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Show he ThE SUMMIT COUNTY dedicATEd r-jT- N In This Issue. . . UJ to servinq summit county 50 Friday, Docambar 13, 1996 Coalvfllo, UT 84017 Volume 61 Number Forty-eig- ht A SECTION 8 B SECTION 4 pAQES pAQES Commission Notts Commissioners Adopt SPA Ordinance by Pamela Robbins On Monday, Dec. 9, the Commissioners adopted Ordinance 296 which would pertain to SPA (Specially Planning Area) according to changes agreed upon between planning commission members. County Parents Told "Be Patient on Gifted and Talented by Dave Goates A heavy snowstorm Impacted'' attendance at the monthly Fluents' Advisory Group meeting on Dec. 5, but die parents who did come were rewarded with a better understanding of the school district's efforts to address the needs of "gifted and talented" students. ? This is a topic many parents had expressed interest in learning more ' aboift, and a full program had been planned. However, the bad weather prevented participation by two of the presenters. "As a teacher I could always tell which students were ahead of the class," commented assistant elementary principal Barry Walker dining his presentation to die parent group. "It seemed like they were always at my elbow looking for more work." While there are state guidelines defining "gifted and talented" children in the school setting, Walker warned against merely accepting a canned definition. "The teachers can usually spot gifted and talented children better than any set of published criteria. They finish their assignments early, they ask probing questions, and -- .their interests and activities demonstrate maturity beyond their years," stated Walker. The challenge with this small percentage of accelerated learners is to keep them interested in an "inclusive" classroom with slower paced learners and even some inecial needs children. "The district's policy," added middle school counselor Tony Powell, "has always been to keep all me students together and to avoid skill grouping." ; When asked to explain what he jid with his own children, some of whom were rapid learners, Powell observed, "Our son Wade worked Out an accelerated course of study with his teachers, and was the first student to approach the school board some years ago to apply for duly graduation from high school. He was on his own pace in mathematics where he excelled. : :"We thought Wade wanted the - same thing we did, but he eventually elected to stay in school for his senior year. As a result, however, several others have gone on to advanced education sooner," Powell said. A When contacted for his comments after die parent meeting. Superintendent Mark S. Littleford echoed Powell "The key to success here is first me students initiative, parental support and the teacher's involvement. For those parents who are particularly anxious about programs 1 would special pull-out urge than to work within me Classroom - setting with ' the teachers. The rapid pace of learning in all fields of endeavor today is so challenging for schools to keep up with," continued Walker. "I find the computers I bought for the schools only two or three years ago are not even capable of running all the enhanced versions of the software coming out today." Walker said implementation of the gifted and talented program is well underway at me schools, but all the advice from other districts be and elementary principal Mryl Louder have visited has been to go slow to avoid making mistakes. "The districts are increasingly becoming the targets of law suits from parents who are constantly pushing for improvement faster than the districts can deliver," Walker reported. When pressed for a time frame in which these programs could be implemented. Walker suggested we are maybe three or four years away from fidl implementation. "That's not soon enough," said concerned parent John Marcus. "In three or four years my child will be out of elementary school, and now is the time he needs special attention." Walker agreed the district could move faster as soon as possible to begin meaningful implementation. "I feel like the accelerated students are die most neglected kids in me district," offered Debbie Wagstaff. It's a timely topic for many parents, school administrators and teachers, and not just here in Kamas Valley. On his daily radio talk show mis week, KSL personality Bob Lee invited callers to comment on a recent Massachusetts state school board decision to eliminate P.E classes altogether to allow more time for concentration on" academic subjects. Lee explained "pressure groups" eventually persuaded me state school board to reverse itself, but even here in Utah many citizens who called the radio show felt mere was for too much emphasis on athletics at our schools. n the amount of time and resources devoted to sports in general. That's a debate that will not end in our lifetimes, but funding for talented scholars seems to be the real problem. Sports teams even at a little high school like South Summit attract a lot of money, but try finding enough money to do anything meaningful with gifted and talented students. "It's difficult in a small district to do everything under the. sun," responded Walker, "but we are doing what we can to address the needs. We get only about $3,000 a year in funding for gifted and talented programs, and it just isn't enough to do much." However, South Summit School District is doing what it can. They are hosting Dr. George T. Betts, Associate Professor at the University of Northern Colorado, a nationally recognized lecturer and author, who will be presenting his "autonomous learning model" Id the elementary school teachers Dec. 12 and 13. "We will be spending some of our earmarked gifted and talented1 money on Dr. Betts," explained Walker, "and we were delighted to discover Utah State University has a staff to support and give - Continued on Page 8A Commissioners and Johnson International staff. The purpose of the SPA zone district is to allow; at the discretion of Summit County, flexibility in the use of land, densities, site layout, and project design. However, it would only be used when it was felt that it was clearly demonstrated, that, in doing so, substantial benefits would be derived by residents of the Snyderville Basin. The applicant would have the burden of demonstrating that the proposed SPA would be in the best interest of the general health, safety, and welfare of residents. The SPA is intended to permit innovative considerations in the development of land, to ensure that all development would significantly further goals and objectives of the Eastern Summit County General Plan; while allowing for a creative approach to the development and, land use, as well as establishing standards within the SPA. It would allow for a choice in the type and quality of environments, including a mix of land uses, available to residents and die public, and would better relate residential, commercial and industrial development with community facilities and infrastructure location, size and design. Requirements for approving an SPA by the Commission Board would be when there are benefits to be derived by the general public of the Basins that would outweigh those that would otherwise be derived if development occurred under the provisions of the underlying zone district. When unique circumstances about the normal limit tions and allowances of the underlying zone, justify the use of a SPA. Any developmental proposal to be considered would need to be compatible with die desired social, cultural, mountain, natural resource characteristics and not adversely affect those areas, as well as furthering the goals and objectives of the General Plan. The review procedure involving a Specially Planned Area would be a six-stapproach: 1. Sketch Plan -Community Development would review the application and identify relevant issues for the applicant to address as well as any deficiencies of information in the application. 2. Preliminary Plan - After submitting a complete application, the ep Community Development Department would then review the Summit County Court Report Martin Joseph Behling, of Topeka, KS, date of birth, Oct. 29, 1968, was convicted and sentenced for the crime of Forgery, a Third Degree Felony, on Nov. 23, 1996. Defendant wu sentenced to the Utah State Prison for a term of zero to five years. Defendant is also required to pay restitution in the amount of $300. Robert D. Smart, of South Salt I i City, date of birth Dec. 29, 1972, was convicted and sentenced for die crime of Distribution of a Controlled Substance, a Third Degree Felony, on Nov. 23, 1996. Defendant was sentenced to 30 days jail, fined $1,000 and placed on probation for a period of 36 Lee quoted former U.S. months. Education Secretary T.H. Bell, a Alfonso Chavez, of Park City, Utah native, who said, "If you want date of birth, Aug. 2, 1976, wu to know where the priorities of the convicted and sentenced for the general public are on education, just crime of Assault, a Clus A pick up your local newspaper. Misdemeanor, on Nov. 26, 1996. There's a whole section every day Defendant wu sentenced to 180 called Sports'." days jail Shawn Paul Pace, of Henefer, Last year Superintendent Uttleford quoted other school date of birth Oct 23, 1977, wu superintendents who were convicted and sentenced for the wondering privately if me Utah crime of Consumption of Alcohol State Activities Association were by Minor, a Class A really running me schools, given Misdemeanor, on Nov. 26, 1996. t Defendant was sentenced to 18 months probation. Cassidy Oaks Chytraus, of Salt Lake Gty, date of birth, Oct 16, 1969, was convicted and sentenced for the crime of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), a Class B Misdemeanor, on Dec. 3, 1996. Defendant wu sentenced to six months probation and fined $100. Brad C. Evans, of West Jordan, date of birth, July 11, 1963, wu convicted and sentenced, for the crimes of Speeding, a Clus C Misdemeanor, and Driving on Revocation, a Class C Misdemeanor, on Dec. 3, 1996. Defendant wu sentenced to four days jail, placed on probation for a period of two years, and wu fined $30 for die Speeding charge and fined $130 for the Driving on Revocation charge. Glen A. Larsen, of Santa Clan, date of birth, April 18, 1929, wu convicted and sentenced for Lewdness Involving a Child, a Clau A Misdemeanor, on Dec. 3, 1996. Defendant wu sentenced to 30 days home confinement fined $230; and placed on probation for a period of 18 months. After this discussion period was over and the SPA ordinance wu passed, the Commission and interested residents then moved to the to recommendation the District Courtroom to hear discusCommission Board - who would sion from the Johnson International then have an opportunity to apstaff concerning the proposed Star prove, approve with conditions or Pointe Development Jim Hire, of Colorado, a member deny the proposal, after a public of the International Society of hearing has bera held. 3. Final Plan - The applicant Hospitality Consultants told the would then submit an application Commiuion members that apfor final plan identifying conditions proval of this project would be a listed in the preliminary approval, great move for the county to make and how they were addressed. The because it would "capture" the peoCommunity Development would ple coming to the resort area, mak- - ' again review the application and ing it a "major selling point". . "When people are looking for a prepare a report, and after a public meeting is held, the Commission place to bold a convention, they Board would main their determinagenerally look for a place that tion on the proposal. would hold or capture those attend' The Boards approval would be in ing in tme area, offering something, the form of an ordinance including a for everyone." Because this project developmental agreement between would contain year round features, the developer and Summit County, such u golfing, restaurants, shops, including maps, text and all terms etc., it would be a "drawing card" and conditions associated with the which would add to the economy of development of the property within Summit County during the "off the SPA. peak season of summer," said Hire. 4. If the BCC determines that Hire went on to add dial the prosignificant changes have been made,, posal would lend itself more toward the planning Commission would be a "business related project than a asked for additional review and saying that approxicomment. 3. Once the County mately 80 percent of the revenue Commissioners approves the final generated would be "group related", plan and obtains all necessary sigexpecting the seasonal base to be from June to October. natures, the County Attorney shall The placement of an upstanding determine the acceptability of the hotel chain affiliation, would offer a ' Final Plan and Preliminary Title Report 6.' The plan would be "pride in ownership" feeling to the recorded after approval from the project with 230 rooms while the building of smaller more intimate community development director rooms would let users choose and the County Attorney. which type of service would best fit Discussing developmental Summit County may, their needs. Amenities on site agreements, but is not required to, enter into a would add to the flavor of the resort developmentid agreement with a feeling. "There is a real need in die area property owner or applicant for dehave a facility that could host a to velopment approval, and may opt large meeting capacity event," said deterit when to use an agreement Hire, adding that at the present mines that such an approach to detime, there are not any that allow velopment promotes and protects and the public health, safety general for everyone attending to stay at one location. Growth and developwelfare. ment will happen as is seen by the Should the County opt to enter 32 hotels in Salt Lake now, but into a developmental agreement, it with proper development, it could " would constitute a binding connect be a benefit". After the initial starbetween the applicant and the project is estimated and would contain terms ling costs, in to $40 million per year, bring both and conditions agreed to by Hire. to according parties, describing all limitations, The project planned for developrestrictions and parameters associment is a "recreational resort comthe of ated with the development munity," commented Jack Johnson, subject property. who stated that while "flat", most Upon agreement approval it of the area can be developed. would constitute a vested right in Because the Snyderville Basin the specific terms and proposals for Commission "is trying to package a period of five (3) years from the the project into a small area - it date of the approval, or longer when won't work - we can't get it all in". specifically allowed in the Continued on Page 8A applications and make recommenda- tions. The planning Commission would then review the application and staff report before making a , 1997 Summit County Budget by Pamela Robbins After months of meetings held between department heads and the County Commissioners, a final budget plan wu revealed to only a handful of residents and Cotlnty personnel on Wednesday evening in the District Courtroom. Reflecting the effects of growth on County government the total expected expenditures and revenues reached a total of $26,483,371 for the yew 1997, showing a capital improvement budget increase of over 4.2 million dollars. Twenty additional employees will be hired by the County - most of this increase being directly affected by the increased population (jail, sheriff, planning, building inspection), with die building completion of die new County Justice Center expected in the foil of 1997. An aggressive implementation to the road capital improvement prowell. Because ject is planned many of the roads in the county are in need of mqjor rebuilding, the County plans to spend approximately $1,300,000 on nuyor road projects yearly over the next ten years. This shows an increase from the $300,000 to $730,000 that hu been spent yearly. It will also be necessary for the County to have a tax increase in wen 1997, implementing a u u Municipal Services Fund, that would shift the burden of paying for Municipal type services, those which are provided for only in the unincorporated areu of the County, to the unincorporated areu of the County. lt will appew that the total impact of both the tax shift and die follows. tax increase will be u A primary homeowner, in the incorporated area erf the County, could see a tax decrease in the County portion of their taxes, from that of last yew in the area of $12.21 of market value. A primary homeowner in the unincorporated area of the County, could see a tax increase in the County portion of their taxes, from the of lut yew in the area of $23.69 per $100,000 of market value. The above could be changed once actual values are received next yew. County Commiuioners stated they tried to be "conservative" in the deliberation of the budget and "regrets having to place any undo burden on Summit County residents." Also that they win strive to produce the "best service possible for the least amount of tu dollars (Due to deadline time -- additional, information on the budget will follow in next weekt edition.) |