Now with one successful public-private partnership to build affordable workforce housing under its belt — which is now in the works — the city is hoping to do it again. But a 50-year-old obstacle stands in its way for the time being.

On Tuesday, July 20, the city of Sedona asked the Sedona Fire District’s Governing Board for its support in helping change the covenants, conditions and restrictions for prop­erty in that area. By a unanimous vote, the board did just that.

As for what the city was seeking from SFD and others, prior to the meeting, City Manager Karen Osburn said there are 49 commercial and multi-family parcels that are part of the Southwest Center subdivision established in 1972. As part of the establishment of the subdivision, certain land use restrictions were put in place.

“This means regardless of what might be permitted by property zoning, these restrictions supersede,” she said. “The subdivision does not function as an active association and it appears most property owners are not even aware of its existence. Still, the deed restrictions remain in place and it requires two-thirds of those property owners to change them.”

While nothing is in the works, the city believes the two parcels it owns next to city hall, known as the Sinagua prop­erty, could be appropriate for workforce housing on its 1.54 acres.

The parcels are surrounded by commercial, lodging and government uses, all of which have employees.

“Given the difficulty employers are having finding employees, in part due to lack of available and afford­able housing options, this use would not only be compat­ible with the surrounding uses, but we believe would be complementary,” Osburn said. “Unfortunately, these two parcels, amongst approximately 35 of the 49 parcels, have restrictions that prohibit the use of the properties for housing.”

The property is zoned for multi-family. So if there were no deed restrictions through this association, the zoning itself would allow for work­force housing. However, the deed restrictions further restrict the parcels.

“At one time everyone in the association agreed to voluntarily put further restrictions on the parcels,” Osburn said. “It is just like a residential homeowners association that prohibits short-term vacation rentals even though state and city law allows it.”

That’s why it takes the other members of the asso­ciation to change what was previously agreed to a half-century ago.

The city has sent an initial round of letters to the 49 owners but received little response. Because the city works closely with the fire district on many things, staff reached out to request their support for the CC&R change.

“Right now we don’t have staff to dedicate to this project, but we will attempt additional outreach as staff resources become avail­able,” Osburn said. “I can’t say how long it might take to research ownership, make contact, arrange meetings, sufficiently explain the situ­ation, answer questions, etc., to see if we can get support, but this is likely a long-term project.

“We believe the effort is worth the investment over time to at least have the option to develop those parcels with housing for workforce in the future.”

If you own property in this association and wish to learn more, contact Osburn at KOsburn@sedonaaz. gov.