The process of developing a master plan for the McHanville area near St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center will begin Jan. 8, 2007.
Located just south of Ketchum in unincorporated Blaine County, McHanville has long been considered an ideal location for a gateway to the north valley cities and a potential hub of workforce housing.
But a concerted planning effort for the area has been lacking—until now.
Last spring Blaine County and the cities of Ketchum and Sun Valley each agreed to commit $22,000 to hire a team led by Winston Associates, a land-use planning consultant, to examine the potential of McHanville. St. Luke's hospital committed $10,000 and the Blaine County Water and Sewer District committed $5,000.
"This is a collaborative, regional effort between all entities," said Sun Valley Associate Planner Marisa Nelson, who's helped forward the master planning effort.
On Jan. 8, Winston Associates will begin interviewing McHanville stakeholders and host working sessions with the county and city planning staffs.
In February, the firm will host a series of public workshops to develop and evaluate planning options for the property.
According to Blaine County Commissioner Tom Bowman, Jeff Winston, of Winston Associates, "is a premier land-use consultant with extensive experience working in resort communities." Bowman added that Winston is "particularly skilled in collaborative processes and brings an understanding of the economic realities surrounding land-use changes."
In addition to serving as a gateway to Sun Valley and Ketchum and providing ample community housing, Nelson said McHanville could support light-industrial and commercial space. The prospect of annexing the property out of the county will also be considered.
Key issues that will be addressed include nonconforming uses, preferred land uses, highway design and traffic management, building design and the integration of community housing.
