As Ketchum residents shape the future of their downtown in concept, the City Council is looking for ways to implement the vision.
Economic development consultant Tom Hudson, under contract with the city to help formulate a downtown master plan, on Thursday presented recommendations on establishing a non-profit community development corporation to help execute priorities.
The CDC focus options include affordable housing, downtown design, heritage preservation and business development.
A board of directors and CEO would lead the entity. The CDC would collaborate with the city, as well as with the newly formed urban renewal agency and the Blaine-Ketchum Housing Authority to execute the master plan's objectives.
It could also work to establish a community development financial institution and other funding mechanisms.
Before incorporating, a mission statement, articles of incorporation and bylaws and policies would have to be created.
Before the CDC discussion began, council members had an impromptu debate about filling empty houses and dealing with property owners who tear down structures without quickly replacing them with something else.
"How are we going to drive a process that addresses that?" asked Councilman Steven Shafran. "What is it about our laws that let those things happen?"
Shafran brought up the Sun Valley Athletic Club and Warm Springs Golf course as examples of idle use.
Council President Baird Gourlay said he knew of no law that could force a property owner to continue operating an athletic club, for example, once they purchase the property.
Mayor Randy Hall said he would like to review the city's demolition ordinance, perhaps linking it to obtaining a building permit so property doesn't become idle—or an eyesore.
"I can't support that," said Councilman Ron Parsons. Some buildings, he said, need to be torn down. "Maybe someone doesn't know what they want to do with it."
While the meeting strayed from its course, Shafran and Hall agreed it indicated the need to establish policy before getting mired in details of execution.
Council members agreed to have a daylong retreat to address that and other issues.
"Integration is essential to what we're doing," Hudson said. "We're looking beyond the boundaries (of the downtown master plan) to make sure we're integrated with community development (as a whole)."
A CDC could be in charge of integration and collaboration.
"Who's in charge of collaboration in Ketchum? Right now, nobody," Hudson said. "The CDC could do that."
It could also serve in an outreach capacity, he noted.
"An informed majority will make good decisions," he said.
Several council members formed an ad-hoc committee to develop a preliminary business plan for the CDC.
Another City Council committee will soon begin a selection process for board members.
