The Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday night gave a
qualified nod of approval to a proposed 8,800-square-foot gallery and living space, above,
to go on Third Street kitty-corner from the Ketchum post office.
The commission viewed a rendition of the proposed building during a
pre-application design-review presentation.
Architect and P&Z Commissioner Peter Ripsom recused himself from the
commission’s proceedings to represent the proposed building’s owner, Barbi Reed.
Ripsom told the other commissioners that the 40-foot-high building would
be constructed of stucco and of stone similar to that in the cliffs on Bald Mountain. The
building’s plans show a first-floor gallery, two second-floor apartments and a
rooftop "cottage."
Comments from the commissioners were generally favorable to the design,
though Commissioner Rod Sievers pointed out that the city’s interim design ordinance
governing its downtown struck an earlier provision allowing buildings to reach 40 feet
high at gable tops.
Commissioner Susan Scovell said the city should consider maintaining the
earlier provision since it encourages the construction of pitched roofs.
"This interim ordinance is going to shoot us in the foot about
something we’ve always encouraged in the past," Scovell said.
The commission reacted favorably to comments by Ketchum resident Mickey
Garcia, who objected to the amount of stucco proposed for the building’s outside
walls.
"Some of the buildings people complain about the most are just big
masses of beige stucco," Garcia said. "People are complaining that this town is
looking like Anywhere, USA, and part of the problem, I think, is that we’re using the
same finishing materials."
Ripsom said the flat sections of the proposed building’s roof would
contain a sculpture garden. In an interview yesterday, Reed said she hoped to use that
area for civic functions as well as gallery shows.
"Why not put things up on the roof?" Reed asked. "In this
community where we have the kind of views and light and weather during the spring, summer
and fall, we have an opportunity to use a whole other layer."
