A local LLC coined STR Ventures is seeking Scottsdale’s approval to remodel some downtown properties into short-term rental units, just a stone’s throw away from the municipal …
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
A local LLC coined STR Ventures is seeking Scottsdale’s approval to remodel some downtown properties into short-term rental units, just a stone’s throw away from the municipal headquarters.
Thus far, the powers-that-be at the city have not recommended approval of the two applications, but the ultimate decision will come from the Scottsdale City Council Tuesday, Jan. 14.
STR Ventures McKnight and STR Ventures Main & 1st are two separate applications both seeking conversion of existing office and residential buildings into single dwelling units to be used as short-term rentals.
The owner of STR Ventures McKnight, 7531 E. McKnight Ave., is identified as Home Yield; while STR Ventures Main & 1st’s owner is identified as STR Ventures, LLC.
Arizona Corporation Commission records show John R. McKee Jr. linked to both entities.
Rose Law Group attorney Court Rich is also listed on both applications as the contact.
The Planning Commission recommended denial of STR Ventures McKnight with a 4-3 vote, and reportedly discussed the appropriateness of the rezoning of a property into a mixed-use district for the single dwelling use, pointing to the Old Town Scottsdale Character Area Plan, along with concerns about the operation and management of the unit as a short-term rental.
STR Ventures Main & 1st, which has identified addresses of 7505 E. Main St., and 7504 and 7510 E. First St., was originally continued by the Planning Commission after the denial of the first application.
On Nov. 13, the commission recommended denial with a 3-1 vote, again citing concerns with the operation of the proposed use and rezoning the properties into single dwelling units instead of a mixed-use development.
According to a city staff report, the recommendation is to deny both applications.
STR Ventures McKnight is seeking to convert a 7,539-square-foot site --- or 0.17-acre --- into the single unit.
The city staff report states several email messages in opposition of the application have been received, citing concerns with the change in land use.
Included in the city staff report are emails from residents and business owners both supporting and opposing the applications.
According to the application, the property can already be used as a vacation rental under the existing zoning, but the change removes an “unusual ground floor restriction,” which stipulates residential use is limited to 35% of the total ground floor.
STR Ventures Main & 1st seeks to convert:
7505 E. Main St., lots 8 and 9: 0.56 acre;
7504 E. First St., lot 10: 0.30 acre; and
7510 E. First St., lot 11: 0.27 acre.
The lot 10 property at 7504 E. First St. seeks to have a second story added; all the other properties identify zero-to-minimal changes.
Melissa Rosequist Managing Editor | East Valley @mrosequist_
I first started my journalism portfolio at the age of 15 while in high school before going on to study at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Being in the journalism field is the only professional avenue I was ever interested in, and have worked hard covering topics from school boards to hard news while working for the Independent, where I have been awarded for my reporting.
By 
