The Cottonwood City Council declined to approve the proposal for the Silverado Lofts project at its meeting on Feb. 21.
The proposal for the 11.6 acres at 1432 Silverado Drive called for 152 multifamily units in 38 two-story buildings with four townhome style apartments in each.
The Planning and Zoning Commission had previously denied the developer’s request to change the general plan amendment by a 3-3 vote — a tie is a denial — and the developer’s request for a zone change by a 4-2 vote, on Nov. 28. The City Council held its first hearing on the proposal on Feb. 7.
Neighboring residents expressed numerous concerns with the development, including flooding and the proximity to the existing neighborhood adjacent to the lot. Fifteen residents spoke in opposition to the project, while only one spoke in support, with many of the opponents arguing that the project is not affordable housing and will not contribute to solving the Verde Valley’s housing crisis.
Charity Lee, representing the applicant, Miramonte Homes, responded that she never claimed it would be an affordable housing project. She pointed out that adding 150 housing units within the city will lower overall rent prices citywide.
Resident Kelly Moffitt complained that he was seeing dead patches in his yard from pollutants in runoff, while Dawn Stockbridge discussed the routine she and her family have when it starts to flood: “Our children know the drill: Sandbag and barricade.”
She said she and her family then have to clean up the city’s trash from their yard afterward.
Other residents mentioned a previous zoning ordinance from 2005 and likened it to a promise being broken by the city, although Mayor Tim Elinksi reiterated that there have since been two General Plan updates that involved a very public process.
Resident Mark Hansen said that a zoning ordinance change is not a promise.
Councilwoman Tosca Henry and Lisa DuVernay agreed that the city needs to address the drainage issue before permitting development on the site. Conversely, the city’s engineers stated that construction would cause no more runoff to leave the property than already occurs.
In a roll call vote for the general plan amendment from general commercial to planned development, the motion failed by a 5-2 vote, with Elinski and Vice Mayor Debbie Wilden in favor. The vote on the zoning change also failed.
During the call to the public regarding items not on the agenda, 23 residents spoke about their opposition to an upcoming drag show to be hosted by Miss Nature LLC’s 2023 Arizona Pride Tour on Saturday, April 8, at the Cottonwood Community Clubhouse. Council did not comment or respond to any speakers as the item was not on the agenda.
