The key long-term planning document for the city of Hailey is nearing completion. The latest version of the Hailey Comprehensive Plan will replace the current plan, adopted in parts with the final portion adopted in 1997.
After some clarification and limited public comment, the Hailey City Council Monday approved final revisions for the latest drafts of the comprehensive plan's Purpose, Natural Resources and Recreation, and Parks & Lands sections. The final section to be approved, the Land Use section, is on the City Council agenda for May 23.
"Land use is the final frontier," said Hailey City Planner Diane Shay.
Planning Director Kathy Grotto and Shay have been shepherding the plan through the public process over the past year, ironing out revision after revision of the language.
"The council will have to pass a final resolution for the entire plan," Shay said. "They will adopt the maps then, too."
Three maps are to be adopted with the comprehensive plan. As visual references for planners and developers of the city's vision, one map depicts parks and recreation space, one depicts the city's natural resources (such as water and wildlife), and a land-use map depicts the community's conception of how developed and undeveloped land should look in the future.
The current Land Use section of the plan is only a single page. The new section will be about 16 pages and addresses density, efficient use of resources (like water), and describes special planning tools, such as wetland, hillside and historic overlay districts.
Shay explained that a major goal of the new plan is to protect city assets as development pressure on the community increases.
The city assembled several ad-hoc planning groups to help draft the three maps. Much of the text for the comprehensive plan was worked out last summer and the maps were developed through the winter.
"Everyone will be really glad when this is done," Shay said. "It is such dry work but it is so critical."
As the document in its entirety is a planning tool, perhaps one of the most instructive components added to the language adopted Monday is found in the new Purpose section.
"It is important to recognize the inter-relationship of each component of the comprehensive clan," the text reads. "The plan is a working whole. Therefore, singular components must not be separated from the whole plan for reasons of arbitrary illustration. In the context of land-use planning and growth management, many interests are considered. Those interests range from recreational and green space interests to residential, commercial or industrial interests.
"In considering these interests relative to specific development applications, certain conflicts are bound to arise. The City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission are resolved to consider each conflicting interest, in light of public comment, and will balance competing interests. This conflict provision is intended to deal with any inconsistencies which arise out of such a lengthy and complex comprehensive plan."
