By Jewels Maloney, Sedona Resident
(October 3, 2017)
Let’s Think Hard about Continuing Development in Sedona. First and foremost, Sedona is sacred land, a sacred site of the planet for millenia. Is it our right to continue to ‘tinker’ with it – especially through continued man-made development projects? On Weds. Oct 11th at 3 pm there will be a Public Hearing at the Sedona City Council to determine whether to amend the Sedona Community Plan so that high-density apartments and more parking lots can be built just west of the Yavapai College site. Are we, once again, going to allow development interests to ‘pave paradise and put up a parking lot’? If we decide that we do Not want to amend the Community Plan, which is item #2 on the agenda, Case #PA17-00008; then we are actually taking a stand for the integrity of this sacred land.
Some people believe it is a humanitarian thing to do to provide lower income apartments for ‘workers’ in Sedona. In my view, all the businesses hiring ‘low income’ workers should increase their pay by doubling it, and let go of the idea that building a 45 unit apartment building on this sacred land is, in any way, a good idea. The Sedona community, I believe, needs to be aware of and remember that we are encroaching on this sacred land with actions and attitudes of the continual. Why can’t we leave Sedona alone now? It is beautiful. It is perfect as it is. And it is more than hotels, shops and restaurants. It is a revered place on this planet that needs to be felt, recognized and honored.
Sedona is a place to be treasured and also honored. It is a place to make prayers. It is a place to honor the ancestors of this land. It is a place to be aware of the energies of the vortexes and ley lines that carry our prayers downwind to bless all beings, All the life of Mother Earth. It is place to be aware of the messages from the ravens and hawks and the animals who we share this land with – the javelinas, deer, rabbits, and coyotes. It is a place that is connected on higher levels to all the sacred sites on this planet. – a place to go higher in our consciousness and our vibration – a place to ask for this to be so, that we may expand our heart and soul in to new vistas of consciousness and awareness. I hope many who honor this land can go to the meeting on Oct. 11th to be a voice for this sacred land.
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7 Comments
City government is proposing high density, low income complexes throughout Sedona, In addition to the 45 unit apartment complex proposed for 89A/Pinon Drive, in the future the Cultural Park area will be included among others. A significant percentage of people are opposed to this.
The City of Sedona Publicity Pamphlet the electorate received concerning the March 11, 2014 Community Plan election stated: “Future property zone changes must be consistent with the Community Plan.” As part of the Community Plan voters voted for multifamily medium and high density housing of from 4 to 12 dwelling units per acre. In that there was no Multifamily High Density designation allowing consideration of more than 12 units per acre, I believe allowing rezoning to greater than 12 units per acre is a blatant inconsistency and highly doubt the Major Plan Amendment’s legality.
Although the Community Plan is only a guide, City staff, Planning & Zoning and City Council members appear to view it as the gospel. Because something is in the Plan does not justify approving it.
I requested a copy of the official results for the March 2014 Community Plan election from the City Clerk. There were 6,495 Registered Voters at the time. Total Votes equaled 2,484 of which 1,530 were “YES” and 954 were “NO.” Only 23.6 percent of the Registered Voters voted “YES.” The Community Plan said nothing about a residential density designation allowing rezoning in excess of 12 units per acre, a designation that could have garnered more than a sufficient number of “NO” votes to derail the Plan’s passage.
The City Council Work Session regarding the Community Plan amendments is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Wed, Oct 11th, and the Public Hearing is at the same time on Wed, Oct 25th.
Jean says:Only 23.6 percent of the Registered Voters voted YES.
There were 6,495 Registered Voters at the time. Total Votes equaled 2,484 of which 1,530 were YES and 954 were NO. Only 23.6 percent of the Registered Voters voted YES.
1,530 Voters voted YES. only 954 votes no that is a loss any way you count the numbers.
JJ math- Big loss 1,530 to 954.
Lost by 576.. not even close ,so Jean uses Registered Voters!!!! Sorry does not work that way.
And person that does not vote does not count in any election….
If people felt strongly about the Sedona Community Plan and did not like it they would have come out to vote. no the fact is more voted yes.
Jean says: “City government is proposing high density, low income complexes “throughout” Sedona”,
Please show us the statement from the city on this ?
Jean just makes this stuff up, like her numbers….. Jean, tax income for Sedona is up over $2,000,000 over last year and bond ratings great….. So much for you Sedona is going to hell in a hand basket ….. NIMBY Talk.
The Sedona Community Development Department (under “Projects and proposals”) shows the name of the text amendment (#2) as the “High Density Plan Amendment Proposal.” Maybe Steve should have completed high school. The high density name is in bold print. With regard to low income housing, the Community Development Dept. Director stated during the P & Z Public Hearing that any subsidies would come from the in lieu housing fund. “How long will the low income housing remain low income housing?” one lady asked.
In addition to the 89A/Pinon high-density project recommended to City Council by P & Z, I’ve already heard talk of building greater than 12 unit per acre complexes in the Cultural Park area and on Medical Center property.
Short-term residential rentals contributed to the increase in the sales tax for the Hotel/Motel category and also to bed taxes. According to the Aug 23, 2017 Red Rock News’s “Tax revenue up 9% over 2016” article: Hotel/Motel, Leasing, and Amusement and Other; UP. Retail, Restaurant and Bar, Construction, Communications and Utilities; DOWN. “Total: UP; $1.49 million vs. $1.41 million.” The total increase in spending this year is projected to be 21 percent over last year per the RRN.
The City of Sedona has a budgeted negative cash flow of $9,989,641 for the current year. On Oct 4, 2017 the City Council majority agreed to raise the City sales tax by a minimum of .5 percent. The 4 percent increase in wastewater rates effective July 1, 2017 will be reflected in Aug statements. A review of the City of Sedona 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report reveals Sedona’s 2009 population of 11,436 has decreased to 10,388 while the median age increased from 50.5 to 58.0. I made no comment about bond ratings.
Jean,
one more time the city is using saving from project accounts….. The city of Sedona has been putting money in special account for years. now that they have the staff the projects are starting and the money will be used…..that is what governments do!
Jean please tell us why income is up so much over last year. this link may help .
https://sedonachamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/final_annual-meeting-presentation-2017.pdf
How uninformed can Jewels and Jean be? I listened to the P&Z hearing from a few weeks ago after reading this article and I’m just amazed.
Jewels when you say; “Some people believe it is a humanitarian thing to do to provide lower income apartments for ‘workers’ in Sedona. In my view, all the businesses hiring ‘low income’ workers should increase their pay by doubling it”. Where do you come up with this baloney? First of all NO ONE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT “LOWER INCOME”. It was hoped that developers would provide market rate to local workers. By saying business should increase workers pay and maybe double it, would you patronize that business if they doubled what you pay them? After all someone has to pay when salaries are increased. Oh how stupid of me, I think that the owners should have even less profit. Or even better, how about business owners MAKE NO PROFIT after all, they have the red rocks to look at and they should be grateful to live in such a beautiful place such as Sedona.
Can you please explain to me what is wrong with “low income workers”?
As for Jean Janks, you really need to get out of the house more often. I heard what you said about this project at the P&Z hearing and was shocked that people like you still exist in Sedona.
The City has been running down savings instead of living within its means for the past several years. Thus, the City Council is planning a minimum of a half-percent City sales tax increase for the next ten years (“City looks at tax increase,” RRN, 10/04/07). Some of the regional Chamber’s numbers are specious as they are regional.
Full-Time Equivalent Employees (FTE) listed in the State Schedules G filed by the City Finance Department:
2018 – 142
2017 – 125
2016 – 120
2015 – 120
2014 – 119
Jean, So what, you know for sure that the city does not need 142 employees,
And tell us all how you know this ? Tax income was up over $2,000,000 over last year and the city is get it’s staff back up to what it need after recession.
We have a city manage and a city council and they know a lot more about the need of Sedona that a no last name “Jean”, they actually go to meetings. Jean, you make no sound reason what the staff should not be 142 or more. Projects have been on hold for years because of understanding, no we have the people and the money.