Lili Simpson lives in Blaine County, on the eastern edge of Hailey.
By LILI SIMPSON
A friend told me last week that someone had encouraged him to speak about the Quigley Ranch development at the most recent hearing. He said, "Well, I'd be willing to talk about the Nordic trails and the hiking, biking and walking that are already happening out there. The problem is, I'm not in support of the rest of what the developer is proposing."
Quigley Gulch is the Adams Gulch of Hailey. It is considered by many to be their personal first-line recreation option. It is loved by most for its quiet, its uninterrupted open Western landscape of dry hills and waving alfalfa. Quigley gives many people a way to restore mental health within minutes of home. There are those who love the opportunity to walk along and have heart-to-heart talks with their best buddy (who might be an old Labrador or a human best friend). Others favor a solitary run up and over the hills of the county road, or biking the single track. In winter, Quigley Ranch Nordic skiing has given residents what others have on the North Valley Trails or Galena, without driving 15 or more miles. Snowmachiners groom the county road to access trails farther up-canyon; skiers, snowshoers, dogs and walkers use this free groomed surface all winter.
Quigley Ranch has offered to incorporate current uses into a development that includes 365 homes and an 18-hole golf course. Like my friend, many love their recreation but do not share the developer's dream. Clearly, the development will impact mid-valley residents in many ways: over 1,000 new residents, burgeoning traffic and construction noise, dust and heavy vehicles over the projected 10 years of build-out and immediately during excavation of the golf course. Eleven million dollars to build a golf course requires home sales in sensitive areas and extending the footprint with associated roads, schools, sewer, water and irrigation lines and lighting, not to mention plowing, road maintenance, fire, police and other services. Some question whether annexation fees will cover these costs in the future.
Public comment has run strongly against the project, with concerns that a flood of new lots will further lower property values. Others wonder why Quigley has to be developed when so many houses stand empty. Many don't like the focus on golf as the main amenity. Hailey's own survey about potential Quigley projects rated additional paths and trails, active parks and playing fields, and passive and pocket parks above construction of an 18-hole golf course, which ran second to last, above only affordable housing.
Golf developments all over the country are in foreclosure. Municipal courses are being renovated into parks and soccer fields, and were struggling financially even before the current economic downturn.
Research by the Trust for Public Land shows that 40 to 80 percent of people living on golf courses don't golf, but live there for the open space. Natural space and trails are prime attractions for potential homebuyers: 77.7 percent rate natural open space as "essential or very important." Statistics indicate over 22 percent increases in property values in areas near trails and parks. Trails and parks attract tax-paying businesses and residents to communities. Do the citizens of Hailey want to attract young families and singles and active residents to create vitality, or follow the formula of our neighbors to the north?
Some envision houses developed closest to town, with the remainder of Quigley Gulch a city/county park with numerous trail and recreation options around a restored riparian area.
Quigley Ranch has the right to develop the property it owns. However, annexation is not a guaranteed right, and the residents of Hailey and its neighbors have an opportunity to participate in planning for this keystone property.
What is your vision? Please tell the Hailey Planning Department staff.
