City Council Recap

Below are the highlights of the December City Council meetings and some decisions that may interest you:

• On Dec. 10, 2024, City Council approved a settlement agreement with Olson Real Estate Group approving an amended development review application with increased parking, restaurant and event venue restrictions, minor increased setback from the Oak Creek floodway, and a developer contribution to the City of up to $550,000 for the acquisition or construction of a creek walkway. The agreement resolves litigation by affirming Planning and Zoning Commission’s Apr. 17, 2024 approval of the Development Review for the Oak Creek Heritage Lodge allowing construction of the lodging project on approximately 11.5 acres to the west of Schnebly Hill Road between 179 and Bear Wallow Lane. The settlement means that the Oak Creek Heritage Lodge has approval to begin applying for construction permits.
• On Dec. 10, 2024, City Council approved starting the annexation process with Yavapai County for approximately 3,422 acres of land including our Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Dells into the City’s jurisdictional boundaries. The City would like the annexation land to be within City limits, as it considers building a transit Maintenance and Operations Facility near the Wastewater Treatment Plant and eventually, the development of the Dells. If anything commercial is ever developed, the City would collect the taxes; if anything residential is built at the Dells, those residents would have the right to vote in City elections. Additionally, in general the City believes the Wastewater Treatment Plant and future transit facility should be in City limit, and by annexing the land now, it prevents other municipalities from annexing the land. The next public hearing on this topic is Jan. 14, 2025.
• On Dec. 10, 2024, City Council approved a resolution declaring a housing shortage emergency due to the proliferation of short-term rentals. With about 1,200 short-term rentals within the City limits, accounting for about 18% of available housing, short-term rentals have an outsized impact on the availability and affordability of housing in the community. Sedona invites other Arizona municipalities to adopt similar declarations and join Sedona in lobbying Arizona State Legislators to return local control of short-term rentals to Arizona cities and towns. 
• On Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, 2024, City Council conducted their annual Priorities Retreat, in which staff presented the 2025 Work Program status, accomplishments, and next steps for existing Council priorities within the context of overarching community goals in the Sedona Community Plan, adopted on March 26, 2024. These goals include Community, Land Use, Housing, Circulation, Environment & Sustainability, and Economy & Tourism. This retreat gave Councilors the opportunity to review progress, reaffirm, and realign priorities, providing a project roadmap for the leadership team to begin building the fiscal year 2026 budget.
• On Dec. 18, 2024, City Council agreed to move forward with consideration and a public hearing regarding the sale of property located at 401 Jordan Road, for the appraised value, to the Sedona Fire District at the February 11, 2025 City Council Meeting for the future Fire Station 4.

Did You Know

• … that we’ve been working with the Arizona Water Company, Yavapai County and Big Park Water Company to educate Sedona area residents and businesses about water conservation? Follow Ripple Effect Sedona on Facebook to learn more about our joint Integrated Demand Management Program which aims to highlight all the ways locals can conserve water.

News

• Want to be the first to evaluate new developments and proposals for City Councils consideration? Do you have expertise and interest in what the future of Sedona looks like? If so, the City is seeking one new Planning and Zoning Commission member. The Commission meets monthly, and Commissioners serve a 3-year term. Learn more about this exciting opportunity and apply today.
• Recycle your Christmas trees at the City maintenance yard! Trees will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2025 Monday through Friday between 7am and 4pm. Trees dropped off for recycling must be free of lights, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands and plastic wrapping. Please do not bring yard debris. The trees will be offered to the U.S. Forest Service to be used as erosion control in the national forest and mulch will be available to the community at the maintenance yard on a first come, first served basis.
• The city of Sedona seeks musician applicants of all varieties for the spring and fall 2025 Red Dirt Concerts Series! Interested bands/performers must apply no later than 6pm on Jan. 31, 2025, after which the applications will be reviewed and chosen by staff committee.
• Demonstrating its dedication to creating an inclusive environment, the city of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department recently became a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This milestone is a significant step in the city’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that various programs, facilities and events are accessible to all members of the community. Furthermore, this certification reflects specialized training for city staff, facilities assessments and strategic planning and will result in tailoring positive experiences in Sedona’s parks, pool and public programs to better serve individuals with autism and sensory needs.
• The Sedona Community Plan is now in Spanish! Please share the plan far and wide so the entire community understands our collective goals and priorities for the next 10-years.

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