Wasatch City - Again

In 2004, the US census estimated Wasatch County had 7,853 housing units. In the last two years Wasatch County, alone, has approved at least 1,448 new houses. This does NOT include many previously approved developments that are still not completely built out. It also does NOT include those approved as single house or small scale developments (less than five acres), or those approved in Heber City, Midway,etc.

Growth moves inexorably forward, but most current residents do not seem too happy about it. In my conversations on the subject, most people seem to feel little can be or, at least, will be done about growth. That's probably true - if that unhappy populace does not express their collective opinion to those who CAN make the decision to moderate the growth rate to attempt to retain at least a facade of rural environment. The county moratorium and subsequent Land Use change certainly didn't solve the problem, nor did the proposed General Plan review committee. (Whatever did happen to that?)

We hear of "smart growth," sustainable" development, "walkable" communities, Envision everything, and Agenda 21 - all apparently leading to the same goal - put everyone in big houses on small lots and make them use public transportation. We seem to have tacitly adopted the philosophy of a "medium rural" environment. That's where you might see the cows, but you can't smell them.

If you're happy, sit back and wait for the traffic lights to change; get out your check books for the property taxes coming as the winter murk begins to settle on the once pristine valley. If you are less than satisfied about the direction we are heading - get involved, make your voice heard. Thursday night, the County Planning Commission will be considering another four new developments, with only a 100 or so houses; but the Red Ledges (1468 ERU's) and other developments are waiting in the wings.

Here's a list of approved developments in the last two years:

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Date approved	Development	Location		ERU's	acres
			TOTAL ERU's =	1448
Jun 2006	Farms at Tate Lane	Tate Lane	phase 2	9	10
May 2006	Crossings	3000 E Lk Ck Rd	phase 14	58
Apr 2006	Grand Haven	2400 S 2400 E		91	133
Mar 2006	Victory Ranch	Kamas Rd.		73	298
Mar 2006	Wild Mare Farms C	3200 E 1670 S		13
Mar 2006	Jordanelle Ridge	Kamas Rd.		145	77
Feb 2006	Tuhaye	Jordanelle		15	31
Feb 2006	Tuhaye	Jordanelle		4
Feb 2006	Tuhaye	Jordanelle		6
Feb 2006	Black Rock Ridge	Jordanelle		162
Feb 2006	Summit Meadows	3050 E 1200 S		11	13
Jan 2006	Slipper Hollow	Wallsburg		9
Jan 2006	River Meadows	River Road		39	80
Dec 2005	Triple Crown	450 S 1200 E		61	95
Dec 2005	Black Rock Ridge	Jordanelle		102	32
Dec 2005	Fox Run	1800 S 3600 E		17	22
Nov 2005	Crossings	3000 E Lk Ck Rd		45	13
Nov 2005	Victory Ranch	Jordanelle		22
Oct 2005	Hideout Canyon	Jordanelle		15
Sep 2005	Deer Meadows	Jordanelle
Jul 2005	Deer Canyon Preserve	Jordanelle		103	401
Jul 2005	Tuhaye	Jordanelle	Ridgeway B	37
Jul 2005	Tuhaye	Jordanelle	phase 13	15
Jul 2005	Tuhaye	Jordanelle	phase 16 S	51
Jul 2005	Tuhaye	Jordanelle		24	11
Jul 2005	Victory Ranch	Kamas Rd.	phase 1A	22	289
Jun 2005	Farms at Tate Lane	Tate Lane		8	20
Jun 2005	Tuhaye	Jordanelle	phase 3N	15
Jun 2005	Tuhaye	Jordanelle	Ridgeway A	11
Jun 2005	Tuhaye	Jordanelle	phase 16So A	28
Jun 2005	Tuhaye	Jordanelle	phase 16So B	23
Jun 2005	Hideout Canyon	Jordanelle	phase 2&4	69	33
Apr 2005	Tuhaye	Jordanelle	phase X2	17	13
Apr 2005	Deer Point Preserve	Jordanelle		12	151
Sep 2004	Stillwater	Jordanelle	phase 2	63	7
May 2004	Crossings	3000 E Lk Ck Rd	phase 1	47	80
Mar 2004	Giltner	Hwy 248 Jordanelle		6	15

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