Despite complaints from some residents, the Oak Creek Arts & Crafts Show received county approval to continue the event at Sedona Vista Village.

The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors voted on March 15 to renew permits for events at the former outlet mall grounds.

“Art shows are very important to local small businesses,” said Martin Aronson, owner of Sedona Vista Village.

He said 15 weekends, including the show, were the best weekends for restaurants in the shopping center at the corner of California Route 179 and Jacks Canyon Road.

“Retail is still fragile in this day and age,” he said.

The county has received negative comments from local residents about the permit application, but Aronson said it hasn’t received a single complaint in two years. The previous permit to use was issued in 2021.

The art show in its current form has been running for ten years. The first permits for outdoor shows at this location date back to 1992, with four “permanent” permits granted for shows.

Neither the county nor the fire district have reported any permit violations related to art shows in the past two years. The updated permit continues the provision that no balloons or signs may be placed in tents and no shows may be held for two consecutive weeks.

According to Becca Sirakis, county senior planner, the Development Services Department received 62 positive and 26 negative comments on the petition.

“There are ‘concerns’ and ‘violations,'” said supervisor Donna Michaels. “No violations.”

Nevertheless, she said the popular show resulted in an area “packed” with cars and people.

Negative comments included more than 50 vendors allowed, dangerous traffic circles, narrow entrances with back-up on Route 279, poor directional signage, and limited parking included the claim that

Attorney Jennifer Bollik, who represents the Oak Creek Arts & Crafts Show, which also has shows at Bell Rock Plaza, West Sedona, and Fountain Hills, said that if there were violations of the maximum number of vendors allowed, the organizers would Said he wasn’t aware of it.

She said organizers have created clear traffic routes in and out of the lot.

In a letter of intent to the county, Oak Creek Arts and Crafts Show owner Marlo Johnson said: In fact, these shows use minimal traffic that already passes through the Big Park/Village area. With over 280 parking spaces in total, there is always plenty of parking for businesses and art show attendees. “

Complainers also demanded that the show be moved to a back parking lot and the number of shows reduced to eight. He said he would.

She said they could be inspected by the fire department and there was a plan for a walkthrough to look for areas of improvement during the upcoming event.

Before supervisors voted to approve renewals of usage permits, Michaels advised art show hosts to make friends.

“The challenge is this. You have relationship issues,” she said.

While the positive opinions far outweighed the negative ones, the high number of critical comments about the show indicated a disconnect between the show and the community.

“On the days of these events, there are communities that feel alienated from their own communities,” said Michaels.