We liked the article and idea of "urban farming," the ordinance proposed in Richmond, Calif., on what food and animals can be farmed within city limits. We would eventually like to expand our greenhouse past the current limits. Our greenhouse is now 10 feet by 12 feet. We also would like to have the option of raising chickens. How does one go about beginning a change for either of these two issues? Thanks for your work. --John and Jini Griffith

We have done quite a bit of work on the issue of urban agriculture. Izzy

Canell, our 2012 summer intern, developed some proposed language, which we would like to make part of our upcoming code update. Our incoming director of planning and building, Micah Austin, developed similar codes for the city of Hailey about two years ago.

The current Ketchum code does not specifically address chickens. It does, however, allow animals kept in cages. We have interpreted that to mean that chickens kept in a coop are allowed, as long as they do not create a noise or odor nuisance.

The current code also does not address shed/greenhouse sizes or setbacks. We have conducted a workshop with the Planning Commission on possible shed/greenhouse requirements, and are poised to make some updates with respect to those code items. Please continue to share your opinions and suggestions with us as we address these issues.

Ketchum will be a greener, safer city under proposed building code updates that go before the City Council Monday, Dec. 15, at 5:30 p.m.  

New construction would have to be about 15 percent more energy-efficient, and improved firewalls would increase safety for both residents and firefighters.

Energy-efficiency measures would result in long-range savings. It takes an average of about six years to pay back the added costs in most of Idaho, but likely less than two years in Ketchum because of its colder climate and high-quality construction, said Rebecca Bundy, senior planner.

In the United States, she noted, buildings account for 40 percent of energy consumption, a greater percentage than any other sector. Buildings also account for 14 percent of potable water consumption.

Exterior energy consumption by such features as driveway snow-melting systems and swimming pools has been largely unregulated, Bundy pointed out, and presents an opportunity for significant savings.

These are among the proposed changes:

1. Snow-melting systems that cover more than 50 square feet would need to offset their energy consumption by installing renewal energy systems such as solar or geothermal.
2. Two-hour fire separation walls would be required in two-family dwellings and townhouses. One-hour walls may be allowed as exceptions now.
3. Commercial buildings would be required to have low-flow faucets and fixtures, as well as improved fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems.

Changes in the floodplain ordinances adopted earlier this year already are saving Ketchum homeowners money, she said. Flood insurance premiums reflect the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Community Rating System, based in part on applicable ordinances. Ketchum and Boise have the best ratings in the state, and the new ratings are saving residents 20 percent on flood insurance, she said.

Proposed changes to city law also would prohibit the possession of fireworks without a commercial fireworks display permit. Fire and police officials have faced a dilemma in that it now is legal to possess fireworks but not to use them. This has meant that they cannot take action unless they see someone actually igniting fireworks.

"We had two fires started by fireworks in the Wood River Valley last summer," Fire Chief Mike Elle said. "This should make enforcement easier and, in turn, help prevent fires."

The state of Idaho requires the city to bring its building codes into compliance with state-adopted updates to the 2012 International Building Codes by Jan. 1, 2015. The proposed changes do so, as well as set stricter requirements in some areas.

Who is responsible for shoveling sidewalks and snow berms created across driveways when the streets are plowed? In Ketchum, property owners are responsible.

Here's a quick summary of responsibilities for coping with winter snow:

• The city will plow the streets, beginning as early as 1 a.m., following a snow accumulation of three or more inches. Vehicles must be moved off all streets from 2-7 a.m. Vehicles that are not moved may be towed. Vehicles also must be moved from public parking lots with the exception of the lots at Washington and Second streets and Leadville and Sixth streets. Parking is permitted in these lots until 4 a.m. as an accommodation to late-night restaurant employees who do not finish work until 3 a.m.
• Residents should expect snowplows to create berms at the road's edge and be aware that those berms may block driveways. The snowplow operators will try to avoid creating large berms but it is not possible to clear driveway openings and still plow all streets in a timely manner.
• Please keep your children from building snow caves in the "berms" after big snows. Crews will remove them when they get big enough that they are crowding traffic lanes and could seriously injure a child hiding in a cave.
• Property owners are required to clear ice and snow from adjacent walkways or sidewalks the same day that snow falls or within the first six hours of daylight the following day.
• Snow and ice cleared from driveways and sidewalks must be placed so it does not obstruct public streets or walkways.

When city crews are aware of special situations, such as elderly or physically challenged residents, they will help clear those driveways after they have finished their plow routes and then as time allows. The city also encourages people to give a helping hand to physically challenged neighbors.

For questions about snow-plowing operations, contact the street department at 726-7831. For questions about sidewalk snow removal, policy enforcement and parking, contact the police department at 726-7819. Information also is available at www.ketchumidaho.org.

Ketchum will have its own Gingerbread Village, replicating the iconic buildings of our community, this holiday season.

The village will be on display from Saturday through New Year's at 240 N. Main St. Admission is free. Creator of the village is local baker Mary Jones, owner of The Chocolate Moose and who created a gingerbread village at the Sun Valley Resort two years ago.

Hours are 3-7 p.m. from Friday, Dec. 12, through Wednesday, Dec. 18, and noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, through the holidays.

Private donations, as well as a $500 grant from the Ketchum Events Commission, are helping to fund the display, designed to draw visitors downtown during the holidays.

Additional details are at www.Facebook.com/KetchumGingerbread, as well as in recent stories in the Idaho Mountain Express and Eye on Sun Valley.

Mountain Rides will request additional funding for late-night bus service this winter from the Ketchum City Council at its regular meeting Monday, Dec. 15, at 5:30 p.m.

Mountain Rides already has added buses to serve the Warm Springs and Elkhorn areas, as well as the "valley" route from Ketchum to Hailey, until 2:30 a.m. on New Year's Day.

Several restaurant and bar owners have asked for extended service through the busy winter months as a means of increasing business. Mountain Rides is developing budget data and expects to make a specific proposal with cost estimates and possible funding sources on Monday.

A committee to explore late-night service was formed after the Dec. 1 City Council meeting on permits for taxi and limousine service. One proposal is to offer free service, as Mountain Rides does on its daytime routes in Ketchum and Sun Valley, and ask for contributions from restaurant and bar owners.

Committee members are City Councilmembers Anne Corrock and Michael David; Kristen "Kitten" Derrig, co-owner of The Cellar Pub; Jon Duval, executive director of the Ketchum Community Development Corporation; Police Chief Dave Kassner and Kirk "Bubba" Lindsey, owner of Sun Valley Limo and Taxi.

Next BAH Scheduled for Dec. 17

Ketchum/Sun Valley Business After Hours will be Wednesday, Dec.17, from 5-6 p.m. at Washington Federal, 460 Sun Valley Road. There will be a drawing for a $1,000 advertising package donated by KMVT in Twin Falls. The winner must be present. For additional information, contact Gary Hoffman at 725-5522 or [email protected].

#Seek Sun Valley

Arts Commission Reports on Past Fiscal Year

The Ketchum Arts Commission projects during the past year included the nation's first "artist-wrapped" ski gondola, art placed along the Wood River Trail in collaboration with several other agencies, the installation of a chalk art wall in Little Park for people of all ages to express themselves, and an exhibition of works by local artists in City Hall. Ketchum also increased its Percent for Art Ordinance for public projects from 1.33 percent to 5 percent, which is believed to be higher than any other city in the country. Activities are detailed in the commission's annual report, presented to the City Council on Dec. 1.

Added Buses for New Year's Eve 

Holiday Tree Fires Cause More Deaths Than Other Home Fires 

Help with Center for the Arts Survey 

Call for Student Entries for Film Festival 

New Writers Organization Formed 

Welcome to New Police Sergeant 

Artist-Wrapped Gondola Goes into Service Dec. 20 

Holiday Farmers' Market in Town Square Dec. 23 

Ice Rink Opening