My guess is maybe, just maybe the projection for the Oak Creek Preserve might be for a new City Hall location?

Perhaps in Sedona certain developers might consider skyscrapers far more attractive than the red rocks. Others might agree and think the only damage occurs when such edifices are under construction. Then there are those who think the exact opposite, that our scenic views should prevail. Is either point of view either wrong or right?

My own opinion based on what was being promoted at the time is that the purpose for Sedona to incorporate in the first place was to preserve the natural beauty. I still maintain that using the Community Plan and unenforceable codes as tools has been a cop out since neither seem to have substantial teeth, so to speak, as has been illustrated by the number of deviations which have occurred over the years.

Having clearly defined “my own perspective” in my closing sentence, I believe that was the only portion in my comment that might be interpreted as “quantifying.”

Quite honestly I believe we are pretty much on the same page whether you choose to believe it or not. Just another example of differing opinions? If I’m mistaken it won’t be the first time.

Another point to ponder is that the Sedona City Council is subject to changing to at least some degree every two years which can be both good or bad depending on, obviously, “the interests that these candidates bring to the table” as you so aptly point out.

One question to consider is how much damage can be done within a two to four year time frame? Historically speaking, quite a bit from my own perspective as a voting Sedona resident since the inception of incorporation.

Eddie

“Drive through town and look around you. Do you like what you see — the congestion, and what bad development has done to your city? To keep this mess from getting worse, we need a Community Plan with provisions that defend our environment and life quality. This proposed plan just doesn’t do it!

Plan proscriptions should be meaningful and clear. This Plan is a massive, confusing jumble, repetitive, redundant, full of platitudes but devoid of teeth and easy to challenge, obfuscated by a mass of data and background better left in a companion volume.

Sedona has become timeshare capitol of the world, with more AAA hotels than Scottsdale; yet this Plan allows for still more of both. Rather than discouraging rezoning to higher density, this Plan focuses on “overall density,” allowing transfer of building rights, resulting in windfall developer profit and higher actual net growth. The housing element does nothing whatever but make excuses for still higher densities. The Plan pays only lip service to the idea of development impact fees, but maximum allowable fees should be the goal. Impact fees can, and in Sedona should, finance much; such as our sewer system, instead of mortgaging future tax receipts, and socking homeowners for thousands for a system they do not need. If you spend many hours, you can find many more deficiencies and hidden nasties, lurking in this word jungle.

Much pretense has been made about soliciting community input for this Plan. But it is obvious from results that development interests got the attention.

Let’s reject this thing. And give our new City Council the chance to do it right.”

If you are anticipating conclusions or predictions from me relating to the future of Sedona, it will not happen. There are those who pooh-pooh any notion that history will repeat itself. And when it does, some choose to remain in denial.

As has been said by others much smarter than I: “One person’s heaven is another person’s hell.” So no matter what, the will of ALL the people will never be served. Let us just hope it will be the majority who remain in control and for the good of all Sedona residents instead of misdirected decisions of the past which clearly favored special interests.

Cheers and thanks for your input.
Sincerely,
Eddie

Seems like a done deal. People were heard and majority won.

Thank you for your obvious devotion and knowledge of history in Sedona.

My question to you is why, after the will of the people was heard at the ballot box, are you going back through old history that can not be undone? What is your point and or goal?

I do look forward to your next – Part Three – as I await you bringing all the ends together so we may have a better idea of your desired results and concepts. Are we damned to hell or do we have hope?

Keep on writing Eddie….bring us all to fruition.

S.C.