Blotting out Elkhorn’s sun
Sunpointe could become ‘Shadowpoint’
By PETER BOLTZ
Express Staff Writer
Even though opponents were hoping to see it denied, the
subdivision application for Crown Ranch Subdivision Phase IV was tabled by
the Sun Valley planning and zoning commission Tuesday.
In delaying a decision, the commission asked
representatives of the development company, Crown Point Development to
consider changing their plan from eight units to six, and to provide the
commission with details of Crown Point’s building plans beyond Phase IV.
Only two residents spoke up during the public hearing part
of the meeting — one for and one against the development. However, the
commission has been flooded with letters from neighbors opposing Crown
Ranch.
One of the letters came from Pierre and Dorothy Dreyfus.
"The entire [current] development is an eyesore as it stands,"
they wrote. "Further buildings that are proposed destroy the
landscape and are totally unacceptable."
Jon C. Thorson agreed. "The architectural design for
the townhouses is a perfect example of a bad neighbor," he said in a
letter. "As planned, the two- and three-story townhouses, sitting
atop the hill, will rake the skyline and offend the eye of everyone in
Elkhorn who looks in its direction."
Ronald A. Gargano, a real estate developer who lives
directly behind the Crown Ranch property, wrote that he objects to roof
lines intersecting with ridgeline views.
"Sun Valley is a beautiful community," he wrote.
"There are few obstructions to the views and few buildings, which
destroy the character of the countryside and the mountainous terrain.
Permitting construction which appears to be ‘mountain top’ development
is inconsistent with the community’s values."
Frederic and Jean Mabbatt wrote that the project’s
"high, vertical design of the units would be painfully visible
against the skyline as one drives along Elkhorn Road from the Village to
the Ranch and from many of the south facing homes in the valley."
The city had the developer put "story poles" on
the property to show the height of the eight different proposed units.
These are easily seen from the intersection of Elkhorn Road and Morning
Star Road.
During a site tour in the middle of the commission’s
meeting Tuesday, a collection of developers, commissioners, city staff and
opponents got a feel for the property and intended development.
The view from the site includes Baldy, Griffin Butte and
the Boulder mountains. One person on the tour remarked that it was the
best view in Elkhorn.
Below the site lies just about every residence in Elkhorn,
including Sunpointe.
It was clear that during the summer, the sun’s path
would be above the roofs of the proposed development. In winter, the sun,
which now clears the ridgeline, would be obscured if the proposed
development goes up.
Once the developer informs the commission it is ready to
proceed, Crown Ranch Phase IV will be put on the commission’s agenda
again.
