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Show Wednesday, July 6, 1977 THE Page 3 n Gifts, Souveniers, Books Martin Biscusses Park City Park City Planner Van Martin will vacate his office in City Hall Friday to enter private industry. Although here for just under two years. Martin served during a period of fast-paced activity and the Newspaper interrupted his busy schedule this week to elicit some observations on the recent past, the present and the future of our town. Martin was hired by the city in August of 1975 when "municipal planning was VJ. "Municipal Planning was really at its beginning " really at its beginning." It was also a period of transition for the city. The traumatic change of ownership at the resort had just taken place and the nation was starting to pull itself out of a recession that had compounded the city's financial difficulties. Too much building and not enough buyers had depressed the local real estate market and eventually led to the Great Park Avenue Condominium Sale. Although the prognosis may be premature, it was, perhaps, the period in which the caterpiller began its transformation into the butterfly. In regards to city planning, Martin feels the most significant accomplishments accomplish-ments during the last two years were the passage of the revised zoning ordinance and the establishment of the municipal planning office. And the two are not unrelated, he adds. "One of the real problems regarding the zoning ordinance was that there was no one 'in house' to answer the questions and concerns of the people," the planner said. Before Martin arrived on the scene, city planning fell largely into the hands of a consulting firm - Architects and Planners Alliance -which served on a part-time basis. ccording to Martin, much of the early opposition to the proposed zoning revision stemmed from a lack of understanding. The planner said one of his first priorities after being hired was to meet with older residents to explain what the ordinance was all about. Many of the long-time residents preferred the old ordinance, Martin recalls, because of the higher densities it permitted. Attitudes changed when he explained that the short-term short-term depression on property values due to downzoning would be counteracted by the long-term advantages of a well-planned city, Martin said. "I really didn't receive much opposition to the new ordinance and planning in general as long as they understood what was happening." The new ordinance reduced the city's potential population from 100,000 to 20,000 and Martin termed this a crucial step in the town's struggle to preserve its quality of life. He said the old densities were "completely incompatible with good planning and would have been impossible to live with. "It was a real plus for the commnnity," he remarked. "There are many places which have tried to downzone without success. I'm not aware of any other places in Utah that have been able to downzone to the same extent ." Martin views the planning office which he created as a place where different sectors of the community can come together. "The municipal planning office seems to be treated by the public and the developers as a common meeting ground," he remarked. "They both feel comfortable here and they get good, honest answers to their questions." Despite the acceleration in building activity Martin maintains that his office has been able to provide a "relaxed atmosphere" where people can present plans or register complaints. He contrasts this with the "chaotic and disjointed" situation that existed prior to the birth of the planning office. Present At present, development occurring within the city is not hurting the community, but. rather, is helping it. according to the planner. He said the growth is under control. "The activity now is at a safe level and is in tune with the planning objectives of the city." He cautioned, however, that the city must continue to seek and secure new water sources and insure that city-services city-services can keep pace with the expansion. He noted that aside from zoning restrictions, the availability Just before the passage of the revised zoning ordinance and prior to the latest sewer bond election there was a tremendous jump in building permit applications and plans being submitted for approvals. Had the sewer bond 4 Y POP JENKS PLACE 430 Main Street Park City Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. BRIDAL VAIL GIFTS Bridal Vail Falls Provo Canyon RIDE THE WORLD'S STEEPEST TRAIN H L v AT THE GOLF COURSE Opening Friday Juiy 8th 7 days a Week Breakfast, Lunch and Patio i 8am to 5pm Special Sunday Brunch 11 to 3 pm Brunch Reservations 649-7177 "The activity is now at a safe level... " of water would be the most limiting growth factor. Martin did observe that there have been two periods during which "mad panics" have occurred on the building scene. "The developers have matured over the past few years. " .'lection rush on City Hall intensified Martin remarked. "I would have called for a halt to it." As for the present building boom, the planner predicted, "Unless something unforeseen happens, things will level off. But as long as the national economy is o.k. there will be reasonable development." . . The increased stability of Park City's economy is manifest by the amount of building taking place despite last winter's drought, Martin said. "The developers have matured over the last few years. The amount of building is now being dictated by market demand and not pure speculation." Another change benefiting the city, Martin said, is that the major developers are local residents "who have a feel for the community." Continued On Page 7 TUB MOT Hi i Tired? Tense? Muscles Tight? 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