Developer urges
density increase
in Hailey’s core
By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer
A Boise developer told the Hailey
City Council this week that permitting more density in downtown
residential development would attract both develops and people
interested in city life.
"Build it and they will come,"
said David Southers. "But, it’s got to be cool. ‘Empty nesters’ want the
high-end finish ... when the downtown is fun then it is fun to be in
there. People use their legs instead of cars to get around."
Southers proposed Monday, Feb. 23,
that the city change commercial zoning laws to permit higher density.
Currently, in business and limited business zones city ordinances allow
a maximum of 20 units per acre to be developed.
As a builder of urban residential
developments in Boise, Southers said the limit is too restrictive for
his product, dense urban housing units in the downtown core. He
recommended a building density limit of 40 units per acre and said the
increase is part of a nationwide trend.
Part of the problem in Hailey he
said is that the price of land is too high for construction of only 20
units per acre.
Kathy Grotto, Hailey city planning
director said Southers’ proposal might not "pencil out" in Hailey
without the density of 30 to 40 units.
Southers cited examples of dense
urban housing construction in Denver, Portland and even Phoenix. "Today
it is popular to live downtown," he said.
He said a project in Boise’s North
End with 36 units is on half a city block. "It is dense; 35 feet high on
top of a parking structure," he said. The building itself is 36,000
square feet and was originally approved for 43 units on the site.
Southers approached the city and
asked to make the presentation, Mayor Susan McBryant said. "It was an
interesting presentation and I was glad to see it presented."
McBryant said any proposal to
support an ordinance change to raise the density limits would require an
amendment application by a developer or the initiation of city staff and
council.
Councilmen Rick Davis and Don
Keirn spoke favorably of the concept. Both men said they would bring the
idea up with the mayor.
Southers said the concept is
popular because, typically, it is near retail businesses that people can
walk to. He also said market research supports a continuation of the
trend because the "empty nesters" are going to be the fastest growing
segment of the population in the next 20 years, according to the U.S.
Census.
Keirn said he had just finished
reading a story Monday in the Wall Street Journal about recent changes
in Boise that reported that the city is rapidly becoming a destination
for retirees because it retains a small town feel in the downtown core.
"Personally, I want to take a real
good look at it," he said. "I support the idea. It’s about keeping the
downtown great."
When McBryant asked if Southers
thought there was enough land in Hailey to support his designs for urban
housing, Southers said no.
"There are probably three or four
sites," he said.
City Councilwoman Martha Burke
asked if the idea would include affordable housing. Southers said that
was not part of what he was involved with, although he said it is common
in Jackson, Wyo., where affordable housing is a required component of
large housing projects.
Hailey City Clerk Heather Dawson
said most multi-family housing developments in Hailey have been in
districts that are zoned general residential, which allows 10 units per
acre.
Grotto said it is unlikely council
and city staff proposals for a zoning text amendment would include
changes to density in general residential zoning because of
compatibility issues, such as parking problems and traffic. In a
commercial residential plan parking standards could possibly be relaxed
somewhat.