July 27,
2006
To the right is a pristine view
encompassing the land which will become SFL.
The County Commissioners carried
out a sneaky Closed-Door session where they gave preliminary
approval to SFL. Undoubtedly laws were broken in this process.
Below is the editorial I sent to the Idaho World.
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Surprise! Our
Commissioners approved the Southfork Landing project in an
unannounced, closed-door meeting. This is the last straw in a
process that has made Boise County look incompetent.
First a P&Z
member ignores US Fish & Wildlife advice with respect to
SFL because his NRA Magazine said otherwise. Then multiple
P&Z members tell SFL developers the Comprehensive Plan is
too confusing to use, although ordinances are in place that
use its guidelines. They never even try to interpret the plan
– preferring to “just give up.” Heck, when a P&Z member
questioned the tall hotel SFL plans, and the developer
responded that it would be even taller at its ridgeline, he
didn’t care. This is a taller building than is allowed in
Eagle or Meridian! And then there’s
Kathy Brady in a clear conflict of interest working in a dual
capacity for Boise
County and a
County Supplier – I’d be fired
for that! And, like sheep, everyone bought the 60% open space
argument! Heck, SFL developers should have proposed a thousand
5000 square foot cabin lots and claimed 85% open space. That
would have wooed our P&Z and County
Commissioners even
more!
I bet the
Commissioners felt they were being most expeditious in their
actions – but they must look at all options and proceed with
greater care. They are congratulating themselves for the few
good concessions they got – like not building in the floodway
(but I expect the County to inappropriately assist the
Developers in changing the floodway). And, a screened sewage
plant? Will it be screened from those who look down on it
every day?
I believe there
have been civil improprieties. I support Jane’s and others
investigations. I wonder if Roger Jackson, who said the County
would get sued one way or another, just gave up on his job and
voted for it rather than deal with the issues. In the GV
candidates’ debate it was clear that Roger wouldn’t suggest
ideas for resolving problems.
I guess three
Commissioners who don’t live in Garden Valley, who won’t overlook SFL, who
don’t drive Banks-Lowman daily, and whose personal lives don’t
share directly in Garden Valley’s growth, don’t
care. Likely why their decision was superficial and rushed.
I can only hope
that Star Ranch, Lowman and Idaho
City get
a large resort with dense buildings, noisy helicopter pads and
a 70+ foot tall hotel so you, our Commissioners, can suffer
with us and your precedent.
I know many
voices pro SFL, most who directly benefit from additional
commercial and real estate opportunities. Many of these are
seeking the opportunities that becoming a small city would
bring. I remind these folks that we don’t have to become a
Ketchum/Boise combination to provide this. And, if a Boise economy is what is desired then
Boise is just a short
distance to the South.
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