KETCHUM - There are a lot more steps ahead for Sun Valley Co., as the resort owner seeks to expand its Wood River Valley presence by building a huge hotel, condo and village complex at the base of River Run.

But with the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission's decision Thursday night to recommend annexing the 138-acre property into the city, the first step has successfully been taken.

"Undoubtedly it is an historic moment," Commissioner Steve Cook said after the vote. "The underlying implications of what has taken place tonight, and with the PUD (planned unit development) and the eventual design review, is truly monumental to this county and this city."

The vote was unanimous, though the commission didn't let the proposal pass without a detailed review.

Among the issues the commissioners examined were community housing options; the size of retail operations allowed in the village; traffic patterns, especially as they might affect residential neighborhoods; what the property might look like from Ketchum and Idaho Highway 75 when built out; and how the complex might compete with or complement Ketchum.

"I'm here to protect downtown," said Commission Chairwoman Deborah Burns. "I really hope this connectivity works, for the first time in our lifetime. We can hypervitalize both sections (resort and downtown) if we do it right."

Sun Valley Co., represented by Becky Zimmerman, president of Denver-based Design Workshop, said it was committed to providing services to its resort customers, including a sundries shop, resort clothing, ski equipment, coffee shop, restaurant, and perhaps some high-end retail. However, Zimmerman said the company also believes its clients will want to patronize Ketchum as well as the resort.

"We are providing a whole bunch of new visitors and new residents who are absolutely going to go downtown to shop and dine," Zimmerman said. "The rising tide is going to benefit everybody."

Most public comment was taken on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, when presentations were given by the developer, but some was allowed before the commission deliberated.

Former Ketchum Mayor Jerry Seiffert was among those who commented on Thursday. "The focus should be making this project as successful as possible, every square foot of it, to maximize the number of people on Bald Mountain," he said, talking about lost skier count in the last two decades. He said local option taxes the city will receive when the project is built and is operating will more than offset any impacts to residents.

The commission will next finalize its findings and facts on the annexation request, and will review the developer's planned unit development proposal and make a recommendation for or against the PUD. Then these will go to the Ketchum City Council for approval or denial.

Zimmerman said, assuming the project is approved, Sun Valley Co. could begin building in as little as five years. However, if current market conditions continue, the build date would likely be pushed back, though how far cannot be predicted. The developer wants to have approvals in place when the market is ready, she said.

Ariel Hansen may be reached at ahansen@magicvalley.com or 208-788-3475.