The Hailey City Council wants to hear from city residents before considering an annexation request by developer David Hennessy that could bring about 440 homes into Quigley Canyon east of town.
A public workshop has been scheduled for Aug. 29, at which time the city will hear from the public about many issues related to the proposed development, including water rights, traffic concerns and impacts to city services.
Hennessey's previous plan for the canyon, which stalled two years ago, included 378 homes, an 18-hole golf course, miles of trails, a restaurant and Nordic skiing center.
The new plan comes with more senior water rights than before, to be deeded to the city, but does not include a public golf course. The golf course areas would be used for agriculture and cattle grazing, until a time when the city wants to build a golf course.
The original plan included 18 estate-sized homes above Quigley pond and in Deadman Gulch, areas deemed sensitive to wildlife by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
The City Council denied the first annexation request, primarily due to wildlife impacts, but instructed city staff to work with the developer on an annexation agreement.
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Hennessy said he would abandon his previous plans to build nine homes above Quigley pond in the county if the city agreed to the newly configured annexation request for the rest of the 1,000-acre canyon.
"We propose no development above the pond and would sell Deadman Gulch (a 200-acre parcel) as a single lot," Hennessy said in an interview.
Hennessy said county zoning would allow "four or five" homes to be built in Deadman Gulch by a new owner.
City Attorney Ned Williamson told the council Monday that it could proceed with a review of the new plan without remanding it back to the Planning and Zoning Commission, but several people spoke out against rushing the review without ample opportunity for public comment.
"The golf course was a big community asset," said Quigley Road resident Jim Phillips. "To not take this to the public would be a big mistake."
Councilwoman Martha Burke said, "This is the kind of thing that changes a community in more ways than traffic."
The rest of the council and Mayor Rick Davis unanimously agreed to bring the matter to a public forum before considering the newly designed application, which could be remanded to the P&Z before consideration by the City Council.
In other Hailey news:
( The council voted to amend an annexation agreement allowing for accessory dwelling units in the Airport West business park subdivision.
Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com
