| OCR Text |
Show The Salt Lake Tnbune : UTAH Tuesday, December 30, 2003 Developers Nancy Workman, questioning Batatian’s contract with the city wary ofchange in site rules Christensen insists he is not opposed to disclosing geologic hazards near his property whichskirts the fault on the west but the city and Batatian are “Peopleare entitled to make informed decisions about properties they buy.” overreaching, trying to guaran @ Continued fromB1 tee that building lots have no geologic hazards southernmosttip Draper plannerssay the ordi Nance only fine-tunes the city’s looking both ways when Sensitive Lands Overlay Zone, first adopted in 1992, to clarify cross the street,” Christensen said. “People can buy earth quake insurance. But if you stig how developers test for geologic hazards andpublicize theirfind ings so potential homeowners can know what they're buying “Somepeople are comfortable living next to geologic hazards Some people aren't,” says County Geologist Darlene Bata tian. “People are entitled to make informed decisions about prop erties they buy.” But developers like Chris tensen argue the ordinance was written in secret and reviewed in arush. They worrythe draft or dinance’s testing for signs of fu ture earthquakesand other risks will “stigmatize” their subdivi sions and discourage buyers “It's an imprecise world. This is not guaranteed medical sci ence. It's not even science people can agree on,” says Christensen, a resident of Draper. “This is theory. These are projections predictions for what will happen thousands of years from now Under Draper's Sensitive Lands rules, city building offi cials already require digging test pits to study past landslides and DARLENE BATATIAN Salt Lake County geologist “Everybody cares about pub lic safety. This is not about fraud or concealment. This is about EEA you and instead appoint a “Blue Ribbon Committee” of landowners, engineers, private geologists and others to study theissue. Mayor Darrell Smith says City Council members are sympathetic to the developers’ complaints. At the same time, the council is concerned about foothill development. matize properties with uncer tain scientific theories, you can stigmatize properties to the point where a person can’t pur chase insurance. That's like a condemnation.” Christensen is not alone in his concerns. Developers of Sun crest and Westbrook neighbor hoods on Traverse Ridge and Hickory Ridge in South Moun tain also have protested the or dinance change The ordinance has been tweaked at two planning com “You want to make sure you cover your bases,” Smith said. “But there’s some needfor additional scrutiny more than we have now on this hillside here.” Batatian says the developers’ fears are unwarranted. Since Salt Lake County adopted simi lar rules in 1985, just 4,500 homes have recorded geologic hazard disclosures on their titles. mission hearings and four City Council meetings. “There's no reason to struggle over the disclosure,” says Senior Planner Margaret Pahl. “What person making the largest in $350,000 on a house not knowing it was 25 feet or 100 feet from a fault line. You could still choose to buy that home and most tive thing.” But the process is still too quick for some developers. In letters to the city, Christensen has suggested the City Council postpone adopting the ordinance people will. But you should have the information to make that decision.” walsh@sltrib.com DONATE DECEMBER BESt I ADDRDOACHING Git YOUR FAX DEDUCTION OW! Custom Hearing Aids Join Us For Our Factory Discount Open House HARRIS HEARING CENTERS idvancing Independence While Making A Ketter Community Immediate Pick Up 24 hours a day free Towing i & its third phase. While he main tains his development has no 2D | ee vehicle you can today! issues, CALL 'TOLL-PREE ey uaa SR om$395. $695. Sam ATTEND THE OPEN HOUSE DECEMBER 29th thru JANUARY2nd AND RECEIVEALL THIS ATNO COST 6.375". 5.493 APR 30 Yr. Fixed 4.780"). 4.949 APR i | 800-971-GIVE (4483)) tian, who reviews Draper, Sandy and West Valley City geologic studies on a contract basis, for most of his criticism. He even took his case to County Mayor . | Nome reetem cept Christensen has targeted Bata MORTGAGECORP CUSTOM CANAL CUSTOM FULL SHELL Donate your cars, boats, rv's. planes or land fo United Cerebral Palsy of Utah chase, a neighborhood of half acre lots and $650,000 homes in geologic ctivEAR would hate to see you spend trenches to look for earthquake outstanding Again, For Less.. “It's not slowing down any hazards]? It can only be a posi summer, will give buildingoffi cials the authority to require ad ditional studies after a subdivi sion has been approved Christensen, president of Draper Land Development Co., builds custom homes at Steeple The Soundg of Life real estate sales,” she says. “I vestment of their life isn’t going to want to know[about geologic activity. But the new overlay zone rules, first drafted last Discover 15 Yr. Fixed ¢ FREE Electronic fe 2.980 APR ¢ ZERO (0%)Interest Hearing Test INTEREST OnLy ARM * FREE Video Hearing Aid Inspection ¢ FREE Video Ear Scan Sa 463-6677 1760 S. 1100 E. #4 Salt Lake City www.usamtg.com Se habla espafiol >: - NAPOLEON-) Financing Available for 6 Months * Factory Audio Prosthologist available JUST LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR FRIENDS ARE SAYING... “We feel very fortunate to have chosen Harris Hearing Center. Ourresults were excellent. What a wonderful experience NATURAL GAS FIREPLACES to hear again!1? -Lisa M. & Dorothy B. On Christmas items a * Inserts * Direct Vent ¢ Gas Lines Rur * Mantels Deseret adil © Free Standing * High FA © Certihe including holid: and Christn © Servi naturalece CONJOY-FINEST HEATING, AIR COND. & FIREPLACES 3820 W. 5400 So. S.L.C. 964-8999 Veipl tome upplies last. In stock “Mywife’s hearing improved as did her life generally, as a result of the hearing aids supplied by Harris Hearing Center.She oes friends and can now be a part of the conversations around her.” -Madison B. FOR 45 years, people have turned to family-owned Harris Hearing Center for the most advanced DIGITAL & ANALOG hearing technology and service. VETTESS ite (Behind the Chevron Station) Tall Free | 888.964 5999 (Dance Your Way toa Happy, Healthy New Year at|) Rock n Rhythms Dance Hall Swing - Ballroom Latin - Salsa Dancingis: 1) a fun way to exercise and reduce stress; 2) a romantic night out with your sweetheart; 3) a terrific way to meet new friends; 4) a great way to increase self-confidence;5) tons of fun! ‘You've Always WantedTolNow'sTimel me ee) CN UIa: weHIS Dances feature “better than live band” dance music! UP TO Fridays - Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 20, 27, Mar. 5, 12, 19 Saturday - Feb. 14 (Vaientine’s Dance) SMITHFIELD Columbus Center Auditorium, 2531 S 400 E, SLC Dancing 8:30-11:00 p.m. / 8 p.m. free lesson ass Saturdays - Jan. 10, Mar. 20 Friday, Feb. 13 (Valentine’s Dance) Peery’s Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Bivd., Ogden Dancing 8:30-11:00 p.m. / 8 p.m. free lesson Wednesdays - 9-11 p.m. - West Coast Swing Lesson & Dance Columbus Center Auditorium 2531 S 400 E, SLC $7 admission Keep your new year's resolutions! Bring yourfriends & join the fun! Margene Anderson DanceScene / Utah's Swing &SalsaExpert _ Rock nm Rhythms t ’ 298-8047 RRIS HEARING CENTERS SB 892 S. Main Street 4568 South Highland Dr. Suite 300 Smithfield Chiropractic) ne clthfield UT 435-563-0515 OGDEN PROVO 3500 S. Harrison Bivd. 330 West Center 801-546-6309 SALT LAKECITY 801-424-2849 LAYTON 975 North Main 801-373-6827ang “Prices reflect 50% discouat off manufacturer's list price. Can fit a loss of up to 40 decibels monaureily. J Sj SPOORc |
