After a series of meetings, the Sun Valley Planning and Zoning Commission voted Tuesday, Feb. 14, to recommend the City Council approve the final phase of the Weyyakin subdivision.
"I think this is a good design to deal with existing site conditions the applicant is working with," Commissioner Joan Lamb said.
The final phase, proposed by Robert Smelick of California-based Stilwyn Inc., will use the last remaining development rights on the property. The subdivision currently consists of 75 residential units situated east of state Highway 75 and north of Elkhorn Road in Sun Valley.
Located at the southeastern portion of the existing subdivision, west of Weyyakin Drive and north of Elkhorn Road, Phase 4 of the development will add 19 new detached single-family dwellings on the site's remaining 8.8-acre parcel. The homes would be clustered around three separate cul-de-sacs adjacent to Weyyakin Drive.
Before casting their votes on the design review application and preliminary plat, the commission fielded concerns over the proposed development in relation to previous plans.
Hailey-based attorney Ned Williamson, representing a group of Weyyakin homeowners, asked the commission to consider the location of roads, mass of structures, and configuration of buildings to reduce the impact on neighbors.
Williamson also asked the commission to consider the proposed development in relation to a master plan document from 1980. The city has three master plans on record for the development. During the public project-review process that began in December, questions arose over whether the documents control development.
"We don't need to decide whether the master plan is controlling or not," Commissioner David Brown said.
The commission agreed Tuesday that none of the master plans controlled the development, as the city of Sun Valley did not adopt a master plan ordinance—to accept such plans—until 2005.
Addressing the 1980 plan, Ketchum-based architect and original Weyyakin architect Jim Ruscitto provided a rendering to show the proposed development in relation to the 1980 rendering. The image illustrated the consistencies and dynamic changes throughout the course of development.
"The concepts are still remaining the same," Ruscitto said.
Consensus among the commission shifted as the body considered the design standards. Commissioners Lamb, Phil Usher and Ken Herich agreed the design attempted to mitigate impacts on neighbors by shifting square footage to the second floor to decrease building footprints. The commissioners noted the mass, scale, and setbacks enhance view corridors and open space.
Commissioner Brown offered the dissenting voice, arguing that the proposed structures unfairly impact neighbors. He suggested the units should be shifted or the mass reduced.
"I do have a problem with the bulk. I think that in certain places these buildings are too big ... I think the neighbors had a right to expect a lesser impact," Brown said.
The design review application and the preliminary plat both passed with 3-1 votes, with Brown opposing. Commissioner John Gaeddert recused himself from the discussion.
The Sun Valley P&Z has recommended the City Council approve 19 new homes located in the southeast portion of the existing Weyyakin subdivision. Rendering courtesy of Ruscitto/Latham/Blanton
