Parks aren't meant for this: How one city voted against bizarre proposition

Sedona, Arizona: Voters in Sedona have rejected Proposition 483, a proposed initiative that would have allowed local workers to sleep overnight in their cars at a popular city park. The plan, aimed at addressing Sedona’s severe affordable housing shortage, was defeated amid concerns over safety, park usage, and potential crime.

The proposal, dubbed the 'Safe Place to Park' program, would have set aside six acres of Sedona Cultural Park, transforming part of the scenic area into a designated parking zone where workers could sleep overnight in their vehicles. This temporary solution was designed to help workers struggling with the high cost of living in Sedona. The Sedona City Council approved Ordinance #2024-01 on March 12, 2024, to rezone this area for the city's program through June 30, 2026.

The program would have included essential facilities such as bathrooms, showers, and security personnel to ensure the area’s safety and cleanliness. Opponents of the measure feared that the program would alter the character of the park and attract issues like drug use and crime. Some residents also raised questions about the measure’s provisions, noting that it might permit use by disabled or retired individuals in addition to workers.

Property prices in Sedona have been driven up by the area's popularity with retirees and vacation homeowners. The average home price in Sedona is nearly $1 million, and monthly rents average around $3,500. These costs have forced some full-time workers to resort to sleeping in their cars.

As of late 2024, on a per-square-foot basis, Sedona properties average approximately $499. Despite some cooling, prices have shown substantial growth year-over-year, with a recent 25-38% increase in both median and average prices due to limited inventory and high demand for high-quality, well-located homes.

Homes in Sedona are spending more time on the market (averaging 84 days), and sale-to-list price ratios are around 95%, indicating that buyers have some negotiating power.