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Show THE ZEPHYRMARCH 1990 An PAGE 31 open letter to: Moab City Council Moab City Planning Commission Grand County Planning Commission Citizens of the Desert As Moab and Grand County are at the beginning of what I foresee as a "boom", both In tourism and real estate as people visit, buy second homes and retire to the area, I offer a few "biased" opinions and suggestions. I love this desert area. Ive been coming here for thirty years. I would hate It to see "Callfornlcated", as some would say, the same way I watched the Park City area "develop." (Degenerate would be a better word I think.) The pastoral landscape turned Into clusters of condos, townhouses and large homes that dont sit well on the land. Property values have escalated to the point that the native residents couldnt afford the taxes and had to leave, sell out or change their lifestyle to adapt. There Is a lot to be said for adapting but not to the extent that you have to sacrifice the basic beauties and lifestyle that drew you to this community. Development? Yes, but with sensitivity for the people and the And community. sensitivity for the land and Its beauty. The beauty of this area Is what people are coming to visit and what motivates those who wish to resettle or retire here. There Is one good thing that happened In Park City, the town, that I would favor here. It Is the establishment of building and design codes so that any new structures built or remodeled would fit In with the Victorlan-fu- nk historical buildings already In place. They also Included In those codes restrictions from visual clutter or advertising signs similar to one In Santa Rosa, California, which bans billboards and limited business signs to smaller tasteful additions to their structural walls. It allows the beauty of the trees and landscape to come through. I would suggest both the City and County adopt similar measures and especially put In place codes limiting building height I would also suggest codes allowing good visual spacing and requiring green or landscape areas around any multi-u- nit housing or motel. I would ask citizens to be oven local of ones, who care wary Generally developers, more for profit than the desires and needs of the people and the type of community they wish to live In. I suggest the citizens, the city and county governments educate themselves environmentally and together with businesses develop a program to educate visitors and residents how to use the land without damaging It. It could be a simple fold-ov- er sheet put In the hands of every visitor, left on every motel pillow, available at every cafe table and business cash register. Some of the Issues I would address In such material would be: a persuasion to not litter; use of established trails; encourage the use of purchased wood for campfires (especially for along the river camping) so BLM campsites would not become denuded; encourage use of campstoves; human waste guidelines. I would like to see the County design and establish clean, trash collection and recycling sites convenient to major campers' routes. I encourage the people to begin recycling and encourage the city and county governments to help them do It. As an example: Wilton, New Hampshire, diverts and recycles 44 of Its total solid wastes (590 lbs. per year for each of its 8500 residents). They started In 1979. Yearly, It saves $50,000.00 In disposal costs and gains $25,000.00 from the sale of the recyclable materials. I RVs. advise some restrictions for the use of off-ro- ad I advise the City and County to establish codes and restrictions for the building of new, and the retro upgrading of trailer, camping and RV parks. Codes that limit the number of spaces, require landscaping and adequate spacing to uvold the eyesore of "tin cities" that now surround the St. George area. I would like to see Moab plan and establish landscaping, paths, shade spaces and benches for the downtown area. Incorporate some corners, alleyways, small vacant lots for mini parks, some with the occasional table, to entice tourists and citizens to visit the areas around businesses and cafes. A reminder In planning such spaces that this Is the desert, and such landscaping and shade should reflect the environment. Natural desert landscaping requires less maintenance and saves water I hope that anyone who builds or landscapes In this area would be sensitive to the desert and not try to thrust upon It structures or plantings that do not fit. I envision a local population becoming concerned for their desert home. That local service church and organizations educate and organize themselves Into active their for care homes, streets, city and county. That they would bring groups that their Ideas to the government for help In conserving and caring for the SUCCE has served all of southeast Utah with baccalaureate and graduate level university programs for 20 years. Be part of S.G.C.C.E.s third decade of accomplishment and of Utah State Universitys second century of national recognition. PLAN YOUR NEXT 4 YEARS WITH CI.S.CI. NOW!! well-writ- ten well-maintai- Royden Card The writer Is an artist, teacher and part-ti- me desert dweller. To Dave Sakrlson In sympathy on your 44lh birthday It's with deepest regret and a loud lusty sigh That we bid the sweet youth of Dave Sakrlson, "Goodbye!" Say "Farewell" to your conquest as a handsome young rake Say "Hello" to gray hair and more Are on your cakel Gone away Is the wisdom that others once sought, Here to stay endless searching for thing your forgoll And, alas, there's poor Mel, cast adrift In her prime With this hulking resemblance to old "Father Time"! So gather 'round, friends, bow your heads and be still, Let ua mourn as Dave Sakrlson slides over the hllllll - ol dad ned Utah State University in Moab |
