Before a master plan for a Ketchum-Sun Valley "Gateway" area gets under way, the Ketchum City Council wants details.
Representatives from the city of Sun Valley this week approached Ketchum council members requesting $22,000 to study the mixed-use area south of Ketchum near St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center. The area, which is part of Blaine County, is commonly referred to as McHanville.
"It's a land-use plan," said Virginia Egger, Sun Valley city administrator. She noted that it could link with other issues Ketchum is working on such as the state Highway 75 expansion and its evolving downtown master plan.
"You are the last piece," Egger said. "This project cannot go forward without Ketchum."
The price tag for the master plan study from land-use planning firm Winston Associates is $82,250.
Possible uses for the area include a light-industrial area, auxiliary hospital uses and community housing, said Marisa Nelson, assistant community development director for the city of Sun Valley.
Sun Valley has agreed, contingent upon other jurisdictions' agreements, to contribute $23,000. Sun Valley Water and Sewer District agreed to give up to $5,000.
St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center's board said they would allocate $10,000.
Blaine County is in for $25,000, as long as the project begins after its moratorium on new subdivisions.
"This is an important planning effort," said Ketchum Planning Director Harold Moniz. "I think this study will help us define this area."
Councilwoman Terry Tracy said the city is facing too many financial requests when the budget is closed.
"As valuable as this study might be for us ... at this time I just can't go down that road."
Councilman Baird Gourlay echoed that sentiment.
"We have an awful lot on our plate," he said. "I don't see us annexing this property until I'm out of this seat. I need to find out what our priorities are."
The issue is scheduled to come back to the council in April.
