Sedona planning panel approves Best Western Arroyo Roble renovation over staff objections

The Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission approved a development review for the Best Western Arroyo Roble property (case PZ24-00005) on Oct. 21, voting 4-3 to grant the applicant permission to renovate the existing hotel, add a restaurant and place 23 prefabricated casita units on a vacant parcel adjacent to the hotel.

The vote came after a lengthy public hearing in which city staff recommended denial, saying the proposed restaurant addition and certain renovations do not comply with multiple provisions of the Sedona Land Development Code. The applicant, Ensemble Investments, told the commission it can meet the code through the alternative standards in the LDC and by treating the new restaurant as a separate structure.

Why it matters: The five‑story hotel occupies a prominent Uptown Sedona site and has long been criticized by residents and commissioners as visually out of character. The applicant says the renovation will revitalize the north end of Uptown, add a small cluster of off‑grid, solar‑powered casitas that shorten on‑site construction time, and create a public art plaza that links to the Sedona Arts Center.

Staff findings and recommendations

Carrie (community development staff) told the commission the staff report found the project out of compliance with several LDC requirements, including height limits, setbacks and multiple Article 5 building‑design standards. Staff flagged “unrelieved building planes,” insufficient transparency (window area facing the street), building length rules, and building color standards tied…