Affordable Housing Coalition

05/11/2021

SPECIAL P&Z MEETING TODAY
Tuesday, May 11 at 4:30 PM

CITY HALL
480 East Ave. N.
Ketchum, ID 83340

Submit Public Comments To: [email protected]

Find The Agenda Here:https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/ketchid-pubu/MEET-Agenda-ff7c380e90684e5c996db8c4b56388b2.pdf

05/05/2021

"Along with what seems like 90+% of locals, I’m in favor of improving workforce housing but opposed to this project.

As a practical matter, it’s already difficult enough to find parking at Atkinson’s - the most popular retail destination in Ketchum. The parking plan for Bluebird is woefully inadequate.

In terms of affordable housing economics/strategy, this highly valuable, small parcel is not a sensible location. The land value, if sold, would be enough to purchase a much larger close-to-downtown parcel that would have room for adequate parking, and more comfortable/ larger units. Access could be well serviced with our excellent, existing public transportation and bike paths.

The “adding downtown vibrancy” argument is a weak one. Anyone who has lived here in recent years can see that our downtown is plenty vibrant, and already getting more so as more people discover Ketchum and have the work-from-home flexibility to live here. Try getting a dinner reservation after COVID (hopefully) subsides. We’re good on vibrancy.

Please instead choose a location for an affordable housing solution that is better for everyone, including those who will ultimately live there. Also, please increase on-site parking ratio requirements for all new projects in the core.

Thanks for encouraging the public input - please listen."

- B.R.

04/29/2021

We urge our City officials to say NO to Bluebird. Join AHC and sign our petition at change.org/AffordableHousingInKetchum.

Those participating in this petition are for community/affordable housing but do not believe Bluebird Village is the right solution.

"This project should not be located on one of the most expensive pieces of property in the city. This land belongs to the taxpayers and is being given away by our city officials for $1 / year for 99 years. This is not fiscally responsible to the taxpayers and will be a liability in the future. Not to mention a miserable place to live with no windows in the bedrooms and no AC. When the fires start and the smoke is thick in the valley these individuals will have significant respiratory issues.

Shame on our Mayor. Please help stop this project before it is too late."

– SD

04/10/2021

"The following comments reflect my experiences as a developer, a business owner and a real estate broker for the past 25 years.

I recognize the need for workforce housing in Ketchum and I have paid in-lieu monies for this housing.

I believe this project, due to its size and lack of quality and safety issues, is the wrong building for the site.

I believe there will be copious amounts of problems and potential lawsuits for the city if this building is allowed to go forward.

As you are analyzing the project, please consider the following issues:

1. The size of the building is too massive to fit the scale of our small ski town village atmosphere. 56 units with no air-conditioning and one elevator, 43 bedrooms without ventilation or windows and inadequate parking should not be allowed.

The architecture of a block building that is 52’ high with hardly any undulation or beauty should not be allowed. This mass of building will create shadow issues and block views from all sides of the surrounding area. There will be issues concerning ice build-up and possible safety issues due to the snow build-up on the balconies, roof, sidewalks and streets below. It will tower over the surrounding neighborhood homes and buildings. It certainly will not fit into the town’s character or add to the beauty of our little town.

2. The town should be worried about potential lawsuits and hazards for the residents. I am concerned about the 43 bedrooms without windows. Sleeping in a room without windows can cause humidity build-up, stale air and warm temperatures: all a perfect environment for mold growth. This will be a terrible health hazard and a possible lawsuit for the city. The building will not be air-conditioned.

3. I am concerned about the venting of the ovens and the dryers. Please ask the developer if he is planning to vent the dryers and the ovens. If not, the moisture could rot the framing and promote mold growth. Lint can catch fire, and if the dryers are gas they can emit CO2.

4. There should not be BBQ’s allowed on the decks. It is against fire code and someone will need to police this issue. Also, it would be an obvious fire hazard. The question would be: are there are gas outlets provided on the decks?

5. It appears to me that the small balconies are piercing setback rules. The people who live next door are going to be complaining about noise, dogs and potentially even issues with snow falling on their roofs or sidewalks below.

6. In the small one-bedroom units, the tenants have to walk through their bedroom to get to the living room. This is a major design flaw.

7. In the one-bedroom units, the kitchen is so small there is no room for a dishwasher. If you cram in a small one, there will be no room for cooking supplies and dishes. This is one of the reasons that the affordable housing units that I built didn’t sell for a while. Everyone wanted a dishwasher.

8. There is only one elevator for the two buildings. It appears that there is discrimination against handicapped or elderly people living in the building. Most older people can not walk with suitcases or groceries up four stories.

9. There are clearly not enough parking spaces in the building for the number of bedrooms. It is not fair for the surrounding homes and businesses to give up parking for their visitors and clients to provide parking for the tenants. There is already an issue with the lack of parking in the area and business owners have been complaining about this for years.

Our workers deserve quality and well-designed spaces for their living environment. With this building, there is limited parking, poorly designed spaces, lack of windows for ventilation, no air conditioning, one elevator and closet space for 3 coats and a few hanging items. There is also limited space for storage and decks that don’t function for any purpose.

The location in the commercial core would be acceptable if there was adequate retail space below and fewer units above with more room to actually live and adequate parking for tenants. Deal with those issues and the whole town will support the project.

I would be happy to help or assist in the design, safety and quality discussions."

Respectfully yours,

Linda Badell
Associate Broker
Sun Valley Sotheby’s International

04/09/2021

"A sign strategically placed in town asking for support of Bluebird Village specifically targeting 1% and stating their lack of understanding of affordable housing and how it is the lifeline of a community is, in my opinion, disrespectful to everyone in the community.

First and foremost, every volunteer, business, member of the 1%, organization and worker is part of the lifeline of this wonderful community. Each group or individual brings something unique to the table, which is what makes our community so special.

Affordable housing is critical, but there has been no clear direction articulated by the council and mayor. Also, projects such as Fourth Street with no parking were not well thought-out. For the last few years, the message sent by the mayor, P&Z and council is that when presented with evidence that might undermine their own opinions, they ignored the community and stuck to their own beliefs (Marriott Hotel, changing or ignoring zoning laws, height restrictions, traffic and parking problems).

By all means, affordable housing (a la Bluebird Village) is critical, but it must include rentals along with leases, parking consideration, zoning, and common sense. Focus on the issue as opposed to lectures or critical signage is required."

Larry Meads
Ketchum

04/08/2021

"Over the past 10 days, I visited 53 downtown retail businesses located within one and a half city blocks of the proposed Bluebird project. I personally spoke to 38 owners or managers and asked in an impartial way about their attitude toward the Bluebird. Because I wanted to speak only to an owner or manager, a number of businesses were not tabulated because they were not available.

The attitudes of the 38 businesses are that 31 (82%) are opposed and seven (18%) don’t know anything about the Bluebird or need more information to make a decision. None of the owners is in favor of the project. Typical responses to my question were that “I support the idea of affordable housing” but “this project will reduce parking,” “parking is too hard now,” “it is in the wrong location,” “it is too big,” “it is too high” or “it looks like a jail.”

While it is clear that businesses in the core area do not support the project and are concerned that the project will reduce available parking and harm their business, I also learned that nobody from the city has contacted any business owner, and the owners typically believe that the city does not listen to them.

Ketchum’s local businesses are essential to a healthy economy and to our local employment. I urge the city administration to reach out to local businesses and to listen to their concerns. A mistake with Bluebird will have decades-long, non-correctable effects on our community and on the downtown area.

With the admirable goal of providing housing subsidies to a few, the Bluebird has the potential to damage the economic situation for many."

John Melin
Owner, Ketchum Kitchens

04/02/2021

The AFFORDABLE HOUSING COALITION OF KETCHUM believes that integrating community/affordable housing into the Ketchum community at large is the better choice instead of concentrating it on one massive, taxpayer-funded project.

This isn’t a choice between Bluebird Village and no affordable housing. This is a choice between preserving or destroying downtown Ketchum.

Visit our website to learn more: www.AHCketchum.com

Affordable Housing Coalition of Ketchum is a group of individuals who are committed to solutions for community / workforce housing.

03/25/2021

WE ARE the Affordable Housing Coalition of Ketchum. Learn more here: https://www.ahcketchum.com/who-we-are

We are an alliance of Ketchum citizens who are concerned about how development is done in Ketchum. We are FOR community housing.

03/25/2021

Let's Keep Ketchum, Ketchum & Preserve Our “Real Town” Ethos.

03/19/2021

Why would a coalition that is for community housing stand against Bluebird?

We believe that if Bluebird goes forward, it will set back Community Housing in Ketchum for another decade or more. It will put Ketchum on track to be just another mountain resort town. We want to preserve what makes Ketchum, Ketchum and not just throw it away to accommodate out of town developers who take advantage of all we have to offer and leave us with little in return.

While Bluebird is being presented by the City as the only viable option for community housing in Ketchum, we all know that isn’t true. There are so many ways to build and provide community housing—we need to be focused and creative! Ketchum Idaho

03/02/2021

WHAT DOES THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COALITION BELIEVE IN?

We believe that affordable housing should be available throughout Ketchum, and should be integrated into our neighborhoods.

We are for sensible zoning laws that encourage affordable housing while preserving the special small town feel of Ketchum.

We are for development that is consistent with the values of Ketchum—small scale and respectful of our rich history.

We are for a data-driven and analysis approach to community housing that looks at the entire workforce of the town and has a plan for how many units of what size with what characteristics are the best match for the town and the residents of community housing.

03/02/2021

03/02/2021

WHO IS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COALITION OF KETCHUM?

The Allies Of Better Community Housing is a group of individuals who are committed to solutions for community / workforce housing. We believe through great due diligence, mindfulness and respectful alliances with our community we can solve this issue.

We are an alliance of Ketchum citizens who are concerned about how development is done in Ketchum. We are FOR community housing.

The challenge of a town like Ketchum is that demand exceeds supply for housing. While that can be a sign of a successful town, it also means that much of the lifeblood of the town, our teachers, firefighters, healthcare workers and other people who make Ketchum, well…Ketchum, are priced out of the local housing market.

02/18/2021

A virtual Q&A session on the proposed Bluebird Village project is planned for this Thursday, February 18, at 4 p.m. Before joining, you may want to read the FAQs (link listed below) to answer some of your questions.

The panel will consist of City staff and a representative from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association. Please note, this session is to answer technical questions on items including city process and tax credit financing - it is not a session to debate project design elements. Comments on design will take place during the city's planning and zoning process.

On February 18, join the Zoom meeting here: [ https://zoom.us/j/98011887863 ]
Questions should be submitted through the Zoom chat window.

The meeting will also be live streamed at [ ketchumidaho.org/meetings ] and recorded for later viewing.

Read the FAQs: [ ketchumidaho.org/planning-building/project/bluebird-village-project ]