Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Paradise Valley public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
27 issues with high priority
Zoning Code Update: Pickleball Courts and Construction Signs
The town is working on a significant update to its zoning code — the rules governing what can be built and where. This study session gives the council an early look at the draft and a chance to steer staff before any final action.
2026 General Election Canvass
The council's vote on Resolution 2026-17 makes the November 3, 2026 general election results official for Paradise Valley. It's the final administrative step in the town's election process.
Five Star Development Bankruptcy Plan Vote
Resident and former council member Paul Dembow criticized leadership over the bankrupt project, calling for a clear plan to protect the town's interests.
Elimination of temporary use permits in residential areas
A zoning code overhaul of temporary use permit rules goes to public hearing — this affects how short-term events and uses are permitted around Town.
Franciscan Renewal Center solar proposal
The Franciscan Renewal Center wants four solar shade structures over its parking lot — a major SUP amendment because it adds over 40% to the site's floor area. Council wants the Planning Commission to focus on height, setbacks, and neighbor impacts; the SOD vote is May 14.
Managerial Special Use Permit Text Amendment
Another zoning ordinance would change how managerial special use permits work under Article XI.
Miralina Resort Special Use Permit
The resort market inside the Kimpton Miralina wants a state license to sell beer and wine in sealed packages for off-site consumption. The Council endorsed it with no opposition.
Sanitary sewer rehabilitation program
The town is wrapping up a five-year, assessment-driven sewer repair program under an IGA with Scottsdale — including the decade-long effort to locate every 'missing' manhole. This year's work comes in far under budget.
Fire Service Fund
The fire service fee hasn't been raised since 2013, but costs are up 54% and the town now subsidizes about $1.2 million a year from the general fund. A one-time 67% rate hike would fix it, but most council members oppose raising fees and want more history and options first — including an automatic inflation escalator idea.
Pickleball court noise and lighting
A resident urged the council to adopt zoning-based pickleball noise rules, citing an American Planning Association article with model ordinances requiring setbacks of 60 to 600 feet and public hearings before permits.
Phoenix Country Day School sports field and court expansion
The school wants to renovate its baseball field, build a new Wellness Center, and add two digital information signs at its Stanford Drive campus. The council approved the Statement of Direction unanimously — the Planning Commission weighs in by April, and the council makes the final call in May.
Banning construction yards from residential properties
Multiple members reported contractors parking on both sides of narrow streets despite promises to park on-site, calling it a safety hazard. Staff said it's a constant battle handled with police ticketing and towing, and town attorney said capping permits per street would likely violate Arizona law.
Hillside development review and enforcement
A solar application exposed a gap: the town can't force a roof recoat unless the work touches 50% of the roof, leaving non-compliant reflective roofs in place indefinitely. The chair wants the Planning Commission to fix the code, and a work session is set for May 21.
Short-term rental impacts
A resident next to an STR described years of noise, overcrowding, and alleged permit fraud, saying she's considering leaving town. Council members agreed to fold STR guardrails into the future code enforcement discussion.
Code enforcement failures
The trellis was built without a permit and only came to light through a resident complaint. Board members pressed on why a licensed contractor and the homeowner didn't check permitting requirements first.
Alleged zoning violations at 8335 North Lillian Lane
A resident delivered a demand for a stop work order at a new construction site, alleging FAR, height, setback, and drainage violations — and said a building official threw her demand in the trash. She asked for access to the zoning appeal process.
Assisted living home occupancy limits
New assisted living homes in Paradise Valley will now be capped at 6 residents instead of 10, with all parking required on-site. Existing homes are grandfathered at 10 residents. Supporters say it protects the town's single-family character; opponents say it makes new senior care homes financially unworkable and limits options for aging residents.
Codification of Zoning Ordinance Interpretations
The Town has issued 47 zoning interpretations over three decades, and builders complain the rules are scattered and inconsistent. The council directed staff to fold all of them into the Zoning Code with redline drafts and fix conflicts, including one between roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar rules.
EPCOR Water Rate Case Intervention
EPCOR, which serves Town Hall and irrigation lines in public rights-of-way, has filed a rate increase application. The council voted 7-0 to formally intervene at the Arizona Corporation Commission and hire experts.
DoubleTree Resort expansion and stipulation cleanup
A September 9 neighborhood meeting required by the resort's SUP drew about 15 residents, with complaints about parking on Jackrabbit Road, box trucks unloading, and confusing driveway exits. Staff forwarded the signage concerns to the town engineer.
Automated license plate readers
The town approved 12 more automatic license plate readers, doubling coverage from 11 to 23 locations. Police say the tech helped solve burglary rings and recover a kidnapping victim; data isn't sold or actively monitored.
Temporary use permits for construction staging
A 21,424-square-foot home is proposed on a lot with an existing cut, but the four families on the narrow, dead-end private street worry about construction trucks, egress, and street repair. Staging will be worked out during permitting.
2026 Primary Election certification
The council officially certified the July 21 primary, seating Bob Brown and Bill Nassikas as new council members and returning Mark Stanton as Mayor and Anna Thomasson. Turnout hit about 37%, but only 22 of 3,184 independent registered voters participated — a gap the clerk flagged for outreach.
Expenditure limit adjustment on November 2026 ballot
Council members raised concerns that the state expenditure limit could tie the town's hands on paying for the Mockingbird project if Flood Control reimbursements arrive late. The town manager said a bonding study session could happen during the upcoming budget process.
FY 2026/27 Pavement Preservation Program
Public works reported street work completed this year and proposed keeping about $3.05 million a year in the budget, with condition surveys every three years, to restore town roads to a 77 PCI rating.
Community services funding awards
The town budgeted $265,000 and received $202,000 in requests; Council members questioned whether past $200,000 homelessness spending ever showed results and whether the eight recommended charities have any Paradise Valley connection. The slate goes to a June 11 vote with several members openly skeptical.
Emergency Erosion Repair and Intersection Reconstruction
Two neighborhood infrastructure fixes moved forward: rebuilding the Las Brisas/Cheney intersection for up to $146,675 and repairing storm-washed embankment at 40th Street and Clearwater Parkway for up to $404,995.47.