Two applications for new residential development at Tamarack Resort received favorable marks last week from the Valley County Planning and Zoning Commission.
A 13-lot subdivision known as Ponderosa Ridge was approved by the P&Z, while a plan for 60 townhomes near the entrance to the resort on West Mountain Road was recommended for approval to Valley County Commissioners, who will make a final decision on the project at a future meeting.
The county commissioners have final authority over the townhomes project because it was not envisioned in Tamarack’s original concept plan that the county approved in 2002, P&Z Administrator Cynda Herrick said.
Aspen Townhomes
The Aspen Townhomes would be built in what is currently known as the Aspen Parking Lot, an 11.3-acre parking lot off Village Drive near the entrance to the resort.
Each of the 60 townhomes planned would have a two-car garage, according to plans.
The Aspen Parking Lot, which is currently used as overflow parking, would be replaced with a new seven-acre parking lot north of the current lot.
Overall, parking would be increased from about 520 spaces currently to about 864 spaces, said Chris Kirk, a planning consultant hired by Tamarack.
“Although the existing Aspen parking lot is very convenient to all of our visitors and guests, this would really create such a great, positive first impression,” Kirk said.
P&Z commissioner Carrie Potter agreed.
“I think it’s a really good proposal to clean up that corner,” Potter said.
The proposal will advance for final approval from the county commissioners, though a traffic study requested by the Idaho Transportation Department must first be completed.
Ponderosa Ridge
Meanwhile, the resort received final approval to begin work on Ponderosa Ridge, which would create 13 new “villa” lots on a four-acre site currently occupied by offices, a daycare, and six temporary employee housing units.
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The site, currently known as Design Plaza, would have those functions moved elsewhere, and the existing access off Village Drive would be removed, Kirk said.
Access to the new lots would be through Ponderosa Ridge Drive, which currently contains 15 villa sites, including many under construction.
The site was originally planned for up to 20 townhomes under the original concept plan approved by Valley County in 2002.
The approved concept plan allows for up to 2,043 residential units, of which 653 have already been platted. The Aspen Townhomes and Ponderosa Ridge Subdivision would bring that total to 726.
Tamarack hopes to begin construction on both Ponderosa Ridge and the Aspen Townhomes this summer. Construction would be in phases through 2028, depending on demand, according to the applications.
The P&Z did not receive public comments on either application during last week’s public hearings.
