 Click to enlarge (PDF)
Graphic courtesy of Michael Blash and Associates
This computer-generated rendering was presented to the Ketchum P&Z by architect Michael Blash during a presentation of the proposed 38,442-square-foot, mixed-use building. If approved, the project would be constructed at 660 Bell Dr. in Ketchum’s light-industrial district.
|
Developers of civic buildings in Ketchum could soon have up to two years to submit an application for a building permit after receiving design-review or conditional-use approval.
At a meeting on Monday, Jan. 28, the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission made a recommendation to the City Council to give developers of any kind of building a full year to apply for a building permit once granted design-review approval or a conditional-use permit.
The issue was brought to the commission by the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, represented at the meeting by Jill Eshman, who said the current six-month deadline for the process is too brief. Eshman said it is especially difficult for civic building projects dependent on public fundraising.
City Planner Stefanie Webster agreed with Eshman, and also suggested that the developer of a civic building be permitted to submit a written request for an additional one-year extension, while developers of non-civic buildings be allowed an additional six months.
Webster said civic buildings include, but are not limited to, public schools and libraries, city hall and buildings used for public recreation.
She said the extensions would be considered on a case-by-case basis by the head of the Planning Department and the commission chair.
"We understand that for civic projects it takes time to raise funds," Commissioner Sam Williams said.
The commissioners emphasized that the deadline extensions would not be given automatically and would only be considered if extraordinary circumstances were presented.
Webster said that the recommendation would be heard by the City Council in either late February or early March.
In other P&Z news:
- Deborah Burns and Rich Fabiano were elected co-chairs of the commission, as opposed to the traditional chair and vice-chair. Burns recommended this organizational structure to alleviate the workload of the head of the P&Z. Burns will continue to run the meetings, but will split other duties with Fabiano.
- Local developer Bell Drive LLC presented the commission with a design-review application for a 38,442-square-foot, mixed-use building that would be located at 660 Bell Dr. in Ketchum's industrial zone, directly behind Sun Valley Cleaners.
The building, designed and presented at the meeting by architect Michael Blash, would contain six industrial units on the ground floor and 12 offices and studio apartments on the second and third floors.
Blash said a buyer would be required to purchase both an office and an apartment as a way to turn the building into a live/work space, though the units would not be attached.
While commission members said they liked the concept, they expressed concerns over the possibility of the offices' being converted into apartments as well and asked the developer to look into a means of enforcing the intended purpose of the units.
Commissioner Michael Doty also asked for more information regarding the underground parking and snow removal.
"If we can address these issues now, we can get an example for future development in the area," Commissioner Sam Williams said.
The developer is expected to come back to the commission in March to address those issues.
- Commission members also heard a pre-application design review for a proposed building to be located at 231 Sun Valley Rd., currently a vacant lot sitting next to the Bigfish condominium building on the corner of Sun Valley Road and Washington Avenue.
Doug Burdge, part owner and architect for the project, presented computer renderings of the mixed-use, 9,269-square-foot building, which would have a large retail space along the ground floor and three residential units on the second and third floors, including an affordable housing unit.
Commissioner Michael Doty said he was concerned about that the wooden colonnade that wraps around the building from Sun Valley Road to the alley between the lot and the Bank of America building. City Planner Stefanie Webster said some commission members had found it "too foreboding." She also said it was yet unclear if the building fell within the city's maximum height requirements.
Webster said she expects the developers to be back with a design review application within one or two months, which is when the commission will make a decision on the project.
