Sun Villas proposal tabled by P&Z
Developer asked to change
and resubmit designs
By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer
Sun Valley Planning and Zoning
commissioners Tuesday tabled a proposal to build a 111-unit residential complex
in central Elkhorn, citing concerns about the project’s overall size and bulk.
After a three-hour review of the proposed
project—called Sun Villas—the panel voted 5-0 to allow project architects to
redesign aspects of the development before a formal vote on its merits is
conducted.
"I don’t see how it meets the criteria we
have right in front of us in the zoning code," Commissioner Nils Ribi said.
Architect Michael Doty, standing in
center, Tuesday morning presented designs to the Sun Valley Planning and Zoning
Commission for a 111-unit residential development called Sun Villas. The
commission’s review of the project Tuesday was their fourth overall and the
second this year. Looking on are Jack Cloud, Sun Valley community development
director, left, Commissioner Blair Boand, center, and Commissioner Nils Ribi,
right. Express photos by Willy Cook
Four members of the panel expressed
various degrees of concern about the project’s size and potential impacts on the
surrounding neighborhood, while one said he favored the plan as it was proposed.
"I’d vote for it," Commissioner Ken Herich
said, noting that he thinks the projects is well designed and would help
"upgrade" the Elkhorn Village area.
Commissioners ultimately directed project
architect and chief representative Michael Doty to address several specific
concerns about the design, but did not set a date to consider any new plans.
The applicant, Elkhorn Resort LLC, last
fall asked the city of Sun Valley for permission to build four residential
buildings on the "Sunshine Parcel," a 4.25-acre lot adjacent to Elkhorn Resort
and several condominium complexes.
Sun Valley Fire Chief Jeff Carnes
Tuesday hoisted a fire-engine ladder 64 feet in the air to display to Sun Valley
Planning and Zoning commissioners the height of a proposed residential building
on the "Sunshine Parcel" in Elkhorn. Commissioners spent an hour at the site
Tuesday in an attempt to assess the potential impacts of the proposed Sun Villas
project on neighboring properties. Express photos by Willy Cook
The developer asked to divide the parcel
into four one-acre lots that would each be the site of an approximately 90,000
square-foot, multiple-story structure that would include luxury condominiums and
fractional-ownership units.
The first phase of construction—proposed
to begin in March 2003 and last until 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 and
amenities. A 216-space parking garage is proposed to be built underground.
The proposed Building 4, scheduled to go
in last, would be the tallest structure at 64 feet, the maximum allowed on the
commercial-zoned site.
As proposed, the buildings would not have
any commercial facilities.
Commissioners visited the project site
Tuesday morning to assess the potential impacts of the development before
reconvening in front of a large crowd at Sun Valley City Hall.
Commissioner Phil Usher was the first to
comment on the Sun Villas proposal. He said he favors the design, but has "great
difficulty with the overall mass" of the project.
Commissioner Mark Pynn also showed favor
for the design, but noted that the southern part of the project next to Elkhorn
Resort seemed "squeezed."
Pynn also said he would like to see the
project have some provisions for commercial activities.
Ribi expressed the greatest opposition to
the size of the project, which would be taller than all of the surrounding
developments. "There’s just too much," he said.
However, he added: "If the project was
scaled down … I think it would work."
Like Pynn, Commissioner Blair Boand said
he believes the design of the buildings proposed for the south end of the site
should be scaled down and possibly reconfigured.
Boand and Ribi both asked that significant
changes be made.
"Just to tweak a few walls and add some
trees doesn’t address the mass and bulk," Ribi said.
No public comment was taken Tuesday.
However, commissioners did consider public comments at three previous hearings
on the project.