the Scottsdale City Council approved rezoning for a proposed mixed-use project that includes a 250,0000-square-foot headquarters, nearly 1,900 residential units, a hotel and multiple restaurants.

Bob Littlefield, the former Scottsdale City Council member who chairs TAAAZE, said his group is fine with the headquarters — but not the proposed housing.

“We are opposed to the billion-dollar company’s attempts to change the rules so it can make millions in an apartment project that is too dense, too tall, and one that would create too much traffic and strain public safety resources,” he said in a late January press release.

Why is Axon thinking about moving out of Arizona?

Axon had gone as far as scheduling a groundbreaking ceremony for Jan. 10 before calling it off on short notice after TAAAZE submitted enough signatures to put the rezoning change on the ballot in 2026.

“They were aggressive and they got a lot of signatures,” Smith said. “And, so, what I’ve realized is this isn’t just us. This is a big issue for Arizona, because if you can’t cut deals with the public officials here and rely on it, then you can’t rely on doing business with Arizona.”

Facing the prospect of waiting two years to find out if the project could move ahead as planned, Axon started exploring the possibility of moving its base out of Arizona.

“If we leave — which I don’t want to — it’s not me leaving,” Smith said. “It’s us getting thrown out of this state. I want to be clear about that, and if that happens, it’s going to be hard for anybody else to say, ‘Hey, let’s go to Arizona.’”

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