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Council approves rezoning for Penumbra arts and wellness center on Peace Garden Path
Summary
After a public hearing and unanimous planning commission recommendation, Clarkdale council rezoned a 5.37-acre parcel at 414 Peace Garden Path from R‑2 to Commercial to allow an arts-and-wellness retreat run by 2 Moons LLC; neighbors voiced support and asked about water and future uses.
The Clarkdale Town Council voted to rezone a 5.37-acre parcel at 414 Peace Garden Path from R‑2 (single-family and limited multifamily residential) to Commercial on May 27, clearing the way for Penumbra, a proposed arts-and-wellness retreat run by partner-owners Novi Trump and Eric Flippo.
Assistant Town Manager Ruth Mayday told the council the property's current R‑2 zoning would not permit the mix of retreat programming, workshops and short-term lodging the applicants describe. "We can't issue a conditional use permit for this project because the activities the project is proposing are not in that list," Mayday said, explaining why a rezoning application (PC-250024; APN 400-07-026F) was required.
Applicant Novi Trump said the property, which they renovated after buying it in 2022, already hosts five guest suites, a yoga deck and a stone labyrinth. "We wanted a place that provided a respite and a retreat for people," Trump said, describing plans for movement, meditation and creativity workshops and four modest guest casitas designed to minimize impact on the landscape.
Staff noted the planning commission unanimously recommended approval and that a neighborhood meeting produced no objections. During the public hearing, neighbor Michael White said the project sounded "absolutely fabulous" but asked whether a conditional use permit might instead limit future commercial intensity; staff responded that the current code does not allow the proposed uses under R‑2 and that rezoning would provide the correct path for the intended operations.
Council members pressed staff on infrastructure questions: the site is not connected to town water and sewer, and Mayday said connecting would require extension because utilities currently stop at a nearby campground. Council member Laura noted that rezoning does open the parcel to a wider set of potential commercial uses in the future; staff and the applicants emphasized the owners' stated plan to remain an arts-and-wellness operation and pointed to visual and design controls the applicants proposed.
Vice Mayor Hunstetter moved to approve the rezoning; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with no opposition.
Next steps: depending on building proposals, the applicants will pursue specific permits and any required site improvements, and council indicated it would expect design details and conditions to ensure consistency with neighborhood character.
