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Show Page A2 O Thursday, March 25, 1993 The Park Record Section A Equity bill vetoed continued from A1 Acting Superintendent Burke Jolley said, "We are anxiously awaiting the 31st to see what is proposed and how it will affect Park City School District." This new legislation will provide $20 million in funding for capital outlay, which means construction costs, property purchases, equipment equip-ment and debt payment. This is the same amount Senate Bill 199 was expected to raise, said Taggart. The money will come from eliminating some tax exemptions, some of which were already repealed, and existing state resources. "Our public school population is growing rapidly and we must provide classroom space for our children. The problem is especially Council members squabble at meeting continued from A1 enamored with discussing the process as you are, Leslie." Mayor Pro Tern Elliott attempted to get order at that point by pounding on the table. However, when it was clear the tensions weren't going to subside, Miller left the work session at 4 p.m., with Gezelius telling her to "Just go. You're the one who is not composed," and Richer calling her a "baby." Later, during the regular meeting, Miller rejoined the group "She perceives things differently than most normal people would' Sally Elliott told Blair Feulner of KPCW Friday morning. in the City Council Chambers to vote on the evenings agenda and to make a statement on the record. "If there is concern over an approval," she stated, "the call-up provision exists....Due process is entitled to every applicant. I have no tolerance for a self-appointed 'Taste Police.' It is inconsequential, Mr. Richer, if you think I'm informed enough, or Ms. Gezelius, if I'm in attendance enough. What is important is that I represent the citizens of Park City equally and fairly." Miller then apologized for the "unprofessional" outburst during work session. Friday morning at 8:10 on Future of Snyderville continued from A1 unduly delayed and devalued when the county imposed the temporary zoning ordinance. The two sides have been trying to negotiate a settlement, with Carlisle working as a facilitator, since January. Tuesday night's meeting was the first opportunity the planning commission and members of the public had to comment on the progress of the negotiations so far. As presented by developers Tuesday night, Mountain Meadows consists of five different projects varying in size and density. They are: Trailside. Located on the east side of the Snyderville Basin overlooking Silver Summit and U.S. Highway 40, Trailside consists of 151 single family home lots on 113 acres of land. The project would place homes on one third acre lots leaving 59 acres of land undeveloped. Meadows Reserve Estates. Located in the Snyderville Basin meadow near the area where Rasmussen Road passes under Interstate 80, Meadows Reserve consists of 60 single family home lots on 281 acres of land. Lots are three quarters of an acre each. The project would leave 233 acres of the parcel open and undeveloped. Canyon Creek apartments. Located north of Interstate 80 near the Burns Fire Station, Canyon Creek consists of 312 apartments on a 39-acrc parcel. Labeled as affordable housing, the project would be built on seven acres of land leaving the remaining 32 acres Fools rush in where journalists acute in districts which do not enjoy a large property tax base from which to draw revenue for school buildings. The 1993 Legislature responded to this problem by passing Senate Bill 199, which would have significantly increased property taxes in most school districts across the state to pay for school building needs," according to the governor's policy statement. Laurie Chivers, deputy superintendent super-intendent for the Utah State Office of Education, said she could not evaluate the plan until more details are released, but that she was most concerned with taking care of the schools' needs. Taggart believes governor's plan targets the school districts that most need assistance. KPCW, Council Member Sally Elliott added fuel to the fire by telling interviewer Blair Feulner that "The problem is Leslie has very, very weak interpersonal skills. We just have to bite our lips and let her have her say.... She perceives things differently than most normal people would." City Council member Bob Richer expressed regret and frustration about the outbreak during a March 23 interview. "I think Leslie made her point," hf explained. "It was worth looking into; but it didn't need to be made four times." Additionally, he was concerned that the public would focus on Thursday and Friday's events and fail to see the whole of the council's accomplishments. "I would hope that this incident and any of the other personality clashes that have engulfed this council for the last 15 months don't poison any good the group has achieved over the last three years. I sincerely believe that everyone I have served on the council with during that time sincerely believes they have the best interest of Park City at heart." ' 5 ' Mayor Brad Olch had similar ' sentiments March 24. He described the current council's relationship as a "stormy marriage" where both partners have the best interests of the children in mind. "We've had facilitators in to help us," he said. "We're never going to agree on everything, but we are somehow able to agree on the things that positively affect the community." He added that , like a marriage, everyday doesn't run smoothly, but he was confident the council would "rise to the occasion to do good things in the future." consists of 37 single family home lots on an 84-acre parcel. Lots are three quarters of an acre in size. An equestrian facility would be included in the development. According to developers, this project would leave 51 acres of land as open space. Mountain View Estates. Located south of Ranch Estates, Mountain View consists of 44 single family home lots on an 85-acre parcel. Lot size and configuration would be similar to Ranch Estates without the horse facility. Forty-eight acres of land would be left undeveloped. '7 would like nothing there. But that's not going to happen' 'Jones said. Summit County planners estimate the entire project could add an additional 1800 people to the Snyderville Basin's current population of 4500 people. The commission's decision to continue negotiating came after a five hour meeting and public hearing where public comments ran; nearly 5 to 1 against the project. Representatives from The Park City School District, Park City Municipal Corporation, the McPolin Elementary School ParentTeacher Organization, the Highland Estates homeowners association and two Snyderville Basin managed-growth homeowner groups all sounded their opposition to the project. Most comments focused on the negative impact the .... . V ' L, ft ktrf ft Picture DerfeCt ' Battle over by CHRIS EISENBERG Record staff writer The battle over the future of Wasatch County's Snake Creek Canyon will be taken to Washington, D.C, Thursday when members of the Snake Creek Preservation Society testify before .a U.S. House, of Representatives " subcommittee j In prepared testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Preservation Society coordinator George Hansen will ask Representatives for $1 million to help buy and preserve 1,500 acres of privately owned, undeveloped land in "the last major undeveloped canyon in the central Wasatch range." The canyon has been a focus of controversy over the last year as developers and preservationists have fought over what uses should be allowed in the scenic canyon. On Feb. 2, Hansen's group won a meadow debated during March 23 meeting residents in the basin, and the traffic and air pollution that would result from a project of this size. Don Johnson, a resident of Silver Summit and a member of the Park City School Board, substantiated many residents' concerns when he warned the Park City School system would have trouble absorbing the huge increase in students that would occur should Mountain Meadows be approved. The district has been growing at an average annual rate of 12 percent, Johnson said, and the district's schools are now at or near capacity. If the project is approved, an additional two elementary schools costing the district $7 million to $14 million would be needed. As a result, he said, the phased construction of the project is "absolutely necessary." Other residents objected strongly to the density of the Trailside portion of the project and the increase in traffic and air pollution that would likely accompany it "If the density was lower in Trailside," said Highland Estates resident Jean Glaser, "I don't think you'd have the problems with the public that you have at the moment" Most comments critical of the project were met with applause from the standing-room only crowd of nearly 50 people. Of the handful of people that spoke in support of the project, two represented the family that had sold the 600-acre parcel to Mountain Meadows developers in 1988. Tom Flinders, a member of that family, gave an impassioned speech in defense of Mountain Meadows. fear to tread 4.. . .y,- - - he weather has )een beautiful in the past week, as is evidenced by these three kids posing for a photo instead of running for the lodge after a day of skiing. photo Snake Creek major victory when the Wasatch County Commission denied Brighton ski resort's request to expand ski operations into the area. Brighton had assured commissioners their plan would have a limited visual and environmental impact on the canyon. Currently, T seven different ' mining companies own land in the canyon. According to Hansen,' over '1,000 Of those acre's lie inside the boundaries of the Uinta National Forest while the remaining 500 acres lie inside Wasatch Mountain State Park. The property is zoned as a watershed conservation area which places strict limits on allowable development. In his testimony Thursday, Hansen will try to convince Representatives of the urgency of the situation. The mining companies are anxious to sell, Hansen will say. "If acquisition of these critical inholdings is not Old Ranch Road resident Blake Jones, tired of the controversy that has surrounded the proposal, urged planning commissioners to settle the issue. "My major concern is fear," he said. "Fear of what could happen if this doesn't happen." "I would like nothing there (in the basin). But that's not going to happen," Jones continued. "If Mountain Meadows is as good as it's going to get, let's just do it." Mountain Meadows planner Greg Lawson responded to residents' complaints about the project by pointing out that efforts had been made to decrease the ' density of Trailside by eliminating BEAR HOLLOW PARKWFST SNYDEHVILLE i I ( r I J" J 1 ? f ' ,i i - W r - ft running lodge : goes to Washington D.C. made soon, these lands will likely be acquired by either speculators or developers who will continue to lobby for zoning changes to finally develop this last canyon." Hansen hopes to convince Representatives to authorize the federal purchase of at least some, of the, land in order to transfer jt to ' the National Forest Service.. :; . 'He '"also" hopes ' Utah "will "purchase some of the land for protection by the Wasatch State Park. In an interview Tuesday, Hansen said that while his group is "looking for state government to do its part and the national government to do its part," the Preservation Society plans steps of their own. According to Hansen, the society is planing to raise money, set up a land trust and protect a portion of the canyon itself. The group based in Midway could raise a lot of money toward six units from the project and adding a 10 acre buffer long the northern side of the parcel. Additionally, he said, a school site already exists near the Meadows Reserve project, water rights and sewer facilities have been planned for, and air quality concerns would be mitigated by placing restrictions on wood burning stoves. Additionally, Lawson said, undeveloped land in the project will be protected forever by donating it to a land preservation group like the Summit County Land Trust The commission's decision to send Carlisle and his team back to Greater Kimball junction Area SPRING CREEK " SILVER CREEK ESTATE r ) PARK RIDGE ESTATES HIGHLAND ESTATES SILVER f i " 4 V photo by David Bertinelli day of skiing. the cause, Hansen said. "For us to go raise a quarter of a million dollars is not beyond imagination," he said. According to Hansen, more than 1500 Midway residents are members of the Snake Creek Preservation Society. Hansen will tell members of the subcommittee that "Snake Creek Canyonv.,is home, to cougar, bear, moose," elk, deer1,, the sensitive Wasatch pica spe'eigs, sheer marble cliffs, an historical mining area, and undisrupted alpine and sub-alpine sub-alpine flora and fauna." He will also say that over 250,000 people visited the canyon in 1991 to snowmobile, cross-county cross-county ski, sled, hike, backpack, camp, hunt and relax. Hansen is seeking money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal program designed to protect critical lands.Although he does not know exactly how many other groups are also asking for funding, he expects the competition to be stiff. the negotiating table will give the project's developers the opportunity to answer commissioner's concerns before the issue ends up in court Jim Lewis, one of the principal partners in the development company, however, is skeptical of the commission's intentions. "I was on my way to court when they said these people wanted to settle," Lewis said after the meeting. "I didn't hear much evidence of that here tonight." The Planning Commission is set to discuss Mountain Meadows and take public input on the project at it's April 13 meeting. SILVER CREEK RANCH SUMMIT i fTW r SILVfR CREEK JCT ( SILVER CREEK COMMERCE CENTER y" |