If all goes as planned, Park Place Condominiums will be more than quadrupling in size — an expansion a decade-plus in the making.

On July 3, the Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission was presented with a conceptual development review for the proposed expansion of the multifamily development in West Sedona.

The item was for discussion only, so the commission did not take any action.

According to a city report, the property owner is proposing to complete development of the site as a multifamily residential project.

The current plat allows for development of a maximum of 88 units. As 12 of those units have been built, the plat would permit an additional 76 units. The current proposal is for an additional 59 units, for a total of 71 units, a reduction of 17 units from what is currently allowed.

In addition, the applicant is proposing a clubhouse and pool area for the use of the residents. As currently proposed, this would complete development of the parcel; there would be no land available for additional construction or units.

Additional existing site characteristics of the project include: 

• The entire project totals 9.73 acres.
• In addition to the construction of 12 condominium units, portions of the site were previously graded for the road and additional condominium units that were never constructed.
• The property has one primary point of access off State Route 89A across from Bristlecone Pines Road. This access is via a private street with a gate.
• The property has emergency access through the Marriott property to the southwest.
• Some native vegetation remains, consisting of a mixture of mature trees and shrubs.
• The property is not impacted by any floodplains.

While the applicant attempted to continue with construction of the project, changing market conditions during the Great Recession impacted their development plans, the report states.

After the first 12 units were completed and grading for future phases and the roadways were complete, construction came to a halt.

When it became apparent that the development would not be able to meet the requirement that the final phase be underway by Sept. 1, 2013, the applicant began to consider redesigning the units.

Jack Kemmerly and Don Walters spoke on behalf of the project and said the average townhouse would be between 1,800 and 2,600 square feet. While they are unsure of the pricetag, they said it would be in the same range as the current Park Place units, which are selling in the $500,000 range.

The developer’s letter of intent states, “The project seeks to provide additional housing options for people employed by local businesses who have struggled to find housing in the city of Sedona that meets their needs. The limited availability of housing is a persistent challenge for businesses that seek to grow their employment base, as potential employees cannot find housing due to unmet demand.”

Vice Chairwoman Kathy Levin asked how these units would address Sedona’s housing shortage needs.

“We have done some research in Sedona as well as Northern Arizona as a whole, so we understand there’s a major crisis here,” Walters said.

Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795 ext. 122, or email reland@larsonnewspapers.com