Comments on: Sedona Business Redundancy

By: Barry from W Sed

Barry from W Sed — Mon, 18 May 2015 19:27:53 +0000

Great points John Stuart. I sat there watching the last 2 hearings and was disgusted. That DiNunzio would make up all of those excuses for not wanting the cvs and when each one was debunked, he still voted it down. Obviously he has only those 2 houses in mind and cares not about the people who put him in office.

If he really thought that cvs wouldn’t build those houses he’s a fool and was playing the odds on our backs. What would he say to us if plan 2 went through and those houses went up? I know who I’m not voting for in 2017, DiNunzio!

By: John Stuart

John Stuart — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:56:00 +0000

To think that CVS would have just walked away from the whole deal if they did not get the zone change is the naivete I am talking about, especially the residents who originally signed the petition to require a supermajority. Seems like they thought signing the petition was a way to make it difficult to get a yes vote (which it did) but those two councilors who voted No and who apparently wanted to align themselves with the NIMBY residents are just as naive, evidenced by their change or heart when they realize their original knee jerk opposition was not a good idea after all (except for DiNunzio).

Anyone care to speculate as to why DiNunnzio kept his vote as a No in spite of weighing the pros and cons of a Plan A vs. Plan B?

By: Jerry, Sedona City Limits

Jerry, Sedona City Limits — Sun, 17 May 2015 18:23:32 +0000

@John Stuart – you make interesting points but are you aware the CVS project (Plan A) has been approved therefore qualifying most comments for the “redundant” stock pile.

BTW it seems it was the number of people that removed their signatures from the original petition that required the super majority of six that convinced Angela Lefevre to change her vote. Three or four of those who changed their votes spoke at the meeting and pleaded with Lefevre and Dinunzio to reconsider their votes for Plan A since CVS was going to build anyhow.

If by chance the availability of a pharmacy on that corner will relieve congestion at the Coffee Pot intersection it could actually be a good thing. Isn’t it maybe time to accept the decision and move on and away from more redundancy?

By: John Stuart

John Stuart — Sun, 17 May 2015 16:09:13 +0000

I believe the residents option to purchase the parcel refers to the adjacent parcel that is currently zoned residential, allowing up to 12 homes. CVS wanted to rezone it from residential to commercial to allow for a larger facility.

The nearby residents apparently never thought of banding together and purchase the residential property to prevent more homes being built. Of course it would be quite an expensive deal, especially when the rate of return is simply having more open space between Les Springs and 89A. I dont think RRN was saying they had the opportunity (or should have) to buy the commercially zoned parcel at the corner. And not all undeveloped properties are for sale, so the arguement that they should have bought it years ago is off base.

Regarding the point about the City being a bit more responsible for the success of a business is naive as to how zoning works. Each zoning district allows for a number of allowable uses. The question of whether the City (or residents opinions) needs any particular type of business is not subject to City scrutiny. It is the risk the business owner takes by opening up shop in any particular location provided their business is an allowable use. Businesses come and go not because of the City, but because of either poor business skills, poor business planing and feasibility analysis, or under capitalized.

Most businesses that fail (those that we know about are usually highly visible storefronts) are not tourism based. Those that target locals and that succeed truly meet some need that local residents have and that is a niche or can withstand more than one business offering the same service. Restaurants by the way are among the highest failure rates. Location is also a big factor. No wonder Nicks Bistro and the subsequent restaurant failed in that less than impressive strip center so common in west Sedona. How are you going to serve customers if the parking lot can only handle a few cars? The other 3 storefronts in that center control the other parking spots.

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:46:45 +0000

To bad they moved Just Saying, it was a great location. New site not as convenient (bank, drugstore, grocery, exercise, movie routine at old location). Reminded me that paint was sold there when at movie.

By: Just Sayin'

Just Sayin' — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 22:58:49 +0000

@Lois

FYI thankfully Sedona paint has not left our city, they just moved down the road a bit. Mike and Michele are now providing the best paint and service in town out of the old auto parts store.

By: Lois, west Sedona

Lois, west Sedona — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 22:49:46 +0000

dan’s bistro out of business & now Shallott’s in same locale OUCH & kfc move from busy 89A intersection was death knell;; paint store gone near harkins & now we to to flagstaff/cottonwood for paint if don’t want ace. she’s right. we don’t need one more redundant store; we need different not same.

By: Donna Varney

Donna Varney — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 19:47:02 +0000

Thank you Connie for the post. As a long time resident, my family has lived, shopped and played in the city limits first. I raised my family here. Run a few businesses in Sedona, one in Uptown now in West Sedona. We have also volunteered for non-profit business associations, even put on non-profits events all unpaid.
We greatly appreciate our local clients. Our business plan targets them and their needs. New products have been developed to help service the local needs. We have many more on the way. We would not be in business today if we did not have our locals following. We are not alone. More and more business owners are seeing the value in local first. We buy local first supporting our businesses like printing, office suppies ect whenever we can, even if it is slightly higher in cost.
Thank you for supporting the local businesses. We are one team. We LOVE our neighbors, friends, and locals. Thank you

A special thanks to Donna Solomon for speaking up. By addressing things we can make positive change. Our world has changed it is time for Sedona to move forward respecting each other.

Sincerely,
Donna Joy Varney

By: Connie

Connie — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:46:26 +0000

Exasperated at the direction the city has been headed in the past few years. We moved here, shop here, entertain here and the city council doesn’t appreciate its residents. Negative word of mouth from the residents will keep many away! We are the magnet for families and friends, we are the reason for restaurants and shops surviving during off seasons and through the recession (which hasn’t quit). Not the distant landlords living high off our hog, not the hit or miss businesses, not the sudden appearance of dirty streets and homeless, not the absence of dark sky friendly government. I am speaking to the vacuum of Council. Glad that Mrs. Solomon wrote what she did on our behalf. Thanks.

By: Brun

Brun — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 20:17:04 +0000

HOAs are the bane or the salvation of communities. Sedona has both kinds. City Councils come and go. Some should and some should be kept. Vote’s out for the current group. Sedona P&Z has never risen above political arse kissing and uses all sorts of excuses for decisions & actions & for Sedona to survive the new city manager better have bigger cojones than lips.