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Copyright © 2002 Express Publishing Inc.
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For the week of December 11 - 17, 2002

News

Public raps Elkhorn condo proposal

P&Z to review Sun Villas plan Jan. 28


By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

In a brief but telling public hearing Tuesday, a contingent of attorneys and Elkhorn residents told Sun Valley Planning and Zoning commissioners they are staunchly opposed to a planned 111-unit condominium complex in Elkhorn Village.

The comments came during the panel’s consideration of an application by New York City-based Elkhorn Resort LLC for permission to build four condominium buildings on the "Sunshine Parcel." a 4.25-acre site adjacent to Elkhorn Resort.

Elkhorn Resort LLC in October submitted an application to the city for Preliminary Plat and Design Review approval to divide the 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 proposed complex would be named Sun Villas.

Ketchum-based attorney Barry Luboviski, representing residents of Sunburst, The Ridge and Fairway Nine condominium complexes, said he believed the proposed development did not comply with the city’s zoning ordinance.

He noted that because the proposed project would be located in one of the city’s two commercial-zoned districts, it should not be permitted as a plan that has no provisions for commercial business.

"It is a special zone," he said.

Luboviski added that the proposed 64-foot height limit of the project—the maximum allowed in the Commercial Core district—should not be applicable to residential developments.

"You don’t need 64 feet if all you’re going to build is condos," he said.

The attorney said he believed the proposed complex was not compatible with the surrounding properties.

He said the Sunshine parcel should be re-zoned specifically for residential uses or should be used to accommodate a project that proposes a mix of commercial and residential uses.

Elkhorn resident Rich Boddie expressed similar concerns. "I think it would be really stupid not to have any commercial (activity) left in our core," he said.

Indian Springs resident Darrell Scott said the project would block views and sunshine from certain Indian Springs units. "I think it’s too dense and too high," he noted.

Attorney Jim Phillips, representing the residents of Indian Springs, said he believes the Sun Villas project would have a "substantial negative impact" on the Indian Springs development.

"This project towers over, and is clearly not compatible with the residential developments around it," he said.

Tuesday’s public hearing was continued from a Nov. 12 meeting of the P&Z.

Ketchum-based architect Michael Doty at that meeting proposed to construct four five-level residential buildings in two phases.

The first phase of construction—proposed to occur from March 2003 to November 2004—would include construction of two approximately 94,000-square-foot buildings at the north end of the site.

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, parking and various amenities.

The Sun Villas project is not directly related to a proposal by CG-Elkhorn Hotel LLC to redevelop Elkhorn Resort.

The Tuesday hearing was continued to Jan. 28, primarily because of time constraints.

 

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