Sedona commission hears Logan Simpson plan for updated historic resource survey

At its meeting, the City of Sedona Historic Preservation Commission heard a presentation from Logan Simpson outlining an updated historic resource survey that will resurvey Sedona's locally listed properties, evaluate additional candidate sites and compile recommendations for future landmark nominations.

"We're very, very, very excited," consultant John Southard said, introducing his team and describing the firm's work plan. Southard told the commission the last comprehensive survey in Sedona was completed in 2014 and documented 64 resources; he said inventories more than about 10 years old can become outdated because properties are altered or demolished.

The consultant said the project combines background research and fieldwork. Researchers will prepare an historic context narrative, review newspaper archives and assessor records, and complete field documentation forms known in the transcript as the Arizona State Historic Property Inventory Form (HPIF). Field crews will photograph properties from public rights of way, record character-defining materials and evaluate each resource for significance and physical integrity. The final deliverable will be a single survey report with recommendations for eligibility and potential next steps.

Commissioners asked the team to consider specific candidates. "There is an old art studio out on 179 ... I'd like to see it looked at," Commissioner Karen Stupac said, and she also suggested a long-standing Uptown souvenir shop for review. Chair Myers and other commissioners encouraged members to forward additional suggestions to staff so the consultant can add them to the title list.

Staff emphasized limits on scope and budget. "We do not have the budget to just go around town, drive around, and survey every single property," Carrie (staff) said, noting crews will prioritize existing landmarks and properties previously identified as potentially eligible and will contact owners when on-site access is needed.

The commission discussed how the survey could inform other planning work: staff said data from the survey would be available to incorporate into the Uptown CFA planning process and that the survey is expected to be completed before the CFA work advances far enough to rely on the survey results. Commissioners also raised the prospect of evaluating Uptown as a potential historic district but were told Uptown's architectural and vintage mix could complicate district designation.

John Southard described his team's qualifications: Logan Simpson is a multidisciplinary firm with offices in Tempe, Flagstaff and other cities; team members include specialists in architectural history, architectural conservation and oral history who meet Secretary of the Interior professional qualification standards.

The consultant and staff confirmed the survey will re-examine existing local landmark listings, and where appropriate recommend whether a property should remain listed, be considered eligible for the National Register, or be treated as eligible only for local listing. Southard said some properties can be eligible locally even if they are not recommended for the National Register.

The commission did not take action on policy during the presentation; commissioners and staff will collect candidate properties and discuss priorities at future meetings. The commission set its next meeting for Monday, June 8 at 4 p.m.