I was happy to hear that Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commissioners Rich Fabiano and Steve Cook had concerns about approving the proposed Bald Mountain Lodge during the Dec. 2 meeting. They were said to not object to the height itself, but want to ensure that the building's design did not overwhelm its neighbors.
Commissioner Michael Doty was the sole vote against the project on Dec. 3. He is an architect and spoke with authority when he said, "It still seems very tall." The truth of the matter is that the 68-foot-tall building would overwhelm its neighbors. So, what happened to Fabiano's and Cook's desire to ensure that the neighbors would not be overwhelmed?
Ketchum/Sun Valley is known for its small-town atmosphere, friendly people, natural beauty and world-class skiing and recreation. To preserve the charm and allure of Ketchum, it is imperative to regulate the height of buildings to avoid turning the town's entrance and streets into rows of overbearing edifices. I do not understand why 68 feet is the permitted maximum height. Whatever happened to the 40-foot maximum, if you had underground parking? Yes, I know times change, and that's to be expected, but let's keep Ketchum's charm intact for future generations of residents and visitors.
The financial concerns of developers are understandable, but I hope they understand the value of maintaining the ambiance of our area to keep visitors returning and recommending the area to their friends. Many business owners also feel we need more hotel rooms to have more visitors shopping and eating at their establishments. However, if we lose the small-town feeling that has drawn people here for decades, it won't matter how many rooms we have in our hotels because we won't be filling them. Let's not shoot the goose that laid the golden egg.
I hope that the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council will keep in mind the long-term consequences of super-sizing our town when they vote on this and other projects in the future.
Russ Williams
Wood River Valley
