As the Verde Valley grows, planning must focus on responsible and sustainable development. Keep Sedona Beautiful (KSB) advocates for growth that respects the region’s scenic beauty and natural environment. This includes initiatives for land stewardship and sustainable practices. To get involved, contact KSB at ksb@keepsedonabeautiful.org.
KSB supports appropriate and sustainable development but opposes large-scale and damaging development that harms ecological resources and is located in residential areas. Examples of such development proposals that KSB opposed include El Rojo Grande, Spring Creek Ranch, and AutoCamp. all 3 were either rejected or withdrawn by the developer.
We will continue to evaluate development proposals, vigorously opposing irresponsible proposals and supporting environmentally and socially responsible ones.
KSB opposed the rezoning proposal to construct 628 manufactured homes and 60 RV sites on the 174-acre El Rojo Grande property, and after a groundswell of resident opposition, Yavapai County Planning and Zoning unanimously voted against the proposal. The developer withdrew their offer for the property and it was later purchased by an individual with the intent to live there. Visit ElRojoGrandeSedona.com to access the citizen-created website dedicated to opposing El Rojo Grande.
In 2019, a developer proposed rezoning 282 acres near Sedona for the construction of 3,100 units. The plan was revised and later withdrawn. The developer then sought annexation of Spring Creek Ranch by the City of Cottonwood to expedite the eventual annexation of adjacent State Land Trust land. In 2023 Cottonwood voted to annex the property, along with 11 square miles of National Forest land, which will not change the use of the land. Any future rezoning and development will be evaluated by the City of Cottonwood, and a new proposal may be submitted. KSB will evaluate any proposal in consultation with the Cornville Community Association. Read the KSB comments about the original Spring Creek Ranch proposal.
In 2020 California-based AutoCamp submitted a request to rezone 18.73 acres northwest of Sedona in order to build a commercial lodging establishment consisting of 85 silver Airstream trailers, 10 ‘Park Model” mobile homes and 5 tent sites. 20 of the Airstreams would also have tents, while all 100 units would have a firepit. National Forest surrounds the property with 2 sides bordering the Red Rock/Secret Mountain Wilderness. CLICK HERE to read about the AutoCamp Proposal from the KSB Perspective and why we strongly opposed it.