A proposed high-end camping facility northwest of Sedona city limits has been withdrawn for consideration — at least for now.
AutoCamp, an outdoor lodging company founded in Santa Barbara, Calif., was scheduled to appear before the Yavapai County Board of Adjustments on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
But about 90 minutes before the meeting was to begin, the county received an email stating that the applicant was withdrawing its application for consideration with the county.
The agenda item stated that a request was made by two residents near the proposed building site for an interpretation of the Yavapai County Planning and Zoning ordinance, and whether it allows a waiver which would allow the use of travel trailers as lodging units for paying overnight guests on a property with a permitted primary commercial use.
AutoCamp was looking into the possibility of building a campground that would feature 100 Airstream trailer or tent sites on nearly 19 acres. The site is located approximately 6 miles northwest of Sedona, accessed via Forest Road 152E and Boynton Pass Road. AutoCamp would have needed a zone change from rural residential to a planned area development. The land is current zoned residential for potentially nine houses.
In his email to the county, Bernie Corea, the company’s senior acquisitions manager, said AutoCamp was withdrawing its application but may resubmit it in the future.
“AutoCamp looks forward to being a responsible and respected part of the Yavapai County community,” he wrote. “Although our project has yet to be evaluated in any public hearing by the county, we have also listened and tried to understand concerns raised among some in the community, including Board of Adjustment appellants.
“AutoCamp looks forward to meeting further with … others in the community to continue to learn more about their ideas and concerns, and to bring forward a revised application that illustrates both the value of AutoCamp’s plans and the value AutoCamp places on being a good neighbor.”
In an email to the Sedona Red Rock News, Corea said the application became subject to an atypical process, which caused multiple delays.
“The application was pending a hearing before the Yavapai County Board of Adjustment, which would have primarily been a code review discussion and not based on the merits of AutoCamp’s application,” he wrote. “AutoCamp looks forward to resubmitting their application and to participating in the traditional county review process. As part of the resubmittal process, AutoCamp looks forward to continuing its community outreach as we seek to create a unique, world class, outdoor hospitality experience, not yet offered in the area.”
Meeting with Sedona
In October of last year, representatives from AutoCamp came before the Sedona City Council. While Sedona had no say over the project due to its location, the company was seeking tacit approval from council. Several members of council had concerns with its location and the potential impact to the surrounding area.
Sedona Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director Karen Osburn said in October that the city was first approached for feedback on the project last summer.
“Since then there hasn’t been much activity at our staff level until Yavapai County reached out to us, which is a normal protocol for them to ask for referral agency comments when there’s a development that may have an impact on a neighboring jurisdiction,” she said. “We do the same when it comes to development proposals with the counties, [Sedona] Fire District, [Arizona Department of Transportation], U.S. Forest Service and so forth. What isn’t typical protocol is to have a conversation like this and bring that to council.”
In her eight-and-a-half years with the city, Osburn said the only other time she could recall this happening was with the proposed El Rojo Grande development less than two years ago. And like that project, AutoCamp’s proposal has sparked a lot of community input, but on a lesser scale.
“This is a good project in a good location, a beautiful location and a sensitive location,” said attorney Whitney Cunningham, who represents AutoCamp, during that October council meeting. “This is a really beautiful place that really needs to be taken care of.”
Cunningham said that in discussing the project with residents, the concerns have remained relatively the same — including fire hazards, dust, increase in traffic, cultural preservation, dark skies and noise.
“We need to remember, the choice is not between AutoCamp and open space,” he said. “The owner has decided to sell this property and what it’s zoned for is up to nine private residences. Let’s all be clear and honest with each other — you’re talking about nine mansions in Boynton Canyon. You’re talking about nine VRBOs [vacation rentals], and that’s really the alternative and we shouldn’t lose track of that.”
