City Council Rejects Offer From Developer

The City Council has rejected a developer’s offer of $200,000 to avoid the requirement that he include affordable housing in a proposed subdivision along the Big Wood River.

Doug McPherson wants to subdivide about 6.4 acres south of the city, on land that formerly was the Sun Valley RV Park. He sought a waiver from a city ordinance that would have allowed just six lots on the property, proposing a “planned unit development” with 11 lots.

But McPherson also wanted a waiver of the requirement that such developments include affordable housing and offered to pay $200,000 to finance such residences elsewhere in the resort city.

Council members instead asked McPherson to return June 5 to indicate how the subdivision would work with onsite affordable housing.

“Don’t get me wrong. It’s been very well planned, but I don’t see how you can waive the entire reason we’re here,” Councilman David Hutchinson said.