Stay Tuned, Sedona 

By Steve Segner

I’m beyond excited to embark on this ongoing series with you. My wife is not so much! My goal is to inform, entertain, and perhaps even spark a bit of community.  

Over the past 25 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in various local committees. You could say I’ve made it my mission to lend a hand wherever I can—be it the budget committee, the Sedona Historic Commission, or even the Sedona Lodging Council. If there’s a meeting happening, chances are you’ll find me there, probably sipping some coffee and wondering how I got roped into yet another discussion!

Now, I’ve heard the rumors about me on NextDoor—some folks affectionately call me “the mouthpiece of the city” or “that guy.” Why, you might wonder? Well, it’s simply because I ask questions that might make some people a little uncomfortable, and yes, I often support our city council.

Showing support for our wonderful community is like wearing a target in the world of NIMBYs (Not In My Backyard, for the uninitiated). Trust me, NIMBYs are alive and well here in Sedona, just like in many beautiful areas across the country! More on that later. 

But I don’t want to bore you with my backstory any longer! Let’s have some fun, shall we? 

Well lets get started 

Over the past several months, a small but vocal group led by Mr. Bill Noonan has begun collecting signatures for a petition that would bypass the Sedona City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission in order to put the future of the Western Gateway into the hands of a citywide vote. 

Let’s be clear about what this effort really is: it is not about transparency, and it is certainly not about community planning. It is about a few individuals, some with vested interests, attempting to impose their personal vision—a commercial entertainment venue—on a parcel of land that has been carefully studied, discussed, and guided by our voter-approved Sedona Community Plan. 

Who Should Decide Sedona’s Future? 

Sedona is a representative democracy. We elect our City Council to make decisions on behalf of the entire community—based on expert input, public process, long-term planning, and yes, the will of the voters. That “will” is reflected in the Community Plan, a document created through years of citizen involvement, and passed by Sedona voters to guide the city’s development and priorities. 

That plan does not call for an events center or music venue. It calls for a mixed-use neighborhood with housing, open space, trails, and civic amenities—a place where Sedonanscan actually live and participate in community life. 

Why the Western Gateway Matters 

Since the passage of Arizona Senate Bill 1350, which stripped cities of their ability to regulate short-term rentals, Sedona has lost over 1,000 housing units that were once home to more than 3,000 local workers, families, and schoolchildren. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a hollowing out of our community. 

Our school district has suffered devastating enrollment declines. Fewer children mean less state funding, and fewer families mean fewer volunteers, fewer young workers, and fewer reasons for businesses to stay open. Ironically, this loss has raised taxes for the remaining residents just to keep our schools functioning. 

The Western Gateway project is one of the few opportunities we have to begin rebuilding our community. It offers a chance to provide affordable homes for teachers, mechanics, servers, nurses, and young families who want to live and work here—not just commute in and out every day. 

Rejecting Community for Entertainment 

Mr. Noonan has made it clear: he does not support any form of local apartment housing. He has even implied that the people who would live in them are not “desirable.” That’s a deeply troubling position—one that ignores the humanity of those who serve our town every day and one that flies in the face of Sedona’s values of inclusion and neighborliness. 

Worse, his plan would strip power from our elected officials and appointed commissions, replacing public process with a one-time vote based on fear, not facts. This is not democracy. It is not planning. And it is not in the best interest of Sedona’s future. 

A Dangerous Precedent 

We cannot allow our city’s future to be dictated by whoever has the loudest voice or the deepest pockets. Turning over planning and zoning decisions to ad-hoc campaigns sets a dangerous precedent—one that resembles the kind of anti-government attacks we see from national figures like Elon Musk, not the kind of thoughtful governance we expect in Sedona. 

Mr. Noonan has been invited repeatedly to participate in public meetings and community outreach sessions. He has chosen instead to promote division and suspicion. But the Community Plan is the true voice of Sedona. It was written by Sedonans, voted on by Sedonans, and is meant to serve the entire community—not just a privileged few. 

Let’s Move Forward Together 

I urge every resident to reject this petition and stand up for representative democracy. Support your City Council. Support your planning staff. And most importantly, support the next generation of Sedonans who deserve a chance to call this place home—not just visit it. 

If we want a real community, we must plan for one.