The Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission convened on September 16, 2025, to discuss a significant proposal involving a zone change and conditional use permit for properties located at 50 Tranquil Avenue and 80 Rigby Road. The meeting began with a public hearing regarding the request to change the zoning from RMH (single-family manufactured home) to RM-3 (high-density multifamily), which would allow for future development of multifamily housing at a density of up to 20 dwelling units per acre. Currently, the properties are used as single-family residential sites.

The property owners, Kim Soo Young and James Spindelman, represented by Sefton Engineering, submitted the application after an initial incomplete submission in 2024. A complete application was received on June 25, 2025, and the commission is required to make a decision within 180 days, with a deadline approaching in December.

During the meeting, staff presented an overview of the application, highlighting that the properties are approximately 9.5 acres and currently contain single-family homes. The proposal includes a conditional use permit to allow the existing single-family house to remain until future development is approved. The community plan designates the area for high-density multifamily use, supporting densities over 12 units per acre on a case-by-case basis.

The commission noted that while the application aligns with the community plan's designation, it does not fully meet the criteria for housing diversity and affordability. The applicant has proposed a prohibition on short-term rentals for 30 years from the date of zoning approval, which aims to address housing availability concerns but lacks provisions for affordability and diversity.

Public input was solicited, and the commission received feedback from the Historic Preservation Commission, which expressed a desire to preserve the existing Rigby House. However, the applicant has committed only to documenting the building without a preservation proposal.

The commission discussed the implications of the proposed zone change, including potential impacts on surrounding properties and compliance with city regulations. The meeting concluded with the commission planning to deliberate further on the proposal before making a decision on the zone change and conditional use permit. The next steps will involve continued evaluation of the application and consideration of public feedback.