By Robert C. Porter
(July 4, 2021)
For the last couple of months, I have listened to an ever-increasing crescendo of concern about Jordan Lofts, so I thought I would weigh in with a common sense approach.
I have been a Sedona resident for 23 years, and I love this town. I stipulate that Jordan Lofts is not in my immediate neighborhood; so I will not be directly impacted by its development. I am simply offering a different point of view prior to the Planning Commission meeting to discuss Jordan Lofts on July 6th.
The common sense question is “What are the development alternatives for the Jordan Lofts property?”
One alternative would be a possible 100 units of Airbnb which, in the opinion of this writer, would not be in best interests of the residents of Sedona.
Jordan Lofts comprises two parcels of land, roughly 6.59 acres:
- 2.06 Acres, zoned RM-2 (“Medium-High Density Multifamily”)
- 4.53 Acres, zoned RS-18 (“Single-Family Residential”)
Under existing zoning, without recourse, the owner could develop the combined properties as:
- 24 apartments on the 2.06 Acre parcel
- 9 large single family homes on the 4.53 Acre parcel
Each of the 9 homes could be as large as 11,000 square feet, and could include anywhere from 5 to 10 bedrooms. In the current environment, each of those bedrooms could become an Airbnb unit, euphemistically referred to as a “Home Hotel” unit.
The main reason that Jordan Lofts has become so visible, and so controversial, is that it requires a change in zoning. Zoning changes require public hearings, and the approval of City Council, giving the Council an opportunity to approve or disapprove a proposed development.
Legally, however, without a change in zoning, the owner of the property has the right to develop it in accordance with its existing zoning as described above. City Council would be powerless to stop it. So, again, the simple choices appear to be:
- 84 rental apartments, or
- As many as 100 Airbnb units.
Under existing zoning, all the owner would have to do is submit an application for a building permit to the Community Development Department, including a presentation of the proposed plans. As long as the plans comply with existing zoning of the property, the public might object, but City Council would be legally powerless to stop the development. Approval would simply be an administrative action.
As the residents of Sedona are now painfully aware, Airbnb has become a scourge, creating impossible traffic congestion and compromised City services.
In the alternative, Jordan Lofts presents an attractive, well thought out 84 unit apartment project, which will include 10 residential units designated “affordable” under city guidelines.
As citizens of Sedona, we complain about Airbnb, and we complain about the absence of affordable housing. Jordan Lofts provides solutions to both of those problems.
As stated, Sedona has been my home for 23 years, but I have also been a home builder for more than 40 years. I am about to break ground on a 192 unit apartment community in Cottonwood, so I have some understanding of the issues.
I have no connection with Jordan Lofts, and I have never met anyone connected with Miramonte Homes. I am simply a concerned Sedona resident in favor of intelligent development.
Please thoughtfully consider the options.
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5 Comments
This is an embarrassing, disingenuous screed.
The mental gymnastics to turn 24 apartments plus 9 homes into 100 Airbnb units would laughable if it wasn’t such a boldfaced, ridiculous lie.
I’m so tired of the threats. And am all for calling this bluff.
Even in the worst case and all units became Airbnbs: 33 Airbnb units would mean less traffic than 84 residential units.
No comment on the proposal, but a vacation rental, motel or hotel room averages about 9 trips to an from a day. Apartments are locals, and they get up, go to work, come home and maybe go out for groceries or the weekend. Or if they are retired maybe don’t leave at all for a day or two. Just looking at car trips wouldn’t be any more than rentals and possibly less.
But there are a lot of other factors involved.
Mr Porter: Here we go again, another Lofts supporter threatening those of us in Uptown who have lived here for thirty plus years, myself for 41 years, and who know our area better than anyone else. You must be friends with the City official who has been calling us with the same threats you offer up. I wrote all the negatives of the 84 townhomes above so you can read those. We are not afraid of your threats and speculations. We care about our Old Sedona neighborhood and the wildlife in Wilson Canyon which would be harmed from hundreds of cars and noise. Guess you are not one who does care about our wildlife let alone those of us who live in Uptown which is the HISTORIC SECTION OF SEDONA and which our City brags it works to preserve…..does nothing. Uptown cannot handle more traffic. I live several streets from the proposed site but, oppose it strongly as DO MANY RESIDENTS IN WEST SEDONA. Our town is being destroyed and unlike you we and many others are trying to save it.
Another wrong fact: Mr. Porter you state that the “the ten units” would be under the City’s Guidelines.
WRONG WRONG WRONG. The City would have NOTHING to do with the ten units, all the 84 units would be townhomes which by law are regarded as “single family homes” each with its own entrance. The City of Sedona would have nothing to do with them in any way whatsoever. Miramonte Homes also states they would be under HUD GUIDELINES which is also not true. Since they are being classed as townhomes HUD has nothing to do with them. I confirmed this with a phone call to a HUD official in Phoenix. Your article reveals you know nothing about Uptown and the history. My street Smith Road is an historic road built in 1948 and my home has had in that time only three owners of which the Wilsons whom Wilson Street is named after as they were friends with the developers the Van Derens. Also Sedona Schnebly’s son built his house on Smith Road. My home was built in 1950. We should preserve the history of Sedona instead of tearing it down and changing it into something else. This is a special part of Sedona, like a village where we all know each other. Your threats of what could happen on Jordan Road are no appreciated. Threats and speculations are not wanted here. You say you have no connection to Miramonte Homes but, it sounds like you possibly do otherwise why are you so strongly supporting their position without you knowing anything about Uptown and who lives up here.
Wow! … It appears that I have poked a hornets’ nest, although that was certainly not my intention, My objective was simply to stimulate informed dialogue. Clearly this is an emotional issue, and I have struck a nerve. I apologize if my opinions have offended anyone.
For the record, I am not in a position to “threaten” anyone, and I would certainly not do so even if I could; but here are a couple of points to consider:
1) “Townhouse” is simply a style of home construction rather than say “garden style stacked flats” or “single family detached” homes.
2) The fact that a townhouse apartment has a separate entrance has no bearing on whether or not it can be rented or sold.
3) It is my understanding that Jordan Lofts is to be a rental community, and one can rent a townhouse in the same manner as one would rent a stacked flat, or a traditional apartment unit.
4) It is also my understanding that the 10 “affordable” units will be managed under a “set aside” agreement with the City, with reporting requirements assuring that those units remain rented to income qualified tenants.
5) I do not know if the developer will be availing themselves of HUD financing, such as a 221(d)(4) construction to permanent loan. I believe that the “HUD Guidelines” referred to relate to income qualifications.
6) The Jordan Lofts property is currently vacant land, so no historic structures will be torn down or damaged in the process.
I would ask that, rather than simply objecting to the development of Jordan Lofts as planned, those opposed should suggest realistic, financially viable development alternatives. No development at all is not realistic..
I will ignore the jab about my having a connection with Miramonte Homes. I do not know anyone in that company, nor have I ever spoken with anyone at Miramonte Homes. I am simply a concerned Sedona resident, who has had a lot of experience in real estate development, and I support intelligent development. Miramonte Homes appears to have bent over backwards to accommodate the City and the neighborhood.