Sedona council approves rezoning for 51‑unit Goodrow workforce housing after debate over affordability and short‑term rental limits

Sedona City Council voted unanimously to rezone approximately 2.9 acres on Goodrow Lane and approve a development agreement that will allow a 51‑unit multifamily project intended to provide workforce housing.

The project, brought forward as case PZ24‑00011ZC/DA by BCT Sedona Multifamily LLC, changes the property from RS‑10 (single‑family, four units per acre) to RM‑3 (up to 20 units per acre). The development agreement requires that at least 50 percent of the units be targeted to households earning up to 120 percent of area median income (AMI) and places deed restrictions on affordability for 10 years; it also bars short‑term rentals for the first 10 years of operation.

Planning staff outlined the proposal and recent design revisions that reduced roof heights and brought townhouse elements into compliance with view and massing standards. Architect Bruce Taylor and the applicant team described a mix of one‑ and two‑bed apartments with several townhouse units, underground/under‑building parking to minimize surface coverage, and an extension of Bennett Way through the site that will include a public access easement as a condition of final occupancy. Staff noted that the city has a statutory deadline to approve or deny residential rezonings and that this application must be acted on by March 8 under state time limits.

Public testimony showed a sharp divide. Supporters said the project meets an urgent local need for employees and school staff who cannot afford to live in Sedona. “Goodrow is exactly the kind of project that can help us move forward and take action,” said resident Brian Lilly, who stressed proximity to jobs and services and noted the developer is not seeking public subsidies. School superintendent Tom Swaninger warned the council that the district risks losing teachers if housing is not available locally.

Opponents living adjacent to the site described concerns about a sudden jump in density—from four units per acre to a zoning that allows 20—and warned of increased traffic, light and noise. One neighbor, Leonard Willis, said the area’s character and night skies could be harmed by the scale of the change.

Council discussion focused heavily on the length and enforceability of the affordability and short‑term‑rental provisions. Multiple council members said 10 years felt short and urged staff and the applicant to seek longer restrictions where legally and financially viable. The developer’s representative, Basil, told the council the project owners ‘‘intend’’ the units to remain workforce housing and said he would prefer a longer commitment, but that 10 years was the negotiated and legally deliverable compromise for the development agreement on the table. “It is still my intent that these projects will not have any short term rentals for the entire life of the project,” the developer said from the podium.

Council also accepted a revised condition requiring the owner to grant a public‑access easement for Bennett Way extension prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy; the condition specifies a five‑foot sidewalk to be built by the applicant and a future five‑foot shared‑use path to be constructed by the city when the connection is extended.

After discussion, a council motion to approve the rezoning ordinance passed unanimously, followed by a separate unanimous vote to approve the development agreement with the stated conditions.

What’s next: the developer indicated construction documents are underway and said permitting and a possible summer start of construction were anticipated; the deed‑restriction and easement conditions will be verified prior to final occupancy. Councilors who expressed reservations about the 10‑year affordability and short‑term‑rental windows said they will monitor implementation and follow up if future owners change course.