The backers of a proposed Oak Creek Resort discussed their conceptual review with the Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission at its meeting on Dec. 7.
The proposed resort is a 92-room hotel, complete with 170 parking spaces, a restaurant, spa and meeting areas, to be built on 11.58 acres at 150 Schnebly Hill Drive.
The California-based owner and developer, RD Olson Development, proposes that the resort take over eight existing parcels with access to Oak Creek adjacent to the property. These parcels are currently a mixture of residential and vacant lots.
According to owner and developer Tony Wrzosek, the plan presented to the commission was the second mapped-out version of the resort. Back in September, the resort held a meeting with neighbors in the Schnebly Hill community that changed some of the resort’s plans significantly in order to reflect the wishes of nearby residents. With these changes in mind, Wrzosek said that the resort wants to be good neighbors with a positive relationship.
“The site plan is really building on what is existing,” Joel Harms, the project’s landscape architect, said. “We really have worked hard to locate these buildings in these locations where existing trees are not, and so we can preserve and retain a lot of the existing materials.”
The letter of intent submitted by the developer in mid-November also stated this same goal to maintain much of the existing environment that sits at the Schnebly Road location. In the letter, the developer stated that they “don’t want to jeopardize the natural habitat created by these sycamore and other trees within the site, providing contrast to the arid uplands that surround Sedona.”
The project also must maintain the directions of the Community Focus Area of the Oak Creek Heritage Area established in 2018. This includes maintaining the floodway, open space viewshed, historical and habitat preservation, as well creating publicly accessed walkways and trails.
With this plan in mind, the development moved the resort’s 170 valet parking spots to the floodway section of the property to move the view of vehicles out of the way while also keeping the remaining trees that bordered the proposed parking lot. Many of the questions and statements brought up by the commission and the public were for this modified plan for parking and the concern for environmental impacts, as well as safety during flooding.
And according to Luke Sefton, the resort’s civil engineer who is based in Sedona, cars and RVs are allowed to be placed within floodways. This also applies to the property’s direct neighbor, Rancho Sedona RV Park.
“The development looks lovely and well thought out,” commission member Lynn Zonakis said. “But, it does look like a typical luxury resort in this area that is described [by the builder] somewhat differently.”
The commission asked for the Oak Creek Resort to provide more information about environmental impacts, workforce issues and traffic concerns as this process continues. The resort will continue with its process for a comprehensive review and public hearings before the commission decides whether to approve the proposal.
The conceptual review took place following a site visit by the commission where the developers were able to explain their plans for the property in-person.
Currently the developer has not submitted a letter of authorization from current property owners, as well as other surveys and context plans that will be needed in future stages of the Oak Creek Resort approval.
