The entire city of Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission supported ILX Resorts’ zone change for The Villages at Legacy Park after traffic concerns were addressed Tuesday, June 5.
Larson Newspapers
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The entire city of Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission supported ILX Resorts’ zone change for The Villages at Legacy Park after traffic concerns were addressed Tuesday, June 5.
“I think the project is well thought out and tastefully done,” Commissioner Geoffrey Messer said.
The commission unanimously recommended Sedona City Council approve a rezone when it considers the development later this summer. Council granted ILX a Community Plan Future Land Use Map amendment for 22 acres in November.
ILX is asking for a zone change from “community facilities” and “single-family residential” to “planned development.”
Concerns about traffic generated by the development of three timeshare villages, a park and the Sedona Project raised questions. The proposed site of the development is in the Brewer Road area near the already congested ‘Y’ intersection and an early childhood facility.
Design Group Architects — who works with ILX on the project — brought in Guillermo Cortes, vice president of Shephard-Wesnitzer, to address concerns.
“It looks like you’ve done a very good traffic analysis, which I accept,” Commissioner Allan Bergquist said.
Capacity on Brewer Road, service at intersections and safety are three areas Cortes studied.
According to Cortes, with the development and total build-out of Brewer Road, approximately 4,000 trips per day are expected on Brewer Road. Currently, there are approximately 2,300 trips per day.
Capacity service levels are measured on a scale from Level A to Level F. Brewer Road is a Level A now and would only be reduced to a Level B by the development, Cortes said.
Normally, roads are developed for Level C or Level D service, which means anticipation of up to 9,000 trips per day.
The Brewer Road and Hwy. 89A intersection’s level of service was another issue.
Cortes said the intersection is currently rated at Level F, meaning a motorist can wait more than 50 seconds to make a right turn.
“[The Arizona Department of Transportation] has recognized the same thing,” Cortes said.
ADOT plans to build a roundabout at the intersection as part of the Hwy. 179 Improvement Project, which should bring it to Level A, or a wait of 10 seconds or less.
Roadway improvements in the development will make the area safer despite increased traffic, Cortes said.
Roundabouts — including one at the school entrance — will make the area safer by slowing traffic down, Cortes said. Cars slow to around 20 mph to maneuver a roundabout.
A four-way stop at Mormon Hill Road and Brewer Road also causes a break in traffic.
The Brewer Road roundabout and four-way stop are part of ILX’s development.
“I think we’re going to see speeds that are below what we’re seeing now,” Cortes said.
Pedestrian safety will get better as well, according to Cortes.
With traffic concerns alleviated, commissioners felt more comfortable with the project.
“I think it will be a model development for the community,” Commission Chairman John Griffin said.
A team of city staff, Mayor Pud Colquitt and Councilwoman Nancy Scagnelli are currently negotiating development agreement details with ILX. Council will consider the rezone later this summer.
