In land development, we hear all the time that there is no “good land” left because it has all already been bought. And honestly, some days it feels true. A house or building may look great on paper, but once you place it on actual property, the land usually has something to say about it. Grades, drainage, utilities, septic, setbacks, environmental restrictions and County requirements all begin to shape what can actually happen.
That is a big part of what we do: balance what the owner wants, what the land can handle and what the County requires. Even with survey equipment, GIS, existing roads, electricity, internet, AI and utilities already in place, there are still plenty of challenges to work through.
It makes you wonder how a town ever got started in the first place. We recently took a trip to Sedona, Arizona, and while standing there surrounded by red rock cliffs, canyon walls and desert, we had to ask, “How did anyone look at this and think a town could work here?” On a tour, we asked that exact question. The guide smiled and said, “Look around. Do you see plants? What about animals? Look over there, do you see water?” You could tell we were among the many people asking that same question today.
From there, he started explaining Sedona’s history. J.J. Thompson is often recognized as one of the first Anglo settlers in Oak Creek Canyon, claiming land in the area in 1876. Looking at it through a land-development lens, the question back then was simple: Is there water? Can people get here? Can the land be used? Can food be grown? Can goods move in and out? And most importantly, can someone actually make a living here?
That water, Oak Creek, was the start of it all. Early settlers planted orchards which became an important source of income. Frank Pendley, an engineer disguised as a farmer, built an innovative irrigation system that allowed him to successfully grow apples and pears, which were sold at nearby markets.
As more families settled in the area, the need for a real community grew. A post office became one of the first major steps in making the settlement feel more official, but even that required access. Mail had to get in and out, crops had to reach markets and families needed a way to stay connected. T.C. Schnebly operated a store, hotel and post office, and when the community needed a name, it was named after his wife, Sedona Schnebly.
At its core, development has always come back to the same question: Is the land usable? Today, we work with all the layers that came after, like roads, lot lines, zoning, drainage, utilities, easements and environmental regulations. Whether it is a small addition, a new subdivision or an entire town, the questions always start with the land.
