Truth or Lies: Vote YES on Prop 483 This November

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.