A 20-unit condominium project in downtown Ketchum will proceed despite a neighbor's appeal to the City Council.
Wes Nash filed an appeal over the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission's design review approval of the Olympic Terrace project at 631 North Washington Ave. and 171 East Sixth St.
"What we're concerned about is access to underground parking—we see that as a large safety issue—and trash removal and garbage," said attorney Doug Aanestad, representing Nash. "Automobile access and circulation is one of the key considerations that should be addressed by P&Z. We're asking for a remand back to P&Z."
Aanestad said that commissioners should have given special consideration for access, in part because of the project's density.
He also argued that four garbage cans for the building are insufficient and would necessitate garbage pick up every day.
"My sense is that the P&Z did exactly what P&Z is supposed to do," countered attorney Rand Peebles, representing Olympic Terrace. "They listened to the community, they listened to the city engineer, they listened to the applicant, they asked questions and they made a decision."
During the design review meeting May 9, Nash and another neighbor spoke out against the project's density and access to the underground parking garage via the alley.
City Council members opted to rely on testimony provided during the planning and zoning meeting by City Engineer Dick Fosbury, who said the alley access was a safe as access via Washington Avenue.
"Our alleys are designed to provide access to these lots and this one certainly can," Fosbury said in May.
Project designers said they would make alley improvements to increase its safety.
City Planning Director Harold Moniz said the city encourages alley access downtown in order to limit pedestrian/vehicular conflicts, to maximize parking spaces on streets and to create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
"I see safety issues no matter where the access is, unless you drop in by helicopter," said Councilwoman Terry Tracy.
Tracy voted to remand the issue to the planning and zoning commission, but Councilman Baird Gourlay and Council President Randy Hall voted to uphold the decision.
"Our commercial core zone is so big and the nature of this neighborhood is evolving from residential to one that's becoming more dense," said Mayor Ed Simon, who votes only in case of a tie. "Planning and Zoning has a very difficult job with projects coming before them."
Although Nash lost the appeal, he said he was glad the project got further examination.
"I was very pleased that they took the consideration and that they reviewed the project," Nash said after the appeal. "I'm happy Terry Tracy drove that road and saw what we the neighbors have known."
