Wells Fargo—the California-based financial services corporation—gained approval from the city of Ketchum this week to build a new two-story bank on the west side of Main Street.
Ketchum Planning and Zoning commissioners endorsed the plan by a 5-0 vote Monday, March 14, after subscribing to a set of major design changes proposed by Wells Fargo architects.
The vote effectively gives Wells Fargo permission to move forward with its plans to build an approximately 10,700-square-foot brick building at 411 N. Main St., the former site of the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau.
The unanimous vote in favor of the project came after the P&Z last month demanded major changes to the design, saying the original plan was too institutional looking for Ketchum's commercial core.
"It's a vast improvement and it is a very attractive building for the center of town," said Barry Luboviski, attorney for Wells Fargo.
Commissioners agreed.
"This (design) has come just miles, or light years," said Commissioner Greg Strong.
The new Wells Fargo building is planned to replace an existing Wells Fargo Ketchum branch at 600 Sun Valley Rd., east of Main Street. The structure will be erected on a high-profile lot acquired last year through a land trade with the city, after city officials determined they wanted to take title to a Wells Fargo-owned lot at the corner of Fourth Street and East Avenue.
The Wells Fargo plan calls for constructing an underground parking garage and a drive-up service window accessed off an alley west of Main Street. P&Z commissioners agreed with Wells Fargo representatives that the city should pursue converting the alley—between Main and Washington streets—into a one-way passage.
As part of the plan, a public bus stop and a small pedestrian plaza with benches would be situated along the east side of the building, next to Main Street. The corner of Fourth and Main streets is a frequent stop for two public bus lines.
Several P&Z commissioners and members of the public asked Wells Fargo representatives to consider including affordable housing in the project. None is required for the project and none has been proposed.
"That's your choice, and you may regret it someday," said Commissioner Anne Corrock.
A bank building proposed for the vacant lot immediately north of the Wells Fargo site includes affordable housing.
Commissioner Jack Rutherford suggested it is time for the city to rewrite its regulations governing what public amenities—including affordable housing—should be provided with projects in the downtown area.
The approved two-story Wells Fargo building planned for construction at 411 N. Main St. will occupy one of Ketchum's most high-profile street corners. Graphic courtesy of JGT Architecture
