McCall Smart Growth Implementation Assistance

United States Environmental Protection Agency

McCall, Idaho

October 2005

to

November 2005

Through its Development, Community and Environment Division (DCED), the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) is providing technical assistance to communities that want to foster economic growth, protect

environmental resources and plan for development. The EPA retained Strategic Economics, as part of a

consulting team that included ICF Consulting, Van Meter Williams Pollack, and Charlier Associates, to develop

land use concepts for growth along the new East-West Loop Road in the City of McCall. The consultant team

worked with staff from the EPA and the City to ensure that the concepts matched both the community’s vision

and EPA’s goals for promoting smart growth. (EPA defines smart growth as development patterns that create

attractive, distinctive, walkable communities that give people of varying age, wealth and physical ability a range of

safe, convenient choices in where they live and how they get around.)

Strategic Economics compiled a profile of McCall’s real estate market, as well as current economic and

demographic trends. The firm focused specifically on the retail market to identify where the community is, or will

be, underserved so that an appropriate retail program could be incorporated into future development plans. This

effort included looking at the existing and proposed retail character of various commercial areas in McCall to

promote complimentary, rather than competitive, market positioning. This analysis was presented and refined at a

four-day charrette attended by local leaders, community representatives, and local residents. The final report

provided the City of McCall with a framework for future development that provides better retail services to local

residents and strengthens the downtown retail core. New retail development will also compliment McCall's unique

sense of place.