Citizens for Smart Growth commends the Idaho Mountain Express for its editorial "Hailey needs timeout."
A year ago, Jan. 25, 2008, Citizens for Smart Growth wrote an 'Other View' piece for the Mountain Express, 'Sewer line extension is not the best solution.' In it the organization stated, "Extending sewer lines can have significant impact to development patterns, the environment and future city budgets."
A year later we are finally seeing the ramifications of the city of Hailey's agreements to extend services to two developments outside the city limits. Despite the reassurance given at last year's City Council meetings on this matter, it is now evident that the city was not prepared to enter into agreements to extend services.
A policy to extend services beyond city limits should be looked upon with great skepticism and only be put in place after vigorous, informed, public discussion. Last year when Citizens for Smart Growth challenged the city of Hailey on this, we were told extension of services did not fall under Idaho's Local Land Use Planning Act and therefore it wasn't obligated to have a public hearing on the matter.
With both the sewer extension to Peregrine Ranch and Croy Canyon, we continue to believe there may be alternatives that were not adequately examined and that are less intrusive and less damaging to the environment. The city of Hailey and the county should re-examine both proposals.
As advocates for well-informed development decisions that build community and protect the land, Citizens for Smart Growth will continue to push our cities to make the best land-use decisions to support our communities today and in the future. We will also continue to push for a fair and open public process when it comes to decisions, like extending city services, that clearly have far-reaching ramifications.
Vanessa Crossgrove Fry
Hailey
