Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Hailey annexation plan on fast track

Old Cutters development proposal could be approved later this month


By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

The proposed annexation of the 142-acre Old Cutters property immediately northeast of Hailey is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Hailey City Council members voted unanimously Monday to direct attorneys representing the city and the Old Cutters applicants to come up with a draft annexation agreement before the council's next meeting. When complete, the annexation agreement will stipulate what types of contributions the city will require of the applicants for the annexation to be approved.

Councilwoman Martha Burke said the overall annexation proposal pleases her because its appearance matches up well with Hailey's.

"This looks like a city," she said. "It looks like our city."

Council members voted to move forward with drafting the annexation agreement after listening to the results of recent negotiations between representatives for the city and Old Cutters LLC, which has proposed to develop a 116-lot, 149-unit mixed-residential subdivision on Hailey's city limits. The site is immediately east of the southern end of Buttercup Road.

Under the agreement reached Monday, the applicants will agree to pay to the city a $3,832,500 annexation fee, grant an easement for access and subsurface utilities for a potential water tank site, and convey 78 acres east of Hiawatha Canal as community open space. The 78 acres are composed primarily of undeveloped hillside lands.

The Old Cutters applicants will also agree to convey and develop a 4.63-acre parcel of land as a city park and construct a sidewalk on Myrtle Street and a turn lane at the north intersection of South Hiawatha Drive and Buttercup Road. Also conveyed to the city will be lot 73 of the development for the possible future construction of a new fire station.

The developers will retain title to their water rights under the agreement.

Based on concerns of city staff and of their own, council members added two points that will become components of the draft annexation agreement.

The first addition—actually a modification of an already existing requirement—requires developers to pay the city $5,007 per lot as each lot is sold to pay for water and sewer system expansion. The original requirement had required the developers to pay the $5,007 expansion fee as each lot was hooked up to the city's water and sewer system. Funds derived from the $5,007 fee are included in the $3,832,500 annexation fee.

The second addition was based on a concern expressed by Hailey Planning Director Kathy Grotto and stipulates that no further subdivision of lots beyond the 149 units already approved will be allowed.

Hailey Mayor Susan McBryant said the agreement is a good one and is likely the best the city can expect. She noted that the property would almost certainly be developed whether it were in the city or left under the jurisdiction of Blaine County.

"I think it's time to move forward," McBryant said.

The Hailey City Council will be considering possible approval the draft annexation agreement at its next meeting Monday, Feb. 27. The public will be allowed to comment on the annexation agreement during the meeting.

Before the entire annexation can be approved, however, the council will also have to approve an annexation ordinance specific to the Old Cutters property.




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