OCR Text |
Show VIEWPOINTS A-21 www.parkrecord.com Wed/Thurs/Fri, March 22-24, 2017 EDITORIAL Without Salt Lake County, we need to dig deeper to save Bonanza Flats I GUEST EDITORIAL The three best ways to get around Park City BEVERLY HARRISON Park City My husband and I moved to Fox Point in the Redstone area in November as it met our two non-negotiables: a 2-car garage and direct access via bus, bike or our feet, to most of the places we wanted to go in Park City or the Snyderville Basin. No other place put us closer to a wider variety of stores, a post office, library, our bank, business offices, restaurants, a ski and bike shop. We have loved making not driving our cars a habit. With our recent springlike weather, riding my bike to the places I previously walked is luxurious — mostly because it is so fast and I can go so much further from my front door. I’ve gotten good at riding the bus. I can say what city and county officials want to hear: it’s faster and easier than driving. For the entire ski season I took an express bus from Redstone to the Old Town transit center and timed it so a second bus would quickly take me to Deer Valley — in particular, to the front door of the lodge. I carried my boots and helmet in a backpack and picked up my skis at the ski valet as I headed to the lift. Hallelujah! No walking through the parking lot in ski boots carrying my equipment. Sweet. 30 minutes. I’d like to share a few of my busriding observations. Riders tend to be young people, I would guess without cars, who ride the bus to work and play. Free public transit makes this all possible. Because they don’t own cars we are not getting additional cars off the road. There are usually no more than 12-15 riders on this route and a whole lot of empty seats. There are disproportionately few other “residential commuters.” The trickiest part of this whole public transit model is incentivizing people to ride the bus ESPECIALLY during busy events when we experience the most traffic and biggest delays. Sure, at these times, the buses do fill up, but picking up a busload of passengers and waiting in traffic wreaks havoc with schedules. Riding may be standing-room-only. I have experienced not only standing, but squashed-in standing and for a much longer than scheduled time. This is very uncomfortable; in fact, after the World Cup aerials, it was scary. Riders became “too squashed-in” and short-tempered. Faces were against others’ backs; I felt that this was what being in a mob was like. I’m very hesitant to ride the bus when in a community sense, it is most important I do so. If I have to wait in traffic to get out of a parking lot and then to travel even a short distance I feel much more comfortable sitting in my own car than risking standing up for the same extended amount of time on an overly crowded bus. Part of a solution? We need dedicated lanes to keep the buses moving at our busiest times. I will ride the bus — probably even standing up — if I know it will get me there faster than my car will. We bus riders should be seen as sources of public transit advertising. I think I need a cap, or satchel, a badge, a T-shirt — something, identifying me as a regular bus-rider. Maybe I can convince you to be one, too. Maybe I can get a punch ticket and after 10 rides, I get a season ski pass (HA!). There are certainly ways we bus riders can help promote bus riding. I’d be more effective with a few good ideas from officials on just how to do that. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Park City Fire Chief: please take care of our firefighters Editor I am writing this letter to express my concern for our firefighters in Park City. In light of the tragic death of Kurt Peterson last month, it has left me concerned as to the emotional trauma our firemen and women often endure in this career. We count on our fire fighters to save lives, and they always come through, The Park Record Staff PUBLISHER Andy Bernhard Editor Nan Chalat Noaker Staff writers Jay Hamburger Scott Iwasaki Bubba Brown Angelique McNaughton Griffin Adams Contributing writers Tom Clyde Jay Meehan Teri Orr Amy Roberts Steve Phillips Tom Kelly Joe Lair Intern Jessica Curley Emily Billow Copy editor Frances Moody ADVERTISING Classified advertising Jennifer Lynch Office manager Tiffany Rivera Circulation manager Lacy Brundy Accounting manager Jennifer Snow Advertising director Valerie Spung Advertising sales Lori Gull Jodi Hecker Erin Donnelly Lisa Curley Photographer Tanzi Propst Production director April Hendrix Production Ben Olson Nadia Dolzhenko Patrick Schulz putting their health and life at risk at any given moment on the job. It makes sense that as first responders to often devastating situations, they then bear emotional scars of those awful experiences. Firefighters are our heroes and our protectors and it is important to give them the support they need to ensure their mental and emotional health and longevity. Please consider your crew of fearless men and women important enough to warrant a mental health counseling program for anyone who may be in need after a traumatic day on the job. Each and every one of them are worth whatever the financial investment may be, and I’m sure you’d agree that the cost of the program is irrelevant if it prevents another funeral of any one of your crew. Melissa Nikolai Park City Too many moose on the loose Editor: So what the heck is going on with all this moose stuff? These creatures are breeding like 1000 lbs. rats and are showing up in my backyard yard in Park Meadows. My god, they are even walking down Main Street without ID. Last night one came onto my deck and asked to use our bathroom. And his mate, asked for a drink. And, they are now bringing their friends; elk, deer and mountain lions. This is really pissing off my dogs, and my cat has left for Salt Lake City where she can at least get a decent drink behind a safe wall. I think the mayor and former mayor owe us an explanation. I for one am about ready to stop driving in fear for my life... Ken Lambert Park City t is disappointing that the Salt Lake County Council, last week, could not muster a majority to approve a $3 million contribution toward preserving Bonanza Flats, but Park City should not let that diminish its resolve to close the deal. Unlike their Salt Lake County counterparts, Park City Council members have no doubt where their constituents stand on purchasing the 1,350–acre parcel along the crest of the Guardsman Pass Road. Last November, more than 70 percent of Park City voters approved a $25 million bond that covers more than half of the $38 million purchase price. Since the election, Park City has invested $3 million to secure the deal until June 15 when it hopes to have firm commitments for the rest of the money. Summit County has also promised to plunk down $5,750,000 and local land conservation groups have been hard at work trying to raise the remainder. Part of the reason the Salt Lake County Council balked at chipping in $3 million is the Wasatch County location. Members say they have plenty of land within their own jurisdiction worthy of preserving. That is understandable, except that the high alpine meadows of Bonanza Flats share a boundary with Wasatch, Summit and Salt Lake counties and any development there would affect them all. The multi-jurisdictional issues raised by Park City’s effort to protect Bonanza Flats are reminiscent of the debates surrounding the Mountain Accord initiative that grappled with competing priorities for the central Wasatch Mountains. The debates, often contentious, pitted economic development interests against environmental activists and stirred up controversy over year-round roadway access and recreation amenities. Many of those issues are still unresolved, but on one point all can agree: the ecosystems, economies and recreation opportunities along the high mountain border between Park City and Salt Lake are intimately intertwined. And Bonanza Flats is a fragile and vital part of the seam that holds it all together. Perhaps between now and June 15 the Salt Lake County Council can be convinced to change course. The $3 million would certainly help prevent Bonanza Flats from turning into an exclusive gated resort. Ultimately, though, it will be up to citizens throughout the Wasatch to take the high road, literally, by adding their contributions to the $25 million commitment already made by Park City voters. About 1,700 donors have already stepped forward and the $13 million gap is shrinking. But the June 15 deadline is nearing. This spring, as the snow recedes and wildflowers emerge, consider doing your part to preserve Bonanza Flats. To participate, go to: http://utahopenlands.org/save-bonanza-flats http://wesaveland.org/donate/save-bonanza-flats/ GUEST EDITORIAL Wanted: more creative employee housing BILL HUMBERT Park City Sometimes I see things differently. To create different results, as a community we need to do things differently. Currently, we are focused on doing the same things (essentially) and expecting change. Unfortunately, life does not work that way. Many Parkites work at the resorts to receive the benefits that go with the package. I am among you at one of the resorts. Therefore, I am quite familiar with working with seasonal workers, and count some of them as friends. My profession is recruiting –- since 1981. If succeeding in a profession for 36 years makes a person an expert, I may be considered an expert. Seasonal worker housing is a recruiting problem for the resorts and the cost for seasonal housing needs to be borne by the resorts. However, sometimes governments need to encourage companies to help themselves. The resorts spend a lot of money recruiting these workers, year after year after year. Once these workers come to Park City, many decide not to return because finding acceptable housing is a problem. Remember, the starting wage for these workers is approximately $10 an hour. Wouldn’t it be nice if the resorts made seasonal worker housing a recruiting priority: The Park City Difference? There are plenty of seasonal workers available who are U. S. citizens, included among them are young workers in the Salt Lake Valley who simply cannot afford to live here. The seasonal workers enjoy moving from winter resorts to summer resorts and life in places the rest of us want to visit on vacations. In a way, they are their own sub-culture. Yes, they do communicate among each other. Republicans shy away from health care bill Editor: Ryancare: a bill so bad not even Trump wants his name on it. If passed, the American Health Care Act would reduce health care for the poor, the working class, rural hospitals and the elderly. It would pay for tax cuts for the rich and for large corporations. Paul Ryan believes it is wrong to tax wealthier people to pay for benefits to the poor. Donald Trump believes the government should help the poor. He just wants help withheld from immigrants and minorities. Republicans are worried whether the American Health Care Act is too cruel to get them re-elected. Watch how our Utah Congressmen vote. Robert Morris Marysvale Developer wants to increase building heights at Canyons Editor: TCFC with the help of Replay is attempting to amend the current SPA guidelines within the Master Plan for the Canyons Resort Village. They are currently submitting their changes to the Snyderville Basin Planning Commissioners (SBPC). As a homeowner within the Canyons Village, I am alarmed that they are proposing to change the SPA guidelines that limit the heights of any new buildings in Canyons. Under the proposed new guidelines they will be able to increase If a resort desires to be among the best places to visit, it needs to hire the best workers. Simple equation. If it desires to hire the best workers, the resort needs to differentiate itself from all the others. Colleges and universities learned that lesson with their dorms many years ago. Suggestions: 1. Help new city/county destinations help themselves by requiring that they provide housing on site for 70 percent of their anticipated seasonal workers. This requirement is reasonable. Cruise ships provide 100 percent housing for their workers, learn from them. Obviously, nicer affordable apartments for $10 per hour workers attract a larger pool of better workers. This solution also lowers traffic on city/county roads. 2. Encourage the resorts to either build new buildings near the base or renovate/build other buildings on bus routes to attract seasonal workers. Possibly utilize joint ventures with other companies to make them more affordable. Incorporate commercial space on the ground floor. Second floor and above only accessible via pass card or other security access. 3. Learn from New York City. Create tiny apartments. To save money on plumbing/appliances, place a small kitchen and eating area between tiny apartments and lockable doors to each apartment. Each tiny apartment should have a balcony on which to sit and read, or simply enjoy the mountain views and air. This solution also provides better ventilation. Possibly provide a small private area on the roof for the residents to relax and enjoy the outside. Employ solar to power the common areas. 4. Encourage creative people in the community to engage in finding other potential solutions. This is only a start. Better workers contribute to all of our experience in Park City! the number of stories and the heights of future buildings over what is currently allowed. For example, they are proposing to build a 7-story building next to the Westgate that would be 25 feet higher than the Westgate where only a 5-story building is currently allowed. This is grossly unfair to the homeowners in Canyons who bought their homes counting on the present SPA rules to preserve their viewscapes. The public hearing for amending the SPA will take place in April or May. Please come to the public hearing to protest any changes to the height limits of the SPA. If you can’t attend please send a letter urging them not to allow any changes to the current guidelines for height limits in Canyons to Pat Putt at pputt@ summitcounty.org who will relay it on to the SBPC. Please join in helping us stop this blatant effort to pick the pockets of Canyon Village homeowners by ruining our views for their own profit. Thomas Sedgwick Park City Apparently rules are made to be broken Editor, As reported in Friday’s Salt Lake Tribune, The Colby School has been housing 56 seasonal workers in violation of County code. “It appears the owners won’t face repercussions for housing the workers, despite not having the permission to host dozens of tenants,” according to Summit County Community Development Director Pat Putt. Why are Summit County officials turning the other cheek and not hold- ing Colby School owner Hoffvest, LLC accountable? Why didn’t Hoffvest, LLC bring the building up to code and obtain proper licensing? The Colby School hasn’t been occupied in a nearly a decade. Are these kids living in makeshift classrooms sharing a few bathrooms? The innocent seasonal workers are being forced out in two weeks — what about their safety today? The Tribune article also quotes Putt stating, “Something like this helps spotlight the community need for employee housing.” It is outrageous to make this about the shortage of employee housing. It is about Hoffvest, LLC operating under the radar recklessly putting these young workers in harm’s way, while cheating the system to make an extra buck while their proposed expansion seeks approval. So, let’s talk about Colby School’s proposed commercial expansion that adds 27,000-plus square feet to the existing footprint, virtually transforming the property into a large-scale destination resort. The proposed plan violates both Summit County’s General Plan and existing Rural Residential zoning. Summit County officials are presently searching for legal justification for the proposed expansion, in response to continued public outcry at the last public hearing I attended. As Summit County residents, we rely on Summit County officials to both follow and enforce established rules and codes. I feel like Summit County is protecting and putting developers ahead of its residents. We should all feel concerned that they may not be playing by the rules. Michelle McReynolds Park City |