Ketchum needs higher population density

The sheep probably protested when they found their summer pastures suddenly populated by subdivisions, but no one noticed because the only word they could utter was, "Baaaa."

Their human successors have a larger vocabulary, but similar concerns. Development is overtaking once pastoral lands. During the morning and evening hours, Highway 75 from Ketchum to Hailey is packed solid with traffic. At times squeezing one more car on the road is like trying to add another fish to the sardine can.

At the same time, a group of Ketchum residents is trying to snuff out the city’s ability to increase residential densities in the city in order to increase the supply of affordable housing.

Something’s got to give. It’s obvious, at least to outsiders, what needs to happen.

Robert Murgerauer hadn’t been in the valley a day before he knew what it is. Murgerauer is a professor of architecture at the University of Texas who spoke at a growth forum in Sun Valley. He said he knew many people would not like what he said. Then he delivered the message: Ketchum is not dense enough.

If surrounding lands are not to become wall-to-wall subdivisions, the valley’s cities will have to house more people. They will have to become more urban.

Higher densities don’t have to be a bad thing. They do not have to destroy the town’s sense of community or its style. Ketchum can handle a larger population without becoming an urban nightmare.

Yes, Ketchum will change when places like the old cabin that houses the Buffalo Café are torn down. Given the value of property in the downtown, the odds of preserving buildings like this one are zero and none. However, the feel of the town doesn’t have to disappear with its shoebox buildings.

The feel will be determined by the design of the buildings that replace them. The city has the opportunity to become a city that everyone loves.

Unfortunately, Ketchum has never been able to agree on design standards. Its Design Review Committee has only highly subjective and broad standards it may apply to new buildings. Consequently, new buildings range from stacked stucco boxes to nouveau log. Their critics are legion.

The city’s planning office is trying to deal with fears about growth by totally rewriting the town’s comprehensive plan. It’s the wrong tool.

Ketchum may become more dense under the existing plan. The trick will be to make sure new buildings are friendly, welcoming places. The city can accomplish that by tightening its design standards and letting developers and architects know that not just anything will do.