The owners of a proposed master planned development between Sedona and Cottonwood — as well as those for and against the project — will have to wait a little longer for a decision on its outcome. 

Spring Creek Ranch was scheduled to again appear before the Yavapai County Planning and Zoning Commission on March 19 for a requested zone change. But out of concern as a result of the coronavirus, the Yavapai County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was post­poned with items rescheduled for this June. 

“We are disappointed by the county’s decision to cancel our P&Z hearing,” said Lisa Borowsky, vice president of Spring Creek Holdings. “We worked hard over the past several months to improve our proposed project. Further, we engaged in significant additional community outreach as suggested by the planning commissioners at our December hearing.” 

She said the modifications and improvements to their amended application include the following: 

• Slashed single family home lot density by 40% — 1,000 units. 
• Engaged with numerous well respected organizations to further ensure that our proposal incorporated the most effective ecological and archaeological preservation and mitigation measures available. 
• Identified solutions for concerns, which the commission and the general public had cited. 
• Worked with many individuals and organizations throughout the Verde Valley to better our proposal and, as a result, obtained significant letters of support and commitments from speakers to appear at the scheduled hearing in favor of the proposal. 

“The most disappointing aspect of the county’s decision was the Board of Supervisors meeting, scheduled on March 17, went forward after we were notified that ours was canceled,” Borowsky said. “The supervi­sor’s agenda included an item that had community opposition and members of the public were asked to wait in the lobby as it proceeded. We believe the same approach would have been appropriate with our P&Z hearing which was scheduled to occur the next day. 

“We were told our hearing would be rescheduled on the June P&Z agenda — a 90-day postponement. We were ready to proceed and, we believe, our revised proposal had a high like­lihood of a favorable vote from the Commission.” 

Borowsky said the goal over the next few months is to explore all options, information and opportunities to continue to improve their plan and prepare to initiate development of their project as soon as they obtain approval. 

“We will continue to maintain and enhance the favorable rela­tionships we have established with key community members and organizations,” she said. 

Based on the changes they’ve made to their plan, Borowsky was asked if she feels they are sufficient to quell the concerns of the commissioners as well as the general public. 

“Yes and no,” she said. “There is a certain faction of the Verde Valley that opposes every zoning application and proposed development. In order to further their platform they disseminate an overwhelming amount of false and inflammatory information and vitriol. 

“In our experience, there is no satisfying this small portion of the general public. However, the overwhelming majority of the general public understands the critical need for housing in the price point we will offer and appreciates the amenity-rich Master Planned Community we are proposing. They also realize the appropriateness of our loca­tion, and supports our rights as long-time property owners to develop our land.” 

With respect to the supervisors and commissioners, Borowsky said they have made significant modifications and improvements to their proposal that specifi­cally respond to their direction and input which they expect will result in approval.