Yeah BC, the only way those of us in the community objecting to and seeking redress for the capitulation of local goverment to real estate and resort interests who demand taxpayers heavily subsidize their investments is LITIGATION. "Mess of cheaters" indeed, profit privatized, risk socialized.
Challenging the legitimacy of these URAs a good place to start, as I see little "blight" in the areas in which they are being applied as a band-aid to compensate for substantial revenue shortfalls.
Three massive high-end residential developments in East Hailey were provided a de facto waiver of impact fees, the former CDD now City Adminstrator clearly working aggressively for development interests rather than citizens. NO legitimate negotiations to acquire impact fees or water rights. NO legitimate consideration of the massive future unfunded liabilities attached to "rubber-stamp" approval of these huge projects. No legitimate planning.
Without the LOT revenues of the north valley a huge mess has been created in Hailey which will require an endless cascade of levies, perpetually rising property taxes driving away even more folks than have already left our fair valley. It is absurd for the IME to suggest "the people are the soul of the community" when so many have been driven out by the toxic gentrification intentionally engineered by the local establishment. "Sold out your soul," I guess!
“I’m very concerned about spending money we don’t have." - Dustin Stone
Hailey councilman - IME
The solution from the Hailey City Adminstrator, "It would be great for the city to not have a library department anymore.”
The water rights attached to property sold for residential development heve been systematically seperated from those properties. The valley is experiencing a huge depletion of groundwater and the aquifer by overdevelopment which has many of us seriously concerned. The Hailey City Attorney's solution, "acquire more water." Of course as an attorney he is talking about "paper rights" which become entirely irrelevant if their is no resource to allocate, but attorneys will bill millions attemnpting to resolve any associated disputes. IDWR has a long history of overallocating Idaho's water resources. Imagine the exponentially increasing costs (taxes) of water to individual homeowners as a consequence of the local establishment for a decade aggressively pursuing a malignant growth agenda absent a legitimate real estate analysis review process or any legitmate planning.
No imagination needed, consideration of THE MASSIVE FUTURE UNFUNDED LIABILITES and limitations of water availabilty to support "rubber-stamp" overdevelopment have arrived. I imagine solutions will resemble those for affordable housing, there aren't any legitmate ones!
Perry, we should put together a task list. Since you have a large base of subscribers, we should be able to recruit volunteers for the appropriate tasks. The Mayor announced he is not going to run in November. Therefore, do you think we can use litigation to stall the Ketchum plan and two projects before they get approved by the council?
I have been proposing that for some time. Eight or ten folks that would step up to share in the cost of litigation to stay all this destruction. More highlighting of the issues will not accomplish anything. The CC will approve the P&Z rezoning and permits will be issued, all before the election.
There also needs to be at least three will will step up and run for the City Council.
All of this shouldn't be that difficult in view of the widespread dissatisfaction with all members of this CC.
Spot on, Perry. I agree with your analysis and have long thought that the restrictions that come with tax credit financing did not address Ketchum's housing issues. And I like your prescription. Good, clear analysis.
Hi Christine...we wanted to echo what Perry said below.....we each have power to make change, and together, over the last year, our community has changed the conversation and started to steer this ship in the right direction. There is a long way to go, but we've shown there is motivation, engagement, and action to get where we need to be.
Reading Perry's blog and getting up-to-date on issues facing our community is a great action item.
Attend a Ketchum Business Advisory Coalition meeting-held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10am at The Sawtooth Club. Reach out to us with questions at ketchumbusinesscoalition@gmail.com
Ultimately I think the root of all the problems facing our valley are connected deeply to their commitee based governance structures. Their low accountability and high defensability allows for a government that functions more like an HOA than anything else. They work for value not for people. Starting with hailey, I plan to unify blue collar business owners to perform a coordinated take over and dismantling of our local government. Backed by dirt workers, mechanics, construction workers, welders, etc... I already have large support from IT workers and law enforcement officers to help expose the behavior that is really taking place with the gut wrenching levels of incompetency.
From my experience it usually comes in a couple forms. 1. The things the people in government value psycologically. 2. The monetary interests of the big names in the area.
Number 1 is almost always appearance. It doesn't matter much if the policy is effective if as much as it does that it makes the people instituting it feel good about themselves.
Two is typically maintaining scarcity. High code requirements, ridiculous zoning plans, and a general attitude that something old is more valuable than something that creates growth. I see it as stagnation and rot that the current government won't live to see the consequences of.
Yeah BC, the only way those of us in the community objecting to and seeking redress for the capitulation of local goverment to real estate and resort interests who demand taxpayers heavily subsidize their investments is LITIGATION. "Mess of cheaters" indeed, profit privatized, risk socialized.
Challenging the legitimacy of these URAs a good place to start, as I see little "blight" in the areas in which they are being applied as a band-aid to compensate for substantial revenue shortfalls.
Three massive high-end residential developments in East Hailey were provided a de facto waiver of impact fees, the former CDD now City Adminstrator clearly working aggressively for development interests rather than citizens. NO legitimate negotiations to acquire impact fees or water rights. NO legitimate consideration of the massive future unfunded liabilities attached to "rubber-stamp" approval of these huge projects. No legitimate planning.
Without the LOT revenues of the north valley a huge mess has been created in Hailey which will require an endless cascade of levies, perpetually rising property taxes driving away even more folks than have already left our fair valley. It is absurd for the IME to suggest "the people are the soul of the community" when so many have been driven out by the toxic gentrification intentionally engineered by the local establishment. "Sold out your soul," I guess!
“I’m very concerned about spending money we don’t have." - Dustin Stone
Hailey councilman - IME
The solution from the Hailey City Adminstrator, "It would be great for the city to not have a library department anymore.”
The water rights attached to property sold for residential development heve been systematically seperated from those properties. The valley is experiencing a huge depletion of groundwater and the aquifer by overdevelopment which has many of us seriously concerned. The Hailey City Attorney's solution, "acquire more water." Of course as an attorney he is talking about "paper rights" which become entirely irrelevant if their is no resource to allocate, but attorneys will bill millions attemnpting to resolve any associated disputes. IDWR has a long history of overallocating Idaho's water resources. Imagine the exponentially increasing costs (taxes) of water to individual homeowners as a consequence of the local establishment for a decade aggressively pursuing a malignant growth agenda absent a legitimate real estate analysis review process or any legitmate planning.
No imagination needed, consideration of THE MASSIVE FUTURE UNFUNDED LIABILITES and limitations of water availabilty to support "rubber-stamp" overdevelopment have arrived. I imagine solutions will resemble those for affordable housing, there aren't any legitmate ones!
Perry, we should put together a task list. Since you have a large base of subscribers, we should be able to recruit volunteers for the appropriate tasks. The Mayor announced he is not going to run in November. Therefore, do you think we can use litigation to stall the Ketchum plan and two projects before they get approved by the council?
I have been proposing that for some time. Eight or ten folks that would step up to share in the cost of litigation to stay all this destruction. More highlighting of the issues will not accomplish anything. The CC will approve the P&Z rezoning and permits will be issued, all before the election.
There also needs to be at least three will will step up and run for the City Council.
All of this shouldn't be that difficult in view of the widespread dissatisfaction with all members of this CC.
Count me in to litigate. Ketchum, Hailey, county; imo, this place is a mess of cheaters suresure....and most are overpaid, as well.
Thank you for shining light on the problems.
For every problem, I try to offer a solution. We have plenty of problems. We need more solutions.
...takes LOTS of very bright lights.
Thank you, Perry, for your continued diligence and thorough investigation.
So grateful.
Perry, I concur with Keven. I believe we should use litigation to stall this insidious plan that has been steamrolled over our community.
You have don’t a great job researching and educating those of us who care to listen.
It seems we have enough time to stop this nonsense until a new mayor and hopefully, council takes up thoughtful leadership.
I’d like to help in anyway I can to help.
Please let me know what I can do.
Spot on, Perry. I agree with your analysis and have long thought that the restrictions that come with tax credit financing did not address Ketchum's housing issues. And I like your prescription. Good, clear analysis.
I agree with everything you are saying Perry. The sad thing is feeling powerless in creating change.
You are NOT powerless! Add your voice by sharing your views with the council at participate@ketchumidaho.org and vote. THANKS
Hi Christine...we wanted to echo what Perry said below.....we each have power to make change, and together, over the last year, our community has changed the conversation and started to steer this ship in the right direction. There is a long way to go, but we've shown there is motivation, engagement, and action to get where we need to be.
Reading Perry's blog and getting up-to-date on issues facing our community is a great action item.
Attend public meetings, either in person or virtually. A list of meetings and agendas can be seen here: https://www.ketchumidaho.org/meetings
Attend a Ketchum Business Advisory Coalition meeting-held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10am at The Sawtooth Club. Reach out to us with questions at ketchumbusinesscoalition@gmail.com
As Perry mentioned... provide public comment to participate@ketchumidaho.org.
Reach out to City Council members and ask to have a conversation with them to share your views and hear theirs.
....and VOTE!
Look forward to working with you on these important issues!
KBAC
Ultimately I think the root of all the problems facing our valley are connected deeply to their commitee based governance structures. Their low accountability and high defensability allows for a government that functions more like an HOA than anything else. They work for value not for people. Starting with hailey, I plan to unify blue collar business owners to perform a coordinated take over and dismantling of our local government. Backed by dirt workers, mechanics, construction workers, welders, etc... I already have large support from IT workers and law enforcement officers to help expose the behavior that is really taking place with the gut wrenching levels of incompetency.
What does "work for value not for people" mean to you?
From my experience it usually comes in a couple forms. 1. The things the people in government value psycologically. 2. The monetary interests of the big names in the area.
Number 1 is almost always appearance. It doesn't matter much if the policy is effective if as much as it does that it makes the people instituting it feel good about themselves.
Two is typically maintaining scarcity. High code requirements, ridiculous zoning plans, and a general attitude that something old is more valuable than something that creates growth. I see it as stagnation and rot that the current government won't live to see the consequences of.