Running River School took a major step in finding a location to call home — for at least the next three school years — following approval by the Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission.
By a 6-1 vote on Tuesday, Sept. 21, the commission granted a conditional use permit to allow Running River School to use a portion of Christ Center Wesleyan Church, at 580 Brewer Road, for its classrooms with a permit expiration date of July 31, 2025. Vice Chairwoman Charlotte Hosseini was the dissenting vote, stating that while she was in favor of the CUP, she felt its duration was too long.
The public now has 15 days to appeal the decision. If appeals are received, the matter would then go before the Sedona City Council. If one is not filed, Planning Manager Cari Meyer said the next step would be for Running River to submit a Tenant Occupancy and Improvement permit and get all its improvements and inspections completed.
When and if it passes a final inspection, it would be issued a Certificate of Occupancy and be permitted to use the building. The earliest the city could issue a permit would be Thursday, Oct. 7, so its date to occupy the space would depend on how quickly it could complete any required changes to the building and pass its inspections.
The Waldorf-inspired private school, which was founded in 2013, had been leasing space for the past six years at its previous location — the Sedona-Oak Creek School District’s Dr. Nancy Alexander Administration Building at the former Brewer Road School.
In late May, however, SOCSD Superintendent Dennis Dearden notified Running River that the lease would not be renewed for the upcoming school year and that it would have to vacate the premises within 60 days.
The district’s administration building was recently leased to the city of Sedona for its courtroom building and offices.
So far this school year Running River has been located at the city-owned Sedona Posse Grounds Hub and recreational room at Posse Grounds Park.
Running River’s co-administrator Lupita Pollock spoke before the commission about the need for a long-term temporary facility for the school as it continues its plan to buy land for a permanent location in Sedona.
Pollock said in general the children will be using the indoor spaces on the church property. The regularly-scheduled outdoor time in designated areas will be from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. and from 12:45 to 1:10 p.m.
A normal school day is from 8:15 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., Monday through Friday with minimal after-school activity on the grounds. The school currently has 56 students in grades one through eight.
“I have 56 young human reasons why this should be approved,” Pollock said, before recognizing nine of its current and former students in the audience. “You and I have similar responsibilities as stewards of different aspects of society. We hope you will vote in favor of Running River School and the current and future families of Sedona.”
An issue that came up is a driveway used by the church that sits within the property line of an adjoining lot. That property owner, who lives out of state, is expected to soon build a home on the property. Negotiations between the land owner, church and Running River are currently taking place.
The vast majority of the nearly 20 people who spoke did so in favor of the school and the CUP. Those few who were opposed said it was because of the potential noise and additional traffic from parents dropping off and picking up their children.
“I hope that the nearby neighbors who have concerns about these children and this school will find happiness in their voices and will embrace them as a neighbor because it certainly sounds like they wish to respect you and the neighborhood and they are taught to do so,” Commission Chairwoman Kathy Levin said.
