After hearing split support among Weyyakin homeowners, the Sun Valley Planning and Zoning Commission voted to continue to review plans next month for the final phase of the Weyyakin subdivision, south of Ketchum.
"I am unhappy to hear there is homeowner against homeowner," Robert Zanes, a Sun Valley resident, said.
After a site visit and a public hearing Tuesday, Jan. 24, the commission voted to continue the public hearing to Feb. 14 before taking action on the proposal.
Robert Smelick of Stilwyn Inc., a California-based company, has proposed to develop Phase 4 of Weyyakin. The subdivision borders state Highway 75 north of Elkhorn Road in Sun Valley and south of Serenade Lane in Ketchum. Phase 4 of the development calls for 19 new single family dwellings clustered around three separate cul-de-sacs on the site's remaining 8.8-acre parcel, located at the south end of the existing subdivision, just to the north of Elkhorn Road.
Tuesday's evaluation began with a site visit, as an opportunity for the commissioners to examine the development in relation to the existing neighborhood. Commissioners visited existing homes and saw story poles indicating the location of the proposed dwellings.
During the meeting, Ketchum architect Nicholas Latham, of Ruscitto/Latham/Blanton, detailed modifications that had been made since a December 2005 meeting. Modifications included moving units further away from Elkhorn Road and neighboring properties, and increasing landscape buffering.
"We tried to be sensitive to the homeowners," Latham said.
Homeowners noted that the changes accounted for their support of the development. Others disagreed.
"When we acquired our unit we were aware a development would take place, but it was our assumption that what would take place would resemble the rest of Weyyakin," Tom Frankel, a Weyyakin homeowner, said.
Those in opposition referenced master plans. The city has three master plans on record for the development. The commission must determine whether the documents control development.
The final phase will complete the development rights on the property.
