By Steve Segner
Sedona, Az — Sedona residents will soon face an important decision regarding Proposition 483. Let’s clarify what this proposition entails.
In 2022, the City of Sedona acquired over 40 acres in West Sedona, known as the “Culture Park” or the Western Gateway. This land is hilly, wooded, and mostly unimproved, with a decaying wooden structure that once served as an outdoor concert arena. The arena operated as a summer entertainment venue for about three years before going bankrupt and closing in 2003. The city’s intention in purchasing this land was clear: to address the critical need for rental housing in our community. Currently, only 4% of Sedona’s housing is available for rent, while most towns have at least 20% of their housing as rental apartments.
The Sedona City Council decided to hire an external planning and development company to guide the planning of this property. This process, set to begin in the coming months, will involve community input and a lengthy review before any projects can be initiated.
Last spring, about 6 acres of the land, hidden away from highway view were rezoned to be used as a two-year 
“Safe Place to Park” for employees working in Sedona who were sleeping in their vehicles. Funded mainly through grants, this initiative was a temporary solution to give local families an alternative to sleeping in unsafe conditions.
As we all know, rising rental and home prices, along with the proliferation of short-term rentals removing housing from the market, have made renting in Sedona expensive and challenging for many in the service industry. These employees are the backbone of Sedona’s businesses and are essential to maintaining the quality of life we, as residents, enjoy.
However, a group of newcomers to Sedona has proposed a different vision. They argue that the old Culture Park site should once again become home to a defunct 5,000-seat outdoor entertainment venue rather than be used for housing and other community benefits. This group is actively campaigning against the “Safe Place to Park,” spreading misinformation and fear about an invasion of the “homeless” to garner support for their entertainment venue proposal and to slow down, if not stop, any housing initiatives by the city.
This spring, the city council approved the two-year zoning change for the “Safe Place to Park,” but the push from this new group for a massive event venue and the rescinding of the temporary zoning led to the collection of signatures and the placement of this issue on the November ballot as a referendum, now known as Proposition 483.
So, what’s at stake? Sedona voters must decide whether to prioritize tourism or support local housing solutions. The old Culture Park went bankrupt, and now a small group of newcomers is trying to overturn a decision that supports our community’s needs.
A “NO” vote on Prop 483 means endorsing a new tourist attraction, while a “YES” vote supports local citizens and their collaboration with the city government to determine the future of the Western Gateway property. We will hear arguments that it’s not about the rebirth of the venue, it’s just about the “Safe Place to Park,” zoning but how does that square with the initial challenge to the city council when the zoning was created? Click HERE to hear the initiator of the referendum declare his position and threaten to pursue a referendum if the city created the zoning. To learn more about the referendum, go to https://Yeson483.com.
Don’t be misled by scare tactics. As the saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Let’s focus on what’s best for our community and vote YES on Prop 483.
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31 Comments
Only lie is that a de funked music venue will somehow magically come back as a popular venue (nobody but locals will play and attend)and benefit Sedona more than it would if it had been turned into a safe park for Sedona’s unhoused Employees.
It’s nothing short of a hypocritical lie.
VOTE NO SEDONA PROP 483 = NO HOMELESS CAR PARK AT CULTURAL PARK
Get the TRUE facts at: VOTE NO ON PROP 483 https://sedonavotes.com/
Is this the best you can come up with to fight the will of the people who do not want a homeless car park? Even your good friend, Mayor Scott Jablow, doesn’t think this is a good solution either, as quoted by him in The Guardian on 4/6/24 that “It’s a sucky idea, actually.” This issue has become known as Jablow’s Folly.
The City is perpetuating its lie it is just for workers by tugging at your heartstrings. The City’s FAQ states that “disabled” and “retired” people will also be admitted. This includes the mentally ill, drug addicts, and “retired” young people living the “nomad lifestyle.” In addition, there will be no criminal backkground checks, No Indeminification/ Hold Harmelss required against suing the City, and no solutions or services provided for permanent housing
These funds could be used to provide dignity by furnishing ACTUAL ROOFS, NOT CAR ROOFS for unverified hard data for 40 people for 2 years. This is the summary cost of Jablow’s Folly taken directly from the ADOH grant approval which are anticipated to increase:
$1,248,138 Total Anticipated Program Cost
$ 875,638 Grant Budget Awarded
$ 372,500 Minimum delta the City will cover
PROPOSITION 483 TEXT – REFERENDUM ORDERED BY PETITION OF THE PEOPLE
OFFICIAL TITLE: Petition refers Sedona Ordinance No. 2024-01 (the “Ordinance”), as approved by the Sedona City Council on March 12, 2024, to the City’s voters for their rejection or approval. The Ordinance approves a change to the current “Planned Development zoning of Yavapai County Assessor’s Parcel 408-47-009A (located northwest of the intersection of W State Route 89A and Cultural Park Place) by adding the City’s “Safe Place to Park” Program as a permitted use of the parcel through June 30, 2026.
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: Voters will approve or reject Ordinance 2024-01 approving the City’s zoning change of Parcel 408-47-009A (a six-acre City-owned parcel located northwest of SR89A and Cultural Park Place) for the City’s “Safe Place to Park” Program as a permitted use of the parcel through June 30, 2026.
A “NO” vote shall have the effect of rejecting Sedona City Ordinance No. 2024-01 that was approved by Sedona City Council on March 12, 2024, for the zoning change of Parcel 408-47-009A (located northwest of the intersection of W State Route 89A and Cultural Park Place) by adding the City’s “Safe Place to Park” Program as a permitted use of the parcel through June 30, 2026.
The City is perpetuating their lie it is just for workers by tugging at your heartstrings. The City’s FAQ states that “disabled” and “retired” people will also be admitted. This includes the mentally ill, drug addicts, and “retired” young people living the “nomad lifestyle.”
Prove what you say here. Provide a link to that exact verbiage!
Sean – Go to the FAQ’s on the City’s website and see #4. Any other self-employed people, and those who cannot be employed because they are retired or disabled…
The ADA Federal guidelines considers alcohol & drug substance abuse as dissabilities. The City admitted that they can’t restrict this to workers during the January 2024 City Council Meeting because they accepted a state grant by ADOH which is federally funded by HUD.
A person of any age who does not work could be classified as “retired” as the City does not define what a retired person is.
No criminal background checks will be performed.
No requirement to sign a Hold Harmless and Indemnification Waiver against lawsuits.
No services or solutions provided that would result in a path to permanent housing.
BULLSHIT Ms Histrionics! Local State and Federal Laws would apply to anyone in or around such a facility and would be enforced at any location chosen as housing just as it would be with anyone anywhere else.
So what if retirees or disabled persons who work in our town would be permitted access as needed. And yes some may be people struggling with addiction just like many other Americans who have homes are. But so long as they follow the law and are contributing to our town via employment how would that harm you exactly? Again, all local, state and federal laws WOULD absolutely apply to these folks just as they do you!
Dude, the City Attorney is on camera admitting exactly this at a council mtg. They cannot discriminate. But they CAN lie to cover up what most residents would absolutely say no to by calling it a place for workers to park overnight. It is complete rubbish.
Dude correct, they cannot discriminate against the handicapped, elderly, etc. just like any other public facility because there are laws to protect people. They can discriminate between employed and unemployed users/residents and they can enforce existing laws to ensure a drug free law abiding environment just like achools everywhere in America do on a daily basis. Again your mixing apples and oranges by saying they cannot discriminate and equating it with meaning that means anarchy and lawlessness can take root and takeover a location that falls within the rule and enforcement of all applicable existing statutes that apply to anyone and everyone else anywhere and everywhere applicable.
No rubbish just your distorting the facts.
How Christian of you. America, land of the wealthy or not!
TJ – My Christian value is putting a roof over one’s head, not a car roof.
Well Lacey, some things you can do quickly and other take time,money and planning.
Well If you call yourself a good Christian I sure hope you dont vote for anyone in the GOP.
Bunch of lip service to pander, yet never help the people. But if your rich or a corporation, you get all the tax breaks and loopholes!
West Sedona Dave – Plenty of planning was done.The City proposed the options of a voucher program of subsidized rental vouchers a year ago, in addition to the car park.
Christian values are a way of life. It’s a pity that sheeple can’t comprehend beyond their party lines.
“Christian values are a way of life. It’s a pity that sheeple can’t comprehend beyond their party lines.“
“Sheeple” are people who join cults and organized Harry Potter like fantasy book organized religions not those who are intelligent and independent minded enough to know better.
You won get that roof and yet you’ll refuse the park which is far better than living in a bush or out in the boonies where law enforcement will run you off as soon as they find you. You’re not getting the Ritz Carlton so screw Holiday Inn right?
There is a plan just waiting to be discovered that will serve all interests and leave no one’s behind. Is anybody interested in moving beyond the limitations of the yes/no mentality? In the meantime, let’s do our best to take care of those who need a hand up. Keeping our brothers and sisters “safe” should be everybody’s priority. Maybe the people who have issues with that should spend a few weeks sleeping in their cars to see what that’s like. That would probably end any disagreements right then and there.
Mary Ellen – Why should anyone have to sleep in their cars at all? Don’t you think a better use of the two years $1.25 Million ADOH grant funding would provide dignity to the 40 people idenitified by furnishing ACTUAL ROOFS, NOT CAR ROOFS? Vouchers could be issued to subsidize rent in a Not-To-Exceed amount of $15,600 per person for 1 year for 80 people or, $15,600 per person per year for 2 years for 40 people (totaling $31,200).
Instead of spending money to recreate the Cultural Park, why not use the money to build low income housing and/or rental properties for our workers?? I’m not in favor of a “car park “. Let’s build PERMANENT structures instead.
Lorraine,
if the folks who prefer music over providing minimal humanity for our un housed employees in the form of a safe park, are so staunchly against that, what makes you think they’ll change anything other than bitching more loudly if the City were to build brick and mortar lodging for our homeless workers. Fact is they don’t want folks in need of assistance anywhere within their eyesight. Same reason towns and cities are gentrifying, so the people doing the gentrification don’t have to see the less fortunate. Love to see what Sedona does if these folks leave. Businesses will tank and tank quickly.
It is a preposterous lie that Prop 483 is about putting a 5000 seat theater in the Cultural Park. You are desperately trying to change the subject from the scandal-ridden homeless park to a phantom theater that is NOT on the ballot. The video of me you cited as evidence proves you are lying. In that video I said Sedonans wanted a live entertainment venue in the Cultural Park and not a homeless car park. I never said anything about a 5000 seat theater, nor do I think it desirable. You have clearly lost the argument when you have to confabulate an imaginary “5000 seat theater” to distract people from the real issue. According to city officials the car park is NOT just for workers and it is NOT safe. See the actual evidence at https://sedonavotes.com/
What’s preposterous is not helping our un housed EMPLOYEES whether it’s a car park or a brick building you are 100% against helping folks. That much is absolutely certain.
JB, the private employers of these folks have every right to take care of them. The city does not have any obligation to provide housing for private employees. And the tax payer certainly should not be made to cover the extra costs that the local employers should be incurring in wages or housing. This is wrong-headed thinking.
You are absolutely correct however said employers are not obliged to help either and therein lies the problem- nobody doing anything! As tax payers we benefit from the work these folks do especially those who don’t earn tips or have to live on their tips alone. So why shouldn’t we the taxpayer many of whom are incredibly wealthy help to remedy the problem? Or should we just ignore them and hope they go away along with the town’s productivity ?
That’s wrongful thinking my friend !
https://sedonavotes.com/
Is NOT evidence it is Opinion and nothing more.
The fact that a lame duck council spent $10 million in cash and borrowed $13 million for a property with ZERO plan in mind should tell you all you need to know.
The Cultural Park has had several owners that have had decent proposals including workforce housing, an art component and green space. All rejected. Not enough water, traffic and the normal anti development rhetoric.
But now….all that is forgotten that the city has jumped in and added 40 acres to the 600 + that they already own.
The city owns 200+ acres at the Dells 6 miles out of town. A terrific plan for housing, development and some local shopping for the residents was ignored. Just think how far a partnership with a developer could have gone with $23 million dollars. And now we own a hard to build on uneven rocky piece of dirt.
The chances that the stage venue may come back? Maybe, maybe not. But ignoring similar car parks around the west that have attracted drug dealers, human trafficking and other issues is burying your head in the sand. “It can’t happen here”.
For $23 million you could work with existing businesses who have employees without homes and subsidize rents. Enchantment has bought houses in Cottonwood to provide affordable housing for employees.
But a car park? Remember this is a city that budgeted $2.7 million for Forest Road which is up to $12 million. And a tansit system that is promoting bicycles and walking from the two core roads, 179 and 89a where all terrain goes straight up a mountain or down a mountain. Mediam population age of 59.
Can anyone say “out of touch”.
Vote NO on prop 483
You cannot build housing upon active or even in active human fece fields. You do realize that entire area is highly contaminated. The lawsuits would rapidly bankrupt the entire town. Why do you think the Pact Act was passed for GI’s exposed to toxins? Because you cannot have humans intentionally exposed to toxins and not face legal ramifications for it. And there would be ramifications. Unless of course it is done to our precious Indigenous tribes we continue to contaminate with uranium and who knows what else to this very day. Not a very intelligent alternative or idea.
Hold on now JB. My understanding is that a cease and desist was sent during this policy discussion to prevent talking about the A+ water that is sprayed at the Dells as toxic or sewage water. This is water that has been through the entire Wastewater Treatment Facility and has been classified as A+ quality water. If you have different information about that water being less than A+ and that the city is lying to us, please post it here so we can confront the city on this. TY
The water treatment facility 100 meters from them you mean?
The water coming to your tap I am certain is potable and fully treated, safe to drink. What I am referring to is the quality of the soil and water surrounding the treatment facility where the water with sewage (you can often smell from 89A) in it is being pumped into lines, sprayed over trees and ground cover and then seeps into the soil as a natural form of filtration like a ceramic water filter and then seeps into the “ponds” or dells as you call them where the water settles then is pumped into chemically treated tanks then pumped to your homes. I never said anything about our home drinking water quality.
No JB, I took a tour of the plant. Its incredible what they do and the water being sprayed you can drink. A+ affluent is clean water, just not treated with chlorine and other things. Call them up, and find out next time they have a tour. I enjoyed it!
I believe the water coming from there to our spigots is A+ but not what’s in the ponds or what is being sprayed across 89A from the treatment plant. I have walked the back fence line where they spray and there are warning signs all over the fence stating that the water is non potable and entry prohibited because of it. Plus you can smell the hint of sewage while it is sprayed. It may not be raw sewage but there is waste in the water being sprayed. Check it out for yourself next time you see them spraying. Park at the trailhead and just follow the back fence for a couple hundred feet. That water goes down into the same water table those ponds have and unless they built that spray field atop a waterproofed sealed concrete pad that water is in the soil and water all around both sides of the treatment plant.
Again I trust the end product is A+ as people are calling it but no way is the water and soil surrounding it. Water seeps as you well know.
But I’ll request a tour and get their version of what they say is going on down there. I don’t think you aren’t telling me the truth (you are one of the few sane ones on here) it’s just that it doesn’t jive with what I have seen first hand down there. And beside, the plant itself does wreak highly of feces so having folks living there would just be cruel if it is even possible to have people live so close to it, a power station, nuclear reactor or other vital infrastructure support that require high security due to saboteurs and hackers etc. So not certain the idea having people living next to and upon it is even legally allowed because it is absolutely not at other support facilities.
The chances that the stage venue may come back? Maybe, maybe not. But ignoring similar car parks around the west that have attracted drug dealers, human trafficking and other issues is burying your head in the sand. “It can’t happen here”.
Which car parks specifically have attracted drug dealers? Please provide bonafide media links for this. Locations by name and arrest stories that accompany them. No pseudo parody sources like Fox, Newsmax, RT, X or anything like them as they are not news they are propaganda.
“The chances that the stage venue may come back? Maybe, maybe not. But ignoring similar car parks around the west that have attracted drug dealers, human trafficking and other issues is burying your head in the sand. “It can’t happen here”.
Are they eating peoples cats and dogs as well? Such hysteria you spew just like your stupid ex POTUS.