Council favors annexation of 152 acres of land into the city

The Hailey City Council has decided it would like the city to bring a parcel of land just south of town, and close to Friedman Memorial Airport, under its control in order to prohibit residential development there.

The 152-acre parcel, owned by Spencer Eccles, is south of the Woodside Light Industrial Park. It is currently zoned by Blaine County for five-acre lots.

Annexation of the parcel to the city was proposed to the council at its Monday meeting by Eccles representative Evan Robertson of Boise. Robertson said there are no plans for development.

"It needs to be controlled by someone other than the county because of its proximity to the airport," he said. "We want to emphasize that our client has no short-range plans, this is for the long range."

Friedman Memorial Airport Authority legal counsel Barry Luboviski said the authority supports the proposed annexation, because Hailey receives most of the impact from the airport, and should control the land adjacent to Friedman to avoid residential development.

"Residential and the airport are not good neighbors," he said. "It just can’t be done."

Councilwoman Martha Burke, who also serves on the authority, said the airport board’s support of the annexation was a well thought-out decision.

"My greatest fear is that Blaine County will designate that land for affordable housing," she said.

In order for the council to approve annexation, the annexation must comply with the Hailey comprehensive plan, be an orderly extension of city boundaries, and be within the city’s area of impact.

The council determined the land met the first two conditions.

The comprehensive plan directs the city to create mutually suitable uses on adjacent properties and to promote economic development.

However, because the land is not within Hailey’s area of impact, the council directed city staff to meet with the county and analyze the land south of Hailey for a possible amendment to the zone-of-impact map.

The planning and zoning commission will hear the application next, and determine zoning for the property.

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The council also approved a zoning change to a downtown property that liberalizes the permitted uses of a proposed commercial building there.

Adam Koffler of Trillium Capital requested a zone change for the property at 707 South Main Street from a limited business to a business zone. A business zone allows for entertainment and retail uses of property, as well as a zero lot-line setback. Koffler said he has no specific plans for the types of businesses that will operate in the building.

The council directed city staff to draw up a development agreement between the city and Koffler to include conditions previously set forth by the planning and zoning commission. The P&Z stipulated that the half block west from Main Street, between Maple and Cedar, be rezoned business, that parking access be as far away from Main Street and Cedar Street as possible, and that the proposed building face the right of way, with a two-story height limit.

The P&Z also recommended that entertainment or recreational uses require a conditional-use permit because the building abuts a residential neighborhood. A conditional-use permit allows the P&Z to strictly regulate the type of business and its operation within the building.

Only councilwoman Susan McBryant was opposed to the rezone.

"Why on earth would we consider rezoning for business if it’s not appropriate?" she asked. "I’m not comfortable with a B zone with conditions, and I’m enormously uncomfortable increasing uses that increase traffic. It’s either appropriate or not appropriate, but it’s not kind of appropriate."

Councilman Scott Basolo described the project as "fairly reasonable," and said he felt the development agreement was friendly toward the neighbors.