Wednesday, May 26, 2004

City could open door to Hemingway tours

P&Z mulls new law to allow access to historic sites

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By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

A change in Ketchum city regulations that would allow public tours at the Idaho Hemingway House and other historic sites could be finalized this summer.

Ketchum Planning and Zoning commissioners Monday, May 24, indicated they are generally in favor of amending the Ketchum zoning code to allow special permits for tours, workshops and educational programs at historic structures throughout the city.

At issue Monday was a city proposal to amend the regulations of all zoning districts in Ketchum. Essentially, the proposed amendments provide for the city to grant permits to nonprofit organizations wanting approved public access to historic sites.

The city proposal was put forth after the P&Z determined that a March proposal designed to allow permission of limited public access to the former residence of acclaimed author Ernest Hemingway was too project specific.

The newly formed Ketchum Historic Preservation Commission later recommended to the P&Z that the city make provisions for public access to be granted to any historic site in Ketchum.

Under the plan, historic sites would have to be designated by the Ketchum City Council. The P&Z would review permit applications on a case-by-case basis.

This week, the majority of the P&Z sat poised to recommend that the City Council approve the proposed amendments.

"We are actually behind the curve in having this type of ordinance in the city," said Commissioner Jack Rutherford.

However, several neighbors of the Hemingway House—located north of downtown Ketchum off Canyon Run Boulevard—expressed concerns about the new legislation.

"What deems something historical?" asked Rebecca Neeley, who lives along the access route to the Hemingway property.

The nonprofit Idaho Hemingway House Foundation earlier this year proposed to use the rustic Hemingway residence as a venue for public tours, educational programs and writer’s workshops.

Led by Hemingway’s granddaughter Mariel Hemingway, the organization planned to manage the programs and the site under the property’s owner, The Nature Conservancy.

Several neighbors of the site actively opposed the public-access plan.

Last month, The Nature Conservancy said it would not seek a city permit to allow public access to the site until an acceptable agreement could be negotiated with the neighbors.

A spokesman for The Nature Conservancy could not be reached Tuesday to affirm the organization’s plans for the Hemingway House.

P&Z members Monday agreed to revisit the zoning-code amendments on June 28. If endorsed, the City Council would then be asked to approve and enact them.

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