I live out warm Springs Road watching the traffic during the World Cup has been very hectic. What the heck are they thinking of up zoning out here Warm Springs. It is our only egress out of this canyon! I would hate to think how it would be if there were an emergency where we all needed to evacuate at the same time.
I rent a modest 2-bdrm, 2-bth townhouse in Cutters subdivision in Hailey that was originally SUPPOSED to be affordable housing, which the city required as part of large for-profit development, John Campbell’s 70-home Cutters development. The townhome we rent is now owned by an investor. Nice guy… but is that the type of person who these “affordable” townhomes were designed to help? Our rent to our investor landlord is $2,850 for a modest-size 2 bdrm, 2 bath. Is that affordable for a working couple or family (the latter of whom would be jammed in here)?
Apparently the “affordable” part expired after just a few years, rendering the whole “affordable housing” thing in Cutters subdivision a joke. I don’t know what Ketchums situation is, but it does strike me that in Hailey, affordable housing was (is?) a way for big, very wealthy developers and city officials to pretend they were providing long-term affordable housing to address a serious community problem.
Many of the “affordable” housing units I see are now owned by older wealthy people, who live here part-time, sometimes fly in just a few weeks a year. One “affordable housing” cottage here was mainly an Airbnb for many years. How does that provide “housing” for local, permanent community members in need?
A few younger, hard working people who were lucky enough to buy before Covid , live here and are full-time. They participate in our community. Their houses have lights on at night. We talk to them, occasionally share meals. Thank god for them. At least their units are HOMES with actual NEIGHBORS, not investments or second homes for wealthy older folks, dark in the night.
LOVE THIS! Totally agree, Liz: "Apparently the “affordable” part expired after just a few years, rendering the whole “affordable housing” thing in Cutters subdivision a joke. I don’t know what Ketchums situation is, but it does strike me that in Hailey, affordable housing was (is?) a way for big, very wealthy developers and city officials to pretend they were providing long-term affordable housing to address a serious community problem."
Bravo Perry, this proposed UPZONING is a five-alarm fire! Without your intervention in community affairs as they relate to over-development, there would be little resistance to this malignant growth agenda which shifted into high gear aggressively exploiting the cover of Covid to knock citizens to the canvas before they even knew they were in a fight. Absent public participation mindless "rubber-stamp" approval replaced a once thoughtful and legitimate analysis and review process.
It doesn't matter if they sugar-coat the cyanide pill when they are simply going to ram it down everyone's throat as quickly as possible. Identical to the illegal airport expansion poisoning and terrorizing citizens of Hailey and Bellevue because the billionaire class and economic aristocracy owning private jets don't want to be inconvenienced by an additional twenty minutes of ground travel.
This manic rush to UPZONE is intended to avoid any real scrutiny of what this means not only in terms of forever altering the identity of our fair valley, but to attach the associated MASSIVE FUTURE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES to taxpayers, many of them on limited fixed incomes already operating under a cloud of financial uncertainty. Many having already left.
"They lead with maximum development then walk that back to get whatever they can from us." Bingo Perry! This has always been the tired "go-to" strategy of greedy real estate development interests. "Shoot for the moon," then the scaled-back atrocity appears less offensive, simply a form of virtue-signaling in an attempt to persuade an uniformed public to believe they are being conscientious. "Sugar-coating" when in fact just playing citizens for fools once again, like little Ed Trumpke did with a neophyte council in Hailey with his "eco-friendly" BS with Sunbeam to get a free ride when the city should have had the entire water right rather than a tiny fraction and $5-$10 million in impact fees.
The original proposal for the site on which the Boulder Nine sits would have silhouetted condos on the ridge. SVCO knew that would spark outrage, so when a golf course using immense quantities of water as well as the power to pump it to an exposed ridge of high desert habitat, that was perceived as a concession rather than just another tired manipulation to get what they wanted in the first place. At the time I wrote pointing out the hypocrisy of Theresa Heinz Kerry hosting an environmental conference in Sun Valley while flying keynote speakers in on her private jet. I was pleased that when she applied to IDWS for an expanded water right on her R-5 zoned property north of Ketchum a friend who was ED of Idaho Rivers United handed a local attorney and former mayor his ass in mediation, application DENIED! But that was back when the environment and wildlife mattered.
Intentionally lying and manufacturing deceitful narratives to optimize resource exploitation and profit is rooted in both the antiquated dogma of "Manifest Destiny" responsible for native genocide and 12th Century Haute Bourgeoisie social structure attached to the belief (!!!) that the more you tithe, the better the piece of real estate you acquire in heaven to spend eternity. Never mind the arsenic-laden breeze coming off the Great Salt Lake as a result of the environmental holocaust being inflicted on that resource (see HCN) in the name of GREED.
I was pleased Perry when you finally, though perhaps as a Republican reluctantly, identified the role of IDEOLOGY in the malignant growth agenda destroying both the country, this state, and our fair valley. IDEOLOGICALLY there is zero difference between the local malignant growth agenda of the Troika et al, a statehouse in Boise finally pushing through a fascist book-ban legitimizing bigoted, hateful, and intolerant domination of our libraries and thereby those of us not embracing a clearly fascist agenda, and an Executive Branch in DC now threatening to destroy the social safety net I rely on to provide massive tax breaks for the billionaire class and economic aristocracy.
The fascist oligarchs now owning the Republican Party and funding the MAGA authoritarian movement (Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, Freedom Foundation, ALEC, SCOTUS, etc., etc.) represents a profoundly ignorant vertically integrated retrograde culture relentlessly promoting division along racial and cultural lines - right to left IDEOLOGICALLY - exploiting the worst inclinations of the Republican base to distract them from or place blame on Democrats for the real division, which is up to down economically, corrupting the political process and elections with unlimited dark money (Citizens United). Now the richest man in the world can simply buy an election. Not that Democrats even have a clue, the political class of both parties tragically detached from the day to day lives of Working Americans.
Everything is connected and inseparable, this rancid IDEOLOGY now infecting every level of government is only ever about money and motivated only by GREED.
Greed is indeed driving the building all over Ketchum. A part of me thinks some liberal-minded members of the council believe they are actually 'doing the right thing' with all the 'affordable housing' projects. It sounds good. It "sounds" like a solution to a problem. But sadly, I just don't think they have 'thought things through', and they don't have the wisdom to foresee what this place will be like if they keep it up.
I suggest the Troika, its supporters and its P&Z have "thought things through" and their goals are opposite of yours. The impacts of what is contained within the proposed Comp Plan buttressed by its proposed Land Use Maps transform Ketchum and north county into the opposite of what we've had. The Greedheads opposite your views (and mine) know exactly what their goals are and how to achieve them, which is why the proposed maps and plan must not be adopted. Allowing the present Floor Area Ratio, aka F.A.R., scheme to continue is a leading example of their grossness.
The Developer of the approved Marriott Tribute hotel cannot get financing and is trying to sell that site. At least in the current economic cycle there will not be a hotel built there.
We need to revise how we permit projects. Why do they get to sell their project to a new developer? Shouldn't a new developer be held to current standards for what the community wants?
Yes, let's rezone it to a Hillside Park...with a creek running through it -- buy it, and pay for it by spending Local Option Taxes, which were originally intended to lessen the impacts of tourism on locals. Now that's urban renewal (and what a nice spot for an amphitheater)!
GREAT IDEA. We need more GREEN SPACE. USABLE, natural space for people to hang out and to gather. Yes, there is nature around us. But ironically, the downtown is very "not green" and "not community/gathering oriented". The town square is awful. A hot, concrete parking lot in the summer.
Thanks, Annie. It's not too far out to consider local warming here, not only in summer, which will require buildings with A/C, but also winter warming resulting in lighter snowpacks and a shorter ski season. Climate change is one reason I envision legalized gambling as a future tourist attraction. Denuding the city in recent years is a huge mistake, as well.
What an absolute shit show. Inept. Incompetent. Idiotic. This Marriot should NEVER have been allowed in the first place. There should be laws against building hotels if there isn't a 'demand' .
As you say, "we get the government we let them do to us." Your points over the past twelve months have been largely on target and yet nothing has changed. Our voter base is apathetic. Note that there are few responses to your articles. Where is the Ketchum voter base? Next, the large component of second home owners are not allowed to vote in lo0cal elections in Idaho. This, despite the fact that the preponderance of property taxes are paid for by this segment. I will note that Colorado allows for this...
I have earlier suggested a recall petition, then a lawsuit intending to get a restraining order until the election. I see little open support for either project. So, come November, we will be dealing with more irrevocable damage to Ketchum. We fiddle, while Ketchum burns.
You might be confusing going to meetings as accomplishing something? Obviously, this City Council ignores what the public wants for Ketchum. They have even asserted that they were elected to do what they see fit and not what the community wants. So, attending meetings will not change their plans. So I suggested a different approach....
I took your advice and went to the P&Z meeting last night. As I expected, what I witnessed was a total disconnect from what the community wants and what this local government wants to impose upon the community. The very foundation of the new approach to zoning was totally designed to accomplish the goals as set forth by the Mayor, rather than what the community would like to see as the future for Ketchum.
So, no, going to meetings only delays this government as they put a fig leaf on the issues. My prior approaches of a recall petition, then a lawsuit seem to be the only actions that this City Council will recognize.
Given property inflation and related enshitification issues, why wouldn't "second home" owners register to vote locally? (Moreover, who's checking....) My residential property taxes have soared since 2022, and it's only going to worsen.
Neither is speeding allowed...and remember, most voters in Idaho don't own their own home. Whichever statute you're relying on, ed, is largely unenforceable relative to "second home owners," whatever that means. (E.G., what if one owns two homes in Idaho in two separate counties, say in Nampa and Boise, then leases a third place in Ketchum for weekends?) I suspect it's not uncommon to vote more than once in Idaho. All one has to do is get a Idaho driving or gun license and/or other Idaho Identification Card or Idaho document verifying an Idaho address, then register at least 30 days prior to the election. That said, ed, I think you should keep attending local meetings....
The world cup finals were a pretty good example for how this town can actually handle more people moving here. I never experienced grid lock. I was able to park downtown. Y'all are afraid of change.
Your comment makes zero sense. The WC was the equivalent of a typical Christmas. It did not bring a massive overage of visitors.
I am indeed afraid of some changes. Like more massive four-story boxes, more chain store retailers thanks to exploiters like Dave Wilson, the hotelification of residential Ketchum thanks to Airbnb, upzoning, a LID tax without a referendum.
Other changes I would welcome. Essential workforce housing near the hospital rather than in downtown Ketchum is at the top of my list. A roundabout rather than a light at Serenade. A Comp Plan that reflected the will of the electorate. Transparency on how the fire redistricting was a tax increase. A new council that represented the interest of residents.
One change I would welcome is for you to subscribe with your real name and be accountable for your words. Let's see if you can do that.
Do you have measured numbers supporting that claim? It seemed alittle busier to me. The skijoring day specifically had thousands of people in the downtown area watching the event. Christmas anecdotally doesn't feel as busy to that time. Still able to park and do my errands.
Also, Jack Hoff is my real name. Like I said before, middle school was hard enough. Stop bringing my name up please.
I wrote a letter on 5/5/24 to the city of Ketchum with a photo entitled “Potential Spot for community housing’
This is what I wrote :
Hello has anyone done any research on this parcel of land for affordable housing? It’s above the hospital, beautiful views, and close to town, bike path, bus line I would be interested if this is a possibility.
I never received a acknowledgment or response from anyone from the city
Then find out the owner, contact her, determine a physical address, check the zoning, and size of the property -- then present your suggestion to the City. I'd bet you will get an answer...? PS: Send copies to the P&Z and the Mtn Express, as well.
Realistic Solutions? I agree let’s talk about what is a realistic solution for Ketchum? The current market will never provide affordable housing near Ketchum….thats a fact! The best realistic solution is to pave Trail Creek, and open a new corridor, for affordable housing. Only 13 miles of Trail Creek are not paved and if paved and kept open thru the winter, this solves all the housing problems. Let’s talk realistic solutions, not zoning white elephants!
I believe that the attractiveness of the resort needs to be maintained in order for the economic engine of the county to thrive. This includes the trails and open areas up Trail Creek. The obvious solution is development of the canyons down south, which is already underway. Then highway 75 improvements and more bus routes from the south.
"Attractiveness of the resort" is not the purpose of local government, Ed. Moreover, since its inception, City of Sun Valley has been dedicated to using local tax money - particularly from liquor and sales taxes - to do just that with no concern for residents, instead, favoring The Resort, a Utah real estate development corporation. Second, development of Blaine's canyons, as horrible as it already is (think Quigley's density recently approved unanimously by the county Board), should not be a factor enabling "the economic engine to thrive," as you put it. Hopefully, the county will not join Ketchum in transforming "Sustainability" doctrines into Enshitification. Most residents presently remaining here desire preserving their sanity, I think.
Thanks for your explanation. Respectfully, ed, many locals feel they don't owe The Resort a rat's ass for the abuse it has brought on Ketchum while becoming a "world class resort." Locals here have paid dearly for their personal economic and lifestyle contributions to the resort's popularity (and profits, much of which has occurred on public land), and received only minuscule gratitude, if any, from the Utah corporation in return.
You misunderstand my comments. When I refer to the "attractiveness of the resort," I am largely referring to all of the open, undeveloped land around the Lodge. All three of the owners of SVCo have been quite benevolent in the stewardship of their properties. Without the SVCo, there would not be the world class resort we all enjoy today. They are, indeed, the direct and indirect economic engine of the area.
We must be talking about a different place, as I don't know of any "undeveloped land around the Lodge." Do you consider a golf course, or a parking lot for the Village and Lodge and ice rink "undeveloped"? "Benevolent" ?II
I live out warm Springs Road watching the traffic during the World Cup has been very hectic. What the heck are they thinking of up zoning out here Warm Springs. It is our only egress out of this canyon! I would hate to think how it would be if there were an emergency where we all needed to evacuate at the same time.
100%. Dangerous and misguided.
.
Will four lanes cure your problem, Pat? How about a designated lane for buses. It's the future certainty given the upzone proposed @ the base.
I rent a modest 2-bdrm, 2-bth townhouse in Cutters subdivision in Hailey that was originally SUPPOSED to be affordable housing, which the city required as part of large for-profit development, John Campbell’s 70-home Cutters development. The townhome we rent is now owned by an investor. Nice guy… but is that the type of person who these “affordable” townhomes were designed to help? Our rent to our investor landlord is $2,850 for a modest-size 2 bdrm, 2 bath. Is that affordable for a working couple or family (the latter of whom would be jammed in here)?
Apparently the “affordable” part expired after just a few years, rendering the whole “affordable housing” thing in Cutters subdivision a joke. I don’t know what Ketchums situation is, but it does strike me that in Hailey, affordable housing was (is?) a way for big, very wealthy developers and city officials to pretend they were providing long-term affordable housing to address a serious community problem.
Many of the “affordable” housing units I see are now owned by older wealthy people, who live here part-time, sometimes fly in just a few weeks a year. One “affordable housing” cottage here was mainly an Airbnb for many years. How does that provide “housing” for local, permanent community members in need?
A few younger, hard working people who were lucky enough to buy before Covid , live here and are full-time. They participate in our community. Their houses have lights on at night. We talk to them, occasionally share meals. Thank god for them. At least their units are HOMES with actual NEIGHBORS, not investments or second homes for wealthy older folks, dark in the night.
LOVE THIS! Totally agree, Liz: "Apparently the “affordable” part expired after just a few years, rendering the whole “affordable housing” thing in Cutters subdivision a joke. I don’t know what Ketchums situation is, but it does strike me that in Hailey, affordable housing was (is?) a way for big, very wealthy developers and city officials to pretend they were providing long-term affordable housing to address a serious community problem."
Bravo Perry, this proposed UPZONING is a five-alarm fire! Without your intervention in community affairs as they relate to over-development, there would be little resistance to this malignant growth agenda which shifted into high gear aggressively exploiting the cover of Covid to knock citizens to the canvas before they even knew they were in a fight. Absent public participation mindless "rubber-stamp" approval replaced a once thoughtful and legitimate analysis and review process.
It doesn't matter if they sugar-coat the cyanide pill when they are simply going to ram it down everyone's throat as quickly as possible. Identical to the illegal airport expansion poisoning and terrorizing citizens of Hailey and Bellevue because the billionaire class and economic aristocracy owning private jets don't want to be inconvenienced by an additional twenty minutes of ground travel.
This manic rush to UPZONE is intended to avoid any real scrutiny of what this means not only in terms of forever altering the identity of our fair valley, but to attach the associated MASSIVE FUTURE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES to taxpayers, many of them on limited fixed incomes already operating under a cloud of financial uncertainty. Many having already left.
"They lead with maximum development then walk that back to get whatever they can from us." Bingo Perry! This has always been the tired "go-to" strategy of greedy real estate development interests. "Shoot for the moon," then the scaled-back atrocity appears less offensive, simply a form of virtue-signaling in an attempt to persuade an uniformed public to believe they are being conscientious. "Sugar-coating" when in fact just playing citizens for fools once again, like little Ed Trumpke did with a neophyte council in Hailey with his "eco-friendly" BS with Sunbeam to get a free ride when the city should have had the entire water right rather than a tiny fraction and $5-$10 million in impact fees.
The original proposal for the site on which the Boulder Nine sits would have silhouetted condos on the ridge. SVCO knew that would spark outrage, so when a golf course using immense quantities of water as well as the power to pump it to an exposed ridge of high desert habitat, that was perceived as a concession rather than just another tired manipulation to get what they wanted in the first place. At the time I wrote pointing out the hypocrisy of Theresa Heinz Kerry hosting an environmental conference in Sun Valley while flying keynote speakers in on her private jet. I was pleased that when she applied to IDWS for an expanded water right on her R-5 zoned property north of Ketchum a friend who was ED of Idaho Rivers United handed a local attorney and former mayor his ass in mediation, application DENIED! But that was back when the environment and wildlife mattered.
Intentionally lying and manufacturing deceitful narratives to optimize resource exploitation and profit is rooted in both the antiquated dogma of "Manifest Destiny" responsible for native genocide and 12th Century Haute Bourgeoisie social structure attached to the belief (!!!) that the more you tithe, the better the piece of real estate you acquire in heaven to spend eternity. Never mind the arsenic-laden breeze coming off the Great Salt Lake as a result of the environmental holocaust being inflicted on that resource (see HCN) in the name of GREED.
I was pleased Perry when you finally, though perhaps as a Republican reluctantly, identified the role of IDEOLOGY in the malignant growth agenda destroying both the country, this state, and our fair valley. IDEOLOGICALLY there is zero difference between the local malignant growth agenda of the Troika et al, a statehouse in Boise finally pushing through a fascist book-ban legitimizing bigoted, hateful, and intolerant domination of our libraries and thereby those of us not embracing a clearly fascist agenda, and an Executive Branch in DC now threatening to destroy the social safety net I rely on to provide massive tax breaks for the billionaire class and economic aristocracy.
The fascist oligarchs now owning the Republican Party and funding the MAGA authoritarian movement (Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, Freedom Foundation, ALEC, SCOTUS, etc., etc.) represents a profoundly ignorant vertically integrated retrograde culture relentlessly promoting division along racial and cultural lines - right to left IDEOLOGICALLY - exploiting the worst inclinations of the Republican base to distract them from or place blame on Democrats for the real division, which is up to down economically, corrupting the political process and elections with unlimited dark money (Citizens United). Now the richest man in the world can simply buy an election. Not that Democrats even have a clue, the political class of both parties tragically detached from the day to day lives of Working Americans.
Everything is connected and inseparable, this rancid IDEOLOGY now infecting every level of government is only ever about money and motivated only by GREED.
Greed is indeed driving the building all over Ketchum. A part of me thinks some liberal-minded members of the council believe they are actually 'doing the right thing' with all the 'affordable housing' projects. It sounds good. It "sounds" like a solution to a problem. But sadly, I just don't think they have 'thought things through', and they don't have the wisdom to foresee what this place will be like if they keep it up.
I suggest the Troika, its supporters and its P&Z have "thought things through" and their goals are opposite of yours. The impacts of what is contained within the proposed Comp Plan buttressed by its proposed Land Use Maps transform Ketchum and north county into the opposite of what we've had. The Greedheads opposite your views (and mine) know exactly what their goals are and how to achieve them, which is why the proposed maps and plan must not be adopted. Allowing the present Floor Area Ratio, aka F.A.R., scheme to continue is a leading example of their grossness.
The Developer of the approved Marriott Tribute hotel cannot get financing and is trying to sell that site. At least in the current economic cycle there will not be a hotel built there.
We need to revise how we permit projects. Why do they get to sell their project to a new developer? Shouldn't a new developer be held to current standards for what the community wants?
💯
Yes, let's rezone it to a Hillside Park...with a creek running through it -- buy it, and pay for it by spending Local Option Taxes, which were originally intended to lessen the impacts of tourism on locals. Now that's urban renewal (and what a nice spot for an amphitheater)!
GREAT IDEA. We need more GREEN SPACE. USABLE, natural space for people to hang out and to gather. Yes, there is nature around us. But ironically, the downtown is very "not green" and "not community/gathering oriented". The town square is awful. A hot, concrete parking lot in the summer.
Thanks, Annie. It's not too far out to consider local warming here, not only in summer, which will require buildings with A/C, but also winter warming resulting in lighter snowpacks and a shorter ski season. Climate change is one reason I envision legalized gambling as a future tourist attraction. Denuding the city in recent years is a huge mistake, as well.
What an absolute shit show. Inept. Incompetent. Idiotic. This Marriot should NEVER have been allowed in the first place. There should be laws against building hotels if there isn't a 'demand' .
As you say, "we get the government we let them do to us." Your points over the past twelve months have been largely on target and yet nothing has changed. Our voter base is apathetic. Note that there are few responses to your articles. Where is the Ketchum voter base? Next, the large component of second home owners are not allowed to vote in lo0cal elections in Idaho. This, despite the fact that the preponderance of property taxes are paid for by this segment. I will note that Colorado allows for this...
I have earlier suggested a recall petition, then a lawsuit intending to get a restraining order until the election. I see little open support for either project. So, come November, we will be dealing with more irrevocable damage to Ketchum. We fiddle, while Ketchum burns.
Good job Ed, proud of you for enduring that.
Perry's comment was on the money.
Ed, do you come to the meetings in Ketchum?
You might be confusing going to meetings as accomplishing something? Obviously, this City Council ignores what the public wants for Ketchum. They have even asserted that they were elected to do what they see fit and not what the community wants. So, attending meetings will not change their plans. So I suggested a different approach....
I took your advice and went to the P&Z meeting last night. As I expected, what I witnessed was a total disconnect from what the community wants and what this local government wants to impose upon the community. The very foundation of the new approach to zoning was totally designed to accomplish the goals as set forth by the Mayor, rather than what the community would like to see as the future for Ketchum.
So, no, going to meetings only delays this government as they put a fig leaf on the issues. My prior approaches of a recall petition, then a lawsuit seem to be the only actions that this City Council will recognize.
Yup. Delay is good! A delay until after November, when we have a new mayor and council, is ideal.
Given property inflation and related enshitification issues, why wouldn't "second home" owners register to vote locally? (Moreover, who's checking....) My residential property taxes have soared since 2022, and it's only going to worsen.
Second home owners are not allowed, by law, to vote in Idaho elections.....
Neither is speeding allowed...and remember, most voters in Idaho don't own their own home. Whichever statute you're relying on, ed, is largely unenforceable relative to "second home owners," whatever that means. (E.G., what if one owns two homes in Idaho in two separate counties, say in Nampa and Boise, then leases a third place in Ketchum for weekends?) I suspect it's not uncommon to vote more than once in Idaho. All one has to do is get a Idaho driving or gun license and/or other Idaho Identification Card or Idaho document verifying an Idaho address, then register at least 30 days prior to the election. That said, ed, I think you should keep attending local meetings....
The world cup finals were a pretty good example for how this town can actually handle more people moving here. I never experienced grid lock. I was able to park downtown. Y'all are afraid of change.
Your comment makes zero sense. The WC was the equivalent of a typical Christmas. It did not bring a massive overage of visitors.
I am indeed afraid of some changes. Like more massive four-story boxes, more chain store retailers thanks to exploiters like Dave Wilson, the hotelification of residential Ketchum thanks to Airbnb, upzoning, a LID tax without a referendum.
Other changes I would welcome. Essential workforce housing near the hospital rather than in downtown Ketchum is at the top of my list. A roundabout rather than a light at Serenade. A Comp Plan that reflected the will of the electorate. Transparency on how the fire redistricting was a tax increase. A new council that represented the interest of residents.
One change I would welcome is for you to subscribe with your real name and be accountable for your words. Let's see if you can do that.
Do you have measured numbers supporting that claim? It seemed alittle busier to me. The skijoring day specifically had thousands of people in the downtown area watching the event. Christmas anecdotally doesn't feel as busy to that time. Still able to park and do my errands.
Also, Jack Hoff is my real name. Like I said before, middle school was hard enough. Stop bringing my name up please.
I wrote a letter on 5/5/24 to the city of Ketchum with a photo entitled “Potential Spot for community housing’
This is what I wrote :
Hello has anyone done any research on this parcel of land for affordable housing? It’s above the hospital, beautiful views, and close to town, bike path, bus line I would be interested if this is a possibility.
I never received a acknowledgment or response from anyone from the city
My experience with the City is that they only respond if legally required. Which is odd as they hired a full time manager of community engagement.
It would be the perfect location in my opinion.
Then find out the owner, contact her, determine a physical address, check the zoning, and size of the property -- then present your suggestion to the City. I'd bet you will get an answer...? PS: Send copies to the P&Z and the Mtn Express, as well.
Realistic Solutions? I agree let’s talk about what is a realistic solution for Ketchum? The current market will never provide affordable housing near Ketchum….thats a fact! The best realistic solution is to pave Trail Creek, and open a new corridor, for affordable housing. Only 13 miles of Trail Creek are not paved and if paved and kept open thru the winter, this solves all the housing problems. Let’s talk realistic solutions, not zoning white elephants!
LOL. The ultimate Enshitification.
I believe that the attractiveness of the resort needs to be maintained in order for the economic engine of the county to thrive. This includes the trails and open areas up Trail Creek. The obvious solution is development of the canyons down south, which is already underway. Then highway 75 improvements and more bus routes from the south.
"Attractiveness of the resort" is not the purpose of local government, Ed. Moreover, since its inception, City of Sun Valley has been dedicated to using local tax money - particularly from liquor and sales taxes - to do just that with no concern for residents, instead, favoring The Resort, a Utah real estate development corporation. Second, development of Blaine's canyons, as horrible as it already is (think Quigley's density recently approved unanimously by the county Board), should not be a factor enabling "the economic engine to thrive," as you put it. Hopefully, the county will not join Ketchum in transforming "Sustainability" doctrines into Enshitification. Most residents presently remaining here desire preserving their sanity, I think.
Thanks for your explanation. Respectfully, ed, many locals feel they don't owe The Resort a rat's ass for the abuse it has brought on Ketchum while becoming a "world class resort." Locals here have paid dearly for their personal economic and lifestyle contributions to the resort's popularity (and profits, much of which has occurred on public land), and received only minuscule gratitude, if any, from the Utah corporation in return.
You misunderstand my comments. When I refer to the "attractiveness of the resort," I am largely referring to all of the open, undeveloped land around the Lodge. All three of the owners of SVCo have been quite benevolent in the stewardship of their properties. Without the SVCo, there would not be the world class resort we all enjoy today. They are, indeed, the direct and indirect economic engine of the area.
We must be talking about a different place, as I don't know of any "undeveloped land around the Lodge." Do you consider a golf course, or a parking lot for the Village and Lodge and ice rink "undeveloped"? "Benevolent" ?II