Sedona City Council’s Bold Move: Development Fees Skyrocket with 5-2 Vote

On January 14, the Sedona City Council convened for a brief six-minute meeting, resulting in a 5-2 vote to finalize a significant increase in development impact fees for new constructions. The revised fees are scheduled to be implemented on March 31.

Opposition to the hike was voiced by Vice Mayor Holli Ploog and Councilwoman Kathy Kinsella. Kinsella expressed concerns, stating, “This doesn’t do anything for individual homes. We need homes developed at every level, and this move sends the wrong message about achieving affordability.”

Ploog echoed similar sentiments, remarking, “I’ve opposed this from the beginning. We’re so focused on short-term rentals that it’s distorted our perspective. This will further increase building costs for single-family homes and could deter potential residents.”

Highlighting the financial implications, Ploog noted, “We are already the highest in the county for these fees, and now we will be even higher. This discourages people from wanting to live here, despite available land for development.”