Even though the city of Sedona has been incorporated for a mere 31 years, its history dates back much further.

The city’s Historic Preservation Commission has done its part to help preserve that history through a variety of avenues including designating historic buildings and properties throughout the area.

During a joint meeting with the Sedona City Council on Wednesday, Oct. 9, HPC board members presented updates on several programs including one that recognizes those buildings that are deemed historical but may not meet the criteria for city or federal landmark status.

“Over many years we have had requests from many of the local businesses to have their properties landmarked but because the requirements that we follow, which we developed following the [U.S.] Department of Interior standards, we could not do,” HPC Chairwoman Brynn Burkee Unger said following the meeting. “We have had a few homes which also have fallen into this category, and it has been difficult telling them that landmarking is not possible. This gives us another way of honoring the fact that those properties are important to the community.”

The plan is to recognize one to two properties a year under this program. The most recent recipient of this designation was the Sedona Arts Center.

Sedona currently has 23 landmarks, which have stricter standards and requirements than do those for the recognition program. In addition, those Sedona historic landmarks that are on the National Register of Historic Places include Chapel of the Holy Cross, Hart Store, Jordan Ranch and Sedona Ranger Station and Pumphouse.

The purpose of this program is the recognition of non-landmark properties possessing historical, architectural or aesthetic merit. The overall goal of this program, according to the city, is to recognize and encourage the protection, enhancement and use of such sites and structures for public enjoyment and cultural enrichment. This program is distinct and separate from the city of Sedona’s official historic landmarks program.

“We want to take things step by step and make sure all of our i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed,” Unger said.
Proposed eligibility criteria for Historic Resource Recognition include:

• Those properties currently designated, or eligible to be designated, as a Sedona landmark are not eligible for consideration.
• Historical significance.
• Architectural merit.
• Use and adaptive reuse.
• Environmental compatibility.
• “Spark plug” property. The first property in a neighborhood renovated that inspires renovation throughout that historic neighborhood.

In terms of historical significance, a building can be 50 years of age or older, but the site or structure has been so altered as to render it ineligible for landmarking. If it’s less than 50 years of age, a significant event occurred at the site; the site was owned or occupied by a historically significant individual[s], or the site is renowned for its sense of place or as a popular gathering place.

Use and adaptive reuse relates to a historic structure that has been partially demolished or destroyed, but reconstructed and used for its former use or some adaptive reuse. This could include inappropriate renovations and modernization.

In addition, sites and structures important to the development of Sedona are also eligible for consideration. These can include residential homes, rural residential within city limits, churches, schools, commercial buildings, resorts, ranches and movie industry structures.
For more information on the criteria for this recognition, visit the city’s website at sedonaaz.gov.