president

Sue Petersen
vice president
Nick Price

treasurer/secretary
Community Developments
Steve Wolper

board of directors
Doug Abromeit
& Perspectives
Garth Callaghan
Erik Leidecker
Ali Long
Sara Mecham
Herb Thomas WHAT’S NEW AT CSG Summer 2009
Michael Wise
Priscilla Woods
Ben Young
Citizens for Smart Growth is IMPORTANT
2
staff Citizens for Smar t Growth
Vanessa Crossgrove Fry pleased to announce that PUBLIC
Kristen Olenick Nathan Welch will be working as MEETINGS
Nathan Welch
advocating for vibrant communities in our Interim Executive Director What’s your vision for the
balance with nature while current Executive Director, Valley? Your voice is important.
Vanessa Fry, is on maternity Read about proposed projects
leave. throughout Blaine County and
learn how to express your
208.788.8813 phone
208.788.8816 fax
JOIN US! Nathan comes to Smart Growth
thoughts on them.
with extensive knowledge of
citizens for smart growth is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation FUNDING
growth, development, and
all contributions are tax deducible
conservation issues in the Wood UPDATES AND
OPPORTUNITIES
4
River Valley.
  Our fourth annual auction was
Nathan Welch & Lara Rozzell, Tetons a great success - and we have
some news about grants we’ve
Citizens for Smart Growth Nonprofit Organization As a Utah native, Nathan witnessed the disappearance of thousands of acres of recently received. Plus, learn
113 east bullion street, suite c U.S. Postage Paid open lands along the Wasatch Front due to poorly planned development over the how you can help CSG increase
past 20 years. public involvement.
hailey, id 83333 Hailey, ID
Permit No. 48 Before arriving in the Wood River Valley, CSG ON
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Nathan earned graduate degrees in FACEBOOK
biology from Utah State and Duke
Universities while looking forward “We are thrilled to add Nathan to AND TWITTER
to a career in conservation. Smart Growth's staff and look forward At CSG, we encourage your
  to his energy and expertise.” voice to be heard, which is
why we have started a new
For the past two and a half years, Executive Director facebook page and Twitter
Nathan has committed himself to Vanessa Crossgrove Fry account. We see facebook
protecting and restoring land, and Twitter as an opportunity
water, and wildlife by working with to strengthen our connection
the team at Wood River Land Trust. In that role, he has been actively involved in with the people who care
about the growth issues in
local land use planning. Blaine County
 
“I've worked closely with Citizens for Smart Growth on development issues in the

7
past. And I’m excited to share the organization’s vision for vibrant communities INTERN’S
throughout Blaine County,” explains Nathan. “One of the greatest challenges we REFLECTION
face as an organization—and a society—is inspiring folks to be actively involved in
Planning Intern Alissa
choosing the future of this beautiful place and its people.” Praggastis shares about
  working at CSG before earning
Nathan lives in Hailey with his wife, Lara Rozzell, cats Cathartes and Chiroptera, her Master’s Degree in
and the infamous Chupacabra (a rare mountain Chihuahua). Please feel free to Planning at USC
contact Nathan at 788.8813 or nathan@citizensforsmartgrowth.org.
 U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S & P R O J E C T U P D AT E S
BLAINE COUNTY
Community Housing Planned Unit
Development Overlay District
Blaine County's changes to the Community Housing -
PUD Ordinance will continue to be discussed by the
Blaine County Commissioners on September 17th at
9:00 a.m.at the Old County Courthouse. The proposed
ordinance revisions will impact the McHanville/South
Gateway area.
Proposed changes to the ordinance include adding the
option for a Master Planned Community Housing PUD,
amending the percentage and income category ratios
for community housing, adding flexibility in providing
for community housing, and defining unit size and
providing requirements for increasing that size.
CSG is eager to see changes made in this area of the
county. Currently the area has spot zoning and
nonconforming structures. The area's proximity to
Ketchum and Sun Valley makes it a good location for
workforce and market rate housing. However, we
continue to be concerned about limiting the unit size as
well as the lack of connection between the proposed
ordinance and the feasibility of its implementation.
Crystal Creek Ranch
Stream Alteration Permit
After a lengthy special meeting on August 28, the
County Commission approved stream-alteration and
wetland conditional-use permits on the Crystal Creek
and Spring Creek Ranches south of Bellevue (formerly
known as Diamond Dragon). Approval included several
conditions related to mitigating potential impacts on
neighboring water users and necessary decisions about
water rights by the Idaho Department of Water
Resources.
The project raises controversy about potential impacts
on local hydrology, including flows in the Big Wood,
issues surrounding disparate expert testimony, and
sometimes unclear jurisdictional differences between
Blaine County and the Idaho Department of Water
Resources. Citizens for Smart Growth's interest in this
proposal has been in ensuring that a fair and open
public process be used to evaluate the project.  instability of an economy based almost entirely on
For more information about CSG’s view on a particular project or to receive
meeting updates at the beginning of each month via email please contact Kris
at: kris@citizensforsmartgrowth.org.
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SUN VALLEY
Independence Annexation Request: De Novo
Property for Sale
This past Spring the Sun Valley Planning and Zoning
Commission recommended denial of a comprehensive
plan amendment that would have allowed the
annexation of Independence, a proposed 15-home
subdivision on the hills between Elkhorn and Eastfork.
The next meeting for this proposal has been moved to
Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Sun Valley City Hall .
Citizens for Smart Growth believes this property is not
appropriate for annexation as it is not connected to the
City of Sun Valley, its access is limited and its hillsides
lie within the County's Mountain Overlay District. In
addition, the developer has put the land up for sale so
the future of the property is questionable.
KETCHUM
River Run Annexation
The Sun Valley Company has submitted a proposal for
annexation of their approximately 140 acre River Run
property which lies at the base of Bald Mountain
outside the southwest corner of the City of Ketchum.
60 of the 140 acres are developable. The land is
currently under the jurisdiction of Blaine County.
There are three main components to the project. The
PUD consists of the ‘Core’ development, which
includes 3 parking, structures with residential included,
an upscale hotel, a spa, restaurants and condo units.
The Neighborhood parcels will be annexed under the
‘T’ (toursist) zone and there will also be a single-family
home residential component. In addition,15 acres will
be designated as an “ecological park” with trails and
interpretive signs.
CSG will be closely monitoring this project as it moves
through the application process.
The Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission will
have an initial hearing on the application on
September 30. That meeting will be followed by a
series of public hearings Tuesday through Thursday,
October 27-29.
continued on next page
PL ANNING INTERN’S REFLECTION
I always knew that Blaine County was a special place; term and immediate economic recovery. Many
however, sometimes it takes spending time away from planners liken this to loosening one’s belt to help loose
a place to truly appreciate how unique it is. weight; something that may seem like a good idea at
Recreationally speaking, Blaine County is matched by the start, but ultimately exacerbates the problem. This
few other places. Blaine County has amazing fishing, short-term strategy also fits Albert Einstein’s definition
unparalleled mountain biking, beautiful golfing, and of insanity, which states, “The definition of insanity is
unlimited hiking, outstanding Nordic and alpine doing the same thing over and over again and
skiing, and snowshoeing. Additionally, Blaine County expecting different results”. With dropping revenue
offers incredible cultural outlets. We have Ketchum from property and local option taxes, developments
Alive, the Elkhorn Concert Series, Jazz on the Green, that may not be congruous with smart growth
4th on 4th, Stanley Music Festival and other music principles may seem appealing. However, as the
events; gallery walks and shows through the Center GoBlaine! strategy points out, we cannot continue to
for the Arts; the Wine Auction; the Sun Valley support our economy only through tourism and
Symphony; the Sun Valley Writer’s Conference; and second-home developments; rather, we must strive to
the Sun Valley Sustainability Conference to name a expand our economic base and stay vigilant to make
few. Furthermore, we are surrounded by some of the sure that developments in the future are compatible
world’s most pristine open spaces. Of course, this is with Blaine County’s defining attributes, which will
not news to anyone living in Blaine County so why do I ultimately provide the foundation for future economic
repeat what everyone is already aware of? I mention growth.
these things because I know how easy it is to take the
extraordinary aspects of Blaine County for granted as
Working with Citizens for Smart Growth has been an
incredible learning experience for me. As I heard off to
I did growing up in the valley. graduate school this fall, I would like to thank CSG’s
Luckily, I have been able to come back and work with executive director Vanessa Fry for giving me the
Citizens for Smart Growth, an experience that has opportunity to work with CSG and to learn so much
magnified my appreciation for the valley and has about the planning and development process. Our
exposed me to a very important truth. I have realized community is truly lucky to have someone who is as
that not only is Blaine County’s beauty the reason that proactive and dedicated to Blaine County’s future.
many people come to live in this valley, it is, more Also, thank you to Kris Olenick who works so hard to
importantly, the reason why we can live in this valley. keep Citizens for Smart Growth a viable non-profit for
The beauty of this place along with the cultural the valley.
amenities it provides is fundamentally important to
BY ALISSA PRAGGASTIS
our community’s economic well-being. Mark Twain
knew this when he stated, “We take stock of a city like
we take stock of a man. The clothes and appearance
are the externals by which we judge”. If a community
is not beautiful and unique, it will not be loved, and if
it is not loved, it will not be sustained or maintained.
As our community faces future growth, ensuring that
Blaine County’s unique characteristics remain intact
will be of increasing importance.
Sustaining the distinguishing traits of our community
will be one of the most important tactics for bolstering
our economy in the future and is in accordance with
TIP’s economy strategy, GoBlaine!, which explains the
tourism and second-home construction. While the
GoBlaine! strategy outlines a number of ways to help
diversify our economy, we must understand that
implementation of this strategy will take time and that Alissa and sister Lexie at Bates College, Maine
we must not relax our planning standards and
approve sprawling developments to provide short
 NEW WEST CONFERENCE M E E T I N G S & P R O J E C T U P D AT E S C O N T I N U E D
In June executive director, Vanessa Fry and summer planning intern, HAILEY SUSTAIN BLAINE
Alissa Praggastis attended the first annual Planing in the West Quigley Canyon Ranch Annexation Sustain Blaine moves forward with GoBlaine!
Conference hosted by New West.net. This two day conference, held in The application has been tabled until the terms of a - A Strategy for Economic Vitality
Boise, provided a plethora of information about planning in our region potential annexation agreement have been drafted for July 30th, the Sun Valley City Council passed a
- what’s happening today, what’s coming in the future and how we can the Hailey City Council’s review.  Currently, public resolution in support of the goals of GoBlaine! They,
maintain the values, economics and vitality of the west. comment is closed; however, the Council will reopen along with Blaine County, also recently passed a
The event featured leading planners, policy-makers, architects, the opportunity for public comment after a draft budget that designated funding for the
developers and landscape architects from around the Rocky Mountain annexation agreement is presented to the Council by implementation of GoBlaine! They join the cities of
region. These leaders in their fields helped attendees track planning City staff. Bellevue, Carey and Hailey in their commitments.
and development trends, gain insight to best practices and come to a The Wood River Economic Partnership has also passed
better understanding about how place-inspired planning can help us The Quigley Canyon developer has agreed to remove a resolution endorsing the GoBlaine! strategy. Earlier,
shape our region in the most positive ways possible. some areas up Deadman's Gulch and beyond Quigley the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber and Vistors Bureau
pond from the application. The new Quigley Board voted to support the GoBlaine! strategy. In doing
Of particular interest to CSG was keynote speaker Chris Duerksen’s application petitions the city of Hailey to annex 720
presentation about sustainable community development codes for the so, they said that they "recognize that enhanced efforts
Alissa and Vanessa at the New West Conference, acres to create 356 units, an 18-hole golf course, and
Boise West. Mr. Duerksen is with Clarion Associates, the group the lead the to support our current tourism industry while working
a Nordic facility. Upper canyon areas removed from to diversify the economy of our county in a coordinated
Blaine 2025 Planning process. This year’s Sun Valley Sustainability the application might still be developed under Blaine
Conference will be bringing Mr. Duerksen back to Idaho to present on how using Smart Growth codes in rural fashion is critical to our long-term sustainability."
County’s ordinances.
places like Blaine County can provide ‘quick fixes’ for highest priority challenges we face. Meanwhile, the rollout continues... Sustain Blaine is
The conference’s panel discussion Agriculture, Open Space and the Promise of "Resource-Based" Planning CSG has been opposed to development up asking all the cities and the county to officially adopt
encouraged us to continue applying the Smart Growth Principle of preserving open space, farmland, natural beauty Deadman's Gulch and beyond the Quigley Pond from the strategy and help fund its implementation. In
and critical environmental areas when we look at proposed development projects in Blaine County. The panel the beginning. Development in these areas would addition, the group will be reaching out to other local
affirmed that open space preservation supports smart growth goals by bolstering local economies, preserving impact important wildlife habitat and contribute to groups like the Sawtooth Board of Realtors, local
critical environmental areas, improving our communities quality of life, and guiding new growth into existing sprawl.  Not only is sprawl problematic due to its Rotary Clubs, etc.
communities. fiscal infrastructure impacts including water, waste If you want someone to present GoBlaine! to your
water treatment, roads, and water delivery; but it also group's meeting, please contact Joy Kasputys at
To learn more about the conference please visit www.newwest.net/planning-west-2009. contravenes smart growth principles that encourage joykasputys@yahoo.com.
mixed land use, the creation of walkable
For more information on Sustain Blaine or view TIP
neighborhoods, and the preservation of open space,
L A N D W AT E R & W I L D L I F E A D V I S O R Y B O A R D natural beauty and critical environmental areas.
Strategies' reports on Blaine County, go to
www.sustainblaine.org
Tuesday, August 25 the Blaine County Commissioners unanimously approved a slate of candidates for the Land, Many of these principles are incorporated in the units
Water and Wildlife Fund Levy Advisory Board. proposed near the mouth of the canyon where the For more information, including
Citizens for Smart Growth served on the Levy Task Force, convened in May 2009, to assist the Board of County
application integrates a variety of housing options, project application materials, visit a
mixed land use, and alternative transportation.   jurisdiction’s website
Commissioners with recommendations on the make-up, selection and appointment of the LAB, which will be Restraining development in Deadman's Gulch and past
responsible for helping the Commissioners implement the Land, Water and Wildlife Levy passed by Blaine County the Quigley pond further aligns this application with Bellevue
voters in November 2008. This levy was the first county-wide open space measure passed in Idaho. Smart Growth's principles. CSG has encouraged the www.bellevueidaho.us
The slate of candidates approved by the commissioners is as follows: Barbara Acker, Mary Austin Crofts, Trent Jones, developer to keep these upper canyon areas
Wendy Pabich, Tom Page, Alan Reynolds, Lili Simpson, Ben Sinnamon and Trent Stumph. undeveloped and therefore not submit a proposal to
Blaine County
develop it under Blaine County's ordinances. www.blainecounty.org
This fall the Levy Task Force will now work with the LAB and help them set up processes for carrying out their
responsibilities. These responsibilities include: developing project selection criteria and procedures for evaluating Carey
and recommending which lands, waters and interests in property will be eligible for consideration and developing, Although Citizens for Smart Growth is pleased with the www.cityofcarey.com
recommending and implementing a system for soliciting project proposals and working with county staff, in the developer's proposed changes, there are details about
identification, nomination, review, study and recommendation to the Board of conservation projects for funding with the project, including water, waste water, traffic, and Hailey
levy proceeds. fiscal impact that still need to be fleshed out. www.haileycityhall.org
Public comments about the Quigley project can be sent
Passage of the Land, Water and Wildlife Levy was a huge win for Blaine County. The LAB’s work will be critical in to beth.robrahn@haileycityhall.org. To find out more Ketchum
helping build a successful program for spending the funds. Fund projects will be county-wide investments in our about the details of the application go to www.ketchumidaho.org
community’s future. http://www.haileycityhall.org/ and click on Sun Valley
CSG’s work on this important program has been made possible through a generous grant from the Northwest “Quigley Annexation Information” under Top Picks. www.sunvalley.govoffice.com
Conservation Initiative.

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 UPCOMING
ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION A GREAT SUCCESS! CSG ON FACEBOOK AND T WITTER “Twenty years
EVENTS
Citizens for Smart Growth would like to sincerely
from now,
In case you haven’t already heard…
thank all of the people who helped make our facebook and Twitter have arrived! Blaine County
fourth annual silent auction a great success!
Special thanks to the Inn at Ellsworth Estate, Over the last 20 years, the internet has will be known
Esta’s Catering, River Bend Brewing, Carolyn undergone major transformations.
Gregg Flower Design, Blaine County Title and all Cyberspace, formerly distinguished as an as a
our members and friends who came to celebrate information repository, has expanded into
the valley. a cosmic realm of communication and interaction, and has subsequently place that
Save the reimagined the way people disseminate information, and connect with each other.
Thanks to the level of participation, we were Social media networks such as facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, have bestowed saved itself
date! able to raise close to $20,000 - that’s nearly upon people a powerful voice. People ranging from protesters in Iran to Oprah to
2009 as well as we did last year! President Obama have used social media to both accumulate data from and and kept
One of this year’s auction items was to pledge to broadcast information to the public. A well-known proponent of social media is
Sun Valley help fund a new computer, a website redesign and to update our regional planning map - all celebrity Ashton Kutcher, who, when asked about Twitter on “Larry King Live”, its style
Sustainability tools to help make the planning processes throughout Blaine County not only more stated, “We now live in an age in media that a single voice can have as much and charm
power and relevance on the Web as an entire media network.” Later in the
Conference accessible to the general public but more
interview, Kutcher continued to celebrate Twitter saying, “It’s really about everyday
transparent as well.
people having a voice.”
while adapting
October 29-31 HOW YOU CAN HELP
Sun Valley Inn At CSG, we encourage your voice to be heard, which is why we have started a new
gracefully
To do this, we need to raise $6,500. This support facebook page and Twitter account. We see facebook and Twitter as an and intelligently
Featuring will go directly towards the $1,750 cost of new opportunity to strengthen our connection with the people who care about the
Keynote Speaker: and updated computer equipment, $2,500 cost of growth issues in Blaine County by communicating news and upcoming events as to the
updating and printing our land use planning map well as providing an interactive forum for interested parties to impart their view of
Hunter Lovins current developments around the valley. changing times
and $2,250 towards our new, interactive website.
Please complete the enclosed remittance envelope
For more information
please visit to help Smart Growth achieve these goals. Thanks!
One of the most important responsibilities of CSG is to keep you, the Wood River and needs
Valley community and visitors, well-informed of future developments in the Valley.
sunvalleysustainability.org Just as important is collecting your feedback so that we can best represent your of a mountain
wants and needs. Facebook and Twitter help us accomplish both of these goals.
CSG RECEIVES GRANTS community
Through the CSG facebook page, we will notify CSG fans of planning meetings,
The Wattis Dumke Foundation recently awarded Citizens for Smart Growth a grant to aid post online articles that relate to CSG’s guiding principles, alert fans of CSG and resort.”
the organization’s work in empowering citizens to direct growth and shape the future by events, and upload photos of CSG members, staff and board. The facebook page
increasing awareness of the public process as well as the relationship between land use will also give you the opportunity to share your opinions with us using the
planning, transportation and quality of life. In addition, the Employee Advisory Committee facebook discussions forum. We recognize that attending public hearings is not - Bill Vanderbilt
at New Belgium Brewing awarded CSG funding to aid the organization’s work in expanding always realistic and, therefore, by opining online, you can be sure that your voice
and enhancing Blaine County’s Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program and building is heard.
community support and participation in the public process.
Additionally, you can follow CSG on Twitter @ CforSG. Using Twitter we will pass
Many thanks to both of these foundations for their generous support! on information about upcoming meetings and events as well as forward you links
to websites we find significant to smart growth ideology.
OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER!
adopt a highway clean up project Both facebook and Twitter will allow us to
strengthen our relationship with you. We
After waiting 4 years, CSG has been awarded a 2 mile stretch of Highway 75 in Blaine hope that you are as excited about the
County (north of the Elkhorn light) for the Adopt-a-Highway program! We are thrilled to be a benefits that social media technology
part of the group of Idaho citizens who are helping to keep our roadsides pristine and free of provides as we are! Become a fan on
litter. facebook and follow us on Twitter!
As Adopt-a Highway participants, we will be picking up trash twice a year and expect to
conduct our first “litter pick up party” in October. If you are interested in volunteering,
please contact kris@citizensforsmartgrowth.org. We will know the date of the litter pick up
party by mid-September.

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