THE ZEPHYR MARCH 1991 PAGE 6 a an interview with Christie Robbins (Moab City Councilperson) conducted an Interview with City Councilperson, Christine Robbins. The Interview has been edited for length and clarity. Ken Davey Zephyr: What are the malor things that have been going on In the cltv this winter? Christie: Every time I come back Into town and see a Mlnlt Lube coming up right next to Wandas Doll House, and who knows what kind of development rumors, like a ry hotel happening, I see that Moab Is changing very rapidly, and Its scary. And I think about what my responsibility Is, to see that If It happens, It happens right Zephyr: What exactly scares you? Christie: That we may not have the Infrastructure to control It, to direct It In the way the majority of Moabites would like to have It change. Zephyr: There are a number of businesses In town that have the perception that Is that accurate? cltv the government Is I or any other Christie: Personally, wouldnt classify myself as council person. What I know of them, we are Just coming from the same basic premise that you want to go slow. Not say, heres the blank check, do what you will. The little control that we have had has given results, but they arent entirely satisfactory. I look at Main Street and I think about the kind of development we would have liked to have seen, and Im not that satisfied. There are things I would have changed, that I might have If I could have had a little bit more foresight In passing some ordinances. Zephyr: What ordinances does the cltv need now? Christie: Some of the ordinances we are working on. I think the bed and breakfast one, while certainly a step In the right direction, was not a totally workable document, because of the short term rental situation In town. We dont have a lot of bed and breakfasts, but we do have a lot of short term rentals. So we need to have something that addresses that And also the signage ordinance, and an overall building ordinance, perhaps a height restriction on buildings. Things that are going to take Into account the kind of change we never could foresee, and never had to deal with 5 or 10 years ago. Zephyr: But If someone came In and built a six story hotel... Christie: I would freak out Zephyr: But wouldnt that provide a number of lobs, and probably better paving lobs than working In small motels? Christie: Yes, but It would be very strange. There would be people that I know who would be dressed as waiters, and you would have to call them a concierge. It would be a strange change to make. Zephyr: Are you a big fan of the sign ordinance? Christie: No, In general I'm not a big fan of any ordinance. They are dry and controlling and mean spirited little units, but a necessary evil. And the sign ordinance Is one that Is going to have a big Impact I've always felt that Main Street as a first Impression could be radically changed for the better by having some kind of common consensus on the part of the people of Moab about what they would like that Image to say. Zephyr: When has there ever been a common consensus among the people of Moab? Christie: Well, thats a good question. Never, that I can recall. But I think on this one you can tell that theres more consensus than on other ones. The sign committee is composed of an even representation, and It came together. If you can take that as an Indication, at least theres been some consensus. Zephyr: One aspect of the sign ordinance Is a provision allowing some form of compensation to sign owners who have to alter or remove a sign If It Isnt In compliance. six-sto- anti-busine- ss. anti-busine- ss, Christie: I can only give you my personal opinion as far as thats concerned. And Its coming as a taxpayer. There's something that rubs me the wrong way about having to subsidize a merchants advertising. Whether or not I was on the city council, If I heard about that, I would say, "you mean Im going to have to pay that guy for a brand new sign when hes had that sign I thought was ugly for 22 years? I would think thats pretty lame. RE-OPENIN- There's something else I want to say about planning In Moab. There's something I've fact that everything Isnt perfectly really grown to like, and thats the funk factor. The earth-tone- d, what some people envision In balanced and perfectly aesthetic, and perfectly a well planned entity. Ive really grown to appreciate the variety of It If Moab were any I want Moab to be a place where the prettier, only the rich and bloated would live here. afford to sweet a to little rental, cheap, property values are not too high for people be able to be able to enjoy Moab and go out to do the things they enjoy doing here. Zephyr: So Isnt that a contradiction of what you were saying earlier? Christie: Yes, Its totally hypocritical. Thats why I wanted to brinq It up, to show that things dont always turn out the way you plan them. On one hand I can see the value of wanting to brings things Into compliance, and on the other hand maybe what we have Is Just fine, thank you. And you dont realize until youve gotten your big, controlling fingers In there Just what havoc youve wrought Zephyr: Differences overbuilding Inspection, police services, now arguments over how much the cltv should oav Grand Countv to hold prisoners In the lall. Why cant the cltv and countv work things out? Christie: Thats been something I wondered myself before I got Into the political realm of things. I was working at the radio station when Tom Stocks was getting himself elected. And It was worse then, K seems to me. There was a lot more name calling, and not a lot of finesse, of negotiating. Now, maybe the same thing Is happening under a veneer of negotiation, but do sense at least the Issues are coming out, what needs to be solved. One of the difficulties Is the nature of the county Itself. For me, Its an Issue of double taxation. And that things are expected of the city that I believe belong In the county's hands. I Give an example of double taxation. Christie: There are a lot of them. Take the Jail Issue. I pay as a county person and as a city resident It Just seems clear that the city people are being stuck with the same bill twice. But the county comes back and says, look, the county Is broke, and the reason Moab residents are paying for It Is they are using It the most I think In terms of actually getting along, were doing better. But in terms of solving the we seem a lot closer than before. dont Issues, Zephyr: Another Issue being raised Is the management of the Moab Dump. Whats your view? Christie: I look at It from an environmental standpoint In terms of the city and county getting along, Its a matter of paying for It We're at a point now that a little bit of foresight 5 years down the road we could save a ton of money by getting a recycling project together. And putting some money, say $30,000, Into getting a good seeding of a recycling would cut the cost of the landfill question. program county-wid- e, Zephyr: The council approved a sublease agreement between Canvonlands Held Institute and the Stuntmans Hall of Fame. It was a split vote, with some objections about parking, and the fact that while the Hall of Fame gets $285 a month from the deal, the cltv. which owns the building, only gets $15 per month. Christie: It was an Issue that had gone on for a couple of months, and no consensus could be reached. CFI was In a time crunch, and the lease Is for about 6 months, Just because there Is no other suitable place to show the Canyons Edge right now. As a CFI employee, I was glad they went ahead, because It would have put me In a crunch. That's why I didnt vote. But I was In favor of the sublease. I agree about the Issue of of the stunt stuff on the side of the building. parking. Also, about the aesthetic non-val- ue But In this case, two struggling, fit organizations can mutually benefit from a building and survive a little longer than they could otherwise. Im the manager of the Canyons Edge, and even though there Is no money benefit either way for me, because I manage the show, Ill be the one coordinating with John Hagnerfor retail space. It smacked of conflict of Interest and I stayed out of It Tom Stocks didnt want to be In the position of voting, and I was delighted that he was. Its only happened a couple of times, and It really makes his feelings on an Issue clear. In fact, everyone on the council secretly delights In Tom having to vote. Zephyr: When did you first get on the council? Zephyr: off-str- eet off-str- eet non-pro- city-own- ed IN MOAB ON APRIL G Canyons Edge Road Season comes to the end of the trail March March March March 22 Carbondale 24 Montrose 27 Denver 29 Durange at a new location Hollywood Stuntmen's Hall of Fame 100 E. 100 N. $3.00 person 8:15 PM nightly (except April 7) CANYOHLANDS FIELD INSTITUT Post Office Box 68 Moab, Utah 84532 NEW ADDRESS: 1320 SO. HIGHWAY 191 YARD SALE, SATURDAY, MARCH 16 Inquire about other CFI programs 801-259-775- 0 1