The City of Ketchum has initiated a targeted update to its existing Comprehensive Plan (2014 Plan) and the land use regulations that implement the goals and policies of the plan (Code). The plan and code updates are being led by Planning and Building Department staff with support from Clarion Associates, a consulting firm with extensive experience in comprehensive planning and municipal development code projects. The full project will be executed in three phases that are anticipated to take approximately two and a half years to complete.
Project Objectives
- Achieve alignment between the updated Comprehensive Plan, other adopted plans, and the code to support the community’s vision, goals, and policies.
- Integrate sustainable policies and practices to support sustainable growth and environmental stewardship.
- Develop regulations that improve the citizen experience by making the code user-friendly, written in clear, simple terms that are streamlined and fair, and include high-quality visual references (images, graphics, tables, etc.).
- Develop design review guidelines and processes that foster creativity and quality design.
Phase 1 of the project is complete and includes an audit of the 2014 Comprehensive Plan, stakeholder engagement, input from the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council, and the development of a detailed scope of work for phase 2. Phase 2 is organized into two parts: (1) Targeted Comprehensive Plan Update and (2) a Code Update Initial Tasks. Phase 3 is anticipated to begin in early 2025 and will amend the city’s land use regulations to implement the goals and policies of the updated Comprehensive Plan to ensure that future development aligns with the community’s vision for the future. The graphic below summarizes all three phases of work.
Project
Scoping
- Initial stakeholder meetings
- Plan audit
- Public engagement strategy
Part 1: TARGETED COMP PLAN UPDATE
- Update plan foundations
- Future land use plan/key policy choices
- Updated Comprehensive Plan draft/adoption
Part 2: CODE UPDATE (INITIAL TASKS)
- Reorganization and consolidation
- Updates to procedures
- Code assessment
CODE UPDATE (REMAINING TASKS)
- Zone districts, uses, and development standards
- Consolidated draft/adoption
Opportunities for community and stakeholder input are provided throughout the Comprehensive Plan update and initial tasks for the code update in Phase 2. These engagement opportunities are scheduled to align with major project milestones. The project will be an iterative process with multiple opportunities for the public to provide feedback on interim work product.
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Advisory Groups
In addition to the various opportunities for community and stakeholder engagement, the project team will be supported by three advisory groups—the Citizens Advisory Committee, Code Advisory Group, and Technical Advisory Group. Comprised of various representatives from different neighborhoods and local businesses within Ketchum and its area of city impact, the Citizens Advisory Committee will provide feedback on the vision, goals, and policies for the Comprehensive Plan Update. The Code Advisory Group includes representatives from the Planning and Zoning Commission, City of Ketchum departments, and outside stakeholders that have a technical background and knowledge of the city’s land use regulations. The Code Advisory Group will provide input on interim documents associated with the Code Update. The Technical Advisory Group, which was established by the city in 2023, will provide strategic input and guidance on community design and development issues related to both the Comprehensive Plan and Code Update processes.
Citizens Advisory Committee Members
Gretchen Gorham
Carol Gullstad
Tim Negrey
Matt Gorby
Susan Scovell
Nani Stoick
Amy Anderson
Cory Smith
Chris Helgeson
Mattie Mead
Andy Cooley
Annie Gilbert
Kristian Witaker
Adelaide Smithmason
Paige Lethbridge
Sara Seppa
John Sofro
Code Advisory Group Members
Susan Passavoy, Planning & Zoning Commissioner
Alex Nelson, Civil Engineer
Michael Doty, Architect & TAG Representative
Lucas Winter, Architect
Rob King, Landscape Architect
Nicole Ramey, Architect
Hunter Todd, Architect
Jolyon Sawrey, Architect
Kathryn Rixon, Real Estate Agent
Paige Nied, City Department Representative
Technical Advisory Group Members
Architecture Representatives:
Mike Doty, Michael Doty Associates
Gretchen Wagner, Scape Design Studio
Rachel Aanestad, Draw Architecture + Design
Caleb Spangenberger, Williams Partners Architects
Landscape Architecture Representatives:
Kurt Eggers, Eggers Associates
Ben Young, BYLA
Engineering Representatives:
Matt Smithman, Galena Engineering
Dave Patrie, Benchmark Associates
Contractor Representatives:
Robin Story, KMV Builders
Adam Elias, Elias Construction
Tim Carter, Idaho Mountain Builders
Developer Representatives:
Reid Sanborn, Engel and Volkers
Dave Wilson, Wilson Construction
Dave Hutchinson, VP Companies
Trade Association Representatives:
Harry Griffith, Sun Valley Economic Development (SVED)
Bob Crosby, Sun Valley Board of Realtors
- August 29, 2023, City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission joint workshop presentation
- October 24, 2023, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to discuss the scope of work
- November 6, 2023, Ketchum City Council meeting: scope of work discussion materials
- Public engagement plan
- Phase 2 scope of work and detailed schedule
News and Announcements
Ketchum has experienced significant change over the past decade marked by a substantial increase in population and new development. These changes, the ongoing workforce housing crisis, concerns about losing character and maintaining downtown vibrancy, and worries about the City’s vitality and viability have spurred community discussions about the future of Ketchum. The City of Ketchum has initiated a targeted update to its 2014 Comprehensive Plan to verify the community’s values and goals and reassess the policy framework used to guide where and how Ketchum will grow in the future. Your input is more important than ever! Click here to participate in the Planning For Growth survey.