This letter is in response to the April 9 editorial "New Objections, please." In the editor's words regarding the ongoing debate over new hotels proposed in Ketchum, "the opposition" is stale in their concerns, stating in part, "They're in the wrong place, they're too big or too tall and will block someone's view. They create too much traffic or require too many parking spaces." Yes, respectfully so, Express editorial writers, these are the issues of a very concerned public and they are not stale. They are very much in the present and need to be addressed.
We are residents of our community who are not against development; we are not against growth and we are certainly not against change. What we are simply asking is that our city officials remember our comprehensive plan and the requirements within the PUD ordinance. When looking at any development, the city staff and the P&Z members are required by their appointment to these positions to consider whether the project fits within the guidelines of the comprehensive plan, which we as a community approved in 2001. Subsequently, they are then required by law to look at the 17 "evaluation standards" in our PUD ordinance. These are all outlined on Page 37 of the ordinance and well worth the reading. I would encourage all concerned community members to obtain a copy of the PUD ordinance and become familiar with the 17 standards by which the P&Z is instructed to rule.
Find the comprehensive plan at ketchumidaho.org, under City Departments/Planning and Zoning/Comprehensive Plan.
Find the PUD at ketchumidaho.org under City Departments/Planning and Zoning/Subdivision Ordinance, Planned Unit Developments 16.08.080 Standards.
In the flurry to get new hotels, I am encouraging the city to not compromise what our community set in place for our planning development. We can have responsible development that will enhance rather than demoralize the comp plan vision. As a part of this community, I encourage everyone to be informed so you are not unpleasantly surprised when you see the end result of some of these projected projects.
Jill Brennan
Ketchum
