Stanley residents favor subdivision
By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer
A majority of Stanley-area residents who spoke at a public
hearing last week said they are excited about the prospect of a nearby
subdivision finally maintaining a part of the city that’s been in
disrepair for three decades.
Boise-based developer Steven Hosac proposes to reorganize
and sell lots that are part of two subdivisions laid out in the early
1970s. Hosac said he will sell and set standards for the two subdivisions
as one, called Stanley Sawtooth Estates.
Combined, the subdivisions include 46 lots on 66 acres
around Valley Creek and on the adjacent hills. Two of the lots sit atop a
rock bluff that overlooks the city.
The public hearing last Wednesday was to collect input on
proposed lot line shifts throughout the subdivision and to "hear what
the citizens of Stanley and residents of the Stanley Basin have to
say," Stanley Mayor Hilda Floyd said. About a dozen Stanley residents
attended.
The lot line shifts must conform to Stanley’s
comprehensive plan and ordinances, though most residents didn’t comment
directly on that issue. Rather they expressed their views of the
subdivisions’ overall merits or potential pitfalls.
"The city of Stanley has recognized this area for
growth and development," Stanley resident and past Stanley P&Z
member Selma Lamb told the Stanley City Council. "At last this land
will be taken care of properly."
Stanley annexed the area in 1973. Lamb pointed out that
past city councils have refused to de-annex portions of the hillside
subdivision.
De-annexation has come up periodically, because the
Sawtooth National Recreation Area has indicated interest in buying or
trading for some of the hillside lots or in purchasing a conservation
easement on the property, Lamb said. The Forest Service cannot buy land or
an easement on land that’s within a municipal boundary.
Hosac said at the meeting that he is still receptive to
proposals to preserve the knoll-top lots, but isn’t sure if arrangements
can be ironed out. SNRA officials were not immediately available for
comment.
Nonetheless, development of the hilltop lots wasn’t an
issue that many Stanley-area residents dwelled on.
Resident Floris Nuestaedter called the subdivision’s
proposed management "a big improvement."
"We do need room for growth, and this is one
direction we can go," she said.
Playing devil’s advocate with his neighbors, Ron
Gillett, a 30-year Stanley resident, said he’s concerned about how the
new homes will look.
"I don’t want to have to look at a bunch of castles
over there," he said. "I think we have a chance to lose
something great."
Hosac appeared receptive and responsive to such
criticisms. He said he’s willing to tour the subdivision or talk with
anyone who’s interested.
"I think we want to keep the rural feel of the
subdivision," he said, adding that roads will not be paved but will
be widened slightly.
"I want houses that will blend into the hillsides,
that will blend into the topography. We don’t want them looking out of
place."
He said design guidelines he implements as part of a
homeowners’ association that will be set up will be "one hell of a
lot tougher than the city’s," but added: "I believe that when
somebody buys a lot, they should have the freedom to do with it what they
want."
Homes greater than 10,000 or 15,000 square feet will
"probably" not be allowed, he said.
"When this is all finished, I want to be proud of
what’s there."
The Stanley City Council will meet on March 15 to make a
decision on the proposed lot line shifts.
