By Steve Segner
Sedona Lodging Council
(May 9, 2017)
Many residents have recently expressed concerns about proposals to build or expand hotels in Sedona. Residents are worried that an influx of new hotel rooms will exacerbate traffic and congestion, threatening the tranquility and natural beauty for which Sedona is known. Numerous articles and extensive research support their concerns: oversupply of hotel rooms can be very detrimental to an area. In response to the City’s request for the Sedona Lodging Council’s position, we would like to share our opinion on this matter.
We acknowledge that future growth in Sedona must respect the balance between welcoming visitors and protecting the rights of residents. While we wholeheartedly support property rights and the freedom to build on one’s own land in accordance with zoning restrictions, we are concerned that some hotels may receive permission to increase room density in exchange for monetary gifts to the City. Currently, a survey is required in order for hotels to be able to add new rooms, and we want to make sure that all hotels looking to expand will be held to the same scrutiny. Therefore, the Sedona Lodging Council supports the construction of new hotels that are properly zoned, but firmly opposes hotels that infringe on neighboring properties or receive variances for the purpose of adding more rooms.
The proposals for these new hotels come in the wake of the recently enacted SB 1350, which strips Arizona’s cities and towns of the right to ban short-term rentals of residential properties, such as those arranged via Airbnb and similar services. Due to the increased tourist activity and traffic in town resulting from this law, Sedona is currently at a crossroads. While the Sedona Lodging Council does not feel that hotel guests alone are significantly adding to traffic at this time, we believe we are at the point where proposals for new rooms warrant serious consideration.
As hospitality industry professionals, we thrive on tourism to Sedona and are grateful for efforts to increase it. However, as residents of this beautiful place we call home, we want to ensure that the City pursues a strategy of smart growth. We support the development of new hotels, but encourage the City of Sedona to carefully consider the potential impact on residents before granting permission for new rooms. Our position is that no zoning changes should be allowed for additional hotel rooms until the traffic issues and the impact of SB 1350 are fully recognized and resolved.
Sincerely,
Steve Segner
Sedona Lodging Council
6 Comments
I certainly agree with Steve, but with one caveat. I don’t mind the tourists and I live in uptown a few blocks up from 89a. What I don’t want is their vehicles. Sedona has a great opportunity to created a legacy by limiting automobiles in the city limits, and to charge for the limited parking space we have.
Recently a trio of large rv’s stopped me in uptown to ask where they could park. The space they required was equivalent to the size of a house.
We have an opportunity NOT to add roads, but to limit vehicles through a combination of offsite parking and regular public transportation, bicycles, segways etc. There are many examples around the country where towns, islands, parks restrict vehicles and charge for parking. We cannot build enough roads to accommodate tourism traffic, but we can look to the future and create a legacy of a beautiful small town without thousands of cars and the pollution they bring with them. It is our responsibility as residents and stewards to keep Sedona beautiful.
Jennifer,
The goal of the Sedona Lodging Council is that in five years no hotel guest should need to get back in the car after they arrive!
Shuttles or walking to dinner, shuttles to hiking trails and safe walking paths from up town to hillside.
It could also be great to have a local shuttle and buss transportation up the canyon to West Fork and more parking up town.
Just look how many people now walk 89a with the history plaques.
It’s a start.
Thanks Jenny, perfect!
Thank you Steve for that bit of sanity. I wholeheartedly agree that no zoning changes should be allowed for additional hotel rooms until the traffic issues and the impact of SB 1350 are fully recognized and resolved.
oh come on Steve. YOU waited until the city APPROVED your houses to become B&Bs off of shelby. your full of it
Susan W says:
oh come on Steve. YOU waited until the city APPROVED your houses to become B&Bs off of shelby. your full of it
Im sorry I own no property on Shelby . never have, what are you talking about?
People before you post check you facts.
ss