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Show n3Ellmrl J 1- GLli-L . Vol. 109, No. 47 3 Sections, 32 Pages Thursday January 12, 1989 Exam delays Highway 224 by HEIDI WEST Record staff writer Yet another delay in the delay-plagued delay-plagued construction of an expanded Highway 224 has struck, city engineer Eric DeHaan told council members Thursday, Jan. 5. This time, the slowdown is for environmental en-vironmental reasons, and it will mean phase II of the highway from Silver Springs to Kearns Blvd. (S.R. 248) will be pushed back another year to 1990. "They want the (widening) (widen-ing) to withstand any court challenge," DeHaan said. To ensure the project is not sued on environmental grounds, the Utah Dept. of Transportation (UDOT) will re-do an environmental assessment assess-ment it completed eight years ago when the road widening was still in the planning stages, said Ken Wintch, UDOT Archeologist. This time, it will include an analysis of the impact of the road on several different historical finds along the right of way, as well as on wetlands. For instance, Wintch said consultants are exploring whether much of the old Snyderville township artifacts will be affected. Several cabin foundations, the ruins of a fort built in the Blackhawk War, an old buggy road and what is left of a 19th Century grist mill are at stake. DeHaan also said Indian fire pits have been excavated, although Wintch told the Record he did not know of any. Summit Park Water emergency order issued by TEIU ORR Record editor In their first official act after being be-ing sworn in Monday the new Summit Sum-mit County commission issued a health emergency order for the Summit Park residential area due to a low pressure water problem. The State Department of Health had issued a boil ordar for area residents also on Monday. According Accor-ding to Marti Plaisier, secretary of the special service district which manages the water company, the low pressure was creating a vacuum and sucking into the pipes "things you don't want in your water." As a result, residents were told to boil their water for five minutes at a rapid boil and to rotate water usage to every third day. "That means you can use water in a normal but restricted fashion for one day and then go without water for two days," said Plaisier. State health representives were 1 988 was a great year for construction by HEIDI WEST Record staff writer Of the last three, 1988 has been a stellar construction year for Park City. According to year-end statistics released by the Park City building department, the number of dwellings dwell-ings and other buildings increased substantially. But, the real surprise is the value of that construction. In both 1986 and 1987, developers were responsible for about about $12.5 million worth of new homes, alterations, and and commercial establishments. But, last year that number nearly doubled to $22.4 million. Most of the difference can be chalked up to the single family home market, said Ron Ivie, the city's chief building official. "The residential residen-tial market has been strong," he said. "Particularly by Delta (Airlines) folks." Ivie noted that most of the new homes being built in Park City are "on the high end" and start at about $200,000. He also said that houses are going up almost everywhere except the historic district of Old Towne. "Park Meadows is probably the big winner," win-ner," he said of the number of homes built in 1988. Another significant difference between bet-ween the 1988 construction year and the past two is that condominiums seem to be returning, at least in Deer Valley. No multi-family units were built inside city limits in either 1986 or 1987, but four projects totall The decision to re-do the environmental en-vironmental work was made after D.A. Osguthorpe made it known he did not approve of the planned realignment through his property, said DeHaan. "The best way to delay a project is by suing on the EA (environmental assessment)," he added. Wintch agreed. "UDOT wants to have an airtight case on this one," he said. "The Federal Highway Administration Ad-ministration wants everything done right." Wintch added a complete ar-cheological ar-cheological assessment takes a great deal of time, perhaps more than UDOT planners had counted on when they originally told residents the highway would be completed from Kimball Junction to Park City by 1988. "There are so many hoops to jump through," he said. "It just adds up to a bunch of time." First, any historic structure or find has to go through a "determination "determina-tion of eligibility" in conjunction with the State Historic Preservation Officer, said Wintch. Then, UDOT determines whether the project will have an effect on the find. From here, an "agreement document" is forged. This sets out ways in which the impact will be mitigated or negated. Then, UDOT holds a public hearing hear-ing to discuss the impacts and whether they have been analyzed properly. It incorporates comments into a final EA and determines expected to appear at the monthly board meeting of the water district scheduled for Wednesday evening. Press deadlines precluded coverage of the meeting. But late Wednesday afternoon the Park Record reached Gayle Smith, director of the State Bureau of Drinking Water and Sanitation who said he felt hopeful to announce a solution to the problem at the meeting. "Last year was the driest year recorded in that area since 1931. The aquifers were simply too far down to replenish the wells and springs. There is a new test well which looks like it will be brought on line in the next six to eight weeks. It looks very good with the potential to produce 300 to 400 gallons of water per minute. But in the meantime, there is a health hazard when 40 to 50 homes are chronically out of water every day. "We've researched this problem to see how we could bring drinking ing 23 units went up last year. Ivie said there had been a little flurry of commercial activity on Main Street as well, accounting for seven of the 553 building permits issued by Park City last year. Impact fees generated by new construction con-struction also rose from $185,000 in both 1987 and 1988 to almost $400,000 last year. Ivie said the city would make "every effort to return the money to the area where the fee was generated," and noted impact fees most often went to road repair and maintenance in an area. The city collects the fees to offset the impact of new construction. Other year-end construction statistics are as follows: In 1986, 366 permits for $12.6 million worth of construction were issued by the city. In 1987, that figure rose to 454, and in 1988, the city granted 553 permits. Valuation of that construction in 1987 was $12.5 million, and in 1988, $22.38 million. The number of permits for single ' family homes rose from 26 in 1986 and 42 in 1987 to 67 last year. Two duplexes and 23 multi-family units were built in 1988. The number of alterations and additions ad-ditions to homes also rose in 1988, from 109 in 1986 and 136 in 1987 to 143 in 1988. The other category of construction on the increase is "miscellaneous," which includes excavations, footings and foundations, retaining walls, demolitions and ski lifts. It rose from 70 in 1986 to 119 in 1987 and 171 in 1988. whether there will be any significant impacts from the project. If so, it must write an environmental impact statement, something which could take months or even years. Wintch told the Record the information infor-mation on historic finds uncovered so far would not warrant an EIS in his opinion. The EA will also examine the impact im-pact of the widened highway on wetlands which occur all along its length, said John Maurer, UDOT District 2 roadway design engineer. Most of the wetlands, which include streams and marshes, are on Osguthorpe's property, but the road will affect about eight acres total, he added. How best to avoid the wetlands has been the subject of an ongoing debate for months now, but UDOT has recently secured a federal permit per-mit to widen the highway along its preferred alignment. In the area of the Osguthorpe dairy, the road would expand east to the north of the dairy, and west in the vicinity of the dairy. Although this would mean filling in some of the stream along the highway, UDOT plans to mitigate that impact by improving other wetlands on Osguthorpe's property in exchange, said Maurer. Negotiations Negotia-tions on just what streams would be improved is still ongoing, he added. As it stands now, bids on phase II of the project are expected in late 1989 with construction beginning in spring of 1990. water into the area and I believe it falls under the direction of the Army Corps of Engineers. I think they have the funding to pay for such a service as well." For Summit Park residents the latest water crisis is simply another in a series of problems that have beset the subdivision. "We inherited a deficient system," says Plaisier. "The wells were built high up on the ridges and we just don't get recovery until the spring. With the past few drought years the system has been taxed beyond the ability to serve all the residents." Plaisier added the restrictive order also says residents may not run water to forstall freezing and they are not allowed any unauthorized unauthoriz-ed use of water. "Every drop is a precious commodity com-modity up here," she said."We need to work together until this resolved." resolv-ed." Avalanche by JENNIFER MADGIC Record staff writer An avalanche off 10-4-20 peak in the Guardsman Pass area created confusion on Sunday, leaving a Utah Powderbird Guides' helicopter stranded after attempting to rescue possible slide victims. The peak, named after its elevation, is located in the Tri-County Tri-County area near Park City Ski Area's Jupiter chairlift and the Guardsman Pass road connecting connec-ting Park City and Brighton. A rescue was attempted after the Park City Utah Powderbird Guides' office received an anonymous call at approximately Parallel politics By this weekend you can expect Democratic Senator Joe Biden to be leaning toward the right. And there's little doubt come Sunday, Republican Senator John Warner will have leaned to the left and then back to his comfortable right again. How else do you expect these tough skiing competitors to make it through the race gates if they don't lean both ways? This weekend marks the third annual an-nual Senators' Ski Cup a race that combines Parties for parties and last year raised more than $100,000 for Primary Children's Hospital. Senators and Cabinet members will team up for three days of racing and placing bets on the Park City Ski Area's Clementine run. According to host Senator Jake Gam, "Conditions are the best yet for the races. We're looking forward -? ' " " ,Ji ' ' - . .v. ... - , " , trr f . ,.,, . , . . S V iiZ I y-v r J' 4 " y ' V V V ,'.-', "HT'' J - . i- ! v.. l' v J, . Out pf sight A blind youngster tests his skis through instruction from the Park City Handicapped Sports Association. The association, which ht'ps disabled individuals partake in a variety of sports, is currently offering ski instruction for all disabilities at the Park City Ci-ty Ski Area. For more information contact PCHSA at 649-3991. sends rescuers in tailspin 1:50 p.m. explaining the slide with ski tracks leading in but not out of the avalanche's path. According to Powderbird General Manager Rusty Dassing, the office, an arm of Red Pine Backcountry Rescue, responded to the call sending a helicopter to the scene. After shuttling patrollers and rescue dogs from Park City and ParkWest ski areas, the helicopter tried without success to lift off from the site. Dassing said there is speculation something was amiss with the tail of the vehicle. After combing the slide area with rescue equipment and dogs, and discovering a suspect car to another gift of love for the needy children of the intermountain west." Aides confirm Gam has been on the slopes in serious training this week. "He is expecting tough competition com-petition from the likes of John Heinz (R, Pa.)" said a source close to the senator. Races begin Friday at 10 a.m. and each five-person team will be captained cap-tained by a U.S. Senator or Cabinet member. They will race on a dual giant slalom course. On Saturday competitors will wager "grudge matches" and all proceeds will go the Children's Medical Center. The monies raised by the Senators' Ski Cup are specifically targeted to support sup-port the center's effort to provide charitable care of children whose families are otherwise unable to pay. Principal sponsors for the event parked at Brighton had been moved, rescue personnel determined deter-mined skiers escaped unharmed. Another Powderbird helicopter was called in the meantime to pick up stranded rescuers. According to Dassing, due to storm conditions, the broken helicopter has yet to be retrieved. Powderbird personnel are concerned con-cerned the helicopter might be buried by another avalanche off the same peak if Tuesday's storm continues. "It's in a very dangerous area," said Dassing. "Our biggest big-gest concern is that there might be another avalanche." He noted Sunday's avalanche was one of lKLSLVI SENATORS SKI CUP PARK CITY are American Express Company, Park City Ski Area, Delta Airlines, U.S. West, BMI, Coca Cola, First Security Bank, Lucas-Western and Textron. Senators and Cabinet members slated to participate include: Joseph Biden (D, Del.), Christpher Bond (R, Mo.), John Chaffee (R, R.I.), Al D'Amato (R, N.Y.), Jake Gam (R, Ut.), John Glenn (D, Ohio), Slade Jennifer Madgtc the biggest slides of the year. Dassing warned skiers to take heed to conditions throughout the backcountry. He said seven skier-released avalanches occurred occur-red in the Wasatch on Sunday. Although none produced fatalities, Dassing said the slides indicate a clear message to back-country back-country skiers. Additionally, Dassing said skiers should be aware the Avalanche Forecast Center's daily dai-ly recording does not necessarily hold true throughout a given day, especially during a storm. Dassing Dass-ing cautioned skiers "not to go to the steepest point" off a mountain moun-tain and not to predict slope degree within narrow margins. UTAH Gorton (R, Wash.), Orrin Hatch (R, Ut.), John Heinz (R, Pa.), John Her-rington Her-rington (Secretary of Energy), Donald Hodel (Secretary of Interior), In-terior), Jim Jeffords (R, Vt.), Robert Kasten (R, Wis.), Frank Lautenberg (D, N.J.), Frank Murkowski (R, Alaska), Sam Nunn (D, Ga.), Arlen Spector (R, Pa.), Steve Symms (R, Id.), Paul Trible (R, Va.), and John Warner (R, Va.). W I - IK. |