Scottsdale is on the brink of a crackdown on rowdy revelers. In a move to safeguard the serenity of its neighborhoods, the Scottsdale City Council, during its meeting yesterday, mulled over tightening local laws targeting noise and public nuisances - particularly those sprouting from the growing number of short-term rental properties.
The proposed legal amendments, gleaned from the City Council report, seek to put promoters who host nuisance parties in the crosshairs, designating them as responsible parties. If the measures pass, they'd give the Scottsdale police the muscle to kick out non-residents stirring up trouble at properties post-nuisance party declaration. Not to be left out, minors could face being barred from renting short-term digs outright - a city flex to "better enforce violations when necessary."
These new rules aren't out to get the everyday citizen. They apply across the board to all residential properties. Yet, the short-term rental scene is a clear thorn in the side of the community, often being the stage for these disruptive events. In 2017, the state government curtailed the power of local governments to regulate these properties based on their classification, tying the city's hands somewhat. According to officials, though they can't outright ban short-term rentals, these new ordinances are an honest effort within the confines of state law.
Aside from noise control, the city is also turning its gaze to the literal shade of its streets, inviting public input on where to plant trees to enhance livability. Two meetings are on the books - one on May 15 at the Community Design Studio and another on May 16 at Florence Ely Nelson Desert Park, affording residents a chance to chip in on the greenification project. As the mercury climbs, Scottsdale is doubling down on its "Beat the Heat" initiative, responding to the spike in heat-associated deaths recorded last year. They are distributing care packages to help vulnerable seniors fend off the scorching heatwave. Info on cooling stations and heat refuge centers are available on the City's website, offering much-needed respite from the brutal Arizona sun, according to the same announcement.
Completing the city's well-rounded community update, Scottsdale is honing in on public safety, convenience and local culture. From free CPR classes aimed at preventing drownings to a bevy of public meetings and events that color the social fabric of the city - it's all systems go for an engaging May. Notably, the iconic Arizona Restaurant Week, which kicks off on May 17, beckons diners to savor the culinary craft that Scottsdale chefs have to offer. Other highlights include a historical celebration of the Indian Bend Wash, a seminal flood control project that marries utility with urban beauty. Scottsdale, it seems, is as busy as ever, shaping up not just laws but its landscapes and the very lives of its constituents.
