Referendum on development project gets nasty in Scottsdale, Arizona

See "Pressure mounts as activists press for referendum ," from the Arizona Republic. From the article:

It's all part of the scene that's taken place outside of Scottsdale libraries and coffee shops since activists decided to gather the 1,961 signatures needed to force a referendum on the Hanover project. On Feb. 19, the Scottsdale City Council approved the 230-unit luxury apartment-and-retail development for a site on Indian School Road and Goldwater Boulevard. Opponents, who claim the project is too tall and dense, have until Thursday to submit petitions.

The developers, Hanover R.S. Limited Partnership, said the project would revitalize a deteriorating zone. Attorney John Berry has called it a "ripple of redevelopment" making downtown Scottsdale an international luxury hot spot.

Volunteers and paid circulators said they have been threatened by circulators working for the developer. In some cases, volunteers said they are too afraid to continue, Giller said.
Tom Irvine, an attorney for developer Hanover R.S. Limited Partnership, said the activists simply are not used to the "rough and tumble" of campaigning. People circulating petitions for Hanover are gathering support for the project, Irvine said.