Sedona City Council members could find little to agree on when it comes to a proposed 1.5-million-gallon water storage tank.
The Arizona Water Company storage tank topped the items for discussion during a Nov. 10 special meeting of the Sedona City Council, though council members ultimately failed to agree on where the storage tank should be located and whether or not the tank is actually needed at the present time due to the current economic downturn.
The tank could be located on national forest land in the area of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which led to an environmental assessment and public comment period provided by officials with Coconino National Forest. That public comment period ended Monday, Nov. 15.
While council members were asked to provide their comments in regard to the proposed tank alternatives, they are not involved in the decision-making process when it comes to the project.
Four different proposals, consisting of Alternatives A through D were presented to the public. Alternative A calls for the tank to be built at site along the Broken Arrow Trail. Alternative B would place the storage tank northwest of the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Alternative C recommends no action be taken. Alternative D would locate the 1.5-million-gallon tank in the Little Horse area.
EnviroSystems Management performed an environmental assessment on the project. Besides the 1.5-million-gallon storage tank, a pipeline and access road would be associated with the tank.
Councilwoman Barbara Litrell called the proposals “disastrous” when it comes to their visual impact on the area.
“At this stage of the game, my recommendation is Alternative C,” Litrell said. “I would like to see a needs analysis for the benefit of the water consumers here in Sedona. We need innovative thinking. This is Sedona, not downtown Los Angeles. I don’t think we should do anything at this point.”
Councilman Dennis Raynor said he preferred Alternative C as well, at least until more information comes to light regarding the proposed water storage tank.
“If I were to vote right now,” Raynor said. “I would only go with Alternative C until we looked at all the details. I know there’s a need. Put it on hold.”
Councilman Dan McIlroy said he favored the Chapel site, while councilman Mark DiNunzio said he preferred the Little Horse site if the tank could be suitably hidden; otherwise he would choose the Broken Arrow location for the project. Vice Mayor Cliff Hamilton said he preferred the Broken Arrow site.
“The only site that has not been spoken against tonight, if I was keeping score, is Broken Arrow,” Hamilton said.
Councilman Mike Ward said there was no doubt in his mind more water is needed in the area. He preferred a different location altogether, however. Ward questioned why the Forest Service would make an amendment allowing for a water storage tank that could conceivably harm the area’s “view shed.”
Sedona Mayor Rob Adams said projects that could possibly impact the scenic beauty of Sedona need to be seriously considered before any decisions can be made. As a city, officials must also consider the safety of residents when it comes to water for fire and other matters.
“I’m just suggesting to the council that we recommend that additional public process be done,” Adams said. “I’m not willing to take a stand on any one action tonight.”
Adams said he helped develop the Little Horse alternative, but added recent discussions with residents helped change his mind when it comes to utilizing the area as
an option. That option, Alternative D, raised a number of concerns for residents in attendance at the Nov. 10 special meeting. Noise and visual impacts were noted as issues.
Area resident Ron Schneider said he preferred Alternative B, northwest of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, for the water storage tank.
“Alternative D creates a larger disturbed area within the forest than that of Alternative B,” Schneider said.
Hiker Don Mathew said he hikes in the Little Horse area roughly four times a week. The Chapel site, he said, would be preferable when it comes to locations for a proposed water storage tank.
“From my personal point of view that would be the place I would put it,” Mathew said.
Victoria Milner, representing the Chapel of the Holy Cross, asked council members not to recommend the Chapel site in their comments.
“The Chapel is visited by people from the whole world,” she said. “It’s a really spiritual place, obviously.”
The proposed water tank is expected to provide fire and water service for both existing residents and future growth, according to Fred Schneider with the Arizona Water Company. Funding for the water storage tank and pipeline would come from company investors, with a possible adjustment in rates for the northern group, which includes a number of communities in Northern and Central Arizona. The tank, Schneider said, would be the company’s largest storage unit in the vicinity.
“We have two other tanks that are at 1 million [gallons],” Schneider said, adding the water company has taken a neutral position on which of the locations it prefers, though there are a number of factors, such as elevation, that determine suitable tank locations. Minimum elevation for the tank is calculated at 4,480 feet.
As of July, 64,026 housing units were reported in the city of Sedona. Citywide growth projections estimate approximately 69,000 housing units will exist in the area by 2015. Prior to the current economic downturn, those 2015 figures were estimated at 80,000 housing units.
