Tapping into geothermal resources for heat or power generation, adding festivals during shoulder seasons and forming an urban renewal agency are suggested components of a new vision for the city of Stanley.
A public-private partnership has issued recommendations to Stanley officials as the city, some 60 miles north of Ketchum, gears up for the sale of nearly a quarter of its land area.
The list of recommendations and resources were issued last week by a community review team. The partnership of planning and development professionals was brought together and facilitated by Idaho Rural Partnership at the request of Stanley Mayor Hannah Stauts.
"The community is preparing for the Harrah Trust sale which includes about one-quarter of the land base, the town's year-round businesses and major employers," said Idaho Rural Partnership executive Dale Dixon. "Stanley has a great opportunity to create its future and chart a destiny. We hope this report gives Stanley's leaders the tools, ideas and resources they need."
But before the city takes on renewable resources and its tourist sector, it will likely tackle two more pressing issues.
"Two things that struck me the most were increasing building permit fees ... so we can afford to contract with professionals and, two, reevaluating our current zoning," Mayor Hannah Stauts said Monday.
The City Council will meet on Jan. 24 to get city officials' input.
"We'll be reviewing and discussing how (the council) would like to begin implementing some of the recommendations," Stauts said.
The report comes out as the Bill Harrah Trust is preparing to sell its holdings, which include approximately one quarter of the city's land area. The sale, which includes land in the commercial heart of the city, could affect the city budget, the economy, employment and tourist services.
It also includes the Mountain Village stores, a hotel, grocery store and gas station. Those businesses contribute significantly to local coffers in the form of local option taxes paid by their customers.
Stauts said she would like to see zoning reflect current land use, especially downtown. So, for example, where there's retail, zoning should encourage and require that use.
"I'm interested in looking into zoning for smaller homes and multi-family units, which encourages more affordable (housing)," she added.
The Council has expressed some interest in creating an old town historic zone in the core, Stauts said. Specific regulations for new buildings could be part of that, in order to maintain a historic feel.
Volunteer participants in the community review process, including a mix of business and local government professionals, visited Stanley in December to study housing, land-use planning, community and economic development and planning and zoning issues facing the city.
"The report is turn-key," Dixon said. "We encourage Stanley's leaders and citizens to carefully review the document, choose the recommendations that fit their goals and pursue the appropriate resources we've listed."
Highlights from the recommendations include:
- Housing: Create employee rental housing with a mix of studio and dorm-style residences that can also be used for winter tourists.
A previous City Council set aside just under two acres for workforce housing, Stauts said. A housing committee, along with other resources such as community housing trusts, could study best uses for that land.
Nearly 60 of the town's approximately 200 seasonal workers are homeless—living in the forest, tents or in their cars, according to Rick Fawcett, owner of Whisper Mountain Professional Services, whose comments are part of the report.
- Planning & Zoning: Review zoning districts and the permitted uses to ensure they are a reflection of the development patterns the community wants. Adjust them to protect existing business and encourage new business development.
- Land-use planning: All fees should be reviewed, and in most cases raised significantly. Building permit fees must be increased, the report says, to generate revenue for the city. The financial burden of development should be shifted to developers.
- Seasonal activities: Erik Kingston, with the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, suggested using extreme weather conditions in Stanley to its advantage.
Stanley could be a lab for testing insulation or other materials, he said. A committee to research progressive building and energy strategies should be formed and get sponsored.
Stauts said she'd like to use the winter months for more recreation.
"I have very big hopes for what Stanley can create out of its winter season," she said. "There are so many opportunities here for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snow shoeing."
Additional festivals and functions could add more activity to all seasons, she said.
Long-term ideas include the formation of an urban renewal agency, which is an independent governmental entity that targets under-performing areas of a city for revival, investigation of geothermal resources for heat, power generation or a health spa; and determination of whether a community development corporation—a nonprofit entity—would be useful.
The report isn't the only assistance Stanley officials are getting. Increased awareness of the impending land sale has come with an accompanying outpouring of aid offers.
And Stanley, with a population of fewer than 100 full-time residents and only a few full-time city staffers, can use it.
Attorneys, city planners and even students from the University of Idaho's Urban Research and Design Center are pitching in.
"I almost feel like we're spoiled," Stauts said. "All we have to do is put the 'help' sign out."
"It's been an incredibly encouraging process," she added. "Continuing the process forward will be my personal struggle over the next few months."
Stanley Mayor Hannah Stauts explains her vision for her evolving home city.
