7. What problems do you foresee with new developments?
pollution, increased txes, urban sprawl, loss of smal town feel, traffic congestion, noise, loss of public safety.
Destruction of a once beautiful valley
Added drain on infrastructure resources if they don't pay for it fully in taxes.
tax increase/more traffic
congestion ,crowded schools and increased traffic. Valley would lose its charm and pollution would be increased. Increased garbage in landfills which might make it necessry for mandatory recycling.
crowds traffic higher taxes air pollution noise pollution light pollution
Congestion, loss of rural environment, polution, tax increases.
Large numbers of people in concentrated geographical areas tend toward crime and failure to know your neighbors. Los Angeles was my last location. Please have enough foresight to avoid creating their problems. "More money for the county" is an extremely high price to pay for all of the big city problems which suck that money away from more vital needs.
Devlopers don't fund them properly and should be forced to landscape them before they are sold. Some homes go ten years before they are landscaped leaving dust bowls throughout the county.
more demands for a City-like business base
Water. Sewer and the lack of a careful process by our government. They seem more interested in pleasing the developer at the expense of common sense.
Crime, Infrastucture impact (sewer, water, roads), traffic. Are we really wanting to become another Park City?
Increased infrastructure and support service costs. Danger of losing the thing that makes everyone want to come here in the first place.
crowding, traffic, pollution, loss of community, crime, increased taxes, rising costs, crime, graffitti, gangs, citification,etc.
In the past, the County has maintained a fast track of growth, without regards to the consequences of their actions. They are supposed to represent the interests of the population instead of a few people and developers who will profit at the populations expense. New developments are not problems, too many develoments are going to be the problem.
More taxes
The cost of land and housing is outrageous. Our children can not afford to get into a small place let alone purchase 5 acres. Then all of the charges on top of that before they can even begin to build a home. Then there are the $ hungry land owners who are holding out to sell their property as one big chunk to a developer.
More traffic, sidewalks, lights,more schools-which we are already paying alot for the ones we have now,more demand on county services. The county seems to discourage many big businesses in, and they are needed with more people. Many residents already leave the county to shop.
Having them pay for themselves. The developer just forwards the costs to the buyer. Then people complain about their children affording a home here. Aspen, Vail, Telluride, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley etc, have not been able to fight it either. Roads need to be widened, and more stop lights on Main Street! More kids in school- we can't just build more schools, we have to pay teachers more to attract QUALITY teachers. That's what the new arrivals are expecting from our education system.
To many to fast, not enough infrastructure to maintain so many new people, main street is a death trap for our children, you can't cross main street unless you are at a light anymore.
The cost is out of control! New developments need to provide funds for truly affordable housing.
Increased traffic in rural areas with drivers not obeying speed limits. It was nice to go for a leisure drive in rural areas, now becoming not an option. Law enforcement rarely enforces speed limits, probably too busy with other issues brought on by increased population density. Developers expect water to be supplied to them, just because they want to develope.
Crowded streets, crime, pollution, greed.
Increase taxes,traffic congestion, pollution, over crowding,loss of rural feel
too much traffic, pollution, and overload on fire protection, and schools...I am old and I am sick of bonds
over running of water, sewer. pollution in the valley that we can not control. traffic, school impacts that are not now paid for by the developer. destroying of open space. destroying the watershed. And new developments seem to bring the need for more services that we neither need or want. New developments allow for our government to get larger and larger with no controls but plenty of spending. We need some wisdom from those involved and not deal making.
If poorly controlled and planned, the only benefit to would be increase retail options, but the quality and quantity of services available would decrease due to an overtaxed governmental system, crime rates would increase, damage to the environment would be greatly increased, and the quality of life would generally be degraded.
Higher taxes to cover increased needs like sewer, water, roads, law enforcement. Housing prices are too high for regular incomes. Restrictions in associations are expensive, limiting and unconstitutional.
too much density and not enough open space, trails, overall planning that is not changed by whims of those whose friends want to sell their property to developers for high density housing. Housing follow the guidelines of a plan that is secure.
1. What appears to be wide spread, haphazard development without sensible planning. 2. Spread of noxious weeds throughout the county with no enforcement of weed control required by developers and land owners. 3. Absentee landowners who take no interest at all in maintaining desirable vegetation such as range grass species to compete with undesirable vegetation. 4. Transportation of noxious weed seeds along with fill dirt and top soil from one site to another. 5. Loss of quality rural life style in Heber Valley. 6. Influx of drugs, gangs, and other undesirable elements into the Valley.
Too much growth for Heber City as it is now built. Overcrowded streets. Downtown Heber has too many cars/trucks/semis as it is.
Totally crowding out the farmland so that the area becomes too "metropolitan".
1. traffic congestion 2. conflicts between gricultural and residential users 3. increased demand for public services 4. increased air pollution
School crowding, rising property taxes, traffic congestion, noise and light polution, increases in crime and stress on county services.
Increased population. Increase demand for services. Increased taxes.
infrastructure not keeping up
More crime.
We have issues to face in the future with the ability to service all the homes. Where will all the trash go? The costs to haul and fill other counties landfill will one day leave us holding our own trash in a place we have not planned to do so! We will then charge the residents more for the services we can not provide as we did not prepare! The same is true of sewer. And with all the deveoplment that is under way let along upon the tables more trash and waste are coming! It appears as if one thought this area was going to be like timberlakes an area where people would build, pay taxes and leave for the rest of the year. People love it here and are willing to llive here no matter the cost. Ten years from now you will look in the phone book and names of the founders will no longer dominate the book it will be new people as the third generation after the founders sold out.
As the growsth accures in the unincorporated areas of Wasatch County there is a burden placed upon the Citizens in the cities in Wasatch County. Everyone shares for expences for say snow removal, Sheriff Dept., road repair, etc. Even though YOU pay for the expences incurred, you don't received the the same treatment if you live in the cities. Midway residents are charged for the Sheriff patroling the streets of Midway. When the snowplows reach the city limits the blades go up. I hope the citizens in the cities wake up soon before they are taxed to death subsidising the the people the live in the unicorporated ares of the county.
Taxes shouldn't go up but they will. We will have more employees and we already are heavy on that end of the scale. We are lacking the infrastructures talked about for years and yet nothing has been done about the talk. We need traffic off Main Street so it is a town rather than a freeway. This means the county and the city have to work as a team rather than two separate cities as they have done for years. We need to work with Daniel, Charleston and Midway. The plan needs to be for the betterment of all of the area rather than benefiting those in office with land or those in office working on borads for a pay check rather than serving. It has been like that for years. The number of new people hopefully won't put up with the networkings that have controlled things from schools to cops it will be a change but one for the better.
Development needs to include low lighting and planned areas for open space. The open space should have a purpose ratehr than just being left as weeds or liability to land owners and County as fire hazard.
The biggest problems will be those of transportation and services to the new developments. We will need more postal delivery people, water and sewer containment and treatment pants. Schools, parks, shopping and churches will be added to the mix. More people living here will demmand more areas for businesses. A palce should be planned for this. Get the city of Heber and Midway together with the County and plan where the shops will be and where the roads will be. Plan the traffic flow and build accordingly. Don't do what happened down at the new area where the two schools are in an industrial park - that was planning without a plan! Kids and trucks are not a good mix.
We see things that were traditions change because size changes the atmosphere of being small. Celebrations become events and the crowds get bigger with fewer faces that you recognize.
No water! Urban sprawl. Muirfield,Timpmeadows etc...........Cottage Homes.........Zermot......
No water, more crime.
Water issues, health issues, safety issues.
Force infrastructural changes. Increase our property taxes, and decrease the rural way of life we have i this valley
More traffic. No more small town atmosphere. More crime.
rising taxes and over crowded schools.
loss of farmland/
Traffic, loss of character of the valley, profits going to people from outside this valley and outside the state, pollution, noise, light pollution.
The lots sizes larger and more expensive. It will allow only higher income people moving here to be able to afford the cost.
They cost existing homeowners, higher values, higher taxes, etc. There must be an impact fee for preserving open space and paying for impacts.
Forcing small family owned businesses out,Too much traffic,not enough WATER!
Crowding,Schools, Water, Power, Road Use
Sewer, Water, Ifrastructure, grabage, crime, and schools finding the balance wil be the hardest part. once a grain it all comes to planing and vision.
Loss of open space; traffic; rising property taxes; need for other businesses and services that again drive further growth. Limited but growing pollution due to traffic and construction industries. Increased crime both in terms of population demographics and new "targets." Effects of economic disparity on community relations.
Too much growth, large beautiful fields being turned into housing developments
Brings in so many people and raises the prices of the homes already here.
cost of infrastructure, policing, water and sewer
No more a nice place to live. Just take a look at Salt Lake.
smog, traffic, noise
drug lord competition
over burden of schools
More governmental services, necessary educational infrastructure, increased traffic demanding expanded roads, traffic lights, drive times; decreased air quality, WATER PROBLEMS, and more.
More traffic, smog. Less open space, privacy
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Comments - Misc.
12. Please add any other comments.
we should have the best planners available to face he enormous problem facing wasatch county. It would be a good investment, Perhaps the coun ty and other muncipalities should have a unified planning gommision so developers can not use annexation and other threats to force the county to concede to their wishes.
Respoinsible groth need to continue. Key word here is "responsible". We need to curtail the "high density" development that all the developers want so they can maximize their instant profit and leave residents holding the bag. How come we don't push for more 1+ acre developments and even some 5+ acre ones. The county seems to cave in eventually to every developer that wants high density. There is plenty of financial incentive for 1-5 acre developments.Lets not turn into Snyderville!
I think there should be tax relief for those who moved here to retire and have no children.I moved here because I thought I could live on my social security and limited retirement funds and the taxed were affordable but they keep escalating.Tax children
When a new structure is planned an architectural drawing is usually created so those financing the project have a reasonably good idea of how it will look. It would be helpful if the various parties would likewise lay out verbally and graphically what the county should look like if their ideas were supported by the majority. What we seem to be getting are extreme views with disjointed pieces emphasized and no integrated, holistic picture of our county as it should be when the needs of all are considered.
Thank you for the opportunity to give input
Howard Jarvis sponosored the bill in question #11 in California in the 1970s and it was a boon to the state, not a bane. Mill levys need to drop when excess revenue comes in.
I have great concern, that our elected leaders are taking us down the wrong paths when it comes to growth. their problem solving abilities are based on emotion and the desire to please developers, more than looking at facts and long term solutions. citizens seem to be the last on their list of concerns.
Growth happens! How we manage it determines what our County will be. We moved here 35 years ago to get away from the city, now we are on the verge of becomming the city we moved to ger away from. Be wise!
I am in favor of growth but we need to be cautious that we don't lose the home town feeling. Need to make sure that we are controlling growth and growth is not controlling us.
Wasn't this decided in the bib box survey - A survey may be a good tool, if elected leaders listens.
Please bring in a Big Box so that school bonds can be paid by them. We are growing so quickly that we are not able to keep up with the demand for bringing money into our county. Let's not be pigheaded about what stores comes in. Look at our demographics, do we really need another gas station, tire place or bank? If we can get it into their contracts to be responsible for putting money into a school bond to build and or improve our schools would be best. If open space was a much as a park within the development would be great. We need to keep the kids off the streets and give them places to play and hang out instead of on the street. We need to get out of this small town mentality and start acting like Park City and letting our growth equal the amount of business we could be bringing in, instead of handing it off to other counties.
Is that constitutional to have old residents pay less than new ones??? We need to come to grips with our taxpayers traveling to other counties to shop at Costco, Target, etc. That is sales tax that would ofset property taxes! We can't be a bedroom community for Park City forever...We have to have a diverse economy that will sustain ourselves. Wake Up.
I am not happy about any of the decisions made in regard to developments by our County government. I thought the asphalt plant had been shut down and the next thing I knew there was smoke billowing across the valley. Way to go guys!! That was a good move. NOT
We could learn from our neighbor, Summit County. Everything we are going through they have already experienced. Our leaders need to seek advice and not ignore the help Summit County could provide. The two counties are becoming "The Wasatch Back" with similar issues throughout. With the development around the Jordanelle the Heber Valley, Park City and the Snyderville Basin are beginning to become one seamless community.
Wasatch county should take a lesson from Park City on Open Space preservation.
We moved here one year ago because of the country feel of the valley. Let's not turn it into another Park City, where the people are too snooty to even talk to you.
Is there ever going to be a tax exempt on seniors that are on a very limited income?
over the years, we have seen more govenment with fatter budgets, but it seems to be doing less and less. Our leaders seem to be making sweetheart deals with developers to get more money. all in all, we seem to be in trouble, but no one seems to be coming to our aid. There is a local program on our radio station, they raise the issues and talk with our leaders, but the problems remain the same. Everything our leaders seem to be doing, is always somehow tied to money. we are building things, but few people use what is built. Our leaders seem to spend money, even when it is in short supply and they are willing to raise our taxes to support their habits. I would think, in a few years, we will connect to park city and look like orem or someother place. The view from our mountains will be ugly, since all we will see is the roof tops of 100's of homes, that have brought nothing to our community except high taxes, more crime, traffic problems, and impacts on schools and other services we have.
Include conservation easements, open space, and orderly development in Land Use Planning.
Please, don't let our county turn into wall-to-wall homes as I have seen in other areas. We want to keep the rural, country feel. That's why we are here.
I don't want to be one of those who say: "Now that I'm here, everyone else 'stay out'." However, we have a chance to encourage development in such a way to preserve what makes this valley great; which is NOT "wall to wall" housing.
Question 4 and 5 are confusing. RA-1 seems to require specific land be set aside for agricultural usage. If land must be set aside for agricultural, this value must be subtracted from the total amount before dividing the amount of housing available.
There are too many small developments of relatively tasteless, suburban homes in the county. It creates a checkerboard effect with clusters of homes interspersed with agricultural land that will later be developed absent of a plan to consider any continuity of style or lot size.
All should share the burden of taxes fairly and old timers should never be favored or given preferential treatment unless they are on an income that would prohibit them from being able to pay their inflated taxes. In such cases a petition should be allowed and a review committee could adjust the taxes accordingly.
After talking with people that have moved into the valley, the predominant attitude that has been conveyed to me is that the "newcomers" want to stop the growth. It's almost as if they are saying, "I have mine, so let's close the doors so noone else can come in." An example of this is the big stores that have attempted to establish business in the valley. Almost all long term residents that I have talked to, want these stores. The "newcomers" express their concern about losing the small town "charm." I feel the small town "charm" was lost 30 years ago. Let's live in the now, not in the past. I feel all new structures should be taxed adequately to pay for all of the costs and the existing residents should not have to help cover the costs of sewer, water, road and other costs associated with the new developement. Make all new growth pay for itself! Then and only then will it be fair for the current residents who have lived here all their lives.
We are the Orange County of UT. It would be wise to look at the history of that area to understand where we are and where we are headed. Limits do not limit it only allows those with deep pockets to dwell here. Last year land was valued at 40k to 80k per acre. This year 80k to 140k. It seems unreal to those who have lived here so long and average to those who have come from other places. The county needs to plan for roads, sewter and waste disposal. Schools and churches will come as they are the bi product of housing sprawl. It is far too late it this county to hold back the land owners and say you are limited. There have been too many holes shot in plans and re configured plans to ever hold water or weight in a court of law. The idea is the views are beautiful here. The atmosphere is recreational for horse lovers, skiers both land and water, four wheeler owners and walkers bikers and hikers. We are the bedroom community to Utah County and to Salt Lake County. As summit gathers more soft industry we will bedroom them as well. We should work on soft industry and on organized comminities as that is all we are! Gone are the days of tractors humming at 5:00 a.m. and pa coming in for the noon meal. The pa's that will live here will be on the golf course at 5:30 and be home way after the sun sets in order to pay taxes in this county. We will see flight of long time residents who on limited incomes can not afford to live here. And those who have made the rules will in a decade be in the same situation that they too will be un able to stay. We have sold ourselves out for dollars and are now in a clamour to get a foundation under the house of cards!
The most successful counties in the state of Utah do not allow growth in the unincorporated ares of the county. If Wasatch County wants to be a city then incorporated!!
As a senior citizen the tax rates in this county will limit my time residing here. We will be buried here as we own those lots but we might have to be driven laying on our backs as we just don't make the money it takes to live here. In the planning of things I would suggest assisted living homes or parks where seniors can live in the area they were born in a small place that has limited fees like they have set up for low income families. Our home will be sold to a minority family on a special grant and low interest rate while we move to a condo in a city and for the first time lock our doors. A plan needs to include those who are in kindergarten now will still be residents of this County when they are seniors or we have sold our posterity out!
By placing a hold on taxes and forcing open space the freedom of the landowner is removed. Older people are under the burden of holding on to a property too large for them to take care of as tehy are under the lower tax law. It creates division in a community. The old are safe the new are burdened. The law should be the same for everyone. That is why we are in this pickle is that the laws have not benn consistent in this area since the seventies. We need to build a place where generations can still reside without having to work three jobs to do so.
Let the law be to govern not control. The land owner should be able to do what he wants with his land since he bought it and pays the taxes. Plan and stick to the plan. If it says no horses in Daniel and there are horse there now you have shot yourself in the foot! Plan for a five years, a decade, and out to 2050. Review the plan with the public yearly and make sure the paln reflects the needs of those who live here. For example: If no one owns horses in Heber Valley in 2030; we need to be thinking now what other uses the building built last year can be used for to benefit the community in the future. Plan with a purpose and plan for growth! Mostly what I have seen is some people having to build overkill to meet code and others not appearing to have any code. We need to get consistent. If it works in Midway it can work anywhere. Why re-invent the wheel!
I came to this area just like those who are coming here now. It is pretty and it is peaceful. It will always be pretty. If the roads and paths are put in place now it will still be peaceful. No one can control growth it just has to be managed. This place is in a boom mode. It will grow until it can't and then people will be doing surveys on growth for Tabby!
Houses are being built to close,to many on a lot,and are not'affordable'.
We need a county planning department that can and will direct and control growth and development in a professional and well educated manner, not development by the old boy network where dollars changing hands seals a deal
Dont just think about the money, think about the quality of our lives. Once we bring it all here it will never go away! Been there and have seen it ruin the small town I came from.
we went to the 7 person counsel, but they are not doing any better than the old 3 person counsel. They are not listening to what the people want.
Please save our valley from ending up like all the other "popular" places to live. Help us to save the farm. I would love to have more farm land, but how can we compete with these developers prices. We need to find a benefactor who will buy some of the farms and preserve them.
I think the people moving to this beautiful valley want to stop anyone else from moving here. It isn't going to happen. We need businesses to come in and keep the shopping in our county and add tax income. I am tired of driving (with the high gas prices) to Park City, Provo and Salt Lake City for everything we need. Logan is an example of a small town feel, but there are stores, shopping malls, places to eat and a main street with small businesses. Why can't Heber City have that too? I want my children to be able to afford to buy a home and live here. If only 1 acre lots and larger are allowed, who can afford them?
Prices of land are driven by profits the developer expects to make. The developer need to know there will be impact fees to pay - so let's get them in place NOW, not later.
Building is way out of control in our small valley,with the amount of water we have available Maybe I am old fashioned,lived here my entire life & it is,of course not the same,but growth could be controlled & planned better.
I know it is hard to keep every one happy it is harder to keep us happy when you keep changing the rules it should be the same for john dow as it is for the the old timer's in the valley. be honest, upfront, and having integrity, is the best policy don't twek thing or have heart burn your not puting your best foot forward when you say those things and we all know it!
But to make the law in question in #11 "constitutional," wouldn't there have to be some kind of allowance for newer owners once they had resided in the valley long enough? One final issue that should fit in this survey somewhere: we need a bypass route around Heber City. I think we have enough growth on its own to sustain area businesses (assuming we stand strong against Big Box stores)--the time to acquire land for a Highway 40 bypass route is now. That way, we can work to preserve the character of the valley--in conjunction with the municipalities--and still take advantage of it as a crossroads. We are enough of a destination spot now to do this--and that will only increase in the years ahead.
Please save the beauty of Heber. The fields and animals are why I moved here and bring such joy whenever I drive into Heber from SLC or Provo.
put in the bypass,slow traffic on Main St,make signage appropriate to downtown as opposed to having large "highway" type signage,have ordinances addressing "light pollution" in the valley, I want to be able to see the stars at night.
Please look at California taxes--Prop 13-This is the way to set the taxes.
We need low income housing and tax breaks for small business and large business that would bring in more revenue and honest working families
Subdivisions should have a higher density with clustering and have at leat 50% open space
There seems to be thoughtless control in subdivision growth and understandable, but shortsighted "cashing" in on land for money. The Heber Valley cannot sustain current growth without destroying its character and quality of life.
I think the zoning in the county could use improvement. Businesses need to be clustered into walkable areas. The oil change station at the Holiday Inn Express is like a sore thumb on the property. If this business had to go in that spot there should have been an architectural requirement to make it fit in. The dentist's office on the corner of the library lot also fights the architecture of the new library and blocks the view of that wonderful building. What makes a lot of resort type areas different is that they don't allow this type of haphazard development. I would also like to see the remaining historical buildings preserved. It would also be wonderful to have some trails, especially ones that allow horses in areas where horses are already on the properties such as the trails weaving through the homes in the north end of Park City. Thanks for allowing input into the development of our county.
we should have the best planners available to face he enormous problem facing wasatch county. It would be a good investment, Perhaps the coun ty and other muncipalities should have a unified planning gommision so developers can not use annexation and other threats to force the county to concede to their wishes.
Respoinsible groth need to continue. Key word here is "responsible". We need to curtail the "high density" development that all the developers want so they can maximize their instant profit and leave residents holding the bag. How come we don't push for more 1+ acre developments and even some 5+ acre ones. The county seems to cave in eventually to every developer that wants high density. There is plenty of financial incentive for 1-5 acre developments.Lets not turn into Snyderville!
I think there should be tax relief for those who moved here to retire and have no children.I moved here because I thought I could live on my social security and limited retirement funds and the taxed were affordable but they keep escalating.Tax children
When a new structure is planned an architectural drawing is usually created so those financing the project have a reasonably good idea of how it will look. It would be helpful if the various parties would likewise lay out verbally and graphically what the county should look like if their ideas were supported by the majority. What we seem to be getting are extreme views with disjointed pieces emphasized and no integrated, holistic picture of our county as it should be when the needs of all are considered.
Thank you for the opportunity to give input
Howard Jarvis sponosored the bill in question #11 in California in the 1970s and it was a boon to the state, not a bane. Mill levys need to drop when excess revenue comes in.
I have great concern, that our elected leaders are taking us down the wrong paths when it comes to growth. their problem solving abilities are based on emotion and the desire to please developers, more than looking at facts and long term solutions. citizens seem to be the last on their list of concerns.
Growth happens! How we manage it determines what our County will be. We moved here 35 years ago to get away from the city, now we are on the verge of becomming the city we moved to ger away from. Be wise!
I am in favor of growth but we need to be cautious that we don't lose the home town feeling. Need to make sure that we are controlling growth and growth is not controlling us.
Wasn't this decided in the bib box survey - A survey may be a good tool, if elected leaders listens.
Please bring in a Big Box so that school bonds can be paid by them. We are growing so quickly that we are not able to keep up with the demand for bringing money into our county. Let's not be pigheaded about what stores comes in. Look at our demographics, do we really need another gas station, tire place or bank? If we can get it into their contracts to be responsible for putting money into a school bond to build and or improve our schools would be best. If open space was a much as a park within the development would be great. We need to keep the kids off the streets and give them places to play and hang out instead of on the street. We need to get out of this small town mentality and start acting like Park City and letting our growth equal the amount of business we could be bringing in, instead of handing it off to other counties.
Is that constitutional to have old residents pay less than new ones??? We need to come to grips with our taxpayers traveling to other counties to shop at Costco, Target, etc. That is sales tax that would ofset property taxes! We can't be a bedroom community for Park City forever...We have to have a diverse economy that will sustain ourselves. Wake Up.
I am not happy about any of the decisions made in regard to developments by our County government. I thought the asphalt plant had been shut down and the next thing I knew there was smoke billowing across the valley. Way to go guys!! That was a good move. NOT
We could learn from our neighbor, Summit County. Everything we are going through they have already experienced. Our leaders need to seek advice and not ignore the help Summit County could provide. The two counties are becoming "The Wasatch Back" with similar issues throughout. With the development around the Jordanelle the Heber Valley, Park City and the Snyderville Basin are beginning to become one seamless community.
Wasatch county should take a lesson from Park City on Open Space preservation.
We moved here one year ago because of the country feel of the valley. Let's not turn it into another Park City, where the people are too snooty to even talk to you.
Is there ever going to be a tax exempt on seniors that are on a very limited income?
over the years, we have seen more govenment with fatter budgets, but it seems to be doing less and less. Our leaders seem to be making sweetheart deals with developers to get more money. all in all, we seem to be in trouble, but no one seems to be coming to our aid. There is a local program on our radio station, they raise the issues and talk with our leaders, but the problems remain the same. Everything our leaders seem to be doing, is always somehow tied to money. we are building things, but few people use what is built. Our leaders seem to spend money, even when it is in short supply and they are willing to raise our taxes to support their habits. I would think, in a few years, we will connect to park city and look like orem or someother place. The view from our mountains will be ugly, since all we will see is the roof tops of 100's of homes, that have brought nothing to our community except high taxes, more crime, traffic problems, and impacts on schools and other services we have.
Include conservation easements, open space, and orderly development in Land Use Planning.
Please, don't let our county turn into wall-to-wall homes as I have seen in other areas. We want to keep the rural, country feel. That's why we are here.
I don't want to be one of those who say: "Now that I'm here, everyone else 'stay out'." However, we have a chance to encourage development in such a way to preserve what makes this valley great; which is NOT "wall to wall" housing.
Question 4 and 5 are confusing. RA-1 seems to require specific land be set aside for agricultural usage. If land must be set aside for agricultural, this value must be subtracted from the total amount before dividing the amount of housing available.
There are too many small developments of relatively tasteless, suburban homes in the county. It creates a checkerboard effect with clusters of homes interspersed with agricultural land that will later be developed absent of a plan to consider any continuity of style or lot size.
All should share the burden of taxes fairly and old timers should never be favored or given preferential treatment unless they are on an income that would prohibit them from being able to pay their inflated taxes. In such cases a petition should be allowed and a review committee could adjust the taxes accordingly.
After talking with people that have moved into the valley, the predominant attitude that has been conveyed to me is that the "newcomers" want to stop the growth. It's almost as if they are saying, "I have mine, so let's close the doors so noone else can come in." An example of this is the big stores that have attempted to establish business in the valley. Almost all long term residents that I have talked to, want these stores. The "newcomers" express their concern about losing the small town "charm." I feel the small town "charm" was lost 30 years ago. Let's live in the now, not in the past. I feel all new structures should be taxed adequately to pay for all of the costs and the existing residents should not have to help cover the costs of sewer, water, road and other costs associated with the new developement. Make all new growth pay for itself! Then and only then will it be fair for the current residents who have lived here all their lives.
We are the Orange County of UT. It would be wise to look at the history of that area to understand where we are and where we are headed. Limits do not limit it only allows those with deep pockets to dwell here. Last year land was valued at 40k to 80k per acre. This year 80k to 140k. It seems unreal to those who have lived here so long and average to those who have come from other places. The county needs to plan for roads, sewter and waste disposal. Schools and churches will come as they are the bi product of housing sprawl. It is far too late it this county to hold back the land owners and say you are limited. There have been too many holes shot in plans and re configured plans to ever hold water or weight in a court of law. The idea is the views are beautiful here. The atmosphere is recreational for horse lovers, skiers both land and water, four wheeler owners and walkers bikers and hikers. We are the bedroom community to Utah County and to Salt Lake County. As summit gathers more soft industry we will bedroom them as well. We should work on soft industry and on organized comminities as that is all we are! Gone are the days of tractors humming at 5:00 a.m. and pa coming in for the noon meal. The pa's that will live here will be on the golf course at 5:30 and be home way after the sun sets in order to pay taxes in this county. We will see flight of long time residents who on limited incomes can not afford to live here. And those who have made the rules will in a decade be in the same situation that they too will be un able to stay. We have sold ourselves out for dollars and are now in a clamour to get a foundation under the house of cards!
The most successful counties in the state of Utah do not allow growth in the unincorporated ares of the county. If Wasatch County wants to be a city then incorporated!!
As a senior citizen the tax rates in this county will limit my time residing here. We will be buried here as we own those lots but we might have to be driven laying on our backs as we just don't make the money it takes to live here. In the planning of things I would suggest assisted living homes or parks where seniors can live in the area they were born in a small place that has limited fees like they have set up for low income families. Our home will be sold to a minority family on a special grant and low interest rate while we move to a condo in a city and for the first time lock our doors. A plan needs to include those who are in kindergarten now will still be residents of this County when they are seniors or we have sold our posterity out!
By placing a hold on taxes and forcing open space the freedom of the landowner is removed. Older people are under the burden of holding on to a property too large for them to take care of as tehy are under the lower tax law. It creates division in a community. The old are safe the new are burdened. The law should be the same for everyone. That is why we are in this pickle is that the laws have not benn consistent in this area since the seventies. We need to build a place where generations can still reside without having to work three jobs to do so.
Let the law be to govern not control. The land owner should be able to do what he wants with his land since he bought it and pays the taxes. Plan and stick to the plan. If it says no horses in Daniel and there are horse there now you have shot yourself in the foot! Plan for a five years, a decade, and out to 2050. Review the plan with the public yearly and make sure the paln reflects the needs of those who live here. For example: If no one owns horses in Heber Valley in 2030; we need to be thinking now what other uses the building built last year can be used for to benefit the community in the future. Plan with a purpose and plan for growth! Mostly what I have seen is some people having to build overkill to meet code and others not appearing to have any code. We need to get consistent. If it works in Midway it can work anywhere. Why re-invent the wheel!
I came to this area just like those who are coming here now. It is pretty and it is peaceful. It will always be pretty. If the roads and paths are put in place now it will still be peaceful. No one can control growth it just has to be managed. This place is in a boom mode. It will grow until it can't and then people will be doing surveys on growth for Tabby!
Houses are being built to close,to many on a lot,and are not'affordable'.
We need a county planning department that can and will direct and control growth and development in a professional and well educated manner, not development by the old boy network where dollars changing hands seals a deal
Dont just think about the money, think about the quality of our lives. Once we bring it all here it will never go away! Been there and have seen it ruin the small town I came from.
we went to the 7 person counsel, but they are not doing any better than the old 3 person counsel. They are not listening to what the people want.
Please save our valley from ending up like all the other "popular" places to live. Help us to save the farm. I would love to have more farm land, but how can we compete with these developers prices. We need to find a benefactor who will buy some of the farms and preserve them.
I think the people moving to this beautiful valley want to stop anyone else from moving here. It isn't going to happen. We need businesses to come in and keep the shopping in our county and add tax income. I am tired of driving (with the high gas prices) to Park City, Provo and Salt Lake City for everything we need. Logan is an example of a small town feel, but there are stores, shopping malls, places to eat and a main street with small businesses. Why can't Heber City have that too? I want my children to be able to afford to buy a home and live here. If only 1 acre lots and larger are allowed, who can afford them?
Prices of land are driven by profits the developer expects to make. The developer need to know there will be impact fees to pay - so let's get them in place NOW, not later.
Building is way out of control in our small valley,with the amount of water we have available Maybe I am old fashioned,lived here my entire life & it is,of course not the same,but growth could be controlled & planned better.
I know it is hard to keep every one happy it is harder to keep us happy when you keep changing the rules it should be the same for john dow as it is for the the old timer's in the valley. be honest, upfront, and having integrity, is the best policy don't twek thing or have heart burn your not puting your best foot forward when you say those things and we all know it!
But to make the law in question in #11 "constitutional," wouldn't there have to be some kind of allowance for newer owners once they had resided in the valley long enough? One final issue that should fit in this survey somewhere: we need a bypass route around Heber City. I think we have enough growth on its own to sustain area businesses (assuming we stand strong against Big Box stores)--the time to acquire land for a Highway 40 bypass route is now. That way, we can work to preserve the character of the valley--in conjunction with the municipalities--and still take advantage of it as a crossroads. We are enough of a destination spot now to do this--and that will only increase in the years ahead.
Please save the beauty of Heber. The fields and animals are why I moved here and bring such joy whenever I drive into Heber from SLC or Provo.
put in the bypass,slow traffic on Main St,make signage appropriate to downtown as opposed to having large "highway" type signage,have ordinances addressing "light pollution" in the valley, I want to be able to see the stars at night.
Please look at California taxes--Prop 13-This is the way to set the taxes.
We need low income housing and tax breaks for small business and large business that would bring in more revenue and honest working families
Subdivisions should have a higher density with clustering and have at leat 50% open space
There seems to be thoughtless control in subdivision growth and understandable, but shortsighted "cashing" in on land for money. The Heber Valley cannot sustain current growth without destroying its character and quality of life.
I think the zoning in the county could use improvement. Businesses need to be clustered into walkable areas. The oil change station at the Holiday Inn Express is like a sore thumb on the property. If this business had to go in that spot there should have been an architectural requirement to make it fit in. The dentist's office on the corner of the library lot also fights the architecture of the new library and blocks the view of that wonderful building. What makes a lot of resort type areas different is that they don't allow this type of haphazard development. I would also like to see the remaining historical buildings preserved. It would also be wonderful to have some trails, especially ones that allow horses in areas where horses are already on the properties such as the trails weaving through the homes in the north end of Park City. Thanks for allowing input into the development of our county.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Another Moratorium!!!
Lo and behold, Wasatch County has discovered that the "solution" to the previous moratorium was unworkable and another moratorium has been enacted at the Wednesday Council meeting 7/12.
Trying not to gloat, I'll simply refer the reader to this posted on Feb 22.
Citizens of Wasatch have another opportunity to speak up about growth - if they will take it. Otherwise, I fear more of the same - or even worse.
Wasatch County Population 2005 - 18,974
Projection based on already approved developments - at very conservative 8.000 approved (probably 9 to 10,000) - add another 24,000 to 30,000 plus all of the other developments not yet introduced.
Trying not to gloat, I'll simply refer the reader to this posted on Feb 22.
Citizens of Wasatch have another opportunity to speak up about growth - if they will take it. Otherwise, I fear more of the same - or even worse.
Wasatch County Population 2005 - 18,974
Projection based on already approved developments - at very conservative 8.000 approved (probably 9 to 10,000) - add another 24,000 to 30,000 plus all of the other developments not yet introduced.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
More Developments - Pre 2003
Many of these developments were approved by the old County Commissioners prior to the cahnge of government. Some of partially complete, most are still waiting for who knows what.
At an average of merely 3 persons per Household, these 7600 ERU's could account for 22,800 people in Wasatch County. (Many may be secondary homes, which are generally an economic benefit to the county.)
At an average of merely 3 persons per Household, these 7600 ERU's could account for 22,800 people in Wasatch County. (Many may be secondary homes, which are generally an economic benefit to the county.)
| pre 2003 | North Village | estimated | 1000 | ||
| pre 2003 | Sorenson | estimated | 1000 | ||
| pre 2003 | Beaufontaine | 1600 E Lake Ck Rd. | estimated | 100 | |
| Nov 2002 | Crossings | (150 shown above) | 538 | 336 | |
| 2005 | Strawberry Pines | 316 | 1002 | ||
| pre 2003 | Cobblestone | 1200 S | some remaining | 127 | 98 |
| pre 2003 | Lake Creek Farms | Wild Mare | some remaining | ||
| pre 2003 | Greener Hills | ||||
| pre 2003 | Victory Ranch | estimated | 1000 | ||
| pre 2003 | Aspens at Jordanelle | 1348 | |||
| pre 2003 | Tuhaye | estimated | 600 | ||
| pre 2003 | Hideout Canyon | estimated | 100 | ||
| Midway | ??? | ||||
| Heber City | ??? | ||||
| Proposals: | |||||
| Aug 2006 | Red Ledges | 1468 | 1900 | ||
| Aug 2006 | Spring Hollow | 3200 E Lk Ck | 19 | 26 | |
| Aug 2006 | The Woods | 600 S 2200 E | Cobblestone | 9 | 12 |
| 7625 |
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
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:
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:
| 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 |
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Candidate No More
Regettably (or more truthfully, thankfully), my fellow delegates opted to support the incumbent.
Monday, April 03, 2006
County Council Candidacy
Fellow Republicans:
It is now one month before the convention on April 29. Feel free to contact me by phone or email or comment here with your questions or comments. I’d love to get your input. I would also invite you to visit my blog for some of my ideas and comments on Wasatch County issues.
Some of you may remember me from my letters and columns in the Wasatch Wave; others may remember my advocacy for the change to a Council form of County Government. Wasatch County was changed to a better form of government, we now need representatives who will be more responsive to the people of the County and embrace the change to more citizen involvement. In the court case over the change issue, Judge Eyre said, ". . . it is the intent of this court to give effect to the express will of the people . . ."
My issues in this campaign are basically threefold:
Growth: Wasatch County growth continues at an accelerating rate. While a moratorium was established, the enacted solution has failed to solve the problem of proper management of growth issues. We need to do more to protect our "small-town," rural valley from becoming Wasatch City. Zoning regulations are for the purpose of protecting the welfare of the community as a whole.
Two questions need to be asked and answered:
1 "Has anything substantially changed to manage growth in the last four years?
2 "What will the Heber Valley look like in ten or twenty years with the current growth philosophy and laws?
Openness in government: We need to do more to solicit community input and provide information to our citizens. The mere placing of a public notice that meets strict legal requirements may not be sufficient to keep people aware of future plans. I will work towards enhancing and enlarging available information to the citizenry. Informed people will result in a better government.
With the introduction of a new form government, the intent was to encourage more citizen involvement in local government and to create more open communications to and from the County government.
1 Have you been encouraged to become more involved?
2 Is your opinion being sought? Are you being heard?
3 Are you getting more and better information about proposals and decisions being made?
Lower Taxes: Every "politician" quotes that mantra. I have a record of being a tax watchdog and actively participate in attempting to save the taxpayers money. Residential development generally has a great negative fiscal impact on the taxpayers of the County and growth must be properly managed. Economy in fiscal management must be the watchword in County operation.
Robert Wren.
It is now one month before the convention on April 29. Feel free to contact me by phone or email or comment here with your questions or comments. I’d love to get your input. I would also invite you to visit my blog for some of my ideas and comments on Wasatch County issues.
Some of you may remember me from my letters and columns in the Wasatch Wave; others may remember my advocacy for the change to a Council form of County Government. Wasatch County was changed to a better form of government, we now need representatives who will be more responsive to the people of the County and embrace the change to more citizen involvement. In the court case over the change issue, Judge Eyre said, ". . . it is the intent of this court to give effect to the express will of the people . . ."
My issues in this campaign are basically threefold:
Growth: Wasatch County growth continues at an accelerating rate. While a moratorium was established, the enacted solution has failed to solve the problem of proper management of growth issues. We need to do more to protect our "small-town," rural valley from becoming Wasatch City. Zoning regulations are for the purpose of protecting the welfare of the community as a whole.
Two questions need to be asked and answered:
1 "Has anything substantially changed to manage growth in the last four years?
2 "What will the Heber Valley look like in ten or twenty years with the current growth philosophy and laws?
Openness in government: We need to do more to solicit community input and provide information to our citizens. The mere placing of a public notice that meets strict legal requirements may not be sufficient to keep people aware of future plans. I will work towards enhancing and enlarging available information to the citizenry. Informed people will result in a better government.
With the introduction of a new form government, the intent was to encourage more citizen involvement in local government and to create more open communications to and from the County government.
1 Have you been encouraged to become more involved?
2 Is your opinion being sought? Are you being heard?
3 Are you getting more and better information about proposals and decisions being made?
Lower Taxes: Every "politician" quotes that mantra. I have a record of being a tax watchdog and actively participate in attempting to save the taxpayers money. Residential development generally has a great negative fiscal impact on the taxpayers of the County and growth must be properly managed. Economy in fiscal management must be the watchword in County operation.
My past experience includes a long record of service in the Republican Party as:
- County Chairman,
- State Central Committee member,
- Many terms as state and county delegate,
- Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
- Author and Sponsor of the Resolution on determining cost of Illegal aliens to the taxpayers of Utah which was passed overwhelmingly by the delegates in 2005.
My other experience that might be considered is varied:
- a longtime student of governmental principles and practices,
- accomplished as a researcher and analyst,
- trained as an engineer,
- owner and manager of a local retail business and
- retired from my primary occupation as a Captain for a major airline.
- For the last three years, I have served on the County Planning Commission and agree with the statement in the Development Moratorium (Ordinance 05-11) "zoning regulations in the RA-1 zone are currently inadequate to protect this valuable asset (rural atmosphere, open space and agricultural feel)" from the "unprecedented growth pressure in the form of multiple large scale subdivisions applications and corresponding loss of agricultural use, open space and rural atmosphere."
- winner of the Wasatch County portion of primary for Utah State Representative, but regrettably lost to current Rep. Gordon Snow when Duschesne County turned out more voters.
My name is Robert Wren, and I am asking for your support as the nominee of the Republican Party for the Wasatch County Council at-large seat A. I am a strong supporter of the Republican Party principles and Platform and a firm believer in the idea of limited government, lower taxes and individual responsibility.
I believe in the triplet:
- Make good rules,
- Follow the rules,
- If the rules aren't good - change them.
In accordance with Wasatch County bylaw 7.2, I declare that:
I have read the Utah State and County Republican Party Platforms. I support those Platforms and accept them as the standard by which my performance as a candidate and as an officeholder should be judged.
Robert Wren.
Friday, March 31, 2006
March News bits
3/30 Sanderson to take Iowa State postSioux City Journal - Sioux City,IA,USA... collegiate champ with a 159-0 record. The native of Heber City, Utah, has been a full-time assistant at Iowa State the past two seasons. ...
Malcolm H. Beck has carved out an enduring legacyDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... Beck was born a twin in Heber City but grew up in American Fork, graduating from American Fork High School, attending the College of Eastern Utah, Brigham ...
National honor caps Fackrell's Westminster careerSalt Lake Tribune - United States... potential All-American. A Utahn by way of Lehi and Heber City, Fackrell came to Westminster with patellar tendonitis in both knees. ...
Lehi's Swenson throws perfect game; Wasatch soccer winsDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... Wasatch 4, Morgan 3: At Heber City, there was hail, snow, wind, sleet, sun and snow during the game, but the Wasps had to also contend with a persistent Morgan ...
3/29 Cowboys stung by Wasps on diamondTooele Transcript-Bulletin - Tooele,UT,USA... for nine runs in the first two innings while Wasatch tandem Jeff Kohler and Josh Provost combined for a no-hit shutout to propel the Heber City-based school to ...
Buffs show poise in victoriesTooele Transcript-Bulletin - Tooele,UT,USA... Lindquist Field. The Buffs are scheduled also to venture to Heber City Saturday for a preseason contest with the Wasps at noon. The game ...
Treatment plant stops accepting septic tanksDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USAThe action by the Heber Valley Special Service District and Wastewater Treatment Facility, which serves Heber City, Midway, Jordanelle and outlying subdivisions ...
3/27 Hurricane Resident Turns 90Hurricane Valley Journal - Hurricane,UT,USA... She then attended the University of Utah and became a schoolteacher. After one year of teaching at Charleston, near Heber City, Utah, Leila decided to marry. ...
Talent PoolSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Theater Company is holding auditions for "The Music Man" on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm at the Senior Citizens Center 465 E. 1200 South in Heber City. ...
3/26 Hurricane Resident Turns 90Hurricane Valley Journal - Hurricane,UT,USA... She then attended the University of Utah and became a schoolteacher. After one year of teaching at Charleston, near Heber City, Utah, Leila decided to marry. ...
Talent PoolSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Theater Company is holding auditions for "The Music Man" on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm at the Senior Citizens Center 465 E. 1200 South in Heber City. ...
3/24 Walk-on quarterbacks have big dreamsDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... McEuen (6-2 200) had an All-State senior year at Wasatch High in Heber City, throwing for 2,539 yards and 23 touchdowns in leading the Wasps to the 3A state ...
Buffs don’t waste opportunitiesTooele Transcript-Bulletin - Tooele,UT,USA... squad is also set to travel to Murray Tuesday for a preseason tilt with the Spartans at 3:30 pm The Buffs are also scheduled to venture to Heber City April 1 ...
Campus notesDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Shalee Fackrell, 6-foot center from Heber City, has been named to the Kodak/WBCA All-America First Team. Fackrell ...
3/23 Field notesJackson Hole Star-Tribune - Casper,WY,USA... press release. Regional tournaments are scheduled near Heber City, Utah on March 31-April 2, and in Michigan on May 6-7. For more ...
Utah Business in BriefSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Parts stores in 22 Western states, has announced it is opening six new Checker Auto Parts stores in Centerville, Herriman, Draper, Midvale, Heber City and Provo ...
Prep baseball roundupDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... LP--Curtis. 2B--Reynolds (T), Brinkerhoff (S). Wasatch 3, Uintah 0: At Heber City, the Wasps shutout visiting Uintah in its first Region 10 game of the season. ...
3/21 Cowboys beat Bulldogs, fall to PioneersTooele Transcript-Bulletin - Tooele,UT,USA... The Cowboys are slated to venture to Heber City Thursday for a non-league affair against the Wasps at 3 pm but the game could be moved to Grantsville due to ...
Talking sports — Arguing buddies go publicDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USAHEBER CITY — Wasatch High School buds Tyler Moss and Tyler Baird like to argue. They're actually good friends at heart, but seeing ...
3/20 2006 Season PreviewBYUCougars.com - Provo,UT,USA... Barrett is a 6-foot-2 freshman from Timpview HS in Provo, while McEuen enters camp as a 6-foot-2 freshman from Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah. ...
3/18 US relay slow to startSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Heber City's Chris Klebl struggled with the mass start, where racers have to jockey for position like the start of a 1,500-meter track race. ...
High School Baseball Players Accused Of HazingKUTV - Salt Lake City,UT,USAGEORGE Several Wasatch High School baseball players are accused of hazing and ... The Washington County Attorney's Office will then determine whether charges will ...
3/17 Summit County mulls changing form of governmentSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Grand and Wasatch counties have seven-member councils with appointed managers. Morgan County elects a seven-member council, but has no executive. ...
3/16 Steve Cook Claims Second Cross-Country Skiing Gold at ParalympicsFirst Tracks - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... In the men’s sit-skier 10K, Chris Klebl (LW-11; Heber City, UT) had the top US result, finishing 18th. Kelly Underkofler (LW-8; St. ...
Steve Cook wins gold medal in 10K raceUSOlympicTeam.com - USA... In the men’s sitting 10K race, Chris Klebl (Heber City, Utah) was the highest US finisher, taking 18th place with a time of 29:24.3. ...
3 Utah art students honoredDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... Congressional District. • Brandon Cullimore, Wasatch High School in Heber City — 2nd Congressional District. • Kent Miller ...
PC Enclosures, Inc. Provides Innovative and Unique Computer ...Automation.com (press release) - Eden Prairie,MN,USA... A wall mount bracket option is also available. PC Enclosures is based in Heber City, UT, 40 Miles SE of Salt Lake City, UT. At PC ...
Olympian is finally the fastestDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... in 1912; Natalie Williams of Taylorsville, who was on the winning US women's basketball team at Sydney in 2000; and Cael Sanderson of Heber City, who got his ...
3/15 Police investigate possible hazingDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... George police are investigating an alleged hazing incident involving members of Heber City's Wasatch High School baseball team. ...
Update: Utah Paralympian wins second goldSalt Lake Tribune - United States... 16th. In the men's sitting 10K, Chris Klebl of Heber City was 18th, the highest US finisher. Russia's Tara Kryjonovski won the gold.
For the RecordSalt Lake Tribune - United States... There were no injuries. The Wasatch County School District is investigating, and several players have been suspended, said Superintendent Terry Shoemaker.
3/14 Hazing Allegations Get Students SuspendedKSL-TV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... Terry Shoemaker, Superintendent, Wasatch County School District: "No such activity involving hazing will be tolerated in our school district. ...
3/14 First patent awarded in 1790Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... 60/421,212, filed Oct. 25, 2002. Patent No. 6,996,864. • Quick and easy campfire. John Leo Paul III, Heber City. Filed Nov. 7, 2003. Patent No. 6,997,176. ...
3/10 Road conditions blamed for string of car accidentsDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... US Highway 189 in Provo Canyon was a closed for about 45 minutes while Wasatch County authorities responded to an accident on their side of the canyon, he said ...
3/7 Tech college gets campus fundsDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... There also are campuses in American Fork, Springville, Heber City and Park City. In the fall, a new campus will open in Spanish Fork.
3/2 Home costs in Utah see a big jumpDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... a real estate developer in Wasatch County, said home prices at his high-end Cobblestone development, located two miles east of Heber City's Main Street, have ...
3/1 Salt Lake Dining Awards -- eat 'em upDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... And Barbara Hill of Snake Creek Grill in Heber City won the unofficial award for "Best Rock Star Strut" as she boogied her way up to accept her two awards.
Malcolm H. Beck has carved out an enduring legacyDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... Beck was born a twin in Heber City but grew up in American Fork, graduating from American Fork High School, attending the College of Eastern Utah, Brigham ...
National honor caps Fackrell's Westminster careerSalt Lake Tribune - United States... potential All-American. A Utahn by way of Lehi and Heber City, Fackrell came to Westminster with patellar tendonitis in both knees. ...
Lehi's Swenson throws perfect game; Wasatch soccer winsDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... Wasatch 4, Morgan 3: At Heber City, there was hail, snow, wind, sleet, sun and snow during the game, but the Wasps had to also contend with a persistent Morgan ...
3/29 Cowboys stung by Wasps on diamondTooele Transcript-Bulletin - Tooele,UT,USA... for nine runs in the first two innings while Wasatch tandem Jeff Kohler and Josh Provost combined for a no-hit shutout to propel the Heber City-based school to ...
Buffs show poise in victoriesTooele Transcript-Bulletin - Tooele,UT,USA... Lindquist Field. The Buffs are scheduled also to venture to Heber City Saturday for a preseason contest with the Wasps at noon. The game ...
Treatment plant stops accepting septic tanksDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USAThe action by the Heber Valley Special Service District and Wastewater Treatment Facility, which serves Heber City, Midway, Jordanelle and outlying subdivisions ...
3/27 Hurricane Resident Turns 90Hurricane Valley Journal - Hurricane,UT,USA... She then attended the University of Utah and became a schoolteacher. After one year of teaching at Charleston, near Heber City, Utah, Leila decided to marry. ...
Talent PoolSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Theater Company is holding auditions for "The Music Man" on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm at the Senior Citizens Center 465 E. 1200 South in Heber City. ...
3/26 Hurricane Resident Turns 90Hurricane Valley Journal - Hurricane,UT,USA... She then attended the University of Utah and became a schoolteacher. After one year of teaching at Charleston, near Heber City, Utah, Leila decided to marry. ...
Talent PoolSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Theater Company is holding auditions for "The Music Man" on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm at the Senior Citizens Center 465 E. 1200 South in Heber City. ...
3/24 Walk-on quarterbacks have big dreamsDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... McEuen (6-2 200) had an All-State senior year at Wasatch High in Heber City, throwing for 2,539 yards and 23 touchdowns in leading the Wasps to the 3A state ...
Buffs don’t waste opportunitiesTooele Transcript-Bulletin - Tooele,UT,USA... squad is also set to travel to Murray Tuesday for a preseason tilt with the Spartans at 3:30 pm The Buffs are also scheduled to venture to Heber City April 1 ...
Campus notesDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Shalee Fackrell, 6-foot center from Heber City, has been named to the Kodak/WBCA All-America First Team. Fackrell ...
3/23 Field notesJackson Hole Star-Tribune - Casper,WY,USA... press release. Regional tournaments are scheduled near Heber City, Utah on March 31-April 2, and in Michigan on May 6-7. For more ...
Utah Business in BriefSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Parts stores in 22 Western states, has announced it is opening six new Checker Auto Parts stores in Centerville, Herriman, Draper, Midvale, Heber City and Provo ...
Prep baseball roundupDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... LP--Curtis. 2B--Reynolds (T), Brinkerhoff (S). Wasatch 3, Uintah 0: At Heber City, the Wasps shutout visiting Uintah in its first Region 10 game of the season. ...
3/21 Cowboys beat Bulldogs, fall to PioneersTooele Transcript-Bulletin - Tooele,UT,USA... The Cowboys are slated to venture to Heber City Thursday for a non-league affair against the Wasps at 3 pm but the game could be moved to Grantsville due to ...
Talking sports — Arguing buddies go publicDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USAHEBER CITY — Wasatch High School buds Tyler Moss and Tyler Baird like to argue. They're actually good friends at heart, but seeing ...
3/20 2006 Season PreviewBYUCougars.com - Provo,UT,USA... Barrett is a 6-foot-2 freshman from Timpview HS in Provo, while McEuen enters camp as a 6-foot-2 freshman from Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah. ...
3/18 US relay slow to startSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Heber City's Chris Klebl struggled with the mass start, where racers have to jockey for position like the start of a 1,500-meter track race. ...
High School Baseball Players Accused Of HazingKUTV - Salt Lake City,UT,USAGEORGE Several Wasatch High School baseball players are accused of hazing and ... The Washington County Attorney's Office will then determine whether charges will ...
3/17 Summit County mulls changing form of governmentSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Grand and Wasatch counties have seven-member councils with appointed managers. Morgan County elects a seven-member council, but has no executive. ...
3/16 Steve Cook Claims Second Cross-Country Skiing Gold at ParalympicsFirst Tracks - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... In the men’s sit-skier 10K, Chris Klebl (LW-11; Heber City, UT) had the top US result, finishing 18th. Kelly Underkofler (LW-8; St. ...
Steve Cook wins gold medal in 10K raceUSOlympicTeam.com - USA... In the men’s sitting 10K race, Chris Klebl (Heber City, Utah) was the highest US finisher, taking 18th place with a time of 29:24.3. ...
3 Utah art students honoredDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... Congressional District. • Brandon Cullimore, Wasatch High School in Heber City — 2nd Congressional District. • Kent Miller ...
PC Enclosures, Inc. Provides Innovative and Unique Computer ...Automation.com (press release) - Eden Prairie,MN,USA... A wall mount bracket option is also available. PC Enclosures is based in Heber City, UT, 40 Miles SE of Salt Lake City, UT. At PC ...
Olympian is finally the fastestDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... in 1912; Natalie Williams of Taylorsville, who was on the winning US women's basketball team at Sydney in 2000; and Cael Sanderson of Heber City, who got his ...
3/15 Police investigate possible hazingDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... George police are investigating an alleged hazing incident involving members of Heber City's Wasatch High School baseball team. ...
Update: Utah Paralympian wins second goldSalt Lake Tribune - United States... 16th. In the men's sitting 10K, Chris Klebl of Heber City was 18th, the highest US finisher. Russia's Tara Kryjonovski won the gold.
For the RecordSalt Lake Tribune - United States... There were no injuries. The Wasatch County School District is investigating, and several players have been suspended, said Superintendent Terry Shoemaker.
3/14 Hazing Allegations Get Students SuspendedKSL-TV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... Terry Shoemaker, Superintendent, Wasatch County School District: "No such activity involving hazing will be tolerated in our school district. ...
3/14 First patent awarded in 1790Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... 60/421,212, filed Oct. 25, 2002. Patent No. 6,996,864. • Quick and easy campfire. John Leo Paul III, Heber City. Filed Nov. 7, 2003. Patent No. 6,997,176. ...
3/10 Road conditions blamed for string of car accidentsDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... US Highway 189 in Provo Canyon was a closed for about 45 minutes while Wasatch County authorities responded to an accident on their side of the canyon, he said ...
3/7 Tech college gets campus fundsDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... There also are campuses in American Fork, Springville, Heber City and Park City. In the fall, a new campus will open in Spanish Fork.
3/2 Home costs in Utah see a big jumpDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... a real estate developer in Wasatch County, said home prices at his high-end Cobblestone development, located two miles east of Heber City's Main Street, have ...
3/1 Salt Lake Dining Awards -- eat 'em upDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... And Barbara Hill of Snake Creek Grill in Heber City won the unofficial award for "Best Rock Star Strut" as she boogied her way up to accept her two awards.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Wasatch County Candidates 2006
County Council At Large Seat, A
Jay Price
Rep.
Rudi Kohler
Dem.
Robert Wren
Rep.
Heber North Seat, C
Val Draper
Rep.
Paul Royall
Rep.
County East Seat, F
Neil G. Anderton
Dem.
Assessor
Glen C. Burgener
Rep.
Wayne Hardman
Dem.
Attorney
Thomas L. Low
Rep.
Clerk/Auditor
Brent R. Titcomb
Rep.
Recorder
Liz (Parcell) Palmier
Dem.
Sheriff
Ken Van Wagoner
Rep.
Kory Newbold
Dem.
Surveyor
James C. Kaiserman Sr.
Rep.
Treasurer
Karolyn Wall
Dem.
School Board
(Non-Partisan)
District #4
Ann Horner
District #5
Helen M. Robinson
Kristine Nichols
Jay Price
Rep.
Rudi Kohler
Dem.
Robert Wren
Rep.
Heber North Seat, C
Val Draper
Rep.
Paul Royall
Rep.
County East Seat, F
Neil G. Anderton
Dem.
Assessor
Glen C. Burgener
Rep.
Wayne Hardman
Dem.
Attorney
Thomas L. Low
Rep.
Clerk/Auditor
Brent R. Titcomb
Rep.
Recorder
Liz (Parcell) Palmier
Dem.
Sheriff
Ken Van Wagoner
Rep.
Kory Newbold
Dem.
Surveyor
James C. Kaiserman Sr.
Rep.
Treasurer
Karolyn Wall
Dem.
School Board
(Non-Partisan)
District #4
Ann Horner
District #5
Helen M. Robinson
Kristine Nichols
Candidates for 2006 - State
Utah Senate, District 26
James F. Allen M.D.
218 W. 5250 N., Vernal, UT 84078
435-789-0534
Republican cowboydoc@hotmail.com
Laird Fetzer Hamblin
Route 1 Box 1524, Roosevelt, UT 84066
435-353-4859
Democratic hamblin@ublanet.com
Jerry Owens
79 N. Johnson Mill Rd., Midway, UT 84049
801-680-7512
Constitution jerryleeowens@yahoo.com
Gordon A. Peterson
396 Cottage Creek Ct., Midway, UT 84049
435-654-4970
Republican gordoup@byu.net
Sonya Ray
200 S. 1500 W., Vernal, UT 84078
801-789-3693
Constitution sonya4senate@ubtanet.com
David Ure
661 S. Lambert Ln, Kamas, UT 84036
801-699-9849
Republican
Roland Uresk
65 N. Wendell Ln., Roosevelt, UT 84066
435-722-4668
Democratic ruresk@aol.com
Kevin T. VanTassell
3424 W. 1500 N., Vernal, UT 84078
435-789-0724
Republican kevint@sbtnet.com
Utah Representative, District 26 (mis-filing or mystery filing??)
Michael L. Kohler
990 N. River Rd., Midway, UT 84049
435-654-3728
Republican mike@midwayfloor.com
Utah Representative, District 53
Laura Bonham
2700 Homestead Rd. Suite 1200A, Park City, UT 84098
Democratic clbonham@allwest.net
Mel Brown
P.O. Box 697, Coalville, UT 84017
435-336-3309
Republican mjkinc02@yahoo.com
R. Dee Putnam
1404 S. 1000 W., Kamas, UT 84036
435-783-2103
Republican
James E. Shea Jr.
P.O. Box 681367, Park City, UT 84068
435-602-9002
Republican
Gary Shumway
4126 W. Saddleback Rd., Park City, UT 84098
801-824-4469
Libertarian www.voteshumway.org gary@voteshumway.org
Utah Representative, District 54
Daniel Drew
602 E. 550 S., Heber, UT 84032
435-657-9642
Democratic dannyd_84604@yahoo.com
Gordon E. Snow
1046 W. 290 S., Roosevelt, UT 84066
435-722-4162
Republican
James F. Allen M.D.
218 W. 5250 N., Vernal, UT 84078
435-789-0534
Republican cowboydoc@hotmail.com
Laird Fetzer Hamblin
Route 1 Box 1524, Roosevelt, UT 84066
435-353-4859
Democratic hamblin@ublanet.com
Jerry Owens
79 N. Johnson Mill Rd., Midway, UT 84049
801-680-7512
Constitution jerryleeowens@yahoo.com
Gordon A. Peterson
396 Cottage Creek Ct., Midway, UT 84049
435-654-4970
Republican gordoup@byu.net
Sonya Ray
200 S. 1500 W., Vernal, UT 84078
801-789-3693
Constitution sonya4senate@ubtanet.com
David Ure
661 S. Lambert Ln, Kamas, UT 84036
801-699-9849
Republican
Roland Uresk
65 N. Wendell Ln., Roosevelt, UT 84066
435-722-4668
Democratic ruresk@aol.com
Kevin T. VanTassell
3424 W. 1500 N., Vernal, UT 84078
435-789-0724
Republican kevint@sbtnet.com
Utah Representative, District 26 (mis-filing or mystery filing??)
Michael L. Kohler
990 N. River Rd., Midway, UT 84049
435-654-3728
Republican mike@midwayfloor.com
Utah Representative, District 53
Laura Bonham
2700 Homestead Rd. Suite 1200A, Park City, UT 84098
Democratic clbonham@allwest.net
Mel Brown
P.O. Box 697, Coalville, UT 84017
435-336-3309
Republican mjkinc02@yahoo.com
R. Dee Putnam
1404 S. 1000 W., Kamas, UT 84036
435-783-2103
Republican
James E. Shea Jr.
P.O. Box 681367, Park City, UT 84068
435-602-9002
Republican
Gary Shumway
4126 W. Saddleback Rd., Park City, UT 84098
801-824-4469
Libertarian www.voteshumway.org gary@voteshumway.org
Utah Representative, District 54
Daniel Drew
602 E. 550 S., Heber, UT 84032
435-657-9642
Democratic dannyd_84604@yahoo.com
Gordon E. Snow
1046 W. 290 S., Roosevelt, UT 84066
435-722-4162
Republican
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
February News bits
2/26 Ice fishing clinic is a hollering good time for womenSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Rebecca Gustin of Heber City spoke for several members of the group when she said she tried fly-fishing a few times with her husband but it didn't go well.
40-year mortgages gaining groundDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... home.". Daniel Mauer, owner of Madison Mortgage in Heber City, cautions people against longer-term mortgages and option ARMs. "Isn ...
2/23 Senate approves bill allowing counties to hire private attorneysSalt Lake City Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... The bill would also create a distrust and communication gap between councils and county attorneys, Wasatch County Attorney Thomas Lowe said. Sen. ...
Ski your way through Olympic history at these venuesUSA Today - USA... the Olympic Downhill. Soldiers Hollow in Heber City was home to the cross-country events and is still accessible to the public. ...
2/17 Wind farm could face delaySalt Lake Tribune - United States... If approved - the council has the topic on its agenda for Tuesday - the moratorium will be the latest setback to Wasatch Wind, the Heber City-based wind-farm ...
Cowboy gatherings -- One visit and you'll be hooked for lifeYakima Herald-Republic - Yakima,WA,USA... an equal pull, agree those who regularly take the stage at the gatherings that crisscross the country from Monterey Bay, Calif., to Heber City, Utah, and ...
2/16 Utah's trafficking fight could take a hitSalt Lake Tribune - United States... "You'll see narcotics overrun the state," Perry Rose, past president of the Utah Narcotics Association and a former Heber City police officer, said at a news ...
2/15 Surprise! Ligety takes goldSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Moreover, the victory for the Salt Lake City-born Ligety follows the wrestling title of Heber City's Cael Sanderson in the 2004 Summer Games on a short list of ...
Patents issued this weekSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Minneapolis, Minn. Quick and easy campfire, patent No. 6,997,176, invented by John Leo Paul III, of Heber City. Apparatus for adding ...
Endless Riding: Snowmobilers revel in winter of great snowDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USADANIELS SUMMIT, Wasatch County -- This year, at least here in Utah, snow isn'ta problem for snowmobilers. Learning to cut the throttle ...
2/12 Barnes twins honed biathlon skills at Soldier HollowSalt Lake Tribune - United States... from Durango, Colo., where they learned to ski as soon as they could walk, the 23-year-old identical twins have bunked occasionally in Heber City when they ...
2/11 Rodeo club gives student riders a place to fit inDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... Vegas competition last year, Shephard said. List of club members that have qualified for state finals in June, held in Heber City.
2/10 For the RecordSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Separate jury trials have been set for a father and son accused of fatally shooting a Catholic deacon last year on Wasatch County highway. ...
Juab staying close to MillardSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Grand County's Zane Taylor pinned his first-round opponent in six seconds, tying a state record for fastest fall. Class 3-A: Wasatch leads, but not by as many ...
WELL-AIMED CAREERPioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA... In Utah without a car, he rode his bike to the training site in Heber City, site of the 2002 Nordic events -- six miles each way. ...
2/8 Girls roundup forDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... Wasatch 62, Union 57: At Heber City, the Wasps (13-7, 6-3) with stood the 3-point berrage from Union's Karissa Hall and Abby Meacham. ...
2/5 Concert CalendarInternational News Service - Sydney,AustraliaWinter Showcase, today-Feb.11, 10 am-5 pm, Utah Valley State College Wasatch Campus, 3111 N. College Way (off US 40), Heber City, free. ...
Lakers Majestic NBA HardwoodHoopsvibe.com - USA... she it was c,losed. the caller was a female and said she was in nv. this occured at zions bank in heber city ut on feb 2nd 2002.
2/2 The Amazing Race: Family Edition - Episode 9Box Office Prophets - USA... The Linzs then land and receive their clue, which sends them back to the sprawling metropolis of Heber City, where they must find Heber City Railway for the ...
2/1 Other Valentine's Day dining optionsSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Valet parking. * Snake Creek Grill: 650 W. 100 South, Heber City; 435-654-2133. Holiday specials include rib-eye steak Oscar and Morgan Valley lamb T-bones. ...
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Moratorium Solution?? - Option 3 modified, passed
Amid a flurry of last minute changes by the Planning Department, in apparent response to my message detailing its unworkablility, the modified Option 3 was voted on by the County Council, and passed by a 6 to 1 vote. (Councilman Neil Anderton, the sole supporter of sanity)
While some things may have changed (very) slightly for the better with the last minute changes, the end result will still be - more developments, more houses, and some open space generally placed in the back of the lots, unseen by the public eye, or filled with buildings (see The Crossings or Cobblestone) and lots of 14,250 sq. ft.
With 335 lots in the 5 to 10 acre size alone (as reported by the Planning Department), at an average size of 7 acres, that would be potentially 2000 acres of building or 2,000 houses, in that group of land parcels alone. There may have been a modification to the smaller parcels which would reduce this somewhat.
In actuality, though I have not seen the complete proposal, it appears that this amendment also is nearly unworkable. The change involved deleting the "2/3 acre" lot and limiting other lots to a maximum of 35%. Net result, for example, a 60 acre parcel, under the new law, would be allowed
18 @ 1/3 acre lots
18 @ 1/2 acre
0 @ 2/3 acre
18 @ 3/4 acre
and 2 @ 1 acre for a total of 56 houses
While some things may have changed (very) slightly for the better with the last minute changes, the end result will still be - more developments, more houses, and some open space generally placed in the back of the lots, unseen by the public eye, or filled with buildings (see The Crossings or Cobblestone) and lots of 14,250 sq. ft.
With 335 lots in the 5 to 10 acre size alone (as reported by the Planning Department), at an average size of 7 acres, that would be potentially 2000 acres of building or 2,000 houses, in that group of land parcels alone. There may have been a modification to the smaller parcels which would reduce this somewhat.
In actuality, though I have not seen the complete proposal, it appears that this amendment also is nearly unworkable. The change involved deleting the "2/3 acre" lot and limiting other lots to a maximum of 35%. Net result, for example, a 60 acre parcel, under the new law, would be allowed
18 @ 1/3 acre lots
18 @ 1/2 acre
0 @ 2/3 acre
18 @ 3/4 acre
and 2 @ 1 acre for a total of 56 houses
That would be as large as the lots could get. The total acreage used by building lots would be 30.44 acres, with 29.56 acres of "open space;" which, of course, would:
- not comply with the 50% open space,
- not allow "clustering",
- and would have no space available for "buffer strips" between the clusters, even if they could be accommodated.
But, never fear, a few words were added - "or as determined by the Land Use Authority" which will allow the Planning Commission to approve whatever they desire.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Option 3 Unworkable
This weekend, I conducted a very rough analysis of the feasibility of the proposed Option 3 as recently proposed, with 25% max in each lot size group and large Parcels (> 15 acres) proposed to have 50% open space. Including the TROZ (Transition zone) which would allow a bonus of 25% more lots.
The goals in cluster description are indicated as providing open space, maintaining rural atmosphere, clustering of homes (10 or fewer homes in a cluster) separated from other clusters by open space or buffer strips, etc. This is virtually impossible to accomplish under the proposal.
Results:
As shown in the chart, with the 50% Open space the area required by the building lots alone will virtually consume all of the "buildable" space. There will be no room for "clustering", or for proposed buffer zones, not even enough room for streets using the proposed density, open space and lot size distribution. The TROZ parcels can NOT achieve the maximum proposed density with the criteria.
There will be little flexibility allowed, developments will be forced into a restricted design of 'exact' number of lots in each (smaller) category to achieve "maximum density." Most scenarios will only be able to have a few "large" lots (1 ac +)
The NEGATIVE FISCAL Impact to the remaining residents of the county needs to be considered. The primary avowed purpose of Zoning is the health, safety and welfare of the COMMUNITY.
As has been mentioned repeatedly, there is not sufficient information to make a reasonable planning and zoning decision. There is a mention of some 335 lots in the 5 to 10 acre range alone. Under this proposal each of these lots will be permitted (actually required to be approved as "standard subdivisions") with the full one dwelling per acre. By allowing smaller lots each smaller parcel will be developed to that full number and still have room for streets, as no open space would be required. At an average acreage of 7 acres this could be an addition 2,000 houses just on lots under 10 acres.
Temporary PROPOSAL
Consequently, let me again propose an RA zone allowing a PPD with one unit per 2.5 acres of parcel size, with 50% open space and a minimum lot size of 1/2 acre - with a 50% bonus in TROZ to implement the strategy of higher densities closer to incorporated towns. This would allow the flexibility of lot size variety and enough excess space for clustering and buffers, etc. or even a "standard" lot size development of 1 acre at the developer's discretion ( including 50 % open space).
Smaller parcels will be allowed fewer houses (than RA1) but a more open environment and still allow a variety of lot sizes. A few random sample distributions shown below:
This will effectively preserve open space per the moratorium, and it will allow development during the period of time a General Plan Land Use Study Committee is created to determine the desires of the community and formulate a long range plan to achieve that goal. It will also eliminate the problem imposed with Option 3 of the division of large lots into smaller ones to achieve more potential building lots.
Respectfully,
Robert Wren
member Planning Commission
The goals in cluster description are indicated as providing open space, maintaining rural atmosphere, clustering of homes (10 or fewer homes in a cluster) separated from other clusters by open space or buffer strips, etc. This is virtually impossible to accomplish under the proposal.
Parcel size | 1/3 ac | 1/2 ac | 2/3 ac | 3/4 ac | 1ac | 2+ ac | total | lot acres | open space |
5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4.5 | 0.5 |
TROZ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3.08 | 1.92 |
10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 5.5 | 4.5 | |
TROZ | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 12.33 | -2.33 |
15 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 5.92 | 9.08 |
TROZ | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 14.08 | 0.92 |
large parcels" | |||||||||
16 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 8 |
TROZ | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
60 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 45 | 28.91 | 31.09 |
TROZ | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 31.5 | 28.5 |
80 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 60 | 39.99 | 40.01 |
TROZ | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 75 | 43.5 | 36.5 |
100 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 75 | 49.75 | 50.25 |
TROZ | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 51.75 | 48.25 |
Results:
As shown in the chart, with the 50% Open space the area required by the building lots alone will virtually consume all of the "buildable" space. There will be no room for "clustering", or for proposed buffer zones, not even enough room for streets using the proposed density, open space and lot size distribution. The TROZ parcels can NOT achieve the maximum proposed density with the criteria.
There will be little flexibility allowed, developments will be forced into a restricted design of 'exact' number of lots in each (smaller) category to achieve "maximum density." Most scenarios will only be able to have a few "large" lots (1 ac +)
The NEGATIVE FISCAL Impact to the remaining residents of the county needs to be considered. The primary avowed purpose of Zoning is the health, safety and welfare of the COMMUNITY.
As has been mentioned repeatedly, there is not sufficient information to make a reasonable planning and zoning decision. There is a mention of some 335 lots in the 5 to 10 acre range alone. Under this proposal each of these lots will be permitted (actually required to be approved as "standard subdivisions") with the full one dwelling per acre. By allowing smaller lots each smaller parcel will be developed to that full number and still have room for streets, as no open space would be required. At an average acreage of 7 acres this could be an addition 2,000 houses just on lots under 10 acres.
Temporary PROPOSAL
Consequently, let me again propose an RA zone allowing a PPD with one unit per 2.5 acres of parcel size, with 50% open space and a minimum lot size of 1/2 acre - with a 50% bonus in TROZ to implement the strategy of higher densities closer to incorporated towns. This would allow the flexibility of lot size variety and enough excess space for clustering and buffers, etc. or even a "standard" lot size development of 1 acre at the developer's discretion ( including 50 % open space).
Smaller parcels will be allowed fewer houses (than RA1) but a more open environment and still allow a variety of lot sizes. A few random sample distributions shown below:
Parcel size | 1/3 ac | 1/2 ac | 2/3 ac | 3/4 ac | 1ac | 2+ ac | total | lot acres | open space |
5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||||
TROZ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.75 | 2.25 | ||||
10 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3.5 | 6.5 | ||||
TROZ | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 7 | ||||
15 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8.01 | 6.99 | ||||
TROZ | 3 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 7.76 | 7.24 | |||
large parcels" | |||||||||
16 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7.5 | 8.5 | |||
TROZ | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 8 | 8 | ||
60 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 24 | 27.68 | 32.32 | ||
TROZ | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 36 | 26.2 | 33.8 | |
80 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 32 | 38.6 | 41.4 | |
80 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 32 | 21.1 | 58.9 | ||
80 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 32 | 35.2 | 44.8 | ||
TROZ | 10 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 45 | 38.8 | 41.2 | |
100 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 40 | 40.85 | 59.15 | |
TROZ | 20 | 2 | 26 | 10 | 2 | 60 | 44.84 | 55.16 |
This will effectively preserve open space per the moratorium, and it will allow development during the period of time a General Plan Land Use Study Committee is created to determine the desires of the community and formulate a long range plan to achieve that goal. It will also eliminate the problem imposed with Option 3 of the division of large lots into smaller ones to achieve more potential building lots.
Respectfully,
Robert Wren
member Planning Commission
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
January Newsbits
1/30 The Amazing Race: Family Edition - Episode 8Box Office Prophets - USA... Oh yes, they'll pay. The next morning, the Linzs get the first clue of the day, which sends them off to Heber City, Utah, where they have to find Bart. ...
1/26 The Nation in briefSalt Lake Tribune - United StatesMichael, Patrick and Daniel Whalen contend negligence by Santa Fe Rafting Company and guide Kevin Horan caused the death of Carol Whalen, 61, of Heber City. ...
1/25 Baby Hits Head On Sidewalk After Stroller CollapseKUTV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA(KUTV) SALT LAKE CITY A stroller collapses sending a Heber City baby head first onto a sidewalk. The little girl suffered a head ...
Clogged Gene PoolSalt Lake City Weekly - UT,USA... And Wasatch County prosecutors are at a loss to determine who pulled the trigger between a father-son duo on trial for murdering a community activist, because ...
1/24 US Olympic Committee Announces Nominees for 2005 SportsMan ...Rudern1.de - Germany... Sun Valley, Idaho), Bob Balk (Long Beach, Calif.), Steve Cook (Salt Lake City, Utah), Mike Crenshaw (Boulder, Colo.), Chris Klebl (Heber City, Utah), Greg ...
1/22 Icy plunge is for a good causeSalt Lake Tribune - United States... The Wasatch County plunge took place at the Homestead Resort in Midway, and the Utah County event was held at the Pleasant Grove City Pool
1/21 Proudly hosted by IGN FAQsIGN - Brisbane,CA,USA... Haynesville Hays Haysville Hayward Hazard Hazel Crest Hazel Green Hazel Park Hazelwood Hazlehurst Hazlet Hazleton Healdsburg Hearne Heber City Hever Springs ...
Provo girls top OremDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... Wasatch 62, Uintah 44: At Heber City, Tara Gehring and Heather Kohler led the way for the Wasps with 12 points each. In addition ...
1/19 Head-On Snowmobile Crash In Wasatch CountyKUTV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA(KUTV) WASATCH COUNTY A nasty snowmobile crash in Wasatch County sent two people to the hospital Thursday. The sheriff's office ...
1/18 Crime lab must choose which tests to do withoutSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Miller's testimony this week in a Wasatch County murder case also puts in stark contrast the difference between sexy TV crime fighters - like those on the ...
1/14 Crime lab must choose which tests to do withoutSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Miller's testimony this week in a Wasatch County murder case also puts in stark contrast the difference between sexy TV crime fighters - like those on the ...
1/13 One Sent To Hospital After Fire At Heber LodgeKUTV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA(KUTV) HEBER CITY, utah One person was sent to the hospital when fire breaks out in a Heber City lodge. Investigators believe the ...
Inside glanceBillings Gazette - MT, USA... Fackrell, a 6-foot-1 senior post from Heber City, Utah, averaged 28.5 points and 15 rebounds per game over the weekend, as the Lady Griffins lost to Rocky ...
1/12 Father and son ordered to stand trial in deacon's deathSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Wasatch County Attorney Thomas Low said he would not seek the death penalty because, among other things, the victim's family did not want it. ...
Escoto's return could boost UGFGreat Falls Tribune - Great Falls,MT,USA... Fackrell was the women's winner after the 6-1 senior from Heber City, Utah averaged 28.5 ppg as the Griffins split their first conference road trip. ...
1/11 'Wasted': Is party over?Salt Lake Tribune - United States... Twenty-year-old Joel Leiser of Heber City said he has heard a lot of discussion about Miller on the slopes and in the lift lines while working for the resort. ...
Girls basketball forDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... Wasatch 37, Judge Memorial 33: At Heber City, in a close game the Wasps pulled out the Region 10 victory behind a brilliant performance by Tara Gehring. ...
1/10 Natural Remedies Blow Colds AwayOpen PR (press release) - Hamburg,Germany... Researchers from Heber City, Utah reported that vitamin C decreased cold and flu symptoms reported by 85 per cent of men and women. ...
Disabled Cross-Country Ski Team Preps for Paralympics at NationalsFirst Tracks - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... Chris Klebl (LW-11; Heber City, UT) led the disabled sit-ski competitions all weekend taking first in Saturday's 10K and Sunday's 15K. ...
Cael Sanderson's Streak to be Featured on ESPNU, ESPN ClassicIowa State Cyclones - Iowa,USA... in the 2002 197-pound final at the Pepsi Center in Albany, NY The win closed out the Cyclone's career with a 159-0 record and made the Heber City, Utah native ...
1/8 Skiing: Winters takes sixth among top collegiate skiersGreen Bay Press Gazette - Green Bay,WI,USAHEBER CITY, Utah -- The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Johanna Winters finished 23rd overall and sixth among collegiate athletes in the 10K classic with ...
Groethe authors book entitled ‘West River Waltz'Williston Daily Herald - Williston,ND,USA... Folk Festival in October. In November he was invited to Heber City, Utah, for the Cowboy Poetry and Buck-A-Roo Fair. We've had the ...
1/6 Park City, UtahWashington Post - United States... Accommodations are more likely to be available at Kimball Junction , an outlying area of Park City, and in Heber City or Midway , both a 20-minute drive from ...
1/5 Geography lessonsSalt Lake Tribune - United States... of the Carbon High Spanish teacher, her husband and son stated, "Carbon crash claims lives of three." In reality, the accident occurred in Wasatch County. ...
Highland girls become humanitariansSalt Lake Tribune - United States... The medical team, headed by Greg Taylor of Heber City, included certified nursing assistants, Livingston and Bowen. They did medical ...
Biking newsSalt Lake Tribune - United StatesHeber City pro mountain biker Kathy Sherwin, who enjoyed her best year of racing in 2005, has signed with Ford Cycling, one of the top mountain-biking teams. ...
1/3 Midway's new mayor knows she's in hot seatSalt Lake Tribune - United StatesMIDWAY - For years, Connie Tatton kept telling her husband she didn't want to run for an elective office in this quaint Wasatch County town tucked against the ...
Plane crash kills Montana manDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... The plane crashed on the rolling hills just a few hundred yards east of US 40 at milepost 6, six miles south of I-80 and about 12 miles north of Heber City. ...
NORTH ST. PAULPioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA... He also won the Dean Power Invitational at Trollhaugen last week. He is competing this week in the USSA national championships in Heber City, Utah. ...
1/1 Cell Phone Helps Rescue Lost SnowmobilersKSL Radio - Salt Lake City,UT,USA(KSL News) -- A cell phone came in handy during a search for four missing snowmobilers this morning, in the mountains above Heber City. ...
Four snowmobilers rescued after cold night in woodsSalt Lake Tribune - United StatesThe 31-year-old Alpine man and three friends were rescued Saturday morning after being stranded in the mountains southeast of Heber City for about 16 hours. ...
Update: Missing snowboarder found aliveSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. ... efforts Sunday morning, but the weather cleared and the air search was to resume after crews from Wasatch Powderbirds cleared the ...
1/26 The Nation in briefSalt Lake Tribune - United StatesMichael, Patrick and Daniel Whalen contend negligence by Santa Fe Rafting Company and guide Kevin Horan caused the death of Carol Whalen, 61, of Heber City. ...
1/25 Baby Hits Head On Sidewalk After Stroller CollapseKUTV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA(KUTV) SALT LAKE CITY A stroller collapses sending a Heber City baby head first onto a sidewalk. The little girl suffered a head ...
Clogged Gene PoolSalt Lake City Weekly - UT,USA... And Wasatch County prosecutors are at a loss to determine who pulled the trigger between a father-son duo on trial for murdering a community activist, because ...
1/24 US Olympic Committee Announces Nominees for 2005 SportsMan ...Rudern1.de - Germany... Sun Valley, Idaho), Bob Balk (Long Beach, Calif.), Steve Cook (Salt Lake City, Utah), Mike Crenshaw (Boulder, Colo.), Chris Klebl (Heber City, Utah), Greg ...
1/22 Icy plunge is for a good causeSalt Lake Tribune - United States... The Wasatch County plunge took place at the Homestead Resort in Midway, and the Utah County event was held at the Pleasant Grove City Pool
1/21 Proudly hosted by IGN FAQsIGN - Brisbane,CA,USA... Haynesville Hays Haysville Hayward Hazard Hazel Crest Hazel Green Hazel Park Hazelwood Hazlehurst Hazlet Hazleton Healdsburg Hearne Heber City Hever Springs ...
Provo girls top OremDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... Wasatch 62, Uintah 44: At Heber City, Tara Gehring and Heather Kohler led the way for the Wasps with 12 points each. In addition ...
1/19 Head-On Snowmobile Crash In Wasatch CountyKUTV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA(KUTV) WASATCH COUNTY A nasty snowmobile crash in Wasatch County sent two people to the hospital Thursday. The sheriff's office ...
1/18 Crime lab must choose which tests to do withoutSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Miller's testimony this week in a Wasatch County murder case also puts in stark contrast the difference between sexy TV crime fighters - like those on the ...
1/14 Crime lab must choose which tests to do withoutSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Miller's testimony this week in a Wasatch County murder case also puts in stark contrast the difference between sexy TV crime fighters - like those on the ...
1/13 One Sent To Hospital After Fire At Heber LodgeKUTV - Salt Lake City,UT,USA(KUTV) HEBER CITY, utah One person was sent to the hospital when fire breaks out in a Heber City lodge. Investigators believe the ...
Inside glanceBillings Gazette - MT, USA... Fackrell, a 6-foot-1 senior post from Heber City, Utah, averaged 28.5 points and 15 rebounds per game over the weekend, as the Lady Griffins lost to Rocky ...
1/12 Father and son ordered to stand trial in deacon's deathSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Wasatch County Attorney Thomas Low said he would not seek the death penalty because, among other things, the victim's family did not want it. ...
Escoto's return could boost UGFGreat Falls Tribune - Great Falls,MT,USA... Fackrell was the women's winner after the 6-1 senior from Heber City, Utah averaged 28.5 ppg as the Griffins split their first conference road trip. ...
1/11 'Wasted': Is party over?Salt Lake Tribune - United States... Twenty-year-old Joel Leiser of Heber City said he has heard a lot of discussion about Miller on the slopes and in the lift lines while working for the resort. ...
Girls basketball forDaily Herald - Provo,UT,USA... Wasatch 37, Judge Memorial 33: At Heber City, in a close game the Wasps pulled out the Region 10 victory behind a brilliant performance by Tara Gehring. ...
1/10 Natural Remedies Blow Colds AwayOpen PR (press release) - Hamburg,Germany... Researchers from Heber City, Utah reported that vitamin C decreased cold and flu symptoms reported by 85 per cent of men and women. ...
Disabled Cross-Country Ski Team Preps for Paralympics at NationalsFirst Tracks - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... Chris Klebl (LW-11; Heber City, UT) led the disabled sit-ski competitions all weekend taking first in Saturday's 10K and Sunday's 15K. ...
Cael Sanderson's Streak to be Featured on ESPNU, ESPN ClassicIowa State Cyclones - Iowa,USA... in the 2002 197-pound final at the Pepsi Center in Albany, NY The win closed out the Cyclone's career with a 159-0 record and made the Heber City, Utah native ...
1/8 Skiing: Winters takes sixth among top collegiate skiersGreen Bay Press Gazette - Green Bay,WI,USAHEBER CITY, Utah -- The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Johanna Winters finished 23rd overall and sixth among collegiate athletes in the 10K classic with ...
Groethe authors book entitled ‘West River Waltz'Williston Daily Herald - Williston,ND,USA... Folk Festival in October. In November he was invited to Heber City, Utah, for the Cowboy Poetry and Buck-A-Roo Fair. We've had the ...
1/6 Park City, UtahWashington Post - United States... Accommodations are more likely to be available at Kimball Junction , an outlying area of Park City, and in Heber City or Midway , both a 20-minute drive from ...
1/5 Geography lessonsSalt Lake Tribune - United States... of the Carbon High Spanish teacher, her husband and son stated, "Carbon crash claims lives of three." In reality, the accident occurred in Wasatch County. ...
Highland girls become humanitariansSalt Lake Tribune - United States... The medical team, headed by Greg Taylor of Heber City, included certified nursing assistants, Livingston and Bowen. They did medical ...
Biking newsSalt Lake Tribune - United StatesHeber City pro mountain biker Kathy Sherwin, who enjoyed her best year of racing in 2005, has signed with Ford Cycling, one of the top mountain-biking teams. ...
1/3 Midway's new mayor knows she's in hot seatSalt Lake Tribune - United StatesMIDWAY - For years, Connie Tatton kept telling her husband she didn't want to run for an elective office in this quaint Wasatch County town tucked against the ...
Plane crash kills Montana manDeseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA... The plane crashed on the rolling hills just a few hundred yards east of US 40 at milepost 6, six miles south of I-80 and about 12 miles north of Heber City. ...
NORTH ST. PAULPioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA... He also won the Dean Power Invitational at Trollhaugen last week. He is competing this week in the USSA national championships in Heber City, Utah. ...
1/1 Cell Phone Helps Rescue Lost SnowmobilersKSL Radio - Salt Lake City,UT,USA(KSL News) -- A cell phone came in handy during a search for four missing snowmobilers this morning, in the mountains above Heber City. ...
Four snowmobilers rescued after cold night in woodsSalt Lake Tribune - United StatesThe 31-year-old Alpine man and three friends were rescued Saturday morning after being stranded in the mountains southeast of Heber City for about 16 hours. ...
Update: Missing snowboarder found aliveSalt Lake Tribune - United States... Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. ... efforts Sunday morning, but the weather cleared and the air search was to resume after crews from Wasatch Powderbirds cleared the ...
Sunday, January 29, 2006
To: Wasatch County Council
From: Robert Wren, member Planning Commission 27 January 2006
Minority Report in opposition to proposed legislation
Last week the Planning Commission, by a vote of 6-1, recommended that the County Council adopt the Planning Department’s "Option 3" (of 8 or so), modified to 25 acres to "solve" the problems of open space and growth.
The avowed purpose of "Zoning" is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community. A group of citizens has called for an interim zone change to RA-5, (possibly with a Planned Performance Development which will reduce - not increase - potential housing construction), while a deliberate study is done to review, and update, the General Plan of 2001 (a five-year review is one of the goals of that plan) and present a considered, thoughtful solution to the potential growth potential and to attempt to retain what the residents have expressed a continuing desire for - a rural, small town with open space.
This proposed amendment to Title 16 (Land Use Code) does nothing to slow growth of development - it may actually increase the number of houses that can potentially be built in the unincorporated County.
Much in the wording of the overall proposal is excellent. The description of "Rural Landscape Character" was generally well conceived. The proposal of how to protect open space through various ownership and easement arrangement is well done. However, the devil is in the details.
What’s wrong with Option 3, and basically the whole array of proposed options? At one point in time not too long ago, Wasatch County required 200 ft. frontage on a county road for a building lot, and that land parcels could be only "subdivided" once.
From: Robert Wren, member Planning Commission 27 January 2006
Minority Report in opposition to proposed legislation
Last week the Planning Commission, by a vote of 6-1, recommended that the County Council adopt the Planning Department’s "Option 3" (of 8 or so), modified to 25 acres to "solve" the problems of open space and growth.
The avowed purpose of "Zoning" is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community. A group of citizens has called for an interim zone change to RA-5, (possibly with a Planned Performance Development which will reduce - not increase - potential housing construction), while a deliberate study is done to review, and update, the General Plan of 2001 (a five-year review is one of the goals of that plan) and present a considered, thoughtful solution to the potential growth potential and to attempt to retain what the residents have expressed a continuing desire for - a rural, small town with open space.
This proposed amendment to Title 16 (Land Use Code) does nothing to slow growth of development - it may actually increase the number of houses that can potentially be built in the unincorporated County.
Much in the wording of the overall proposal is excellent. The description of "Rural Landscape Character" was generally well conceived. The proposal of how to protect open space through various ownership and easement arrangement is well done. However, the devil is in the details.
What’s wrong with Option 3, and basically the whole array of proposed options? At one point in time not too long ago, Wasatch County required 200 ft. frontage on a county road for a building lot, and that land parcels could be only "subdivided" once.
- This new proposal will apparently allow anyone with a lot of two acres or more to subdivide further. I will readily admit that, although I have studied the two-inch thick Title 16 and the one inch General plan, there may be some proviso that may limit this.
- Under the proposal, "property less than 25 acres" . . . with sewer, will allow one Dwelling Unit per acre, on lots as small as 1/3 acre. (About 100 feet by 140 feet) (Variable lot sizes, with no more than 25% of each size.) For example, six lots at 1/3 acre, six at 2/3, 6 at ½ , and seven at 1 acre on a 25 acre parcel. This is defined as a "Standard Subdivision."
- If the total parcel size is greater than 25 acres, a developer may, by leaving 50% in open space, build one unit per "buildable acre" on lots as small as the 1/3 acre. So, with 100 acres, 75 houses (not 100) may be built (because of the "buildable acre" concept)
- The Planning Commission voted to retain the "Transition Zone" - the potential "annexation" areas around the incorporated municipalities (It had been proposed to delete it). This provides a "bonus" of 25% more houses, by meeting certain criteria.
It doesn’t take too much analysis to figure out that by dividing a piece of land into parcels of less than 25 acres it would be possible to build MORE houses AND proclaim that open space is being preserved, merely by putting houses on smaller lots.
Further subdivision of your current home’s lot At the PC meeting, a list was presented of the various lot sizes currently in the RA 1 zone. It was indicated that there were 335 lots of 5 -10 acres, and it was explained that some currently have homes on the lot. The impression given was that a lot, with a home, on say - 10 acres, under this proposal, could be further subdivided as noted in #2 above. For example, a home on 10 acres (335 of them, ‘many’ with houses) could carve out a 2 acre parcel for the current owner’s house and build eight more homes on the remaining property (10 more if within the TROZ)
Is this the intent? Will it be the result? I sincerely hope that this interpretation is incorrect, but I see little in the law to preclude this. This is part of the reason to slow down and think about this whole proposed change. Find out what the County residents truly desire for our valley; and determine what is best for the health, safety and welfare of the community, as a whole, and not mainly for the benefit of a relatively small group of land holders.
If this is correct and this proposal does provide more "development rights," than the current RA-1 zone, it will become even more difficult to change it at a later date, because it could cause even more claims of reducing the value of the land. It is not really the function of the Government to "maximize" property values. It is the function of government to protect the rights of ALL individuals AND the health safety and welfare of the community in general.
At some point in our future, growth will become limited; is it fair to all concerned to allow more density to the current developments and face the possibility of decreasing it for later developments when the limiting factors are encountered? Do we really know what the practical limit of the number of houses that can be sustained in our "rural, small town environment?" Do we even know what the total number of houses that can be built under these many various proposals, or the current regulations? Wouldn’t it be more logical and fairer to determine that practical "maximum" and allocate ERU’s on that basis, similar to what was attempted at Jordanelle?
Administrative vs. Legislative Acts There are two types of land use actions. Basically, with an Administrative Act (e.g. Standard Subdivision) there is little discretion in approving a subdivision. If the law allows it - must be approved. I believe the "less the 25 acre" proposal will fall into this category.
A Legislative Act (e.g. Planned Unit or Performance Development - PUD) allows the county a little more discretion in approving developments. Particular criteria must be met for approval, which generally will be considered "reasonably debatable to further the general welfare," in a possible court case. A PUD will allow more input into developments and allow the discretion afforded under Legislative Acts, if that is what is desired. See www.uthapropertyrights.com/land for a further explanation of this concept.
Otherwise why not just eliminate zoning, and let the ‘market’ work? The answer, of course, is that we DO have zoning and with it certain expectations that the zoning has created. If a house on a rural piece of land in a low density zone is purchased, it should be a rational expectation that the surrounding area will be kept rural and low density.
Growth Rate: It’s certain that corrections will be forthcoming for any errors expressed here, as they were for the idea that Wasatch was growing at 15% annual growth. While Wasatch is one the fastest growing counties in the nation, that should have been a 15% growth in three years, or 4-5 % annually. In actuality, the rate of growth is not all that relevant, but the potential for growth IS. This faux pas also serves as an excellent example of why it is desirable to study, consider and deliberate, before making these very important decisions. I do not proclaim to have all of the knowledge or all the answers, I do have questions and I do have a concern for the direction we are heading - Wasatch City!!!
Litigation: At the PC meeting a few comments were made about avoiding litigation. That’s an excellent idea. Most Land Use litigation seems to stem from a perceived loss of land "values." However there is case law stipulating that local government has great discretion in Land Use Law. e.g. "If an ordinance could promote the general welfare; or even if it is reasonably debatable that it is in the interest of general welfare, we will uphold it." "The selection of one method of solving the problem in preference to another is entirely within the discretion of the city and does not, in and of itself, evidence of abuse of discretion. See Bradley v Payson, 2001 UT App 9 aff’d 2003 UT 16; Harmon City v. City of Draper, 2000 UT App 31 "In the context of rezoning, it is not sufficient that a plaintiff demonstrates economic loss caused by the rezoning, as long as he or she retains some reasonable use of the subject property there is not a constitutional "taking." Harmon City, Inc. v. Draper City, 2000UT App 31
History: The last major Land Use case in Wasatch County, resulted from the apparent passage of a law providing a 2 ERU per acre development. That law, or provision in the law, was apparently not well discussed and deliberated and was of questionable origin. The cost to the County was high, I hope we don’t repeat the error.
General Plan Update: The Plan calls for periodic review (at least every five years). As pointed out in the Moratorium Ordinance (05-11) we now have "unprecedented growth pressure in the form of multiple large scale subdivisions applications and corresponding loss of agricultural use, open space and rural atmosphere"; and "zoning regulations in the RA-1 zone are currently inadequate to protect this valuable asset (rural atmosphere, open space and agricultural feel)."
The Plan was established as a "mandatory guide for land use decisions . . . " and the proposed regulation may be in conflict with the goal expressed of "preserving the rural character of the county," "reduc(ing) the haphazard scattering of development," "protect the social and economic well-being of the people," and other goals listed in the Plan.
An example: On "Lake Creek Road, 1200 South and 1200 East . . . new access from driveways shall not be allowed." But the proposed under 25 acre developments on 1/3 ac will allow a plentitude of ‘streets’ providing access from small subdivisions. Wouldn’t a driveway from a five or ten acre home site be better for all concerned than a street for 5 to 10 houses?
Proposed State Legislation: With the introduction of SB170, it becomes even more critical to get this right. If SB170 should be passed it would severely restrict local Land Use Planning. While they are seem to be trying to limit local land use planning by "prohibit(ing) counties and municipalities from imposing stricter land use requirements or higher land use standards than required under statute"; line18-19 http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2006/bills/sbillint/sb0170.htm , which basically means "health, safety and welfare." It must be recognized that the financial 'welfare' of the entire community must be considered as a factor in planning and development approval. Negative fiscal impacts must be a factor, otherwise the property rights of existing property owners are not being protected - because they will be required to pay for the impact of the development.
SB 170 will also directly affect any possible future changes to zoning, as any change might be construed as "materially diminish(ing) the reasonable investment-backed expectations of the property's owner; " which would effectively not be allowed. SB 170 gives further a further reason to adopt a general RA-5 zone and then work on an appropriate Planned Performance Development.
I urge developing and adopting a vision for future growth accompanied with a review of the General Plan, for changes to be submitted in November to bring Wasatch County in the direction of those visionary goals. We should further develop the current statistics to determine the effect of various Land Use proposals on the developable land in the County and enable the development fiscal analysis program to provide the best possible information for rational decision making, to meet the goal of preserving the "County’s fiscal health" and helping to insure that "each development should also be require to pay its own freight." (General Plan 132-3)
Regards,
Bob Wren
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