Word on the Street
The Mayor's Missive | February 14, 2025
FINDING HOMES FOR WORKING FAMILIES
As we work our way through the comprehensive planning process, we have recommended policies that will help working and middle-class families live in Ketchum. The policy goal is broadly supported by our entire community, who feel that housing local workers is important to maintaining the character of our town. A major factor in attracting families to our community is the affordability of living in general, and the affordability of housing in particular.
There is a perception that more zoning for “single-family homes” will allow more families to live in Ketchum. If we are going to attract and retain families, we must adjust our zoning requirements to encourage smaller single-family homes and multi-family dwellings that allow working families to be able to afford to live here. As we know, many a Ketchum kid has grown up in a multi-family unit—with Baldy as their playground—and has thrived in that environment.
TAKE THE SURVEY ON OUR NEXT COMMUNITY HOUSING PROJECT(S)
Thanks to all those who attended either of our two presentations on potential Community Housing developments on city-owned land this week. During the presentations, we reviewed the feasibility of developing additional community housing units to fill in the gaps that current developments cannot. Of the five parcels we analyzed, we recommended doing further work on two parcels: the Lift Tower Lodge site and the parking lot that is south of the YMCA. Click here to watch the presentation. We want to hear from! Please take the short survey on the subject below. We will provide survey results to the council for further deliberation.
DO YOU SUPPORT LID FUNDING FOR A PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE?
The Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency (KURA) has determined that they will only move forward on their development at 1st and Washington if Ketchum property owners support assessing themselves to pay for a portion of the proposed parking facility through the creation of a Local Improvement District (LID). Please come to City Hall at noon on Tuesday, February 18, or 5 PM on Wednesday, February 19, to find out more. You will have an opportunity to learn about the costs associated with your property and provide feedback on the idea. Please click the button below to find out more and complete the online survey.
Cheers,
Neil
To read the rest of Issue No. 169 of the Word on the Street, click here.
