McCall council advances St. Luke’s workforce housing project after public hearing

A public hearing and deliberation by the McCall City Council on a planned unit development and subdivision for 38 deed‑restricted townhome units connected with St. Luke’s McCall concluded with the council directing staff to prepare findings of fact and continuing the development‑agreement discussion to a later meeting.

The project, proposed on a 4.8‑acre parcel south of the railroad pathway and west of South Mission Street, would build 38 two‑ and three‑bedroom townhomes in ten buildings with roughly 50% open space, short‑term rentals prohibited and deed restrictions to prioritize local workforce housing. Councilors voted to direct staff to prepare findings consistent with approval of the applications and to strike one inapplicable condition, and they voted unanimously to reopen and continue the development‑agreement public hearing to March 27 so the agreement can be revised to reflect council deliberations.

City Planner and Sustainability Planner Meredith Todd presented the proposal and its review history, noting the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of design review and recommended approval of the PUD and subdivision. Todd said the property was re‑zoned in 2022–23 and that sewer capacity had been confirmed by the Payette Lakes Recreational Water and Sewer District. She described project amenities including a picnic/gathering area adjacent to the parks trail, an internal pathway system to be plowed for winter access by neighboring condominium residents, and deed restrictions that would prohibit short‑term rentals.

Attorney Steve Milliman, representing the St. Luke’s McCall Foundation and McCall Memorial Hospital District, told the council the district and foundation plan to hold an initial undivided 50/50 interest in the property and that a master agreement and additional contracts with the Idaho Health Facilities Authority (IHFA) would govern ownership adjustments and management as investments occur. Milliman said the district has levied and set aside funds for the project but cannot bind future levies and that phasing is central to how construction and financing will proceed.

Key technical points discussed included a proposal for two‑phase underground infrastructure (water and sewer) to allow an initial set of units to be constructed without building the entire trunk line up front. City engineering staff and the McCall Fire District reviewed the phased approach and indicated it would be feasible if certain fire‑protection and hydraulic thresholds are met; council asked staff and engineers to ensure the development agreement reflects those conditions.

Neighbors and nearby condominium associations testified during public comment. Wildwood condominium representatives said they worked with the applicants and asked for phased construction and retention of trees and pathways; the applicants and staff pointed to a revised site plan that includes a stubbed pathway connection and a plan to maintain an east‑west connection to the railroad pathway year‑round. Hospital officials and supporters, including St. Luke’s Chief Nursing Officer Amber Green, said workforce housing is needed to reduce hiring times and retain clinical staff.

Council deliberation followed a criteria‑by‑criteria review (PUD and subdivision standards). Council members said the proposal met zoning density and comprehensive plan goals, provided significant open space, improved walkability, and preserved tree cover where feasible. Several members praised the neighborhood outreach that produced design changes to reduce visual impacts on adjacent properties.

The council approved a motion directing staff to prepare findings of fact and a decision for PUD‑24‑03 and SUB‑24‑07 consistent with approval, with two specific modifications (strike condition 5 as inapplicable and update the expiration terms) by unanimous roll call. The council also voted unanimously to reopen and continue the development agreement hearing to the March 27 meeting so the agreement can be revised to reflect the council’s decisions on phasing, deed‑restriction details and other exhibits.

Next steps: staff will draft findings and a revised development agreement for council review and the continued public hearing on March 27; the council asked that engineering exhibit language explicitly address the phased water/sewer infrastructure and fire‑protection triggers before final agreement approval.