By Karin Reid Offield
(December 7, 2018)
URGENT ACTION NEEDED BY THIS TUESDAY DECEMBER 11 !!! FRIENDS…are you aware of what is at work for the over 170 acres west of Sedona Shadows known as El Rojo Grande Ranch? This pristine, riparian area is currently being considered for an aged 55+ 600 manufactured home and 50 RV pad development that equates to a disaster on many levels.
Their plan hinges on a zoning change request submitted by ELS (who owns Sedona Shadows) and we can help prevent this from happening. PLEASE spend some time reading the website. It’s a lot of information compiled by former ranch owner Karin Reid Offield and deserves a deep dive. AND THEN WRITE YOUR LETTER!! This is a time sensitive request…DUE TUESDAY DEC 11
5 Comments
I implore Sedonans to write all the Yavapai County Supervisors opposing this development. Yavapai County asked Sedona City Council what they thought so the held a special meeting for Randy Garrison, Yavapai County and the developers of the property in escrow contingent on re-zoning to speak. The developer contradicted himself several times and was not even slightly credible neither was Randy Garrison. The developer tried to present the project as being for affordable housing yet they will be very expensive and yearly rental fees for the lots exceptionally high. First he said the owners could add to the work force of Sedona but, when confronted by the City Council reminding him the owners would be 55 plus he backtracked. When confronted with the huge amount of traffic it would incur for Sedona he contradicted himself and said that most of the owners would stay home during the week and leave only on weekends. WHAT??? The writer of the above article is of the family who currently owns the property, they were told it would not be developed and left rural as it is now with improvements. They were lied to as was the Sedona City Council which voted as extremely opposed to the project, just an opinion as it is not in City limits but, the developer was not at all well received. Please all of you reading this article above write to the Yavapai County Supervisors opposing the project. Just imagine driving to Cottonwood and seeing 600 mobile homes in that glorious setting. Let us not allow the beauty of the area to be eviscerated. Thank you.
Joan Shannon
Sedona
This is a very important matter and all Sedonans who oppose continued overdevelopment of this special region (which I think is most of us) need to speak up quickly!!
WE HAD PLANNED TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY when our funds became available, and were greatly saddened to learn it sold to a developer.
We viewed this property as a special place that deserved to be treated in a way that would serve ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY for their appropriate use and enjoyment. We believe it is time to think beyond the bottom line.
OUR PLAN was to engage input from the community in order to strategize its most appropriate use to all. Although it was premature to request input prior to our ability to purchase, some ideas that have come forth include and can combine the following compatible uses:
ART: Public sculpture garden with art/craft classes available for kids of all ages
CAMP: “Day” camp outings for children and elderly with focus on nature, art, music and creativity
FIELD TRIP DESTINATION for individuals, families and small groups
ANIMALS: A place for people and horses to interact in a therapy sense
NATURE: Wheelchair accessible paths through beautiful grounds.
MUSIC: Small, intimate recitals
GENERAL SPACE USE: Weddings, Reunions, Meeting rooms for business day-use and small seminar usage.
We remain interested in purchasing this land from the current owner if/when this might be possible and arranged.
Sue, the land has not been sold, it is currently in escrow and is in the
“pending- taking back- up offers” category
You can still submit a back up offer to the listing agent
Where are these zoning meetings being held, Dec. 20 and Jan. 17?