The application period for membership on the Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission closed on Sept. 3. Five individuals applied for three open seats on the commission, including current Vice Chairwoman Charlotte Hosseini and Commissioner Will Hirst, who are applying for reappointment:

• Henry Benjes III. Sedona resident for eight years. Benjes holds bachelor’s degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, master’s degrees in engineering, business and management from the University of Colorado and University of Texas, and a doctorate in electronic materials from Arizona State University. He was employed by Intel from 1998 to 2022 in roles including operations manager and principal engineer. Benjes stated his goals as a commissioner would be to “provide a voice for property owners” and “assure that all new projects are aligned with the community goals and are executed as efficiently as possible.” He identified the primary issues facing Sedona as being circulation, “low-cost housing for service workers” and balancing tourism.
• Will Hirst: Sedona resident for five years; commission member since 2022. He was previously employed by the Service Employees International Union as executive director and also worked as executive director of the Monterey County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority. Hirst stated his goals as a commissioner would be “to see that it remains a remarkable place to live and visit” and “succeed in having a well-functioning commission.” He identified the primary issues facing Sedona as being “loved to death,” traffic, parking, limited medical facilities for seniors and that “those that serve our community should be able to live in or reasonably near the community they serve.”
• Charlotte Hosseini: Sedona resident for 10 years; commission member since 2018. She was previously a deputy director at the state of Arizona Department of Administration. Hosseini stated her goal as a commissioner was to “be a part of decision-making that guides the city toward the best possible use of resources.” She identified the primary issues facing Sedona as shaping remaining development, “coordinating economic development,” “keeping codes updated” and understanding the “competing interests” of historic preservation, environmental protection and development. Hosseini also stated that “I have no special skills in construction, architecture or engineering.”
• Carl Jackson: Sedona resident for 19 years. He received a master’s degree in business administration from New York University and previously was employed in banking, making loans to what he described as “ultra-high net worth individuals.” Jackson stated his goals as a commissioner would include “updating the ‘single family’ residential zoning definition in the municipal code to address large groups at rental properties.” He identified the primary issues facing Sedona as “direction for the development of the [Sedona] Cultural Park,” “need for greater workforce/affordable housing and potential development across from the wastewater plant” and a possible need for easements to improve traffic flow. Jackson is a member of the ad hoc Greater Sedona Recreation Collaborative group.
• Gary Whitehill: Sedona resident for one year. Whitehill holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Central Connecticut State University and described himself as an “entrepreneur, investor and mentor.” Whitehill stated his goals as a commissioner would be “ensuring new developments are thoughtfully integrated, environmentally responsible” and advocating “for sustainable, forward-looking development policies that protect Sedona’s natural beauty.” He identified the primary issues facing Sedona as “balancing sustainable growth with environmental preservation,” “mitigating the negative impacts of a tourismdriven economy,” “addressing the acute housing shortage” and “safeguarding Sedona’s scenic beauty.”

The term of office for the three available seats will commence on Nov. 1. The city has not yet scheduled applicant interviews with the City Council.