Short-term rentals

Short-term home rentals in Sedona are now a misdemeanor.

Short-term rentals

Short-term home rentals in Sedona are now a misdemeanor.

Sedona City Council voted 6-0 on Tuesday, Jan. 22, to add an ordinance prohibiting the advertisement of such rentals.

Councilman Harvey Stearn was excused from the meeting.

Since it’s relatively difficult to establish proof beyond a question of doubt that a home is being rented for less than 30 day basis, City Attorney Mike Goimarac recommended to council that it limit advertising for the homes.

During his investigation of the problem, Goimarac said he found 450 short-term rentals in Sedona with advertisements on the Internet, despite the fact that there is already an ordinance against renting a private home for less than 30 days.

Although a Realtor and a homeowner spoke against the new ordinance, saying that it was an illegal taking by the city, several residents who live adjacent to short-term rentals cited numerous problems with noise, parking and maintenance and encouraged council to adopt the new rule.

Airport Road development

Paul Galloway’s Airport Road project given preliminary plat approval.

Sedona City Council voted 5-1 to give Galloway the go-ahead on his new development at the foot of Airport Road.

Councilman Rob Adams voted against the project.

Although Adams was concerned with the effect of blasting on neighboring homes, the maximized density and the lack of affordable housing within the development, other members of the council were satisfied with the plans as submitted.

Galloway said there’s not room in this project for affordable housing, but that he’s close to submitting another proposal for a development on Sombart Lane that will include it.

“I want to be the hero who solves Sedona’s affordable housing problem,” Galloway said.