The city of Ketchum got a glimpse of a scaled-down version of the proposed Warm Springs Ranch Resort project Monday, as representatives for Helios Development made their case to the Planning & Zoning Commission for changes to the firm's proposal.
Attorney Ed Lawson, representing the applicant, told the P&Z that the scope of the project has been reduced to make it more feasible in the current economic environment. No financing is available for the project as originally approved, he said. It would, however, still reflect those plans.
"It's still primarily a hotel development," he said. "It will be the same basic iconic design. The changes have been made in other portions of the project."
The latest plan reduces the project by 250,000 square feet from the approximately 800,000 square feet originally approved. The first phase would be reduced to 285,000 square feet, with 125,000 square feet of that for 120 hotel rooms, 71,000 square feet for condominiums, and 94,000 square feet for parking and a garage. Under the new proposal, the hotel would be set back 80 feet from Warm Springs Road.
Lawson said the project would be "transformational" to the local economy.
After a multi-year process, the city approved the project in 2009. Plans called for a 538,151-square-foot, nine-story luxury hotel along with a nine-hole golf course, spa, event house, villas, estate lots and workforce housing for 93 employees. The city also approved 67 acres of the property to be annexed into Ketchum.
City officials have since granted several extensions to this and other hotel developers because of the economic downturn.
The project was approved through the planned-unit development process, which gives developers flexibility with some design standards in exchange for additional benefits to the city.
Besides a downsized hotel, the amended plans also come with a reduction in active recreation aspects and a different approach to supplying workforce housing.
Revised plans call for four tennis courts and a nine-hole golf practice facility, rather than a golf course. The former Warm Springs Ranch property had eight tennis courts and a nine-hole golf course.
"This is still a 'net loss' of recreation according to our department and the city's 2001 Comprehensive Plan," reads a letter from Recreation Supervisor John Kearney, with Ketchum's Parks & Recreation Department, to Lisa Horowitz, director of community and economic development. "It is this department's position that a 'practice facility' does not adequately replace a nine-hole golf course. With a project of this magnitude ... appropriate steps need to be taken to ensure future sustainability of the city's existing recreation programs, services and amenities."
"We really have to consider the kids and the young families," said Ketchum resident Tara Martin during the meeting Monday.
In exchange for the city's waiving its workforce-housing requirement, project owners would create an in-lieu fund with money generated from a tax on the sale of merchandise at the property. That money would be tabbed for employee housing, either for purchase or rentals.
"I'm 100 percent in favor of the hotel," Commissioner Rich Fabiano said. "That being said, this is a negotiation. We need to know and see what we are getting ... how it's going to benefit our community. We don't have all the answers right now."
The applicant is scheduled to come back to the P&Z on Sept. 26 with more details.
Rebecca Meany: rmeany@mtexpress.com