The application period for a seat on the Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission closed Sept. 3. Five people applied for three open seats on the commission, including current vice chair Charlotte Hosseini and commissioner Will Hurst, who are seeking reappointment.

• Henry Benjes III, an eight-year Sedona resident, holds bachelor's degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, master's degrees in engineering, business and management from the University of Colorado and the University of Texas, and a PhD in electronic materials from Arizona State University. He worked for Intel from 1998 to 2022, serving in roles including operations manager and principal engineer. Benjes said his goal as a commissioner is to “represent the voice of property owners” and “ensure that all new projects are aligned with the community's goals and are executed as efficiently as possible.” He identified the main issues facing Sedona as traffic circulation, “affordable housing for service workers,” and balancing tourism.
• Will Hurst: 5 years living in Sedona. Commissioner from 2022. Previously served as Secretary of the Service Employees International Union and Secretary of the Monterey County Home Support Services Corporation. Hurst stated that his goal as a commissioner is to “keep Sedona a great place to live and visit” and to “make the commission work well.” He cited the main issues facing Sedona as being “too loved,” traffic congestion, parking, and a lack of medical facilities for the elderly, and that “those who serve our community should be able to live in or near the community they serve.”
• Charlotte Hosseini: A 10-year resident of Sedona, she has been a commissioner since 2018. She was previously deputy director of the Arizona Department of Administration. Hosseini said her goal as a commissioner is to “be involved in decision-making to maximize the use of the city's resources.” Hosseini cited the main challenges facing Sedona as navigating remaining development, “coordinating economic development,” “modernizing regulations,” and understanding the “competing interests” of historic preservation, environmental protection, and development. Hosseini also said she “does not have any particular skills in construction, architecture, or engineering.”
• Carl Jackson: A 19-year resident of Sedona, he has an MBA from New York University and previously worked in banking, lending to what he calls the “ultra-wealthy.” Jackson said his goal as a commissioner would be to “update the definition of 'single-family' residential zoning in the city code to accommodate large groups of rental properties.” He cited “the direction of development in Sedona” as the main challenge facing the city. [Sedona] These include a “cultural park,” “more workforce and affordable housing and possible development across from the wastewater treatment plant,” and the possible need for an easement to improve traffic flow. Jackson is a member of the ad hoc group, the Greater Sedona Recreation Collaborative.
• Gary Whitehill: A first-year Sedona resident, he holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and business administration from Central Connecticut State University and describes himself as an “entrepreneur, investor and mentor.” Whitehill said his goals as a commissioner will be to “ensure new development is thoughtful, integrated and environmentally conscious” and to “advance sustainable and forward-thinking development policies that protect Sedona's natural beauty.” He identified the main issues facing Sedona as “balancing sustainable growth with environmental protection,” “mitigating the negative impacts of a tourism-driven economy,” “addressing a critical housing shortage,” and “protecting Sedona's beautiful landscape.”

The terms for the three vacant seats begin Nov. 1. The city has not yet scheduled candidate interviews with the City Council.