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For the week of February 5 - 11, 2003

News

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.

 

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