Letter to The Editor

    Open Letter to the City Council: A Reflection on the Recent Lawsuit

    10 Comments
    Letter to the Editor
    By Steve Segner
    After reading the recent article in the Red Rock News about Olson Real Estate Group’s lawsuit against the City of Sedona and a handful of local NIMBYs, I am reminded of the old Uncle Remus tale of the Tar-Baby. In the story, Br’er Rabbit finds himself entangled with the Tar-Baby, a doll made of tar and turpentine, which was designed to trap him. The more Br’er Rabbit struggles, the more tangled he becomes.
    The City of Sedona and certain local groups have found themselves in a predicament similar to Br’er Rabbit’s entanglement in a lawsuit with Olson Real Estate Group. The developer had collaborated with the city for years on a hotel project in an area designated for a hotel, invested millions of dollars and hundreds of hours in a lengthy process of community meetings and numerous revisions, and successfully received approvals from city staff and Planning and Zoning.
    Then, the city council overrode the P & Z approval and denied the developer the right to build the hotel on the property. The developer has resorted to legal action asking the defendants to prove their statement to overturn this decision are in fact true and correct in a court of law.
    A significant issue is at the heart of this dispute: The city council’s decision to overturn P & Z’s approval is based on the information presented at an appeal by a group of citizens challenging the approval.
    As noted in the lawsuit, allegations of misinformation and exaggeration are now being scrutinized in court. Lawsuits are costly, and while the city may bear these expenses, it’s worth considering the financial burden on the other 15 defendants involved.
    The city council should revisit the project and reassess the details presented during the public meeting. A renewed examination could reveal that the development aligns with the criteria set for building projects and the Planning and Zoning Commission acted appropriately with their approval. Engaging in open dialogue with Olson Real Estate Group could resolve this situation more amicably and avoid further legal entanglements.
    This is a critical moment for our city. Let’s approach it with transparency and a willingness to find a fair resolution.

    Healing Paws

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    10 Comments

    2. Joan Shannon on

      Steve Segner: As usual you attack Sedona residents using this site since you were banned from Next Door.com for foul langage and direct attacks on individuals. Your accusation that four members of the City Council made their decision based on what two Citizen Groups presented in their appeal to the City Council is absurd and you know it. You are basically saying that Mayor Jablow, Vice Mayor Ploog, Council Members Fultz and Dunn had no mind of their own. They each had very valid reasons which were their own for their reversal of the P&Z Commission which by the way gives Developers all they want like the Heritage Hotel and also Saddle Rock Crossing (at 89a & Soldier’s Pass where Biddles used to be). There were not hundreds of hours with community meetings,
      Residents opposed the project and made their voices heard but, as usual as with the Saddle Rock Crossing Resort (with a live band on the roof until 10pm and right on top of a peaceful lovely residential neighborhood) P&Z gave the Developer everything he wanted even though there was a very serious problem with enough parking. Plus an extra load of traffic at the Schnebly Roundabout due to weddings, other events etc. Seventy room hotel plus two other buildings, one at around 5400 sq.ft and one over 6000 sq ft. with one having a lift and nine bedrooms. The CFA required cabins/cottages and this was ignored. Developers coming to our City knows in advance the City Council can at any time overturn a P&Z vote. Also, P&Z NEVER NEVER listens to residents and this worries me with Council Woman Kinsella on Council as she came from P&Z. They also never reply to emails, One P&Z member was so arrogant at one meeing she leaned forward and used the word s–it to criticize a resident. They are appointed so don’t care. The fact the City has a lawsuit against it as all “part of being a City”, it happend all around the country and we should not want our Council members making ill decisions based on a fear of the City being sued.

      • TJ Hall on

        Next Door is a bunch of MAGA laden old bitties who censor truth and permit lies, liars and conspiracy theorists to post whatever without consequences. Very hypocritical lot so don’t worry about their BS.

    3. Joan Shannon on

      Forgot to mention in my comments above as well as Council Member Kinsella coming from Planning & Zoning so did Pete Furman – both voted for the resort even though it did not comply with the CFA. Also Peter Furman with the P&Z attitude regarding the homeless camp did not think residents should tell them how to vote. Too many Developers are obtaining zone changes and getting what they want. Joan Shannon

    4. Steve segner on

      Joan,, what I said was they made a mistake the City Council wasn’t empowered to disregard the input of the city, staff traffic experts, and add new hurdles for the developer. Technicality it was brought back to the City Council but if you read the lawsuit, you’ll find that the developer says they were not legally able to add new Hurdles to the development. My question was it worth spending the millions of dollars fighting this or pave more roads and more important city issues. And what about the people who were also sued. The majority of the landowners around the hotel suport the project it was out of area NIMBY,s stirred up by your group and next-door. I hope the people who are individually sued realize when they make public statements that are derogatory they can be held responsible. I have been banned from next-door for several years and it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me next-door wants people who just agree with small minded neighborhood bickering.

    6. Hector on

      JoAnne, stop being so mean. You live in a incredible place. Go outside and enjoy it. People like you aee angry and think Sedona is only for the rich elite. Move to LA Quinta CA behind a gate where you belong.

      • Nicolas Stame on

        Hector,

        I’m confused? You are against the wealthy walled community types but support draft dodging insurrectionist wealthy grifter Trump?

        Can’t have it both ways! You’re either against wealthy elites or you are not!

    7. Hard Pass on

      I was delighted in council’s decision to pass on this project. It probably wasn’t an easy decision and they are taking hits from all sides. I’m not so worried about the lawsuit. If we’re willing to spend tens of millions on a parking garage for Jeep tours, I’m not going to worry about the costs of this litigation.

      But the comments from the developer’s lawyer were most interesting to me. Although delivered rather obnoxiously, the lawyer repeated said we could have had rules in place ahead of time to prevent this type of development. We should put those rules in place right now. (And a group of us residents are reviewing options and hope to have some solid proposals soon.)

      I hope staff will be directed to explore ways to limit this type of unchecked large development instead of being instructed to push the boundaries for ever more.

      • West Sedona Dave on

        Look at this clown who wants to build a 40 foot tall apartment complex next to the Wild( old Rouge). He says its about families, doesn’t need the money. Refused to work more than 10 years to make it affordable. Then when asked by council if it didnt pass what would he do? He said will I probably build a bowling ally….He is nothing but a rich clown doing what ever he can, and does not care about Sedona!