Friday, July 2, 2004

Northridge gets final approval

Hailey development will provide McKercher extension

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

The Hailey City Council gave approval Monday for the final stages of development for the Northridge subdivision, located between the Wood River Middle School and Main Street.

As a condition of approval the developer was required to complete an extension of McKercher Boulevard that will connect Main Street and Buttercup Road.

"The applicant will put an arm on the existing signal (by Albertsons) to control westbound traffic," said Hailey City Planner Diane Shay.

Sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements are also required in appropriate locations, Shay said.

The project includes 86 lots on 28.4 acres. The applicant chose to do an in lieu contribution for park space that was required in the development. Although required to designate .66 acres for developed park space under the city formula for new subdivisions, the developer had proposed a .88 acre park. However, based on a judgement by the Hailey Parks and Lands Board that the park was not a meaningful proposal and that the city is already strapped for maintaining park space, the developer chose to provide in lieu fees instead.

Once an appraisal of the proposed park space is completed, the fee to be paid to the city will be determined, Shay said.

Mayor Susan McBryant, in turn, thanked the developer for efforts made to work with the city in the process of ironing out infrastructure and planning problems.

And project manager Gerald Martens thanked the council and city staff for their help and guidance in getting through the approval process.

"This project has moved so much smother than past (projects)," he said.

Martens added that the McKercher Boulevard extension should be completed and available for use within two months.

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