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Show Around The County AUGUST 1, 2008 PAGE A3 Summit County News PC Wal-Mart = a Super Wal-Mart? CHERYL OVARD SCN Editor Wal-Mart received its first approval in October of 1991, and was awarded the opportunity to build a 71,844 square foot building with 492 parking stalls. This was processed as a Class II permit and the planners permitted this process under the code in effect at the time. The current development code requires that in the Town Center Zone all new development must be processed under Specially Planned Area provisions (SPA). Due to the fact that WalMart is not a SPA, it is considered to be lawful nonconforming use. There were several work sessions and a public hearing was held Jan. 8, 2008. The Wal-Mart is looking into enlarging the existing 72,975 square feet by 42,783 more square feet to better utilize and better organize storage areas and retail areas, and eliminate outdoor storage. They would also like to use 25,000 square feet of this 42,783 for grocery sales, stated Troy Harold, Vice President CLC Associates, Inc., representing Wal-Mart at the public hearing for possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for an expansion to the existing Wal-Mart located on Landmark Drive. The project was introduced and explained by Kimber Gabryszak, Planner. The county is currently working on realigning Landmark Drive so that it passes along the front of the Wal-Mart property, which could cause a concern in traffic impact. If this road does not happen, the impact should be minimal. Wal-Mart has worked out an agreement to compensate this by including the installation of a traffic signal at the entrance to the Wal-Mart parking lot, as well as conditions to mitigate impacts if the expansion occurs after the realignment. The existing parking ratio at the Wal-Mart is 6.9 spaces to every 1,000 square feet of commercial space. The expansion will result in this ratio lowering to about 3.3 spaces per 1,000 square feet which includes ten handicap accessible spaces. This meets with Summit County’s maximum of 3.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet, which means that no additional parking is currently proposed or required. On July 8, the planning commission made a positive recommendation to Summit County Board of Commissioners. The vote was basically unanimous from planning commission. Currently, it is 42 thousand sq. feet - 115 total square feet. Enlarging to the north and the west - to the viewer’s right and to the rear of the building. There is to be 25,000 sq. feet office and storage - and 25,000 sq. feet for grocery planned to be added. Temporary use permits can be applied for a seasonal garden center. They cannot put storage for the garden center outside. Wal-Mart had been asked to submit a new “Main-Street” design, which they have submitted in two versions. The second version is like the “New Park City”, which they prefer - and was shown by Wal-Mart’s Larry Craighead, Architect from Dallas, TX. He also stated that he was surprised at the comments from the Park City residents, as the prior public hearing and surveys taken were nearly a unanimous vote in favor of the expansion and new look! The planners have suggested that they make the building more pedestrian in nature and still comport with the guidance of the SBPC to keep with the Main Street style. Lighting and landscaping will be changed, and the signage they have proposed does not meet the standards set for this area - the Summit County Board of Commissioners would like to see the code met with the signing. Wal-Mart will also be more conscientious about the physical looks on the property both outdoors on the lot as well as indoors. This was a concern from many of those who spoke at the public hearing, as well as maintenance with landscaping and cleanliness and snow removal in the winter. The majority of the complaints from those who spoke throughout the public hearing referred to traffic problems (not applicable in this hearing - as explained by Commissioner Bob Richer), and maintenance with landscaping and cleanliness, as well as The Band’s Scramble To Play Their Best - Sure Sounds Great! At the Mountain Spirit Heritage Festival the highlight of the day included the famous and popular “Band Scramble”! On Saturday, July 26, people from near and far gathered to play in a band randomly chosen by a drawing held at 1:45 to include all of the registered musicians. The names were put into a drawing,with like instruments in each pile, and drawn out to create a new band with musicians who on the most part had never played together before - sometime who also had never met anyone in their band! The newly formed bands have approximately thirty minutes to get together and prepare two musical numbers - come up with a creative name for their band, and them compete against each other. Anyone who plays or sings bluegrass/old-time acoustic music is invited to enter the contest. The winning bands are determined by an audience applause meter (guess you had better bring your fan club to win this one!). Winners were announced following the program of each of the selections from the bands. They were as follows: 1st place - winning $400 to split between the “Ladies and the Tramp” band with Alexis Nay, Sherry Lane Horman, Tami Nolte, and Steve Busset. 2nd Place went to “The Rock Fish” - with Tammy Nay, Rob O’Driscoll, David Nay, Kim Smith, Bob Wiley, and Doug Swenson. This group divided up the $300.00 prize money. 3rd Place went to the “Dam Gross Drifters” with John Boyd, Marsha McBride, Megan Nay, Ralph Henry, Carl A\hern, and Marcia Knoor. They split the prize money of $200. The 4th place band (pictured) did not win, but presented their numbers with enthusiasm and had a great time with “EIEIO” chosen as their name; and 5th place “Hot Dam” - also a great rendering of talent - but with no prize money to go home with but enjoyed by the entire audience. The Old Rockport church was “rocking” with music and participation from the audience which could be heard at the other end of the road! Fiesta Days… CONTINUED FROM FRONT volunteer Firemen Business/ Civic: 1st- Oakley Civic club, 2nd- Dutch’s Service, 3rd- Miller, Vance, and Thompson Derby: 1st Split- Jason Pap- pas, 2nd Split Dustin Hardman, 3rd- Mont Sweat, 4th- Cole Potter, Most Aggressive- Mont Sweat, Beauty Car- Brody Mondragon, Powder Puff 1st- Shana Rummell, 2nd- Tiffany Connor, 3rd Amy Deros. Congratulations to each of these winners! snow removal in the winter. There was much opposition this time, where-in the last two meetings and the survey taken by those filling out cards passed out at various times were asked for their opinion, felt that there was no problem and choices should be made to let the Wal-Mart expand and if those who do not wish to patronize the store do not go there that is their right, but it should not be considered - and as stated in the law a reason to keep them from obtaining a conditional use permit. Traffic control has been looked at, and it is deemed a safe program and should alleviate some of the problems when completed. That was not even the issue at this hearing, and many who spoke really vented “off the subject” concerning other matters, and not the matter at hand! The vote from the Summit County Commissioners was 2-1 in favor of having another meeting in which the Wal-Mart architect and engineer will meet and give an adjustment to the conditions asked. (Commissioner Sally Elliott was not in favor of giving WalMart the conditional use permit.) There will be another meeting in a few weeks in which the Wal-Mart architect and engineer will give their adjustments to the conditions asked of them. Summit County Attorney, Dave Thomas, read that: “State statute states that a conditional use shall be approved” …and i.e. if all requirements can be substantially followed and approved. It also stated that only if they are not in compliance can the conditional use permit be denied! This is a general law and a general standard throughout the country. It is a question of the effects of new impacts of the expansion itself - (NOT whether or not there is to be a Wal-Mart). If there is not any reasonable mitigation and all requirements are met, then they (the Commission) should not deny it! Mitigation is not yet over, and Kimber Gabryszak, County Planner, may be contacted for any concerns at extension 3294 at the Summit County Courthouse. Youth Biker Lives Up to his Namesake CHERYL OVARD SNC Editor The name “Gianni” - (pronounced “Johnny”) - is a namesake one 9 1/2-year old young man takes very seriously. Gianni Kennard was named after a famous Italian and former professional road racing cyclist. Gianni Bugno. Bugno was born in Switzerland in 1964, but is Italian. Gianni Kennard’s mother is also Italian, and Gina Kennard named her son after Bugno. Nine-year old Gianni rides his bike in training 25-30 miles every day, and as he crossed the finish line on Saturday, July 26 in Coalville with a seven minute lead over his competitors, he finished first! With this win Gianni is now a triple State Champion——the only Utah racer (in any category) to hold this title. Previously, on May 10th he won The Derek Leyde Memorial Utah State Criterium Championship in West Valley City and on May 31st he won the Happy Valley Utah State Time Trial Championship at Elberta, Utah. The other young man in the picture came in second, is ten years old is Harrison Sligtin, and 1st place in the junior women’s went to nine-year old Lia Westerman. Lia’s brother, age 12 - Ryan, had a flat tire during the race and could not finish the course. Both Harrison and Gianni are also licensed bikers. Cy Ott, age 10 from St. George, was doing his 2nd race and came in 3rd for the men’s junior race - not pictured. There were over 260 bikers in the race on Saturday in Coalville. These bikers participated in the 3rd Annual Chalk Creek Classic 2008 - (for more information on the Classic go to www.porcupinecycling.com). Mike Meldrum is the promoter for this cycling race. He and some of his friends were taking a ride on their bikes up Chalk Creek, and thought how pretty the scenery was, and it would be a perfict sight for a race. With a little help from sponsors: City of Coalville (and special thanks to Mayor Duane Schmidt), Porcupine Pub and Grille, Cobblestone Mortgage, abckcountry.com, and AlphaGraphics, he and his friends were able to put this race together. Both the Masters and Juniors qualify to place in the Utah State titles. The other division have separate awards. The weather was perfect for the race - and the youth course was 12 miles (traveling up Border Station Road then up a little ways on Chalk Creek Road, turning around and ending at the finish line by the Coalville Cemetery. The other races were 30, 50, 65 and 80 miles. Those going the 80 miles went up to Wanship making a loop before they continued back to Chalk Creek Road - all racers starting at North Summit High School. (photo by Gianni’s father, Kenyon Kenyard). Mountain Spirit… CONTINUED FROM FRONT The car show this year brought in more than 80 cars from classics to old time to souped up vehicles of all sizes and shapes - even some from Europe! The Best in Show was a Ford Roadster which was worth over $300 thousand! Many who came won prizes from the raffle, and gifts from suppliers from the Uinta Auto Parts (Jason Peterson - Owner). There were t-shirts, tool sets, waxes, hats, Dutchoven crock pots and more! Last but not least - was the auction which is a fund-raiser for Primary Medical Center. It brought in donations from young and old - with both a silent and traditional auction with a live auctioneer - and it was a great success. Tallies were still being put together and the final sum will be announced in next weeks “New s” according to the Kamas City! Talent - food - fun - laughs friendships renewed - that is what it is all about! A great week to visit Kamas - at the Kamas Fiesta Days! in their western attire, and some in the modern clothing of today! They were eating their neighbors dust from traveling behind them along the way, their faces and clothing showing the effects of the roadway they came in on, but all had smiles and cheerful shouts and waving to those awaiting their arrival at Rockport in front of the old Rockport Church! By noon the last of the wagons were drawn up in the field, and horses were unharnessed and let out to pasture. It was a great way to display the mode of travel (maybe a little cheaper than the modern-day prices of gas!) and there were not complaints. After unharnessing the teams, participants joined in with the band scramble, food at the booths, and saw the demonstrations of spinning, weaving, knitting and quilting items some of them even for sale. There were exhibits of antique agricultural equipment, mowing demonstrations and pony cart rides for all ages. Vendor and artisans were present to show and sell their wares, as well as talent shows depicting the entertainment of yesterday with clogging to band and fiddling musicians. There was also a horse pulling contest - even with the mules! Each evening contra dancing and live music by Loose Shoes Band and calling by Rob Snow was available to participate in or to enjoy just watching! It was a great success, as always, and more participants joined in the fun this year - anticipating a casual and fun time by all. Special thanks to the committee’s efforts - and there were many who helped to make this event possible - and a special thank you to Bruce Longstroth for his talent in making the leather prizes presented to each of the band scramble participants. The numerous members of the committee need to be commended for a job well done! |
