Plans for a proposed 380-home development in Quigley Canyon near Hailey have been reduced in scope to preserve wildlife habitat in the upper canyon and in Deadman's Gulch.
"It is a step in the right direction," said Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologist Mike McDonald, who last summer called for a prohibition on building in Deadman's Gulch, which extends for about a mile north from near Quigley Pond.
The Hailey Planning and Zoning Commission last year recommended approval of the Quigley Canyon annexation request, but called for a prohibition on building in Dead Man's Gulch and upstream from Quigley Pond. The P&Z restrictions were based on Fish and Game reports as well as strong objections from local residents.
At issue is a plan from developer Quigley Green LLC to annex some 1,100 acres of Quigley Canyon into Hailey. The plan calls for developing some 380 single-family homes on the site, plus an 18-hole public golf course, a clubhouse and trails.
Representative David Hennessy had proposed 54 homes on sites ranging from one to 120 acres in size in the two controversial areas. The new proposal calls for 52 homes.
Last Thursday, Hennessy presented new plans that reduce the extension of development into Deadman's Gulch from 3,000 feet to about 1,700 feet and cluster housing developments above Quigley Pond to allow for an expanded wildlife corridor.
"This plan was made to reduce wildlife impacts," Hennessy said in an interview.
McDonald said the new plan addresses the issue his department has with southward deer migration through the canyon in winter, and would help mitigate impacts on both deer and elk.
"Dead Man's Gulch is a wintering range for both species," he said.
McDonald said he is reviewing Hennessy's proposal and will bring formal comments to the Hailey City Council in time for a Feb. 19 meeting.
Quigley Canyon developer David Hennessy has scaled back plans for building in environmentally sensitive areas in Dead Man’s Gulch and above Quigley Pond. Photo by David N. Seelig
