The Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission got an overhaul Monday evening.
Longtime Commissioner Greg Strong and P&Z Chairman Jack Rutherford stepped down, making way for two new commissioners, local residents Curtis Kemp and Sam Williams.
"Looking forward, as the city moves into a new realm of development, community concerns and growth issues, the City Council has recruited a few new veteran players that match up with the associated demands," reads a news release from the Ketchum City Council.
The news release was distributed at the Monday evening P&Z meeting, where Commissioner Anne Corrock assumed the role of chairwoman.
Strong and Rutherford said in an interview the request from Mayor Randy Hall and City Council to step down came rather suddenly and was a bit of a surprise. However, both said that is how government works. They declined to speculate about the underlying reasons, and Hall did not return a telephone inquiry in time for publication of this story.
Rutherford stressed that the city is continuing to work through a phase of fast-paced change, and said it has been rewarding to work over the past year as part of a progressive administration.
As for the new recruits, Williams, a developer, has demonstrated a true interest in Ketchum's future, the news release states.
"His participation and testimony during the creation of the form based code and downtown master plan exhibited a creative and experienced perspective."
Williams, officials said, has established a "realistic understanding" of the new codes, their costs to development and creative solutions to aesthetics.
"Curtis Kemp, need we say more, a longtime resident, community contributor, architect and diehard participant in Ketchum's planning process has once again volunteered his services," the news release states.
Strong, who began working on the P&Z in 2002, had been the longest-serving commissioner. Rutherford started service on the P&Z in May 2004.
"These gentlemen have given countless hours to the betterment of our society," reads the news release. "Each contributed tremendously to the most recent form based code and the downtown master plan ... Thanks to both of you! The community and each of us are indebted to your countless hours of service."
CURTIS KEMP
