Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Annexation plans raise larger growth issues

90-unit Broadford Road plan goes to public workshop


By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

A proposed 90-unit housing project on Broadford Road just south of the Hailey city limits has raised the issue of future growth expectations.

"Annexations provide a context for talking about larger density and land-use issues," Hailey Planning Director Beth Robrahn said during a meeting of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday. "This is a good time to discuss these as the city is working to update its comprehensive plan."

Developer Jeff Pfaeffle presented conceptual plans to develop a 21-acre, 90-unit housing project south of Hailey on the west side of Broadford Road. Pfaeffle seeks annexation of his property, which would allow him to connect to city sewer services and to build three times as many homes as is allowed under county zoning.

He urged the commission to consider "force annexing" a finger of land, including the Barfus family horse property, between his property and the Airport Way business zone.

"Cities grow," said Pfaeffle, who has worked in real estate for 40 years. "There are very few cities that don't grow beyond their boundaries."

Pfaeffle's engineer, Brian Yeager, supported his pro-growth scenario.

"This valley's economy works best when it is in expansion mode," Yeager said.

Pfaeffle has already donated 160 acres of riparian habitat east of the proposed development on both sides of the Big Wood River into a conservation easement administered by the Wood River Land Trust.Wildlife ecologist Kaz Thea spoke in favor of the proposed development Monday night, saying it would not impact a wildlife corridor along the Big Wood River.

"It is a likely place to increase the city for the purpose of providing housing," Thea said.

According to growth projections in use by the Hailey Planning Department, despite a glut of for-sale homes in downtown Hailey, the city will need all the housing it can get in years to come.

Robrahn said based on growth rates over the past 50 years, the city's population could double to 19,000 people by 2025. She said the city's existing density would have to increase from its current 1.3 units per acre to about 9 units per acre to accommodate the growth, or expand through annexations like Pfaeffle's at a rate of 19 acres per year.

She said there would likely be a combination of expansion and increased in-fill density to meet the growth.

Hailey resident Carl Hjelm asked what would happen if the city simply said no to the increased growth. Robrahn said there would be "political ramifications," and that she would have to research methods for controlling growth.

On Nov. 2, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public workshop to informally discuss issues associated with Pfaeffle's annexation request. Issues to be discussed will include housing density, public access and building designs.

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com




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