Residents Urge Halt on Pathway Development

Residents of Andante Drive, led by Terry and Duane Gregory, met with Sedona’s Mayor Scott Jablow and several city council members on April 11 to voice concerns about a proposed shared use path. The informal gathering took place at the Community Library Sedona.

The planned path is set to run along the west side of Andante Drive, beginning at State Route 89A and crossing via a raised crosswalk at Allegro and Lyric drives before continuing north to Thunder Mountain Road. A city council vote on the $3 million contract with Prescott-based Pronghorn Services LLC is anticipated on April 22.

City officials highlighted Andante Drive’s role as a major thoroughfare and its proximity to bus stops and businesses. “Andante Drive was chosen as the alignment because it is the main thoroughfare between SR 89A and Thunder Mountain Road,” stated a city FAQ document.

Emergency response reviews by the Sedona Fire District and Police Department indicated that the project would not hinder operations, and the road will maintain its current width of 24 feet. An additional speed hump is planned to curb vehicle speeds.

During the meeting, residents expressed significant concerns regarding the safety of the current path design. Sixteen households signed a petition urging the city to pause the project and seek a redesign from an independent firm focused on public safety.

Flooding is another pressing issue for residents. Duane Gregory recounted past experiences with water intrusion under their home during rainy spells, prompting them to construct a flood wall in 2010. City floodplain mapping indicates that portions of Andante Drive fall within a 100-year floodplain.

The current design threatens to remove the flood wall, against the wishes of the Gregory family, who have submitted multiple letters from neighbors advocating for the wall’s preservation. “The city staff said that the wall is not a permitted variance, and that you’ll have to remove it or we’ll have to remove it,” Jablow clarified during the discussion.

Deputy City Manager Andy Dickey noted that there were suggestions for further improvements on the wall, but the Gregorys did not comply with permitting requirements. “They built it … regardless, and left it in place,” he added.

Concerns were also raised about the proposed crossover sidewalk on Andante Drive. Duane Gregory emphasized the potential safety risks associated with the location of the crosswalk due to road curvature and elevation. “We felt that it was a safety issue, especially for where they put it,” he explained.

The city defended its alignment choice, stating it aimed to maximize existing rights-of-way and minimize easement acquisitions. The crosswalk is designed to be safe with raised features and proper signage. Dickey addressed additional drainage improvements and the reasoning behind the chosen alignment, emphasizing the desire to avoid conflicts that could arise if the path were situated on the west side of the road.