Citing an abundance of homes on the market and a distaste for ultimatums, the Hailey City Council on Monday denied the proposed annexation of 21 acres of land on Broadford Road near Colorado Gulch.
The developers' cause did not appear to have been helped by a letter earlier this month from partner Grant Stevens, a Los Angeles-based surgeon, threatening to block a river trail from Heagle Park to Colorado Gulch bridge and to arrest trespassers if the annexation was not approved.
"No federal or state governments respond to ultimatums. I sure as hell am not going to start today at a city level," Councilman Fritz Haemmerle said.
The council voted unanimously to deny the annexation and proposed development, based in part on the glut of homes for sale and developable lots available in the city.
"The last two major subdivisions are on life support with a priest on call," said Councilman Don Keirn. "Residential development does not pay for itself."
The annexation request by Jeff Pfaeffle and Stevens would have brought a 90-unit development onto the west side of Broadford Road, five times the amount of housing density allowed under the existing county zoning.
The request also called for the forced annexation of four nearby county properties into the city limits, a choice the council also rejected.
Stevens had offered to donate 17 acres of additional land to the city as part of the annexation, including a trail from Heagle Park to the junction of Colorado Gulch Road and Broadford Road. The trail would have replaced a river trail between Heagle Park and the Colorado Gulch bridge that has been in use for generations.
Following Stevens' ultimatum, the future of the river trail is uncertain.
Hailey resident Jane McGrew told the council she has hiked it for 40 years.
"I love that land. I cry to think we could lose it," McGrew said.
In a letter to the Idaho Mountain Express, Pfaeffle stated, "The only reason I have brought this annexation request to the city of Hailey is to attempt to provide additional access and open space to its citizens. A development in the county, both simple and profitable, would not allow for this financial consideration."
Pfaeffle said in an interview that he would pursue development on the property under county zoning, but that it would likely not be built out for years due to market conditions.
Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com
Attorney Jim Laski, left, and developer Jeff Pfaeffle listen to a statement from the Hailey City Council on Monday.
Photo by David N. Seelig
