P&Z Greenlights Exciting New Venue at Airport Mesa

The Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission has officially approved a conditional use permit for the Cloth & Flame event venue located at the former Sedona Masonic lodge, situated on Sedona Airport property. The vote, which took place on August 20, resulted in a 6-1 decision, with Vice Chairwoman Charlotte Hosseini casting the only dissenting vote.

Public Comment

In the lead-up to the meeting, the commission received around 80 written comments regarding the venue’s application. A significant number—61 responses—requested that the application be denied due to concerns about noise pollution potentially devaluing their properties. A resident shared similar sentiments during the public comment period.

A handful of comments raised objections solely based on traffic concerns, while another highlighted perceived fire hazards. Moreover, ten comments contended that as a commercial operation, the venue does not fit within the community facilities zoning designation. Conversely, three comments voiced support, arguing that the event venue would benefit the community.

Interestingly, only two responses acknowledged that Cloth & Flame had previously hosted events under temporary permits. Some comments expressed strong opposition, with one resident referring to the potential legal operation of the business as an “assault” on their rights. Former City Council candidate Katherine Todd emphasized “our right of quiet enjoyment,” although legal references to such rights are absent from both U.S. and Arizona constitutions.

One resident candidly admitted his noise concerns were selfish, indicating a range of perspectives among neighbors regarding the new venue.

Noise

Matt Cooley, representing Cloth & Flame, informed the commission that the venue had already held 36 events at the site since 2022. Temporary use permits were secured for the last six events this year after clarifications on jurisdictional authority occurred. Cooley asserted, “We’ve never actually had a complaint during an event time.” To demonstrate the venue’s sound levels, his team surveyed the neighborhood with a decibel meter during events. He reported that sounds from the events translated to levels comparable to birdsong in nearby homes.

Local noise ordinances permit a maximum of 65 decibels for outdoor activities, which Cooley described as significantly louder than what they have recorded. To address community concerns further, the venue’s policies mandate that performances occur indoors, preferably featuring solo or duo acts to minimize noise disruption.

All outdoor activities will conclude by 9 p.m., and Cloth & Flame has committed to not installing permanent speakers. Resident Dave Swartout remarked during public comments that he perceived more noise from other local venues than from Cloth & Flame. In contrast, Commissioner George Braam critiqued the noise level measurements as being “anecdotal.”

Zones of Interest

Questions about zoning legality arose among commissioners, with Commissioner Kali Gajewski seeking clarification on whether commercial uses are permissible in a community facilities district. City Attorney Kurt Christianson confirmed that the zoning code accommodates various uses, including event facilities, though specifics about “fancy dinner parties” remain less defined. Sedona Airport Manager Ed Rose noted that event centers are deemed appropriate for airport property to support revenue generation for necessary infrastructure improvements.

Sedona Planning Manager Cari Meyer stated that the CUP application was aimed mainly at regulating outdoor usage, as the building already possessed interior meeting facility permits.

Traffic

Residents also expressed worries about potential increases in traffic to Airport Mesa. Ann Kelley suggested that improvements like speed tables could benefit local law enforcement revenue. However, Sedona Fire District Fire Marshal Dori Booth contradicted traffic concerns, stating there would be no significant new traffic generated by the venue’s events. Assistant City Engineer Hanako Ueda noted that the anticipated traffic levels were within safe thresholds, not requiring additional modifications.

Cooley indicated that the average attendance at previous events was 89 individuals, with the largest gathering reaching 150. The commission ultimately amended the CUP to limit events to a maximum of 80 each year, a cap that Cooley accepted as more achievable than the initially proposed 120 events.

The CUP is set to expire on December 31, 2025, yet Cooley mentioned that Cloth & Flame intends to apply for an early renewal to facilitate future planning. He expressed a desire to foster community connections through the venue, promising three complimentary neighborhood events annually. Chairwoman Kathy Levin advised that compliance with regulations would likely favor future permit renewals. In contrast, Hosseini reiterated her doubts about the venue’s fit within community facilities zoning before the commission’s final vote.