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Show June 7,1979 Page 3 Sometimes I Play The Devil's Advocate "V J In on effort to familiarize Park City residents with their elected and appointed officials. The Newspaper has been conducting a series of interviews with members of the City Council and the Planning Commission. To date, opinions and observations ob-servations have been elicited from Mayor Jack Green, councilmen Bob Wells, Dick Shoff, Eleanor Bennett, and Steve Dering. Yet to be interviewed is councilman Richard Martinez, Mar-tinez, who is away on vacation. Interviewed in Part Six of the series is Planning Commission Chairman Bur-nis Bur-nis Watts. At a February 1 public hearing, the Park City Council adopted an ordinance ordinan-ce expanding the Planning Commission from five to seven voting members who serve three-year terms on a rotating basis. The chairman, chair-man, previously appointed to an indefinite term, now will be elected annually by the other commission members mem-bers and could serve a maximum of two consecutive con-secutive terms. Burnis Watts is a native Utahn born in Leamington in Millard County. After a 15-year teaching stint in Gunnison, Mr. Watts came to Park City in 1965 to replace retiring Carl Winters Win-ters as the school district's superintendent. Three years later he went to work for the state department and now is coordinator for the State Board of Education in the division of data processing. We asked Mr. Watts to describe the function of the Planning Commission and its chairman, and to discuss the planning problems facing the board. "The Planning Commission Com-mission is multi-functional," Watts; began,.T"Its responsibility respon-sibility is to generate information infor-mation and recommend a master plan for the city. The master plan as adopted to date is now in need of major revision because it has outgrown the concepts on which it was founded. The area has changed drastically, and the master plan now needs a new look. "The Planning Commission Commis-sion is in the process of generating the information and recommending to the City Council changes to the master plan. It is a very large project and will require a good deal of public and planner input before it is complete. The master plan needs a better look at what the goals and objectives objec-tives of the city really are based on the increasing growth pattern. One major concern is, just how big do we want to get, and what kind of quality of life do we want. "Personally, I have a fairly biased viewpoint because i have resided in the open vistas and have experienced the uniqueness of the area the changing climate that brings the pleasure of cool summers and winter sports. And we are close to an urban center. But I don't want this to become another urban environment. en-vironment. I don't think that's close at hand yet, but the trend is growing faster than it needs to. We're developing now primarily for the resort tourist, and it is an unbalanced situation. As in the past, Park City is a one-industry town. It was mining, and today we are again going in one directiontoward direc-tiontoward the tourist. I think we need diversification. diver-sification. "No, we are not master planned toward diversification. diver-sification. We need to look closely at the land management code, the master plan and the city ordinances. or-dinances. As we get into the master plan update, other concepts that relate to the goals of the city will motivate changes in other areas." What are some of the major problems facing the Planning Commission? "There are a complex number of problems associated with the increasing in-creasing number of developments coming 1 "I , -T"" " "' ft -A. before the Planning Commission," Com-mission," Watts commented. commen-ted. "For one reason, the cost of real estate has escalated to where the development sector is to the point where they have to get the most out of their land. This does not necessarily make for the most desirable development. The more desirable areas of the city are developed first, and those left over come under more severe restraints and make for a more complex decision-making process on the part of the commissioners." com-missioners." . Will a moratorium be called to halt development until such time as the master plan can be updated to reflect Park City's changing needs? "I don't think there will be a moratorium," Watts remarked. "I don't see the need for it. Some people believe that if you have strong enough ordinances that growth can be controlled con-trolled and confined, but no code can do that. It's analogous to our courts of law. We have laws and regulations, but we need judges to define them. The Planning Commission's role is similar. It allows for negotiations. Even though we have city ordinances, the types of development presented may not be wise or prudent for that area. We have to look at each project individually and ascertain what an area can have so that the land use is reasonable and the town's needs are met. We get some criticism for negotiating, but it still is a major responsibility of the commission com-mission to see that it is a viable, necessary and meaningful project." Developers are traditionally viewed as the bad guys, while the commission com-mission stands armed at the pass ready to fend them off. How do you view developers? "Developers by and large are truly interested in the same goals and beliefs as the majority of the towns people," Watts said. "There are, of course, a few whose objective it is to further their economic goals, but they truly are the minority. Developers play a vital role in the community and effect it in many ways. They offer fresh ideas. It can be a healthy amalgamation. The key is learning to work together." You opposed the expansion expan-sion of the Planning Commission Com-mission and took exception to the council's premise that the restructuring would increase in-crease the expertise of the board, strengthen it if a decision is challenged in court, and address public criticism that the local business community is not fully represented. What are your feelings following the April 12 appointment of new members Bill Coleman and Mike Vance? Burnis Watts "It's too early to tell yet what the long-term effects will be," Watts said. "But I haven't changed my mind as far as opposing the expansion. ex-pansion. The reasons purported pur-ported are not viable and it doesn't solve the problems. Although the members appointed are good members, increasing the number of people on the board has prolonged the ability to get approvals done. The dialogue at each meeting has increased measurably, which was a foregone conclusion. I also disagree with the enlargement because of the conflict of interest I will never be convinced that that is not a serious matter. The commission was left out in the decision of the expansion. expan-sion. If the council values the judgement of the commission, com-mission, then it should have been consulted. You don't hire a lawyer for his guidance and then don't use him. But the commission is made up of intelligent people and we all work well together. I still am concerned concern-ed with the commission's image when some members have to abstain from a vote, or the commission votes on a presentation made by one of its members it's just not a desirable situation." How do the Planning Commission and the City Council interact? "The Planning Commission Com-mission does not function as well as it should with the City Council," Watts pointed out. "There is a communication com-munication gap. There is a problem understanding roles that has not been totally resolved. I can see improvements coming about in a number of ways. For one, the commission and council should, by a predetermined agenda, meet and find out what has happened. hap-pened. There is not enough communication between bodies. While the Planning Commission is only a recommending body, it is only reasonable to have enough dealings with the council so that the rationale and direction taken by the commission is understood. We do have a city council liaison with the commission, which is good, but it is not carried far enough. "As in the past, the use of the city planner is not used fully by the council. I never see a planner's report on the council agenda, and I think it is necessary to dialogue the projects presented so that, ag ni, the rationale is understood. The city planner plan-ner plays an important role as a staff member of the City Council. He is the major instigator of investigations in-vestigations of projects, interpreter in-terpreter of the codes and master plan and serves as a resource to the commission as relates to the research of developments as they come in. He is a recommender and informer to both the council and commission. "The key for the com mission and the planner is responsible growth. We don't want to stop growth." What are some accomplishments accom-plishments the commission can point to? "Well, we've approved 400, 5006,000 projects,". Watts said with a laugh. "Seriously, the land management code as adopted adop-ted was a major step that allowed us to control as well as we have the growth of Park City. The Planning Commission had a major role in that. What's ahead for Park City? "I see a period of growth still i and a number of problems coming before us because of it. We need to continually change the code to keep up with the needs in our changing environment. I don't want to see our hillsides desicrated, but as I've said before, there is a point of negotiation. It can't be overemphasized that just because there are certain zones it does not dictate certain cer-tain developments. The most reasonable thing will be done within the confines of the ordinance. There is a danger in creating zones for special interst groups that are not in the best interest of the city. Just because a developer has a project he feels is good for Park City, it is incorrect to think that the city will acquiesce." Wliat problems are associated with being chairman of the Planning Commission? "Any chairman has a unique role," Watts observed. obser-ved. "It is a leadership role and I think my responsibility respon-sibility is to elicit discussion and to direct it. At times I play the devil's advocate in making sure issues are understood. un-derstood. I keep the meetings moving and help make decisions relating to projects so that they are within the confines of the code and don't violate the intent of the plan. "Apathy among the towns people concerns me as much as anything in the role of a public servant. There are too many apathetical people. They are the ones who continually criticize, but are not willing to serve on any committee or make their wants or needs known at the proper time. The Planning Commission does what it does on the belief that it is doing the right thing with the desires of the people in mind. Until recently, recent-ly, only developers attended atten-ded the commission i meetings.1 I think it's healthy that people are becoming more interested and are attending the meetings. It is the best way to help make decisions related to the community. Will you seek reappointment reappoint-ment as chairman after your one-year term has expired? ex-pired? 'Yes, definitely. I still am interested in what happens to this community." Summer Playground Program June 11-August 17 This year's Rec Department Summer Program has a brand new look. For the first time ever, a Playground Program, geared toward the Middle and Elementary school age child, will be offered at the City Park. Between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, the Rec Department staff will be directing scheduled activities ac-tivities and supervising free play periods. Due to a limited staff and budget there are only a couple of scheduled activities each day. However, children are encouraged to drop in anytime during playground hours to check out sports equipment and games or just to hang out or play around all under the supervision of a Rec Department staff member. Rec Department Staff Bruce Henderson, Director Marilyn Rivas, Program Supervisor Karen Epifano, Program Supervisor For further information, drop by the Park Office or call 649-9461. 311 Activity Descriptions There will be an hour set aside for lunch each day, as well as an hour each day for supervised "free play." The Adventure Program, designed especially for Middle School age boys and girls, will include activities ranging from a marching kazoo band, to swimming, swim-ming, to movies, to Softball, to water fights, to an end-of-summer backpacking trip and everything in between. The program is flexible, in that activities can be changed or added according to the mood and interests of the kids involved. in-volved. It's going to be a "go with the flow" summer! MonWed, 9:30-11:30 am. Arts & Crafts A beginning crafts class will be held for elementary school ages, while an advanced crafts class will be held for middle school ages. A list and schedule of crafts may be obtained at the Park Office. There may be minimum charges to cover material expenses. TuesThu, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Outdoor Awareness A one time per week session of hiking in areas surrounding surroun-ding Park City. Environmental education and just plain having fun in nature will be stressed. Separate sessions for elementary and middle school age boys and girls. ThuFri, 9:30-11:30 a.m. D.D.M & CE (short for Drama, Dance, Music and Creative Expression) A time when we can enjoy each other, develop self-esteem and have one heck of a good time by expressing ourselves with music, dramatics, dance, and play. Open to children of all ages, 5 years to 95! MonFri, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Storytelling & Creative Expression A mini-D.D.M. & CE activity designed exclusively ex-clusively for elementary school age children. A nice, cool, relaxing way to spend a hot summer afternoon. Wed, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Organized Games A just plain fun time with the regular old standby games plus an introduction to "new games"! Play Hard, play fair, nobody hurt. Open to all ages. Tues, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Excursions From time to time during the summer, the Rec Department will be sponsoring special trips to special places. Any age is welcome. Watch the Park bulletin board and community notices for details. m mm 118 Other Rec Programs Charm & Modeling Class A unique class especially for young ladies in the 6th and 7th grades. Learn about hair care, healthful eating, skin care, nail care, posture & manners. Then top it off with a Mother-Daughter Fashion Show & Luncheon. Sign-up with Marilyn at Park Office. Starting Wednesday, June 27. Women's Soccer "Soccer is just a kick in the grass" as you'll find out through weekly training sessions and chalk talks. For ladies 18 years and older. This program is being conducted with the hopes of fielding a team in this fall's newly formed Utah Women's Soccer League. An organizational meeting will be held at the Memorial Building on Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. If you can't be there, please leave your name and number with the Rec Department so you can be notified of practice times. Little League Baseball It's still not too late to sign-up. Open to all boys AND girls, ages 7 to 15. Cost $10. Memorial Building Full facilities open every Wednesday 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Special Events Coming up this summer skateboard contest, square dances, dan-ces, bluegrass concerts, super team competition, pet shows, bike rodeo, and many more. Watch for details. |