For the week of September 23 thru September 29, 1998  

Historic day in Ketchum


Monday was a historic day in Ketchum. The city council approved the first development in city history to include deed-restricted affordable housing.

"I think that some of you need to learn how to share," said Ketchum City Councilman Dave Hutchinson to a standing-room-only crowd as he contradicted the opposition and cast a vote with the 3-1 majority to approve the Fields at Warm Springs.

The majority of the council, with the exception of Councilwoman Chris Potters, recognized the need for affordable housing and the benefits of the development. The council members listened and reviewed voluminous research. Then, they did the right thing.

In the 41-unit planned development are 14 units priced at $135,000. Unlike market units, the resale value of the affordable units will be limited, tied to inflation by a restriction in the deed. They will appeal to local workers who wish to own the roof over their heads and be part of the city where they work.

The council members recognized what could happen to the local economy without housing. They recognized that if they killed a project that was everything they had asked for, they would kill any incentive for other private developers to include affordable housing in new developments. They would leave the proverbial "dead crow" in the garden—the unmistakable sign for others to beware a poisoned field.

Instead, Councilman Randy Hall, a local restaurateur, brought reality to the discussion when he said some of his employees had been living in open-air camps all summer.

Councilwoman Sue Noel, a working resident, reiterated her first-hand knowledge of the need for affordable housing.

Hutchinson, a Realtor, answered neighbors’ fears about potential drops in their property values by saying that the real threat to property values lies in not having a work force large enough to operate area amenities, like fine restaurants. Hutchinson is right.

The Wood River Valley is late waking up. Aspen, Vail, Steamboat, Park City and Jackson Hole experienced labor shortages and the disappearance of working residents in their communities. All continue to develop affordable housing units.

The approval of the Warm Springs development was no red-letter day for opponents. They may choose to withdraw gracefully, launch an expensive and crippling legal challenge, or try for revenge at the ballot box.

As they ponder their next move, they should consider 74-year-old Mayor Guy Coles. Coles raised a family here and has been in the valley long enough to have designed, constructed and raised a drawbridge over the Big Wood River by himself. Instead, Coles sided against those who would raise the bridge and said, "I love this community, and I’m in favor of this project."

 

 Back to Front Page
Copyright © 1998 Express Publishing Inc. All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited.