Shaw family halts helipad plans for McCall homestead development

The Shaw family has declared that any development on their 510-acre homestead near McCall will no longer feature helipads. The family, which owns the historic property, issued a statement clarifying that previous design concepts containing 15 helipads were released before the owners reviewed or agreed to them. The updated direction for the site emphasizes preserving open ground.

The Shaw Family Homestead was settled in 1889 by Clarence and Fannie Shaw, who traveled to Valley County from Missouri in a mule-drawn wagon. The property received a Century Farm and Ranch Award from the Idaho State Historical Society in 2024, recognizing a century of farming and ranching by the family. The 510-acre site includes old-growth forest, wildflower meadows, and views of Little Payette Lake and Jughandle Mountain.

Altitude Development Group of McCall prepared preliminary plans for a project called Shaw Ranch. These initial designs called for 56 lots ranging from two to 27.5 acres. Fifteen of those lots were designated for helipads, while 11 would allow horses and some would front Lake Fork Creek. The plans were available on a project website and in neighborhood letters before the Shaw family had formally endorsed them.

Altitude is currently under contract to prepare a development proposal for the ranch, which fronts Boulder Creek Road, as part of a potential land sale. The development group stated it pursued a lower-density approach with fewer than 60 lots, avoiding proposals that included condominiums or higher-density housing. Beau Value, an Altitude partner, previously described the helipads as a distinctive amenity that supports outdoor recreation and backcountry aviation while helping reduce traffic on Idaho 55.

The Shaw family stated that they have cared for the land for five generations and will continue to evaluate next steps by balancing preservation and development. The family confirmed that Altitude is working on a new proposal that aligns with their wishes for open space.

Altitude had scheduled a public comment session for the Shaw Ranch proposal on Nov. 5 at Idaho First Bank in McCall. The meeting was set to run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is currently unclear if this meeting will proceed as planned or if it will be rescheduled to reflect the changes in the site design.

Representatives for Altitude Development Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the family's statement on Tuesday. The development group continues to refine the proposal for the historic site located about four miles southeast of McCall.