Camp Verde council continues public hearing on proposal to allow wedding venues in R1L zoning district

Camp Verde — The Town Council continued its public hearing on Ordinance 2025-A508 on Nov. 19, 2025, after a divided council and dozens of public comments from supporters and opponents.

The ordinance, submitted by property owners Blair and Jake Jenner for their Salt Mine Farms property, would add “Wedding Venues” as an allowable use in the R1L (large-lot residential) zoning district subject to a use permit. Town Manager Miranda Fisher told council members the change would not rezone properties but would allow a use permit on qualifying parcels; staff noted only three parcels in town currently meet the 40-acre threshold in R1L zoning.

Proponent Blair Jenner said the proposal was intended to be low-impact and to help keep large parcels in agricultural use. “Mr. Blair Jenner stated that his property would be low impact event area for future weddings and expressed that the use could hopefully help agriculture stay in Camp Verde for whoever owns larger parcels as well.” Neighbors and other residents raised opposition during the hearing: several speakers registered concerns and urged the council not to adopt the text amendment as written.

The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended denial earlier this year. During council discussion Town Manager Fisher and Town Attorney Trish Stuhan advised clarifying the ordinance’s language, including removing the word “contiguous” from the 40-acre requirement to align the code definition with the council’s intent.

A motion to deny Ordinance 2025-A508, made by Councilor Robin Godwin and seconded by Vice Mayor Wendy Escoffier, failed on a 3-4 vote (Foreman voted aye; Bolton, Seybold, Murdock and Mayor Moore voted no/against the motion to deny). The Council then approved a motion by Councilor Jessie Murdock, seconded by Councilor Patricia Seybold, to continue the public hearing to Jan. 21, 2026 and to have staff present corrections and additional information, including the ordinance reclassifications and the removal of the term “contiguous.” That motion passed 5-2.

Mayor Marie Moore opened and closed the public hearing; supporters who spoke included Tanner Bryson and Christina Brunori. Opponents who spoke included Jane Whitmire, Cindy Walker, Brian Brosgart, Cici Hallber, Mari Bogart, Joseph Bogart, Stephen Reynolds, Emily Fagen, Tony Gioia and Marv Wessel; three additional residents submitted cards in opposition but did not speak.

The council’s direction requires staff to return with corrected ordinance language and additional comparative information about how other jurisdictions regulate event venues in residential zones. The item will return to the Council on the Jan. 21, 2026 agenda for further consideration.