The Sedona City Council has not yet voted to approve either a zone change for the northwest corner of the Sedona Cultural Park to allow it to be used as a car camp for homeless workers or the proposed car camping program itself; however, city staff had already begun laying out the gravel and parking spots for the proposed camp by Feb. 21.

City Manager Karen Osburn said that she directed Public Works Department staff to proceed with construction following the City Council’s decision to have staff proceed with planning for the camp on Jan. 9, characterizing the work as “site prep.”

“If the project is formally approved next month, we will be able to more easily and readily move in the other temporary infrastructure,” Osburn said on Feb. 28. “As far as I know, nothing has been purchased for this work, other than the expenditure of staff time and possibly the use of some gravel from our materials yard.”

“Authorizing that work does not change the existing land use or zoning restrictions,” Osburn said.

Councilman Pete Furman stated he became aware of the construction work on Feb. 20 during the Planning and Zoning Commission’s site visit, while Mayor Scott Jablow and Vice Mayor Holli Ploog were first made aware of the work on Feb. 21 through an email from a resident.

The remaining members of the council did not respond to inquiries by press time as to when they were notified that staff was proceeding with construction. Councilwoman Kathy Kinsella responded to an email but did not state when she was notified.

Councilman Brian Fultz stated in an email, “No story here. No construction. Nothing nefarious going on.”

Council will consider approving the zone change for the homeless camp at its meeting on Tuesday, March 12.