The Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-3 on Tuesday, June 6, to renew the conditional use permit for Running River School for an additional three years, rejecting both a staff recommendation for a CUP with no termination date and a proposed five-year extension.

Running River School, which was founded in 2013, had leased space in the Sedona-Oak Creek School District’s administration building on Brewer Road until May 2021, when the school was informed that the lease would not be renewed. The building was subsequently rented to the city of Sedona for staff offices and the municipal court.

The school found new temporary space down the road at Christ Center Wesleyan Church to house its operations while renovating its future building at 105 Navajo Drive. The relocation required a CUP, which was approved by Planning and Zoning in September 2021, appealed to the City Council by a neighbor and upheld by council on Nov. 23, 2021, with an expiration date of July 31, 2023.

City staff recommended that the CUP be renewed without an expiration date. Planning Manager Cari Meyer explained that staff are trying to reduce the number of permits that have to be extended, as the process requires staff and applicant time “that could be better spent elsewhere.”

School administrator Lupita Pollock explained that Running River has been delayed in making its move due to a combination of supply issues, contractor availability, the permitting process and fundraising needs. With regard to fundraising, “we’re at the behest of our community and our network of people,” Pollock said.

During the commission’s meeting, four neighbors spoke against the extension of the school’s permit, led by Eileen Grant Jr., who had previously opposed the school’s prior application and appealed the granting of the original permit to City Council.

“Those living in proximity to the church should not have to be penalized by the issuance of a non-terminating permit because the city appears to be unwilling to resolve this manner in a fair and reasonable way,” Grant argued, claiming that her family had submitted “a lengthy written complaint to the city” about “the continued uncomfortable screaming and din emanating from the school.”

She suggested that if funding is an issue, the city should give Running River a no-interest loan to get them out of the neighborhood.

Grant brought along her tenant Chris Fahmi, who told the commission that “the noise is very, very bad” and that she “was looking forward to peace and quiet” once the permit expired. Fahmi also complained that a car turning into the school’s parking lot ahead of her had once caused her to slam on her brakes.

Neighbor Patricia Popp said that while the school was impressive, traffic on Brewer Road is a problem. She expressed surprise that only one accident has occurred in the vicinity.

“Just because there haven’t been more complaints filed doesn’t mean there hasn’t been incidents,” she warned the commission, and added that the pedestrians on Brewer “who act like it’s a hiking trail” were part of the problem.

City Attorney Kurt Christianson noted that the incident to which Popp was referring had involved a motorcycle colliding with a turning vehicle.

“The motorcyclist is alleging that Brewer Road is defective in its design, and the city’s denied that,” Christianson said.

“I support the children going to school, but not in the residential neighborhood where this school is,” said Kevin Dunlap, who is currently building a home at 651 Brewer. “I love children but there is a noise issue there. The school has no buffer zones.”

Many of the 13 people who spoke in favor of the permit renewal and the five who submitted letters of support said that the noise from the school was one of the best things about it.

“While it’s unfortunate that the noise of children is a nuisance to a minority group in the neighborhood, which we do try to mitigate to the best of our abilities, we do not believe this is a good reason to close a school,” Pollock said. “There are many adjacent neighbors who have enjoyed seeing and hearing children in the neighborhood and who support the school remaining where it is until we are able to move.”

Pollock reminded the commission that the community plan supports families with children as “an integral part of the social fabric of Sedona.”

“The ideology that children should be seen and not heard is archaic,” school cofounder Nathan Hansen said. “If anything, we need to be listening to our children.” He contrasted Running River’s pedagogical approach of “learning how to think rather than what to think” with his experience teaching at the local public school “that wouldn’t allow me to use a trail outside the school for liability reasons … and teaches the same things since Horace Mann.”

“Running River School is an exemplar of what this community should be doing for this community,” Hansen added.

“Hearing the children’s voices, interacting with them daily, and witnessing their emotional and physical growth has been a great joy,” Pastor Arthur Roxby of Christ Center Wesleyan wrote in support. “The students are breathing life into our community through their talents and their passion.”

“We are excited as a church to have the children there,” Rolf Funk, chairman of the church’s board, told the commission. “The noise they make has not been as loud as the construction noise.”

“The construction is so much louder than the children,” teacher Ellyn Hilliard said. “We have an amazing education. We’re free of computers. We don’t do standardized testing … Where would we go if we couldn’t stay at this church while our construction’s happening?”

“There is nothing more beautiful than children playing, laughing and having fun,” neighbor Jill Cross wrote. “I live two doors down and hear the kids on their recesses. They sound so happy.”

“Hearing and seeing the children is a delight and we are glad to support our community in welcoming them next door,” neighbors David and Nancy Michael wrote.

“We hear much talk about there being a lack of families with children in Sedona, but there are RRS families that move to this area specifically to have their children attend this Waldorf-inspired school,” Natalie Watson said. “Please give us a chance to stay in this wonderful location until we finish the fundraising.”

Watson was one of five parents who spoke on how they chose to move to Sedona so their kids could attend Running River.

“The structure, philosophy, culture that RRS offers is not available through the local charter or West Sedona school,” said Emily Morin, who has taught at all three elementary schools in Sedona, adding that the testing required by both the charter and public schools is not beneficial to students. “I cannot emphasize enough how the small classroom sizes, nature immersion and art foundations, including painting, music and theatre, are imperative to these children.”

“We moved to Sedona for Running River,” Jason Lawrence said. “I just stand up here on behalf of all the kids just asking for more time. That’s simply what we need.”

Several speakers also agreed that the installation of school zone signs adjacent to the school would be beneficial.

The commissioners split over whether to issue an unlimited CUP or to specify an expiration date for the permit and over what the termination date should be. Chairwoman Kathy Levin, Vice Chairwoman Charlotte Hosseini and Commissioners Will Hirst and George Braam opposed a permit with no termination date.

“We have to hold your feet to the fire a little bit,” Braam said, suggesting that for a school with approximately 40 families, raising $500,000 to complete the new building should not be an “insurmountable number.” He proposed extending the permit for two more school years. Hirst suggested a year and a half; Hosseini proposed two or three years. Levin said she would welcome a term of three to five years.

Commissioner Lynn Zonakis observed that while the permit didn’t need to run for an unlimited duration, she would support a longer time period, such as five years.

“I don’t think it’s a service to the school to make it a short extension,” Commissioner Kali Gajewski said. “The more options for schools in this community, the better.”

“I was really sad to see this back on our schedule again so quickly. I’m deeply disappointed in City Council for shortening it,” Commissioner Sarah Wiehl said. “I’m in full support of no termination on the CUP … This is a real opportunity for us to put our support into this community and this school and show, hey, you know what, no pressure, we believe you’re going to do what you’re going to do.”

After the commission was unable to reach consensus on an appropriate timeframe for the permit, Wiehl moved to approve it for a five-year period; the motion failed with Levin, Hosseini, Braam and Hirst opposed. Braam then moved for approval for a three-year period with the new permit to expire on July 31, 2026, which passed 4-3 with Gajewski, Zonakis and Wiehl opposed.

The commission added a recommendation that the city look into tree trimming and better signage along Brewer Road to minimize any traffic issues that exist.

Levin announced that Zonakis will be leaving the commission this fall and advised the members to begin thinking about the process of filling the upcoming vacancy.