Lack of quorum cancels comp plan hearing

The second of at least 12 planned public hearings to discuss revisions to the draft Ketchum Comprehensive Plan was canceled Thursday night to the dismay of the many members of the public who showed up to speak.

The special Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to hear public comment on a portion of the plan concerning, among other topics, downzoning parts of the city’s commercial core, could not be held because the P&Z lacked a quorum. Only two of four commissioners showed up.

Ketchum Planning and Zoning administrator Lisa Majdiak announced to approximately 20 members of the public in attendance that two commissioners had last-minute family emergencies, which kept them from attending.

The cancellation was a setback in the tedious process of revising and adopting a new comprehensive plan for Ketchum.

The meeting was the second of two scheduled for public discussion on the downtown core.

Other meetings will focus on different aspects of the plan, including the entrance to town; Warm Springs; River Run Master Plan; McHannville/hospital site; light industrial area/residential areas; housing goals and strategies; natural areas/capital improvements program; and one or two meetings for final review of all proposed changes and final recommendation to the city council.

All meetings are noticed in advance in the Idaho Mountain Express. Public meetings are currently scheduled for Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. at Ketchum City Hall on Nov. 5 and 19, Dec. 3 and 17, Jan. 7 and 21, and Feb. 4. Other meetings will be scheduled and noticed as necessary.

Thursday’s canceled meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesdays, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1.

All interested persons are urged to attend these public meetings and take advantage of the opportunity to comment on the plan.