Idaho Mountain Express: Warm Springs Ranch clears final hurdle

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Friday, November 20, 2009

Warm Springs Ranch clears final hurdle

Developers given until August 2019 to finish construction

By TREVON MILLIARD
Express Staff Writer

Developers received the go-ahead this week to build the Warm Springs Ranch Resort and its 93-foot-tall circular hotel consisting of 120 hotel rooms and condos. Courtesy graphic

After two years of jumping hurdles, Warm Springs Ranch Resort developers cleared their final bureaucratic obstacle, design review, on Wednesday. They now have until Aug. 13, 2013, to file for a building permit and start construction.

A development agreement created Aug. 13 between developers and the city of Ketchum sets the four-year deadline, as well as another requiring all construction to be finished by Aug. 13, 2019.

But that doesn't mean the 93-foot-tall hotel, golf course and living spaces won't be open at all until 2019. The project is to be separated into three phases, with the resort and other amenities opening to guests at the completion of Phase 1, when half of the 633,900 square feet of building space is to be completed. Throughout the next two phases, guest services will remain open as construction progresses.

But developers from DDRM Greatplace and Helios Development said putting a timeline to the finish of Phase 1 is impractical since the date of groundbreaking is still uncertain and depends on cash flow.

Stan Castleton, CEO of DDRM Greatplace, told the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission at Wednesday's design review meeting that construction would start as soon as possible.

"It may kill me," he said after the P&Z's unanimous vote, "but I'm going to get this thing done."

Commissioners Sam Williams and Michael Doty said they would like to see construction kick into gear before 2013, even though developers legally have the four-year window.

"Hopefully, this does happen in the near future rather than further," Williams said.
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It has already been a long process.

"I was a new commissioner when this project first came on board," said Commissioner Rich Fabiano. "I'm going to be proud of it for the rest of my life."

The Ketchum City Council unanimously approved the Warm Springs Ranch Resort phasing plan at the beginning of the week on Monday.

Castleton said at that meeting, that even though the whole picture won't be painted at one time, it will be "impressive." Phase 1 will include 46,100 square feet of villas, a golf course, stream restoration, 24,000 square feet of townhouses, 51 condos (in the hotel), 21,730 square feet of public space such as a restaurant, a gift shop, lobby and 39,000 square feet of back-of-house space such as storage.

The council agreed to allow up to 10 percent change of the phasing plan, but only with approval of a P&Z subcommittee.

After the commission's unanimous vote Wednesday, Commissioner Steve Cook thanked the developers for a design of "integrity" and "romance."

"And I hope it doesn't fall victim to budget cuts," Cook said, and then added a few last words. "Thank you doesn't quite do it."

Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com

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Icky – gone surfing

11/22/09 - 15:13

I was once told years ago that on Earl's desk is a plaque that says " all I want to own is my neighbors land." Think about this, SVC has entered the perfect storm of buying their neighbor's land at rock bottom. Sinclar as cash, developer's holding prime real estate and can't secure funding are running out of time. I predict WSR property already through annexation into Ketchum will end up in SVC's pocket. Already planned and approved with a big red ribbon. SVC will eventually monopolize their customer and become the "new Ketchum" retail, find dinning, entertainment,5 stat hotel, golf and exclusive lift ( 8:30am) access for their guest and owners to the top of Frenchmans. To rub it in, rip off the scone and fried chicken recipe from Warm Springs Ranch. The truth, almost the only business in WS, the only business that will ever be at River Run and the soon to be named " Five Sun's Luxury Village" at WSR. Now if I can think of this, you know Earl did 20 yrs ago. He'll probably build all of it in 6 years. It will be his legacy. Our lesson? Cash Is King again!

Reply to Icky

ziggy

11/23/09 - 09:16

Icky has it nailed, no developer other than SVC could ever get this done, read and learn.

www.newwest.net

Reply to Icky

Dan Solaro

11/23/09 - 22:11

Sun Valley could get it done, but even they wouldn't take on the challenge of building as proposed, as they are to smart to charge head on into the inverse condemnation lawsuits now revving up. The litigation costs would and potential damages owed to neighboringhe landowners will cripple the pro forma. They will wait and buy it on the cheap, scale it down to appease the neighborhood, and then maybe something will happen. That dog park in the interim might be a good idea. Maybe we can get a deep geothermal bore hole while its all tied up.

Dan

11/20/09 - 15:07

Remember elk herds, scones, mashed potatoes and rack of lamb, trout ponds, golf games, and good looking barmaids. (sigh)

Ditto – Revelstoke

11/20/09 - 11:54

Saw it coming, don't miss man made snow, don't miss angry old fart posers, don't miss bitch'n "locals" all making it clear they got here before you, do miss Atkinson's produce ! Baldy seems like Dollar now, got a great body of water right here, the people are super friendly, you can grow and smoke your own bud, it's still the seventies here, can you say mullet.

straight up

11/20/09 - 11:27

I know a lot of recent home owners in WS that are upside down and going to walk. Nice going council, hope it's worth bringing more low paying jobs for people how can't afford to live here. Maybe the banks will turn all the foreclosed homes into hostels. WRV is already max'd out with housing. The future is the snowboard dollar, I doubt they will use this property.

Wells Rawls – Ketchum

11/20/09 - 09:09

Love the comments.

I'm glad you have the ability to just move north of town. That's great for you.

Me? I work for $10.00 an hour to just live here. I have not had a real job in a while and I would love to see some work come back to our area.

No one wants to sacrafice anything for the greater good. Yet folks like me sacrifice every day to be here and I for one would like the negativity to stop.

You had your chance to stop this thing for years and you could not get the public to support you. The bogus recall campaign didn't work and running for office did not work.

Get with the majority for Ketchum and be possitive or please show some class and keep quiet.

Thank you.

Reply to Wells Rawls

Rebecca

11/20/09 - 09:28

Wells,
Do you really think these guys are going to pay more than what you make now?
Where will you be in 2019? I would hope you would have progressed by that time.
And you want those of us who objected to this project to either change our position or shut up?
You're an IDIOT!
Go back to your $10 an hour job, the world needs uneducated servants like you!

Saw it coming

11/20/09 - 08:34

Wow,
10 years of construction (what do you wanna bet it takes MUCH longer than that?) means 10 years of 1000's of trucks and equipment rolling down WS Road daily. Enjoy that Warm Springs residents! The City Council just sold you down the river (DDRM envelopes passed among you 5?).
You will not be happy. Enjoy the nightmare. That's the price for your apathy.
It won't affect me because I saw it coming and got involved, expressed my thoughts, saw the writing on the wall and promptly bought land north of town.

Reply to Saw it coming

Ditto – Revelstoke

11/20/09 - 08:58

After living in WS for over 25yrs and planned to stay their for the rest of my life the massive construction over the last 10 years did me in. I bugged out in 2006. The truck and traffic noise was worse than a big city, now this, insane. Nice place to visit but you don't want to live there.

Reply to Saw it coming

Saw it coming

11/20/09 - 09:50

Ditto,
Revelstoke!?
You are a smart man/woman! What's your phone #? Can I come visit you?
Great minds think alike! I have skiied there and it is unspoiled and wonderful.
I'll bring my fats!

Reply to Saw it coming

Seriously?

11/20/09 - 10:10

10 years of jobs, 1000's of families fed.

Or should we all just feel sorry for you because you bought property north of town?

Reply to Saw it coming

Saw it coming

11/20/09 - 10:22

Seriously,
100's of years of nightmare for WS residents, 100's of low paying jobs serving rich lazy people, 100's of years of bumper to bumper traffic, etc....................
I bought a home in a residential community, zoned residential, and now you want skyscrapers?
Brilliant.
If you are a taxpayer, get ready for the lawsuit. It's called "Inverse Comdemnation". Look it up. By drastically changing the zoning in a residential area, the city has reduced the value of the homes in the area. That opens them up to a HUGE LAWSUIT!
Letters have already been sent and a MAJOR law firm has already started the process for a class action suit.
Be careful what you ask for..............you just might get it!

Reply to Saw it coming

11/20/09 - 12:42

Rich lazy people being served by the hardworking poor masses! Where can you apply for that rich lazy person job? How did all those lazy people get rich? I must be stupid because I've trying to get rich by working hard.

Reply to Saw it coming

11/20/09 - 15:03

1000's of families fed, IN MEXICO!

Reply to Saw it coming

Saw it coming

11/22/09 - 08:55

Hey Seriously,
Don't worry about me ..................I'm Livin' the Dream.............Big Time!