Wednesday — February 11, 2004

A master plan for CG-Elkhorn’s proposed Elkhorn Springs project calls for development of a restaurant and country store, shown above. The store could include a post office, deli, video rental and cross-country-ski shop. Graphics courtesy of CG-Elkhorn group

 

Elkhorn master plan raises questions

P&Z befuddled about how to proceed

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By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

Sun Valley Planning and Zoning commissioners delayed taking action Tuesday on a proposed new clubhouse for the Elkhorn Golf Club, after debating whether the proposal should be considered as part of a larger master plan to redevelop the 11-acre core of Elkhorn Village.

During a three-hour hearing to review several sets of plans submitted by development group CG-Elkhorn, P&Z commissioners repeatedly said they are unsure how to process a conceptual plan to build a mix of residences, commercial spaces and public amenities on the site of the defunct Elkhorn Resort.

"I’m not sure I understand, procedurally, how this is all going to be approved," said Commissioner John Gaeddert.

At issue is an informal proposal by CG-Elkhorn to develop 128 market-rate condominiums, 12 community-housing units, two commercial buildings and a sales office on a meandering property that composes the majority of the Elkhorn Village core.

CG-Elkhorn—a company that includes Connecticut- and Chicago-based investment group Greenfield Partners and Ketchum-based partner David Hennessy—presented the master plan to the P&Z for the first time Tuesday.

The development group, however, could not ask for formal acceptance of the designs because the city does not have an established process to review and approve master development plans.

Instead, the master plan was submitted as an addendum to a CG-Elkhorn application for a conditional-use permit to build and operate an approximately 15,000-square-foot golf clubhouse on the eastern side of the site.

CG-Elkhorn has owned 11 acres of commercial-zoned property in the village, as well as the Elkhorn golf course, since late 2001. The company in 2003 commenced an overhaul of the golf course and some of its associated facilities, after it demolished the beleaguered 132-unit Elkhorn Hotel.

The proposed CG-Elkhorn master plan calls for:

• 10 duplex buildings on the southwest side of the property.
  
   
• Six condominium buildings in the center of the property.
  
   
• Two commercial buildings on the east side of the property, one of which would be leased for a restaurant business and another that would be operated as a general store with an internal post office.
  
   
• A sales and administrative office on the north side of the site, adjacent to Village Way.
  
   
• A natural amphitheater in the center of the project, which could be used for small music or drama performances.
  
   
• Underground parking for all of the condominium units, plus some surface parking for homeowner guests and patrons of the commercial facilities.
  
   
• A system of bicycle and pedestrian paths.

CG-Elkhorn has named the development Elkhorn Springs.

Hennessy, the project manager, said CG-Elkhorn is planning to commence the first phase of project construction later this year, with three ensuing phases to proceed through the building seasons of 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Hennessy assured commissioners that the Elkhorn Springs project would provide amenities for the general public.

"For this commercial core to work, we need to invite in as many people as possible," he said.

City staff on Tuesday said the P&Z can choose to accept the master plan as mere information to help them evaluate the proposed clubhouse. As an alternative, staff said, the P&Z could "approve" the master plan by making an approval of the clubhouse conditional on the basis that all or parts of the plan be followed.

Commissioners on Tuesday commenced a review of the proposed clubhouse without determining exactly how they will process the master plan.

The clubhouse is proposed to include a restaurant, lounge, pro shop and various administrative facilities.

Several homeowners in the Summit condominium complex voiced opposition to the size and location of the clubhouse.

Some members of the public expressed support for the master plan, joined later by Commissioner Nils Ribi.

"I think the master plan in general … is fantastic," Ribi said.

The P&Z will resume its review of CG-Elkhorn’s proposals on March 9.

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