For the week of November 12 - 18, 2003

Hailey Comprehensive Plan amended

Ruling opens door for new hotel

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By MATT FURBER
Express staff writer

Expanding the boundary of the Hailey central business district, the Hailey City Council Monday, Nov. 9, approved an amendment to the city’s Comprehensive Plan.

The application by Bruce Allen for the amendment opens the first door in Allen’s plans to build a hotel on property he owns across Highway 75 from Albertson’s and south of McKercher Boulevard.

"There has been a change in the area," Allen said, referring to the traffic coming in and out of Albertson’s at the traffic light at West McKercher Boulevard "There is an increase in highway light and noise."

The amendment changes the Economic Development section of the comprehensive plan, in support of a future application to rezone property along Highway 75 to business district or limited business district.

The council also decided that the transitional zone included in the comprehensive plan be removed from the central business district and used as a buffer between the central business district and residential zones.

The Comp Plan currently states that the central business district of the City of Hailey " ... should be the Business, Limited Business and Transitional areas on or adjacent to Main Street, River Street, and First Avenue in the Hailey Original Townsite ..."

The purpose of transitional areas, which are largely residential, is to provide a buffer, said councilman Rick Davis.

"Removing transitional zone from the central business district allows it to be used as it was intended," he said. It is not intended to allow growth to "just keep marking north."

The new boundary for the central business district "squares up" the north end of the city, councilwoman Martha Burke said. "The last thing I want is for our little town to look like a strip mall."

The land use map shows Albertson’s located in the transitional zone, City Planner Kathy Grotto said. "The amendment delineates the language of the comprehensive plan."

 

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