| OCR Text |
Show Orem-Geneva Times Wednesday, December 15, 1993 Page 2 Council refuses to compromise lot widths By Jeanne Thayne City Editor In a 3-4 vote, City Council turned down a request by the Board of Adjustment to allow exceptions ex-ceptions in limited circumstances to the ordinance governing lot widths. In making the request the Board sought to reduce weeds and stimulate urban renewal through building new homes in older areas and to create smaller lots with easier upkeep. The proposed resolution would allow lot widths up to 80 percent of the current standard in any zone. Council Steve Heinz proposed to deny the request. "It's just a way to minimize the work load for the board of adjustment," he said. Mayor Stella Welsh said the proposed resolution as a good one, "as long as the lot has the approved ap-proved front and side yard setbacks." set-backs." she said. Councilwoman Judy Bell proposed taking the resolution back to the Planning Commission so they can deal with it. She said variances are approved in cases of hardship, but "if s difficult to prove a hardship in most cases," she said. "If the Board denies the variance because of a few feet, then the only way left is litigation." Ed Stout, Director of Development Develop-ment Services, said the smallest variance in an R-l-8 Zone (standard (stand-ard city residential) would be 64 feet. It would be 80 percentin any zone, he said. The proposed resolution also stipulated certain conditions governing the division of large Helping your child Succeed in school by Lily Eskelsen, president Utah Education Association No teaching today. It's Thanksgiving, and my family's on vacation. This is unlike most vacations. Mostly we visit relatives. rela-tives. There are cousins for the kids to fight with. My sisters to trade stories with. Uncles and aunts. Grandparents. And I love those vacations, but this time, we have the opportunity to travel and be with just ourselves. We have no obligations. We sit on a beach and eat fast food for dinner and stay in a hotel room with one son sleeping on the floor and the other sprawled on the bed beside ours. It's the middle of the night, and I'm awake because Jeremy's snoring. I'm lying here thinking how fast the years are flying by. Jeremy's 17. Jared's 12. 1 realized that there won't be many more family vacations with us all camped out together. Soon, there will be high school graduation and college and jobs and someday new families. And no matter how close we remain, it will never be like this again. And I can't help but regret all the things I meant to teach them. I should have started earlier to instill in them proper study habits. I should have found more opportunities to practice thrift. I should have drilled them in the importance of clean T-shirts and taken advantage of federal grants to invest in pollution control devices for their sock drawers. I sit up humbled and ashamed that I have let them down because be-cause they aren't A-students and they make bizarre purchasing decisions and the surgeon general has issued health warning labels posted on their bedroom doors. But then I listen to them snore. They are my sweet babies still. They know basic manners (and more often than not, remember to use them). They care about people who have less than they. They are independent. They led more times than they follow. They are creative and energetic and funny and full of life and full of love. And I come to two conclusions almost simultaneously. First, whatever my shortcomings as a parent, I've also had successes. Some of my lessons have taken. Second, my time with them is not over. There are many lessons left to teach. I must never stop being my sons' most important teacher. There is so much to do and so little time. And I think 111 get some sleep now. We're going to the beach tomorrow, and it will be an important teaching day. Letters to the Editor Spirit of Christmas everyday Editor: Feeling the Christmas spirit, I want to share these words with your readers. I wrote this poem with messages (respect self and others) that people, especially the young, are hungry to hear. Though I realize these are not people who read newspapers, these thoughts would be read by others and filter down. Our social structure would enhance. Every Day of the Year Knit of love, the gospel wears Of forgiveness to he who errs. Good tidings it brings to every soul: "Think of others, become whole. And be of cheer; Let Christmas be each day of the year. Christ the Lord walked our earth. Follow Him as 'twas followed at star To humble lands afar. Where He in a manger lay. Shepherds n Wisemen marveled His face Of pure innocence 'n glorious grace. In His wake Did Heaven quake. ' The Wisemen went their way And of Him to Herodjlidn't say. Then came babes' fraught In Herod's Plot Of Joseph's dream Heard mothers' scream! With Egypt's flee hence Went feeling tense. Fear be cleansed in worth 'n deed. Like the Master, socially seed. Know thy splendor! Of others, therefore. And know cheer; Let Christmas be each day of the year. A bishop asked me to write this and has suggested I share it wherever I could. Merry Christmas! Thank You. Sincerely Roberta Faux Orem-Qmevalimes USPS 411-700 Published each Wednesday for $10.00 per year by the Orem-Geneva Orem-Geneva Times, 546 South State Street, Orem, Utah 84058. Second Class postage paid at Orem, Utah 84057 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Orem-Geneva Times, P.O. Box 65, Orem, Utah 84059 ' lots, particularly that the proposed subdivision shall contain con-tain no more than two lots and that widths must be at least 80 percent of the width required by the zone. Also that the proposed subdivision shall only be created from a metes and bounds lot that is occupied by a single family dwelling and not from any lot platted in a recorded subdivision. This the second time the issue has confronted the council in recent weeks. During a Public Hearing November 23, 1993, the Council was unable to come to a decision based on the resolution before them. Staff was asked to create new language to help solve some of the concerns and bring back to the council. Apparently there still are concerns. Concord Heights expansion denied By Jeanne Thayne City Editor Council members voted unanimously unan-imously to deny Phase HI of Concord Con-cord Heights Condominiums at 285 W. 170 North. The request by Steve Black, developer, was to approve ap-prove three additional units, bringing an overall total of 32 units in the project. In an earlier meeting, the Planning Commission was split in its decision to approve the units. Half favored adding only two units and the other half favored the requested three units. Lisa Deason, a member of the Planning Commission, was present at the council meeting last Tuesday. She said she made the original motion to deny the project "because she wanted th, project to come back as a single-resident single-resident project that could stand alone." ' Deason also said she does not want the short driveways in the condominium project to continue. The Planning Commission felt there were no substantial amenities in the project to warrant war-rant the additional units. The reason the lot for Phase III was not included in the original approval was because the owner of the lot was not interested inter-ested in selling. However, the developer is now able to purchase the lot and thinks it would fit well with the Concord Heights development rather than as a single family lot. Ted Reinauer, an adjacent neighbor, attended the Planning meeting and expressed his objections objec-tions to the new units. Bob Bickmore, also a neighbor to the project, raised objections at the council meeting and said builders can't be trusted. He said the units are raised up so that a six-foot fence essentially becomes a three-foot fence. He also said there is no provision for drainage and because of the height, residents resi-dents of the condos can step out onto their walkouts and look down into his back yard. "We have no privacy at all." He suggested sug-gested a single residence be placed on the property. Another neighbor complained about the project because the triplexes are almost a two-level rather than one-level because of the height. He said he would be comfortable with a single development or even a duplex. He said the developer is "adding units without adding anything to make them more conducive for living." He said there were no recreation facilities at all. Although Ed Stout, Director of Development Services, recommended recom-mended approval, the council overturned the recommendation and voted to deny. TIPS We want the scoop on what's happening in Orem. Call in news tips. Orem-Geneva Times 225-1340 Christmastime Volunteers needed to make dreams come true United Way Volunteer Center's volunteers are especially busy at Christmastime helping dreams come true for over 700 local families. According to Lile Lavaki, director of United Way's Volunteer Volun-teer Center, some of the key volunteers are Rosalie Olsen, Eric Zebley and intern Cori Fehlberg. Zebley inputs Sub-for-Santa applications into the computer each day. A screening committee reviews the applications and selects families who need help the most. Only in extreme cases will families be helped who have received Sub-for-Santa assistance in the past In these instances, they are assigned to work with a self-sufficiency counselor to make long-term plans for next Christmas. Sub-for-Santa helps children who would not otherwise receive anything for Christmas, such as those from homeless families. Families are matched with volunteer volun-teer sponsors who provide two new clothing items and two new toy items for each child. A popular new Sub-for-Santa program is the Make-It-Take-It workshops, in which parents make their own homemade crafts or quilts for gifts. Supplies and instruction is donated. . Olsen and Fehlberg are heavily heavi-ly involved in Angel Tree, a Utah County project in partnership with local stores, credit unions and a television station. Lavaki said, "Angel Tree provides gifts for people in Utah County who do not have families or who do not qualify for Sub-fbr-Santa assistance. This includes senior citizens, nursing home patients and forgotten patients at Utah State Hospital." Fehlberg obtains the names and needs of the recipients and then records this information on angel-shaped ornaments. Olsen then delivers the angels in her personal per-sonal car, never expecting anything any-thing in return. The angels are placed on trees in participating stores and credit unions. Interested Inter-ested individuals select an angel and purchase the needed items. Volunteers then pick up the gifts and deliver them to the recipients. Olsen said, "people really do appreciate ap-preciate what others have done for them. United Way makes sure the money you give is well spent Those who need help the most receive help. When people get involved they will know what is going on." United Way's Volunteer Center Cen-ter also provided names of youth for Shop-With-A-Cop, a program for youth at risk. Shop-With-A-Cop is in partnership with K-mart, Pace and local law enforcement officers. of-ficers. . United Way's Volunteer Center Cen-ter coordinates its efforts with other local organizations to avoid duplication and to make sure those who really need help get. help-right help-right here is Utah County. Lavaki said, "without volunteers, volun-teers, the programs would not run as smoothly as they do, but the needs continue year-round, not just at Christmastime." Individuals In-dividuals interested in volunteering volunteer-ing may call Volunteer Center at 378-8108. A Child's Christmas Tale vin the Christmas Bf Simply was beside, himself With, worry this November day From his latest talk with Santa Claus, And what old Santa had to say. For Santa had told him, "You'll have to stay behind! I guess your years of helping me With toys on Christmas Eve are past, And I am sorry as can be!" "You see," said Santa with a wink, The trouble here is that Your appetite has overgrown, And so, FJvin, I fear, have you, So I must go alone! You've stuffed yourself with sugar plums And pies and curds and whey, And candy bars, and marshmallow: Your streamlined self is gone, alas! So, you're the very first to know That I'm afraid when Christmas comes You won't fit in my sleigh! For girls and boys want lots of toys, And every year about this time My sleigh is full of Christinas joys." But Elvin couldn't see himself Alone on Christmas Eve - The only rime in fifty years That Sana Claus had left him home, So FJvin sobbed out giant tears, For he was Sana's Christinas Elf Who helped folks to believe In fairies, elves and Sana, too. He touched the- hearts of old and young, And made their Christmas dreams come true. So, Elvin asked the North Pole folk just what he ought to do About his figure grown so round. 'Now please don't sure at me," he said, , And keep your eyes upon the ground.', For bring fat is not a joke: An elf that looks like two! How can I sing a joyful song 'When Sana's sleigh will be so full That this year I can't go along?" The penguins and the polar bears Put Elvin in the mood To lose some pounds, and that "spare tire." They told him what he'd have to do, So Elvin had just one desire For racing up and down the soirs, And giving them his food. There's nothing better. You should try it. FJvin, if you want to lose, You've got to exercise and dietT So Elvin did his exercise, And lost them, pound by pound. He ate but little, and he trained By racing reindeer all the day. He huffed and puffed and worked and strained, And fasted down to elfin sie When Christmas Eve came 'round. His mirror showed and he could see A trimmer, slimmer little elf: The FJvin that he used to be! FJvin the Christmas Elf Simply was beside himself, . And jumped with joy on Christmas Eve When Sana Claus gave him a call, For he was dressed and set to leave When Sana said, "FJvin, We've work to do to-night! My sleigh is full, and you will fit Beside that doll or on that box Or right beside that catcher's mitt. You've lost a pound or two, I see, Since last I saw your sie. How did you lose that weight you've shed?" Said Sana, viewing Hvin's shape. . "You look so. very well," he said. "Now can you do the same for me?" With a twinkle in his eyes. Tm happy you can go along With me this Christmas Eve," Said Sana, with a cheery song. So, FJvin hopped up on the sleigh Right next to Sana Gaus, And off they flew through frosty skies With dolls for Jill and skates for Dan, In every bag a big surprise.' And you can see him there, today, Whenever reindeer pause, For FJvin carries with his toys A bag of wishes, hopes and dreams Come true fix licde girls and boys. So, let him sit upn your shelf This happy Christmas Eve; For he is Sana's Christmas FJf Who'll help you believe! ' |
