Read the website and compose your emails and letters: Here is some suggested content for your letters.

Explain your reasons how the Development would :

1. Have an impact on surrounding properties.

2. Have an impact on traffic from your experiences in Sedona

3. Conform to development standards.

4. Maintain the character of the neighborhood.

5. How the development would have on the preservation of Safety and Welfare

6. How the development fits with the consistency of the Yavapai County Comprehensive Plan.

According to the County: What the Commission will not look at is: 1. Personality of the applicant. 2. Questions concerning tech issues. 3. Water Availability. 4. Financial Gain or Hardship 5. Economic Development. 6. Viability of the project. 7. Setting Precedence. 8.CC & R Requirements.

FYI, Remember:  Projects that expand the community do not always develop a community in beneficial ways. Expansion does not equal development. This is a subtle but crucial point.  Also there are lots of example of developers whose lack of financial viability significantly damaged the community.

Design expansion can be thought of correctly by mixing land-uses, clustering development, infilling not sprawling.   

Finally,  often, approval of one project creates the legal basis (precedent) on which other similar projects can force themselves on the community and the County allows. 

Here below are three more reasons from the Sedona City Council you can put in your letter – ” say  NO  to this change of zoning” . The sale is contingent on this change of zoning from Yavapai County.

Sedona City Council said NO to ELS’s Proposal and advised that the proposed use is too intensive for location with no services. All residents need  grocery stores, gas stations, drug stores, movie theaters, etc. and the closest services being in the City of Sedona.

Absence of green building sustainability – The proposal does not contemplate green practices, community amenities, or other aspects of the development that support or promote environmental sustainability. The practice of smart development includes inclusion of storm water recapture; low-flush toilet programs; storage & cycling of fresh water; shade trees; flood control with root systems; maintaining watersheds for flood control and drinking water; noise abatement and peaceful sanctuary and finally one more – Dark Sky provisions.  Simply the existence of neighboring developments of comparable density should not result in the automatic conclusion that use should be replicated or that this type of project is right for this area.Remember:  Projects that expand the community do not always develop a community in beneficial ways. Expansion does not equal development. This is a subtle but crucial point that requires more explanation.    Finally,  often, approval of one project creates the legal basis (precedent) on which other similar projects can force themselves on the community.How much time do we have to stop this developer from constructing a  manufactured home park?   . The Buyer will need to get the property re-zoned before they can buy the land and start building.Time is of the essence. 

WAYS HOW YOU CAN LEARN TO HELP STOP A  ZONING CHANGE

1. If you have not done so already, please send a letter to Tammy deWitt and WHEN YOU SEND AN EMAIL  include YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. ( Email addresses often do not reflect the name of the sender.) Bring as many people as possible to the Board of Supervisors meeting in Cottonwood . Re-zoning opposition counts a great deal.
2. Start contacting people right away. We only have a few weeks to  prepare to attend and speak at the public hearing.
3. Residents of Sedona Shadows are encouraged to contact elrojogranderanchinsedona@gmail.com with your private concerns.
4. Quickly contact any prominent people that you know who might be willing to express their opposition. Prominent people can really carry weight.
5. Despite what the developer has been saying, the land is not surrounded by comparable properties. A map shows that it is surrounded by National Forest and Residential properties. Be ready to challenge anyone who says otherwise.
6. When speaking before the Zoning Commission or the Board of Supervisors,  be prepared to point out to them how incompatible this zoning is with the adjoining properties. This will bolster your re-zoning opposition.
7. Do your part to make people you know in the Sedona area aware of the plan to build 600 manufactured sites and a 50 unit RV Park just outside Sedona’s western gateway, alongside the Red Rock Scenic Road.
8. Talk to neighborhood groups, interest groups, clubs, and others who might want to oppose this rezoning. Use your email, your networks of friends and colleagues, and your friends on social media. Consider passing out flyers, using word of mouth, going door to door, setting up a website, or hosting a meeting to spread the word.
9. Feel free to include elected officials in your communications, and ask them to attend your meetings.
10. Consider posting signs to make your opposition highly visible. (Check first, to be sure you will not be in violation of any local sign ordinance!).
11. If you organize a group to attend a public meeting, be sure that everyone wears a shirt of the same color. RED This will add a visual impact – even if not everyone will be speaking.
12. Whenever you have a chance to be heard, focus on the facts. A nostalgic story or an emotional request is not as effective when opposing a rezoning request.
13. Do not present yourself as being opposed to all development. Emphasize the importance of zoning in keeping development compatible with the community needs and values.
14. Be specific, for example: This is a 55 and older Community Development. It’s important to understand the story about how ELS has eliminated the affordability of housing in their home parks by steeply raising rents, and how those skyrocketing rents have left senior mobile home owners with very little equity in the homes that they bought with their life savings.
15. However, stick to the facts. Don’t just “trash talk” the developer, the project, or your elected officials. This can cause decision makers to turn a deaf ear to your concerns.
16. Point out the adverse impacts that this development  will have on the area.
17. The ranch is largely riparian, with rolling hills, and a creek that often flows in torrents. Be the Environmentalist and protect the Riparian Corridor of Dry Creek.
18. This development would house 1200 – 1400 people. That is a huge addition to the current Sedona population of 10,000, and it will put a heavy strain on the already strained resources.
19. 1200 – 1400 people traveling into and out of Sedona every day will have an enormous impact on the already-serious traffic problem. What will be the impact of all that additional traffic? The current traffic plan already predicts large increases in the traffic in the coming years, and that doesn’t even include all this additional traffic. This expert says, an additional 5000 cars. Pls see Voices/Letters Tab for Engineer Letter
20. Talk about alternative ways to develop El Rojo Grande Ranch, without bulldozing the land, destroying the native vegetation and destroying or evicting the wildlife. There are already people with much more environmentally sensitive master plans, who are talking to the current owner of the Ranch. Talk about what you would like to have happen. See the Vision Plans tab. 
21. Talk about the long-range development plans, and the adopted goals for the Sedona area, and how this development is not compatible with those plans. What kinds of development would be more compatible with those plans and goals?
22. Talk about the spectacular landscape that has made Sedona known worldwide, and how this sea of roofs would be seen by the international community – who currently could see Sedona and surrounding county as a center for the preservation of the environment.
23. Talk to people and organizations who have ideas and plans for developing the Ranch that are compatible with our long-range plans and goals. Consider the potential of being a partner with them, rather than just being in opposition to all development. Consider what you might be able to do to promote their success.
24. Be willing to come up with solid alternatives that bring a winning outcome to all parties. Be willing to engage decision makers, and persevere until you we are sure that this issue is settled.
25. Thank you all !

To add to this list, or ask any questions: www.elrojograndesedona.com