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Another Three Story Sedona Hotel for VOC

Sedona AZ – The following is a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor. At the request of its author and due to its continued relevancy, we are re-publishing this January 2019 letter again:

The Jacks Canyon and SR 179 roundabout southeast corner property owners (Patel) are requesting a zoning map change and variances and multiple setback waivers in order to erect a Hilton Garden Inn 165 room and 3 story hotel and extended stay facility in the VOC. The above rendering was submitted with the project. The 4.65 acre corner lot is presently zoned residential/rural RCU-2A.

Another 3-story hotel in the VOC.

Owners of the vacant property at the corner of Jacks Canyon and Hwy 179 have requested rezoning and variances. The county document dated, October 30, 2018 is available for community members to review.

The property at the corner of Jacks Canyon and Hwy 179 is zoned residential and will need to be rezoned to accommodate the proposed 3-story hotel, Hilton Garden Inn.

It is important that community members email Yavapai County with comments regarding the rezoning and variances by Friday, January 11, 2019. Use this email: planning@yavapai.us. (Leah Genovese – leah.genovese@yavapai.us is the plan reviewer.)

A recent controversial issue, a master sign plan, was strongly opposed by the community. The county dismissed the opposition as “too late” and approved the plan.

According to the county document, the comment deadline for this latest controversial development is January 11. The county P&Z meeting to recommend or not recommend the request is February 21, 2018. The board of supervisors will decide on the request on March 20, 2019.

The VOC is a cash cow for the county. Our tax dollars support a college in Prescott. Tourist development revenue will go out of the VOC. This is about money. Some things are more important than money. Water, traffic, housing, etc.

Take action. Spread the word. The county isn’t going to tell you.

Big Park Council doesn’t even have the issue on the agenda for the January meeting.

Stop the VOC from being turned into a resort town.

Send your comments to the county. Don’t let the deadline be an excuse for the county to ignore community comment.

Barb Gordon
VOC resident

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190 Comments

  1. Doug, VOCA says:

    My two cents? Not one community planner or council or zoning or developer cares about Sedona or VOC. Why would the good people of VOC ask and approve for another layer of bureaucrats to skim cream off their lives and livelihoods? WHY WOULD ONE PERSON IN THE VILLAGE OF OAK CREEK OR VOCA WANT ANOTHER LAYER OF BUREAUCRATS? THIS INCORPORATION TALK PLAYS INTO THE HANDS OF POLITICIANS AND YOU NOW KNOW THAT LOCAL POLITICIANS DON’T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT YOU AND THAT GOOD PEOPLE DON’T SPEAK UP BECAUSE THEY’RE TOO BUSY. My two cents.

  2. steve segner says:

    Doug, VOCA says: Look Sedona will never ever try to Incorporate the VOC, cities get no income form homes only expenses, county property taxes go to the county not the city. The village does not have enough tax revenue even with new hotels to pay for the cost of the up keep of roads and other city mandated services and other city services. The state of Arizona does not allow cities to join or take over un incorporated areas if the are not joining the city let alone eight miles away. dead issue

  3. steve Segner says:

    SL says:No one wants to be slave Labor for the hotel industry. Work weekends, evenings and work in 2-3 different Jobs.
    It’s funny because most of the business owners I know we all work weekends, evenings(still do) and worked in 2-3 different jobs to get to where they are in life.
    You know this is free country, no one is forcing you to work in Sedona or live in Sedona or work in the tourism industry. You can say no to any job that does not pay what you think you are worth. Don’t blame the employer look at your own skills and what you bring to the table, go back to school get a skill that pays more.

  4. John Wilson says:

    @Doug, VOCA you nailed it about incorporation. The naive ones pushing for incorporation of Sedona actually believed it would protect and preserve the integrity of this special place. Ha! Man were they ever fooled. The exact opposite happened and it was all because of incorporation, implementation of the wastewater treatment plant, and the hidden lineup of developers just drooling and waiting in line.

    Then came the grand idea of requiring new development to include employee housing in their plans! That, too, became an unfulfilled promise. Those wriggling out of it in many cases proposed providing employee housing at offsite locations. Well that never happened which is one reason for the shortage of the “affordable housing crisis” which doesn’t exist except in some city staffers open book of available government grants program that gives us taxpayers money “free”.

    A bunch of greedmongers and liars prevailed and continue to do so here in Sedona. Residents of the VOC can count your blessings you were eliminated from being part of this Dog & Pony Show although you have your own problems because you didn’t pay attention.

    Why aren’t the contractors of your new hotels required to provide at least some employee housing and unlike Sedona enforce compliance? They do it in other resort areas in Colorado and Utah like Vail, Aspen, Park City, etc. Stop being the dog and pony, VOC to the county. Make your demands known and make your representatives pay to play for you and not developers and tax coffers.

  5. Garrison needs to GO says:

    We need someone from to run for Supervisor
    Someone from VOC or Red Rock loop area
    He needs to be voted OUT before we become a giant cement slab of money for Prescott.

  6. Bill VOC says:

    VOC or Red Rock Loop Area has lots of poor choices. We’ve had nut jobs run for Congress, we’ve elected whack jobs, and we ran out of town the one man who kept us pristine from Prescott because the Sedona Village types didn’t like his ability to keep them in their place with grand ideas of transit system hubs and big hotels and lots of corporations and not small businesses. I’d suggest someone like Barbara Gordon because she’s a hard worker, has the vision most share here, and doesn’t bow down to power. It’s time for a woman with the right vision and the guts to stay the course. How about it Barbara? Why don’t those who dislike Garrison get on board before unmarked cement trucks pave your backyards. Wait until those hotels neon lights turn you into Sedona’s Vegas strip. If not Barbara then who do you suggest? Name them here. Ask them to step up. How about you? Bill VOC

  7. @SL says:

    Cause that’s all you get in a “right to work state” like arizona

  8. Sarah says:

    Will Sedona lose its Red Rock scenic highway designation? Rumor has it that businesses and business organizations are working behind the scenes to have it undone. They want it to begin and end at the Forest Service lands to have no limitations on size and height of commercial and residential developments or viewshed or water or desert ecosystem limitations.

    Here’s what ADOT says on its link about the Red Rock Scenic Highway and the handful of others in the entire state of Arizona.

    Scenic evaluations are based on the level of the overall visual quality rating developed on the visual quality summary sheet, and not just landscape components. Attributes critical to the visual quality are vividness, intactness and unity.

    The information provided by the Visual Quality Summary Sheet (link is external) includes the overall visual quality of each landscape assessment unit and the average visual quality of the entire road segment.

    Many factors contribute to the visual quality of a landscape. For purposes of evaluation generally, these factors can be grouped under the attributes of vividness, intactness and unity.

    Vividness: Vividness is the memorability of the visual impression received from the contrasting landscape elements as they combine to form a striking, distinctive visual pattern. The route is extremely vivid if unforgettable elements and patterns combine to form a unique visual impression.
    Intactness: Intactness is the integrity of the visual order in the natural and human built landscape and the extent to which the landscape is free from visual encroachment.
    Unity: Unity is the degree to which the visual aspects of the landscape elements join together to form a harmonious composite of visual patterns.

  9. Joan says:

    Don’t you just love how senger tells everyone what to do, what to think and has a answer to everything?

    Busy body, know it all imo. (deleted by editor)

  10. Nathan, Sedona says:

    ” county property taxes go to the county not the city.” @steve segmer

    Because we just received our property tax notice and because you also reside in Coconino County (be it in Oak Creek Canyon or one of your city properties) we suggest you check Flood Control Dist as well as other allocations most of which are generally provided by cities/towns and help to justify a city property tax which fortunately hasn’t befallen Sedona residents yet (can only be implemented with voter approval). It’s common knowledge our useless chamber is the major Sedona tax beneficiary. Outrageous!

    How about YOU find out how much the city receives from Coconino and Yavapai County assessed taxes which actually applies to local infrastructure not to mention your constant harping about the two highways (89 & 179) being under the jurisdiction of State of Arizona and ADOT. Again it’s common knowledge the major benefactor from Sedona city taxes is the CoC. It’s surprising they aren’t championing the recent city push to fix broken stuff to be reused instead of heading to the landfill. Sounds like a chamber job because isn’t that what the most recent $2.5 mil will be frittered away on . . .making us all sustainable? WTF council! That’s my money you’re abusing me with!

  11. Barb Gordon says:

    @Bill VOC. Thank you for the kind words. I am a hard worker, always have been. I am retired and have no plans to start a new career in politics. I have always been a volunteer. I am currently working long days on a committee to revise the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council, BPRCC, bylaws. We want to improve our representation and processes. This rezoning issue that will allow the Hilton Garden Inn, if approved, really energized the community and BPRCC.

    BPRCC is very powerful. In fact, Randy Garrison, Yavapai County Supervisor, stated at a supervisors’ meeting on November 20, 2018 that “…they [BPRCC] just come to us and represent your wishes to us, which I just take as marching orders.” And “…Big Park Council, which I can tell you is held in this state as a model of efficiency and also as a model of representation for an unincorporated community … that council, … are truly your voice…”

    I recommend we stop bashing the county and our supervisor and work together to make BPRCC an even stronger voice for the VOC. Let’s organize to give the county “marching orders.” This will allow the VOC to remain unincorporated and powerful.

  12. SHOW UP in RED 11-20-19 says:

    Spread the word now. SHOW UP on November 20, 2019 at the supervisors’ meeting in Cottonwood. Wear RED. Give our marching orders. No C2 Rezoning. The highest and BEST use of the land does not guarantee C2 zoning. BEST use, taking into consideration the residential properties adjacent to the lot asking for rezoning, is NOT C2. A one story, small hotel WITHOUT a rooftop terrace bar would fit BEST much better.

  13. Liz says:

    Here’s an idea. Go for it.

    Have everybody opposed to C2 rezoning gather on one of the properties and take photos to present during the Nov 20 meeting. Get people at local bakery, local Clarks, local coop etc. and take photos. Distribute NO C2 petitions to have people always carry for people to sign and present. Try & get several hundred people in photos because not everybody can or will drive to the meeting. Blow the pictures up and hold them up at meeting. Present the petitions. Take the VOC with you! Have people Instagram NO C2, Facebook red shirt NO C2 on all the politicians FB pages. Make sure every state representative and official get a packet of info now about what’s happening. Call the local TV and radio shows and tell them about the NO C2 movement and invite them to the Nov 20 meeting and have a script ready to present the NO C2 cause when anybody asks.

    Buy red tee NO C2 shirts and use for photos or wear red and make handmade signs NO C2. Ask people to put a sign in their yard. C’mon you 60s hippies, teach how it’s done! Save the VOC. On busy holidays get photos of traffic jams and have NO C2 superimposed on them. You’ve got a window there to use.

  14. At Liz says:

    Oh come on Liz, you know that is an amazing idea but you “Village People” won’t do it. They have never pulled together for anything in the past.

    If you “Village People” were organized as those from that proposed housing/mobile project just west of Sedona, you’d really be a group to be reckoned with. You wouldn’t have that ugly hotel that’s almost completed, you wouldn’t have that ugly storage facility that’s also almost done. Like I said, you “Village People” just can’t seem to get organized.

  15. NOT TRUE says:

    ” And “…Big Park Council, which I can tell you is held in this state as a model of efficiency and also as a model of representation for an unincorporated community … that council, … are truly your voice…”

    Not true, BPRCC allowed this and through community complacency we allowed them to allow this.

  16. The rezoning is not final says:

    @Not True. The rezoning of the property at Jacks Canyon is not final. The supervisors vote on November 20. BPRCC voted NO to rezoning. Garrison said he takes the BPRCC recommendations as “marching orders.” Seems that we just need to convince the Prescott supervisors to vote NO too. Show up in large numbers wearing RED for NO to rezone.

  17. NOT TRUE says:

    ” And “…Big Park Council, which I can tell you is held in this state as a model of efficiency and also as a model of representation for an unincorporated community … that council, … are truly your voice…”

    Not true, BPRCC allowed this and through community complacency we allowed them to allow this.

    Let me rephrase:

    Not true, in my opinion, BPRCC has allowed major decisions up to this point, the Westin, Cold Storage, to name a very few, with no basic sharing of information with community by the member voters and through community complacency and misplaced trust, we have allowed them to continue to do this based on a long ago expired,once good reputation.

    I also volunteer.

  18. @Not True says:

    The Westin and Cold Storage involved no variances or amendments to county ordinances. There was nothing for BPRCC to share or comment on other than that. And that was shared. Why are you trying to discredit BPRCC when the interest in community participation is higher than ever? Are you secretly trying to advocate for incorporation? Destroying BPRCC would make that more appealing. Are you trying to get the BPRCC vote opposing rezoning for the hotel tainted? While I agree BPRCC had biases and bad leadership in the past, that is changing. Changing for the better. Work with the new community leaders to make BPRCC reflect the community opinion and make the county listen.

  19. @not true says:

    Stewards in the past always preserved our Viewshed. Not any more. Not under the new County rule. What did BPRCC do about this regarding Westin and Cold Storage with the higher than ever community participation?

    “Why are you trying to discredit BPRCC when the interest in community participation is higher than ever? Are you secretly trying to advocate for incorporation? Destroying BPRCC would make that more appealing. Are you trying to get the BPRCC vote opposing rezoning for the hotel tainted? ”

    BPRCC has discredited and tainted themselves. The rest of your comment is wild speculation.

    For years under articles of incorporation, BPRCC had a brochure on how to incorporate, they still do, but now it is titled documents. At least they placed the articles of incorporation back up. Point that finger back to BPRCC.

  20. Cottonwood subscriber says:

    Yavapai County supervisors and P&Z at it again. Trying to get 2 massive rezonings though that are larger than Sedona itself of mobiles, etc. Meeting this week.

    Time to get these supervisors out of office, mayors and councils out of office if they aren’t keeping our lands safe from predators.

  21. MShobert says:

    Build it! And I see the ‘new’ traffic plan calls for an alternative route from VOC to W. Sedona. LMBO! I called for this 13-years ago and the ‘village idiots,’ thought ‘ I’ was cray-cray. How about them Roundabouts? A joke, they are! $54,000,000 15 years ago for HWY-179 upgrades, and $44,000,000 now for an alternative route?! That’s $100,000,000 my ‘fiscal conservative’ friends. Wake-up, and do it right the first time! The conservative and vocal minority is wasting tax dollars, millions! Many of those whiners from 15 years ago, are long gone. Thanks for your legacy.

  22. Flagstaff Engineer says:

    @Sedona Public & M Shobert here are facts for you. Now zip it about what you don’t know or understand. M Shobert, you’ve declared yourself in your own words ignorant for 15 yrs. Wise up will you and stop being one of the Village Idiots you accuse others of being?

    From – http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/ltc_09/pdf/Doctor,%20Mark.pdf

    Myth #9 – Roundabouts cause more crashes

    FACT: Study after study conclusively shows that modern roundabouts reduce motor vehicle crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.highwaysafety.org) “most serious kinds of crashes at conventional intersections are virtually eliminated by roundabouts…Crashes that do occur tend to be minor because traffic speeds are slower.” Studies of intersections around the U.S. that have been converted from stop signs or traffic signals to modern roundabouts. – Total crashes were reduced by 39% – Serious crashes were reduced by 76% – Fatal or incapacitating injuries reduced by 89%.

  23. Freefall says:

    This first responder sees less accidents than ever before in his career. Roundabouts work. End of story. They have nothing to do with endless advertising that oversells Sedona. Somebody needs to tell somebody to stay home.

  24. @FlagEng says:

    Define crash?! It’s hard to ‘crash,’ when you are stalled in a traffic jam. You need an updated ppt.

  25. update - wear red 11-20-19 says:

    The Yavapai County Planning and Zoning Department name was changed to Development Services. Under David Williams, develop what the county is doing. Makes you wonder if Williams has some hold on the supervisors. He seem(s) to be running the show. The supervisors vote on the rezoning application for the Hilton Garden Inn on November 20th. Show up in large numbers wearing RED for NO to rezone. Arrive at 8am for the 9am. The meeting is in Cottonwood. Will common sense or rampant development rule?

  26. @Update - wear red.... says:

    I hope that I’m wrong but you’ll never get enough VILLAGE PEOPLE to come out in force against that proposed monstrosity.

  27. George, VOC says:

    what meeting & when & why should go?

  28. #George, VOC says:

    The BIG meeting! The Yavapai county supervisors will vote on the rezoning application for the Hilton Garden Inn. The meeting is November 20th at 9am in Cottonwood at the county building, 10 South 6th Street Cottonwood, AZ 86326.

    Opposition is asked to arrive early and wear red. Fill out a comment sheet when you get there so your comment will be included in the record. Public comment is going to be limited. Go if you want to pressure the supervisors to act in the best interest of the community.

    If you have been living under a rock and don’t know what the Hilton Garden Inn rezoning is about here is more information.

    PROJECT: Patel Zoning Map Change
    APN: 405-33-479G
    HA#: H18052

    Zoning Map Change from RCU-2A (Residential Rural) to C2-1 (Commercial) requested by Bhagavanshriji, LLC for the property located on the southeastern corner of State Route 179 and Jacks Canyon Road in the Village of Oak Creek.

    If the zoning is approved, the land owner has stated she has plans to build a Hilton Garden Inn. The hotel will have one story partially set below grade. Then two more stories, all with hotel rooms. Then a rooftop terrace. I have heard it will be a bar or restaurant. There will also be detached buildings for extend stay customers.

    The community overwhelmingly has opposed the rezoning since the first application was made in January. Yes, this has dragged out all year only to be heard at a time of year when attendance is hoped to be low. Issues include loss of the views, congestion from traffic and transients staying at the hotel that create danger in an emergency, noise, and violation of CC&Rs.

  29. Lesley Ann Watts says:

    GO TO THE MEETING

  30. Development trumps residents says:

    11-20-19
    The Yavapai County supervisors approved the Zoning Map Change from RCU-2A (Residential Rural) to C2-1 (Commercial) requested by Bhagavanshriji, LLC for the property located on the southeastern corner of State Route 179 and Jacks Canyon Road in the Village of Oak Creek.

    Reasons:

    The county will get sued. Be afraid. Huh? How is that a good reason? in fact, that would be a good thing. A lawsuit would bring to light the state statutes that violate residents’ rights by allowing this type of rezoning. Seems like a good use of tax money.

    The supervisors feel compelled to vote the way of the county P&Z commission. The county P&Z voted to approve the rezoning. If the P&Z commission, not elected people, are running the show, why do we need supervisors?? Take a good look at the most vocal county P&Z commissioner who pushed for approval. He is a land investor. Question the motives of all these people pushing for development.

    Tourists want to come here. We can’t stop them. Huh?! Why not. We need to preserve this special place. That Sedona has allowed its chamber of commerce to ruin their town is no justification to ruin our neighborhoods.

    Reasons they dismissed:
    The community opposition.
    The VOCA opposition.
    The BPRCC opposition.
    The safety concerns.
    Traffic.
    Out of control development.
    Water.
    Land preservation.
    Damage to neighbors’ quality of life.
    Every other reason the oppostion stated.

  31. old folks unite says:

    There is a movement to turn Arizona into one big tourist trap. Big, big money to be made. In order to do that, the retired people need to be driven out and low income, high density housing needs to be built to bring in the low paid, immigrant workers who will service the tourist industry. The people making decisions are land investors turned politicians. The beautiful scenery that the tourists are attracted to, like Sedona, will be destroyed. But the big money will be made before that happens. The politicians and investors are in a rush. They are corrupt. So many conflicts of interest in the system. The only solution is for the retired people to work and spend their retirement money to fight it. They will for a while, but in the end the big, big money will win. Or will it? Don’t underestimate a bunch of intelligent, old folks with time and money. The internet has plenty of dirt on the crooks who want to destroy the land and our neighborhoods for the almighty dollar. Vote them out fast. They are working fast to destroy Arizona.

  32. Ray says:

    How many showed up & was it televised?

  33. SPRING VALLEY DEVELOPMENT says:

    Does anyone know any opponents of this project?
    There are supposed to be many Native American artifacts along that area. Lying on the ground surface artifacts. Surely someone has that information or can find out from a local tribe.
    This could delay things.

  34. Steve Segner says:

    yes, there is a small village at he front of the development, . When the original lots and plan was approved the village was to be a park and protected area and I am sure will be. Lots , roads and water are already in….. This is going to happen is some form or another. Things they are a change en. The county is pro growth and they will approve any development that will help housing and bring in more tax dollars, that s in fact there job county government is all about growth, city government has more local control and can at least guide growth. Remember all the state land is going to at some point be sold off ,Northern Arizona will be the next boom area get ready. Just sayer.

  35. MShobert says:

    Managed growth is good for everyone. Get over yourselves…

    What!? Now that you are here, ‘close the gates.’ Sounds ignorant, selfish, arrogant and greedy to me.

    Build it. Make a tourist come.

  36. @MShobert says:

    Thanks Karen

  37. Follow up to hotel project December 2020 says:

    December 2020 followup on this hotel project. First of all, it is not three stories. It is two stories with a basement and a rooftop terrace. Four stories of commercial use.

    Secondly, the CC&Rs for the subdivision where the property is located only allow one story buildings. So a commercial project, like the bank that is across the street from the proposed hotel or a one story hotel, would comply with current county ordinances and CC&Rs.

    Too bad the county defied the community and rezoned the property to a high commercial zoning. It was not necessary and a lower commercial zoning would have been more appropriate. But that is how the Yavapai county supervisors decided. Not the only project they approved in spite of community opposition this year. See the news about the Verde Connect.

    The Village of Oakcreek Association (VOCA) has governance as the HOA for the property where this hotel project is planned. The Architecture Review and Regulations Committee (ARRC) for VOCA has denial approval of the project FIVE times. Reasons stated include various ways the project does not comply with the VOCA master declaration and CC&Rs for the subdivision where the property is located.

    The VOCA board was supposed to vote on an appeal to one of the ARRC denials in October 2020. Rather than vote, the board sent the project back to ARRC with instructions to disregard the CC&Rs clause restricting the project to one story. Why? We can’t get a reasonable answer.

    ARRC denied a revised plan two more times even though the VOCA board removed the ARRC chair in an apparent attempt to overturn the ARRC denial.

    What will the final outcome be? Will the community desire and ARRC denial be over turned by the VOCA board as it seems some on that board want? The leader of the pack for Yavapai county was not re-elected. That should send a message that we are paying attention and will use our power to protect our rights.

  38. Real deal says:

    These people are Airbnb in disguise, selling a lie and false promise for a quick bed and no long term commitment. Ruining the good life here for 30 prices of silver.

  39. Money can't buy happiness says:

    Well said, Real deal. You would think the pandemic would knock some sense into people. This huge hotel is the gateway to “ruining the good life here.” Build it and the homes in the shadow of the huge hotel will be bulldozed for another hotel. And then more, and more. We will be driven out as our little retirement Village becomes one big tourist trap.

  40. Corona says:

    We can’t afford to cater to tourists. If they come then they can take us as we are. Otherwise they can go Piss and S*** elsewhere.

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