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Show 9? Twenty-Five Cents Volume Four Two Picked or Commission The City Council last Thursday night appointed two new members to the Planning Commission, and created an historic preservation ad hoc committee. With Councilwoman Eleanor Bennett Ben-nett abstaining from the vote, the council unanimously appointed land company owner Bill Coleman and civil engineer Mike Vance to four-year four-year terms on the commission. Both men are Park City residents. The appointments followed months of controversy over the expansion of the commission. Members of the present commission argued that enlarging the board from five to seven members would dilute its strength and decision-making ability. Mayor Jack Green defended the decision, claiming the body would be more representative of all factions of the city and would have a greater base of expertise should legal questions arise. At Thursday night's meeting, Planning Commission chairman Burnis Watts took issue with the appointment ap-pointment of Coleman. "One of the key issues that has been paramount in the past, and should be now, is conflict of interest," in-terest," Watts said. "I have every respect for the candidates, but there is a serious conflict of interest with Bill Coleman someone in the prime development sector. It raises questions of being able to be unbiased." Ex-City Councilwoman and attorney attor-ney Mary Lehmer concurred, adding that even if Coleman abstained from voting in some instances, his presence pres-ence on the commission would be influential. in-fluential. "Are you saying that every occupation oc-cupation but a real estate developer is able to be objective?" asked Councilman Coun-cilman Steve Dering. Councilman Bob Wells commented that it is not what a person does for a living, but what kind of person he is that makes him capable of objectivity objec-tivity and to maintain integrity. "We spent a great deal of time weighing this from everyone's point of view," Mayor Green commented. "We feel this is a good way to address ad-dress all the segments of the city." The mayor noted that an ad hoc committee has been created to give specific guidance to the Planning Commission and City Council on matters mat-ters concerning historic preservation. preser-vation. Members of the committee will be appointed by the Park City Historical Society. On Tuesday, Coleman commented that his knowledge of landowners in Park City, current property values and the physical limitations of the city would be helpful in updating the city's master plan, and more importantly, impor-tantly, in keeping the city from becoming an elitest community. "I understand that some people were worried about conflict of interest in-terest at the meeting last week," Coleman said. "Anyone who works in Page 3 There may be more ill voices in Park Cilv but the lifestyle here eases adjustment to the single life. Park City has a conflict of interest. Whatever the negative side of that may be, my input is still valuable." Coleman said he hopes to encourage en-courage the continual update of the present master plan, noting that it does not now reflect the current conditions con-ditions in Park City. He commented that it is important that the Planning Commission begin planning the city's growth, rather than reacting to it. On Wednesday, Mike Vance told the Newspaper he applied for the Planning Commission post because of his background in engineering, planning and project development. Vance is a civil engineer, and previously has served on planning commissions for Lake Tahoe, California and in Hawaii. "What I've learned by serving on and appearing before other commissions com-missions will help me contribute to Park City's Planning Commission," Vance commented. Vance noted that most of the readily developable property in Park City has been developed, with the remaining property situated on the hillsides. He said he is particularly interested in-terested in using his expertise to insure in-sure that sloping developments are well-planned and properly engineered. "I have never been a believer in zero growth," Vance said. "You take a place that has the history behind it like Park City does with years and years of mining background. Now there is going to be a history of tourism. The city is going to be developed. But we need to look at all the parameters, and if they fit within the city's land management code, they should be permitted. The code needs to be looked at and reviewed every three to five years, because it isn't set up just for today, but also for what's ahead for the city." City Buys Big Top The City Council last Thursday night voted to purchase a 1,500 person per-son canvas tent to house summer arts (programs in Park City this year. City Councilman Bob Wells commented com-mented that the need for a tent was prompted by the upcoming American Society of Travel Agents conference in mid-May and the recently announced announ-ced pilot program of summer art events to be held in Park City in conjunction con-junction with the University of Utah. This year's Arts Festival director, Tina Lewis, commented that in case of inclement weather, it was necessary to assure indoor seating for up to 1,500 people for some summer sum-mer events planned. The highlight of the summer agenda will be an open air concert by the Utah Symphony Orchestra and a special guest artist. The concert will be staged in Treasure Hollow at the Park City resort. The guest artist was to have been Benny Goodman, but Goodman has been ill and negotiations are now underway with Neil Diamond. "It all started with ASTA when we realized we needed a place to seat 1,500 people," Mrs. Lewis said. "We laughingly said we needed a circus tent. Then we talked to the university, univer-sity, and they said we needed a weather back-up for the symphony. And then we started thinking about this year's Bluegrass Festival, Suddenly Sud-denly the circus tent idea seemed like a good one. "We made all kinds of tent jokes .after that," Mrs. Lewis chuckled. Continued On Page U w T Thursday, April 12, 1979 I Wyff'W Park City's Rolfe Sandberg day. The local ski club posted three victories in the annual event. Hillside Development Still Drawing Fire "The project is quite a bit different than two years ago," Van Martin said. But most of the people attending the Planning Commission input session at the Prosepctor Square Conference Center on Wednesday, April 4 apparently felt the Quittin' Time project is not different enough. Martin, a planner with J.J. Johnson John-son and Associates, was representing Jack Sweeney, developer of the controversial con-troversial project planned for upper Norfolk Avenue. A larger development develop-ment proposed by Sweeney for the same area two years ago was rejected rejec-ted by the city. Quittin' Time has drawn opposition from residents, especially some living on Woodside Avenue, who do not want to see the hillside developed. They have contended building on the site would create hazards and negatively impact city services. The current Quittin' Time plan calls for 70 condominium units and 26 single family lots on 54 acres. The development would require the extension ex-tension of Norfolk Avenue and Sweeney is asking for road width and setback variances. Martin and architect John Carbine gave a slide presentation providing an overview of the development site and a comparison to existing buildings and roads in the area. The entire Quittin' Time plan is divided into three sub-projects. Quittin' Time A would consist of 23 condominium units in the city's historic district. The units would utilize Victorian architecture and would face uphill. Carbine said the project was designed to incorporate the natural grade of the hillside. Quittin' Time B would be a 47-unit condominium project built along contemporary con-temporary lines. According to the architect, ar-chitect, Stephanie Churchill of the Utah Historic Foundaton was "pleased" with both the clustering of Page J 2 Ju.v i4 is the date for the Pide & Tie. Those who wan I to be ready in time betti r start hoofing now. was one of 180 racers competing in the units and plans to step the condominiums con-dominiums up the hillside to retain the scale of the area. The third phase of the project would be the 26-lot subdivision. sub-division. Both Martin and Carbine said the hillside site would not pose any problems that could not be overcome by proper engineering. Martin also noted a report from avalanche expert Lyon Fitzgerald which said that the site has no significant avalanche potential, with the possible exception of one area. Describing the potential in that area as small, Martin said Sweeney will reforest the questionable section to reduce the hazard. Bill Lence, who lives on the southern portion of segmented Norfolk Nor-folk Avenue, was the only resident to speak in favor of the project. Lence said a majority of people living on the southern section of Norfolk would welcome the project because it would provide additional access to their homes. "With careful planning, every objection ob-jection could be overcome with the exception of those who don't want any development," Lence told the commission. Lence was among 80 people attending atten-ding the input session. Although that is exceptional attendance for a Planning Plan-ning Commission meeting, the hearing was held in the conference center's large movie theater and the vastness of the room made the crowd look sparse. Attorney Kent Linebaugh, representing Cathee Soares of the Woodside Avenue Homeowners Association, directed a variety of questions at Martin concerning zoning, slopes, variances, and traffic. Linebaugh did not attack the project, saying he would air his concerns at future Planning Commmission meetings. Bill and Julie Bertagnole expressed concern over snow removal. Mr. Ber- ' Dry ted will 20s. the Tribune Classic last Satur See story on Page 5. tagnole a former Planning Commission Com-mission member, also contended the city never envisioned a development such as Quittin' Time on the hillside. "You're covering the mountain. That's what we all came here to see." Citing a water line break in the North Star subdivision that damaged two homes below it, former City Councilwoman Mary Lehmer said, "If the city couldn't monitor North Star, it can't monitor others." Lehmer said it was the intent of the city's master plan to impose estate zoning for grades over 25 percent due to erosion and traffic problems. She claimed "the spirit, if not the actual letter" of the master plan would be violated if Quittin' Time is approved. The former councilwoman went on to say the new sewer treatment plant will not be able to handle the project and that the city water supply is inadequate to service the new development. Continued On Page 11 Former City I'otmcilwoniaii Mary Lehmer said Quittin' Time violates the '-spirit" of the master plan. ' aw ?7 and warmer weather predic through the weekend. Highs be near 60 with lows in the NurTmrty" Council Passes Housing Incentive The City Council last Thursday night unanimously approved a change to the Land Mangement Code that provides incentives for construction of low and moderate income housing units in Park City. City Planner David Preece said the special housing exception was spurred by an increasing housing shortage that became even more apparent ap-parent last November when seasonal employees sought living accommodations. accom-modations. Expressing hope that future developments will include accommodations ac-commodations for employees, Preece described the housing exception as a way to cope with the existing problem. As outlined by the special exception, excep-tion, developers will be allowed a higher density of 20 units per acre in the RD (residential development) and RDM (residential development-medium development-medium density) zones. The RD zone includes Holiday Ranch, Park Meadows, Thaynes Canyon and part of Prospector Square. The RDM zone includes the remainder of Prospector Square, Prospector Village, and a parcel of land fronting Highway 224. Developers of low and moderate income housing will be required to provide 50 percent open space in their projects excluding parking and public streets, and one parking space per bedroom. After the project is approved, the Planning Commission will recommend recom-mend a rent schedule to the city's housing authority with periodic increases in-creases based on such indices as the ' Consumer Price Index. The city will hold title to the project for a 15-year period to insure that the development remains as low or moderate income housing. "Private developers have complained com-plained in the past that the densities alllowed in those zones are not high enough to justify projects of this sort," Preece said Tuesday. "This special exception provides an incentive incen-tive by allowing higher densities. It's there for the developers to use, and it gives guidelines .for future development." develop-ment." Tower Site Donated Calling it "a perfect site trom every point of view," Community Wireless of Park City announced this week that it has been donated the use of one of the old mining tramwpy towers above the Coalition Building to mount an antenna for Ihe proposed community radio station. "We have a letter of intent from Park Ventures, which leases the towers from United Park City Mines, to use the no. 2 tramway tower, located above Gary Kimball's house at 662 Tramway," announced Blair Feulner, president of the community-based community-based group which is working to license a non-profit, non-commercial, FM station in Park City. "We think Bill Norem of Park Ventures Ven-tures and LaMar Oseca of United Park should be commended for helping a project that we believe will benefit the entire community." Feulner went on to praise the assistance of resident Gary Kimball, who has agreed to donate the use of a shed under the tower to house the radio transmitter. Continued On Page !) |