On Nov. 2, Design Group Architects submitted revisions to their letter of intent that will increase the amount of open spaced preserved by more than four acres, while reducing the number of timeshares and adding additional workforce housing.
Larson Newspapers
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Major changes have been made to the site plan for the proposed Villages at Heritage Park.
On Nov. 2, Design Group Architects submitted revisions to their letter of intent that will increase the amount of open spaced preserved by more than four acres, while reducing the number of timeshares and adding additional workforce housing.
A quiet Sedona City Council asked few questions while reviewing these changes on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at their work session.
A motion to continue to continue the session for 30 minutes after public comment failed.
A 3-3 vote ended the
conversation early.
Vice Mayor Jerry Frey, Councilman Ramon Gomez and Councilman Rob Adams voted against the time
extension.
Councilman Harvey Stearn removed himself from discussion due to conflict of interest.
ILX submitted a proposal to the city in June, asking for a Community Plan Future Land Use Map amendment that would change the designation of their property from
?public? and ?single-family medium density residential? to ?planned area.?
According to Design Group Architects, the changes were made based on resident and staff concerns, economics, changes in the agreement with the school district and the pursuit of other parking options in the city.
?Planning is always a holistic enterprise,? Design Group Architect Mike Bower said.
Councilwoman Nancy Scagnelli said she is worried the changes have come too late, and the public won?t have a chance to comment.
Some members of the public agreed.
The revised proposal will not be resubmitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration prior to council?s decision on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
City staff did not have recommendations regarding the changes at the work session, but Long Range Senior Planner Mike Raber said they will provide a list of pros and cons.
Six changes have been made to the site plan.
The Green Roof Inn — 12 earth shelter units, a caretaker residence, reception building, and pool and pool house — have been eliminated preserving the 2.5-acre ridge line.
According to the revisions, this will improve lot coverage statistics, and reduce both traffic and revenues.
A work force will therefore be added to the Grotto Residences, to compensate for the one lost with the elimination of the Green Roof Inn.
The proposed school district administration offices were also deleted, along with the parking structure under the Sedona Project.
The Sedona Project — to be constructed in Phase I — will now be adjacent to Heritage Park, where the school offices were proposed and its former site will be reserved for possible school parking in the future.
The size of the Sedona Project will be reduced from 600 to 500 square feet.
This is one of the aspects Design Group Architect Max Licher said they are most excited about.
Design Group feels the new plan will make it easier to integrate Heritage Park activities into the Sedona Project and promote community use.
To address affordable housing concerns, two additional work force units will replace two of the timeshare units.
There will now be a total of nine affordable units when the entire project is complete.
The number of timeshare units will also be reduced.
Heritage Village?s 49 timeshares was reduced to 48, and now 18 units will be at Hillside Village rather than 25.
The proposal now includes construction of 82 timeshare units.
The council will vote on the amendment proposal on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
