The story
How The Ritz-Carlton, Paradise Valley will build on Paradise Valley's legacy
Nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain, in a lush pocket of Sonoran desert, Paradise Valley has grown and thrived as close-knit community known for its scenic views, open spaces, luxury homes and world-class resorts. The town is home to twelve resorts, making it our State's premiere resort destination.
Marriott International is also the owner of The Ritz-Carlton brand which it hopes to perpetuate Paradise Valley's resort tradition with a new property at Lincoln and Mockingbird. The proposed project includes a 225-room Ritz-Carlton resort hotel, 100 villas, 46 estate homes and 15 one-acre estate home sites. The Paradise Valley Town Council unanimously approved the project's special use permit April 10. The project was subsequently referred to the Town's voters by residents primarily opposed residential component of the new resort.
Longtime resident, former Mayor, and Current Vice-Mayor Ron Clarke recalls that as the Town expanded and grew over the years, it incorporated many of the resorts that are part of Paradise Valley's tradition today. Clark said, "The town police originally had no jurisdiction at the Camelback Inn, Mountain Shadows, El Chorro Lodge, the Sun and Sage, the Smoke Tree, and what is now The Ritz-Carlton site," said Clarke, "It would take the County Sheriff's office an hour or more to respond from Cave Creek. We saw the value that these resorts brought to our community, and over the course of time, there was a systematic and concentrated effort to bring these facilities into the town."
The challenge, however, was that the town was exclusively zoned for single family residential use. Any land use other than residential requires a Special Use Permit, which the town stipulates "may only be granted after public hearings before both the Planning Commission and the Town Council." As these resorts were brought into the town, each one was granted a Special Use Permit thus creating Paradise Valley's outstanding resort tradition.
The land at Lincoln and Mockingbird that is slated to become the Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley was previously entitled in 1987 for a 500 room convention style resort hotel with a 9-hole golf course. "That plan, which the owners are entitled to build, no longer fits into our community", said Dan Schweiker who was on the Town Council and now serves as Chairman of the Yes on 411 Committee. "The current plan, now before town voters, actually downsized the resort from the 500 rooms to 225 and permits the development of the residential component necessary to attract luxury brands like the Ritz Carlton. In working with the Town Council and the neighbors the project was made into a smaller, more neighborhood friendly luxury resort, with villas similar to those surrounding the Camelback Inn."
Due mostly to the revenue generated by the resorts, Paradise Valley imposes no property taxes on residential homes. The town obtains revenue for essential city services from state shared revenue, a town sales tax, a bed tax, a use tax, and various fees. As competition has increased from nearby Phoenix and Scottsdale, Paradise Valley has been looking for ways to preserve their resort revenue and build their luxury brand.
Bill Marriott explains, "Like the 70 year old Camelback Inn, the Grande Dame of Valley resorts, we plan to develop and operate The Ritz-Carlton as a legacy resort - a property that will embody the spirit of Paradise Valley and earn an important place in your community as another great neighbor."
Marriott is joined by neighbors and community leaders in support of the project. The developers made over 150 site plan changes to secure the support of a vast majority of their neighbors. The perimeter homes on the site were maintained at one story to preserve scenic view corridors.
"As longtime Paradise Valley residents, we'd like to join many of our friends and neighbors in bringing The Ritz-Carlton hotel to our community," said Chef Eddie & Jennifer Matney, "Such a resort will exemplify the high quality design and premier service and standards that have come to be associated with Paradise Valley."