Sedona’s spiritual side, at times, has to answer to the realities of city ordinance.
That was the case Tuesday, July 12, as neighbors of the Sedona Temple asked members of Sedona City Council not to approve a conditional use permit to allow certain activities to be held at the temple. The temple is located in a residential neighborhood in West Sedona. The permit was originally approved by the Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission.
Despite reports of public nudity at the temple, council unanimously opted to deny an appeal by neighboring property owners and let the one-year permit stand.
As part of the permit, the temple can be used as a church parsonage, which would include counseling, meetings and three to five special events per year with a maximum of 30 people in attendance.
The Sedona Temple, part of the International School of Temple Arts, is located in West Sedona on Southwest Drive. The property in question, however, is a second property located on Roadrunner Drive. According to their website, the mission of the Sedona Temple and School of Temple Arts is to cultivate sexuality and consciousness education for practitioners, teachers and members. Temple events include conferences, workshops, talks and training throughout the Sedona area. The property is currently owned by Robert Nichols.
Krista Kline spoke on Nichols’ behalf during the July 12 meeting. She said the Roadrunner property is intended for secondary use by the church, not as their primary location.
“The majority of the use is actually for the residential ministers on site,” Kline said.
Director Niki Faldemolaei, who oversees the Roadrunner property, said the land may become the property of a private consortium in the near future. Citing past grievances with the temple from neighboring homeowners, Faldemolaei said the temple has been working diligently to change their perception locally.
“We hope this offers comfort that the operation has fully transitioned under the new management of myself and no longer bears likeness to the history,” she said.
Representatives from the temple also expressed their desire for a five-year permit rather than a one-year permit.
Resident Ray Scott, who lives south of the property in question, said he opposed the permit for the temple because he believed his property value is reduced as a result of activities that occur there.
“I would not buy my house if I drove by and saw a sign that said Sedona Temple, looked it up on Internet and saw what their operations actually were,” Scott said.
Scott, as well as others in attendance for the meeting, also alleged they have seen individuals around the property without clothes.
Sedona Mayor Rob Adams explained council’s decision to uphold the planning and zoning ruling. He said council members take the time to “do their homework” before reaching a decision.
“When City Council makes a decision you really don’t see the amount of education that goes into our decisions. We have all of the notes regarding this entire process from the Planning and Zoning Commission. We have the background, in terms of the violations and history of the Sedona Temple. We have spent time in executive session discussing the legal aspects of this, so we really take the time to get ourselves educated so we can make a fair, informed and educated decision when it finally comes down to it,” Adams said.
He called the allegations made against the Sedona Temple “very concerning.”
“Nudity, what’s been posted on the websites, the alleged sexual encounters by Mr. Nichols over his lifetime, [and] the use of the church is questionable. The fact is that it’s been stated that this is an unconventional spiritual institution and the laws that govern these institutions are very broad in the state of Arizona,” Adams said.
Religious institutions, however, are still bound by the same codes and land development policies as any other individual or group. Violations such as indecent exposure, he said, would be investigated.
“If they don’t comply with those laws or ordinances they can be prosecuted like anyone else,” Adams said.
