Town of Paradise Valley Independent Responses: August 2, 2016

*How do you interpret SB 1350 and do you believe it poses a legitimate threat to the quality of life in the Town of Paradise Valley?

While I understand the free-market goals of this legislation, I think it is unfortunate that the State Legislature and the Governor made the decision to take away local control from municipalities by prohibiting them from restricting the ability of property owners to rent out their homes, rooms — or even their couches — for short-term or vacation rentals. The Town of Paradise Valley is unique in the state of Arizona because we are predominately one-home-per-acre residential with world-class resorts nestled in playing an important role. Those attributes combined with the beauty of the mountains are what draw visitors and create uniqueness compared to other surrounding municipalities.

What works for our community is preventing short-term rental agreements in order to ensure our unique residential character and to support the resorts we rely on for revenue. That revenue helps support our Town without the need for a property tax.

This may be the right solution for other communities statewide, but certainly a one-size-fits-all bill that prevents us from controlling business activity in our town was not the right decision for Paradise Valley. I have deep concerns over the effect it will have on our quality of life. Turning homes into a hotel business is not consistent with the vision of Paradise Valley. 

*If elected, how will you allay resident concerns about short-term rental properties and potential uses for those properties within town limits? 

Resident concerns are legitimate, but we are bound to comply with state law. Therefore, we can only make sure our Town staff is diligent in code enforcement, public safety and in working within the confines of the law to best protect Paradise Valley residents from negative impacts on their quality of life.

I will pledge to encourage my Town Council colleagues to continue working with other municipalities that also fought this bill along with Paradise Valley to hopefully address the negative impacts of the law in future legislative sessions.