Elkhorn condo
complex goes before public
Sun Villas
hearing continued to Dec. 10
By GREGORY
FOLEY
Express Staff Writer
Sun
Valley Planning and Zoning commissioners Tuesday gave mixed—but
generally favorable—reviews to a proposal by a consortium of local and
out-of-state developers to build a 111-unit residential complex on a
four-acre parcel adjacent to Elkhorn Resort.
In a
two-hour hearing, the panel listened to an initial proposal by
representatives of New York City-based Elkhorn Resort LLC to build four
condominium buildings on the so-called "Sunshine Parcel"
adjacent to Elkhorn Village.
Ketchum-based
architect Michael Doty, right, explains aspects of a proposed
111-unit condominium development in Elkhorn to Sun Valley Planning and
Zoning commissioners Nils Ribi, left, and Ken Herich, center. Express
photo by Willy Cook
The
company has submitted an application to the City of Sun Valley for
Preliminary Plat and Design Review approval to divide the approximately
4.25-acre parcel into four lots that would each be the site of an
approximately 90,000 square-foot, multiple-story condominium structure.
The
parcel—which is located uphill along Village Way from the Elkhorn
Hotel, east of the Indian Springs condominiums and south of the Sunburst
condominiums—is currently vacant. The southern edge of the parcel has
often been used as overflow parking for the Elkhorn Hotel and the
village.
The
proposed development has been named Sun Villas.
The
proposed project is not directly related to a proposal by CG-Elkhorn
Hotel LLC to demolish the Elkhorn Hotel and parts of Elkhorn Village to
build a condominium and townhouse complex in the village core. However,
both properties were previously under the same ownership.
Following
a detailed slide presentation and lecture by architect Michael Doty
before a packed chambers at Sun Valley City Hall, P&Z commissioners
said they had some concerns about how the project was designed, but
offered some words of encouragement.
Project
representatives have proposed to divide the commercial-zoned Sunshine
Parcel into four approximately one-acre building sites along Village
Way.
Doty
explained that each new parcel would be the site of a five-level
residential building, each with an approximate height of 60 feet. The
buildings would be constructed in two phases, he said, with two
structures being completed as part of each phase.
The first
phase of construction, proposed to begin in March 2003, would include
construction of two approximately 94,000-square-foot buildings at the
north end of the site. The first phase of construction is proposed to
last until November 2004.
The
second phase would include the construction of two additional buildings
on the south end of the site from February 2005 until October 2006.
All of
the structures would offer approximately 50,000 square feet of livable
space, plus a lobby area. Amenities such as a catering facility and a
health club would be dispersed in various buildings.
In
addition, all of the structures would be stacked in a fashion to allow
floors with less bulk and mass on top.
The
proposed Building 4, scheduled to go in last, would be the tallest
structure at 64 feet.
The
maximum allowance for height on the commercial-zoned site is 64 feet.
The maximum height allowance in residential-zoned areas is 44 feet.
Doty said
the buildings would not have any commercial facilities.
An
underground parking garage with access from Village Way has also been
proposed. The garage would provide a total of 216 spaces in four
sections, in addition to eight spaces that would built on the ground
level.
Commissioner
Ken Herich said he appreciated efforts to reduce the visual impacts of
the development.
"It
is a very massive project. I commend the design team in trying to
mitigate the mass," he said.
Commissioner
Nils Ribi expressed concerns about the whether there would be adequate
parking at the development for employees, residents and guests.
Commissioner
Phil Usher noted that he was concerned if there was adequate space in
the neighborhood to support construction of the second phase of the
project.
Without
taking any comments from the public, commissioners elected to continue
the hearing to their next regular meeting Dec. 10.