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Sedona council approves purchase of 676 State Route 179 to preserve Oak Creek frontage
Summary
The Sedona City Council approved purchase of a 3.64-acre parcel at 676 State Route 179 from ADOT for $998,602.50, authorizing a budget transfer up to $1,010,000 to preserve creek frontage and allow future study of park or creek-walk options. The motion removed a dedicated commitment to the Oak Creek/Creek Walk plan.
The Sedona City Council on a unanimous vote approved a property purchase agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation for a 3.64-acre parcel at 676 State Route 179 for $998,602.50 and authorized a budget transfer not to exceed $1,010,000, subject to city attorney approval.
City staff described the parcel as commercially zoned with about 700 feet of creek frontage and steep elevation change from the highway side. "It is zoned CO... the size of the parcel is approximately 3.64 acres," staff member Andy said while presenting the agreement. Andy said a Phase I environmental site assessment found no concerning findings and noted a deed restriction from ADOT limiting uses to highway or related transportation purposes unless further negotiated.
Councilors and staff framed the vote as a preservation decision rather than a commitment to immediate construction of a Creek Walk. "The final use that the city decides should go with it will need to be determined," Andy said, listing options such as a creek walk, a creek park or preservation, and noting a study could be funded in the FY26 tentative budget to evaluate uses and public outreach.
Public comment included multiple nearby residents who urged preservation and warned that opening access could increase trespass, trash and flood damage. Mary Wagner said the creek is prone to repeated flooding and that more public access would risk neighborhood safety and wildlife. Ty Werkley described past instances of large groups using creekside areas and urged caution. Miriam Weckerly called for preservation: "Leave the creek how it is. That's what God created."
Council discussion referenced a recent budget survey and neighborhood concerns. Councilor Derek said the parcel purchase could be justified for preservation, flood-control cleanup and to remove homeless encampments, while others asked for more time to study feasibility for pedestrian access given steep slopes and neighboring property constraints. City attorney Kurt confirmed the deed restriction ADOT requires would remain with the property if acquired by the city but that preservation could be an allowed use under the restriction.
The approved motion removed language that would have dedicated the parcel specifically to the Oak Creek/Creek Walk plan, leaving the city ownership and discretion over future uses. The council recorded the vote as unanimous.
