It’s a bit of a development déjà vu.

More than a decade ago a planned subdivision west of Bristlecone Pines Road and north of State Route 89A was nearing the end of the city approval process when things came to a halt. The cause: The Great Recession. Now, 11 years later, that project is getting new life.

Diamond Ventures is looking to subdivide and develop a 32-acre parcel through Sedona’s land use process. Hillside Vista Estates would consist of 30 single-family homes with an average 45,415-square-foot lot size. The subdivision is being proposed under existing residential zoning, so no zone change is required, Community Development Director Audree Juhlin said. The property has been in this zoning district since prior to the city’s incorporation.

As part of the city’s subdivision submittal process, the applicant is required to hold at least one public meeting to discuss the proposal. The first of these meetings will be held at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 24, in the Tudor Room at the Sedona Community Center, 2615 Melody Lane.

According to a letter issued by HoskinRyan Consultants senior project manager Scott Lorentzen, the conceptual plat does not differ from what they presented to adjacent owners on Aug. 10, 2006, and the preliminary plat approved by the city the following year.

“Market conditions soon after prevent the property owner from proceeding beyond the preliminary plat process, so entitlement efforts must move forward as if no approvals were obtained,” Lorentzen wrote.

Juhlin said that in May 2007 the project applicant sought final plat approval after receiving the Sedona City Council’s unanimous blessing on the preliminary plat.

“Comments regarding the final plat were provided to the applicant in June 2007, but those comments were never addressed by the applicant,” Juhlin said.

Preliminary plats expire 36 months after council approval if the final plat isn’t approved, she said. Therefore, a new subdivision application is required. Since no final plat was approved by May 22, 2010, the preliminary plat approval expired, and if the property owner wants to subdivide, they must start the process over.

“They have submitted for conceptual plat review, which is the first step and is required for all subdivisions with more than 10 lots,” Juhlin said. “Minimal information is required at this stage. After completion of the conceptual plat stage, if they decide to continue, they will proceed to preliminary plat stage and on through the subdivision process from there.”

Those unable to attend this meeting, need information or have a comment, may contact Kathy Harkman at (602) 252-8384 ext. 100 or email kathyh@hoskinryan.com or fax (602) 252-8385.

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