Pace: Keep current open space in Paradise Valley
Posted Thursday, November 11, 2021 7:45 am
Paradise Valley Independent
Photo by Arianna Grainey/Indpendent Newsmedia
By Councilmember Julie Pace
The Town Council is scheduled to vote on Thursday December 2 (date change) to reduce the setback requirement for view fence location from 20 feet to 10 feet along many streets in Paradise Valley.
This proposed change will forever change the character of many neighborhoods, and it will create a feeling of less open space and reduce the quality of life in our Town.
Once the Town changes the code to give away the setback of land that for decades has been open space, it is gone. Municipalities can keep setback requirements, but generally cannot increase it.
What is driving this material change to town code? Corner houses that confuse applicants in figuring out setback requirements and complaints about the town’s current landscape and hedge agreements around combination view fences.
Will this permanent change create a closed-in feeling of less open space in our town?
Absolutely.
Is this proposed change contrary to the Town’s general plan to preserve open space? Yes, this change is contrary to the Town’s current and new draft of the general plan.
Did the Planning Commission agree to this proposed change?
No. The seven-member Planning Commission was unanimous in opposing this proposed change. The Planning Commission studied it for months and rejected the staff’s proposal to make this change to reduce setback and open space along town streets.
