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Show WASATCH MOUNTAIN POPULATION AND BUILDING EXPLOSION CHANGE THE FACE OF SUMMIT COUNTY Continued from page 11 But even a lack of water may not stop development, says County Planning Commissioner Gary Weiss, who also lost a bid in November for a county commission ‘seat. Although it will be expensive, developers will bring in water from Smith Morehouse Reservoir, east of Oakley, o elsewhere, he said. “Everyone is looking to water to save them. But it may be a red herring,” Weiss said. He explained that with the prices of houses running anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000 and more, money to bring in water may not be a defining issue. On top of that, it may difficult to get a handle on exactly how much water is available. “T seriously doubt, as a political subdivision of the state, that we could stop growth... unless we could prove that the next house built would not have water.” Weiss, who owns a business in Park City but lives in Oakley, adds some support to the view that Summit County Commissions before 1990, which were dominated by the eastern county, were all too willing to subdivide the Park City side into urban density, while leaving their section of the county in large, agricultural blocks TIMES Make your “The basin was seen not as real homes for real people, but as a Park City adjunct,” Weiss said. As an example, he pointed to the Powderwood condominium developers, who were allowed to build at a density of 18 units per acre — a density that is four times what is now allowed. “They said, if you give us 18 an acre, we will dedicate the rest of our land as open space . Then the same develope: came back and said, we can build the Factory Outlet mall, but we need our land back.” The frustration of residents, who are watching their agricultural mountain community become urbanized, is real, said Kinsley, who is now a planning consultant, based in Aspen. “People want to maintain a community. The fact that the community is growing so rapidly, is destroying it,” he said It is not too late, yet, to stop overdevelopment in western Summit County, Kinsley contended. But that time is drawing near “Unless you do something about the growth and the rate it is happening, you will be overrun. Your taxes will go up and your services will go down . The community has to do something very chedule less taxing. March 17th — April 14th $40.00 Rebate “New lines of service only. Annual Right about now, you can use a good deduction. Especially one that makes work less of a burden all year long. With cellular, you can keep in touch whether you're just out the door or out of the state. You'll save great amounts of time. And time, after all, is money. Stop in today, and you'll and Continued from page 11 able fashion, how new growth will impact existing services and facilities. Tiers — address the issue of timing of new growth and the ability of the county to provide services. Simply, the basin has been divided into sections, called Tiers Development should occur in one Tier at a time. Each should be essentially built out before large scale development occurs in the next, and so on, over the next 20 years. Additionally, some areas are in a Rural Tier, and should never be developed to suburban density. Tiering is the most controversial aspect of the plan, because it means that some land owners may not develop their land for up to 20 years. The goal of this system is to provide predictable growth patterns and a timeline that allows for adequate public services and facilities to be in place at the time new development occurs. It also provides for amenities, like trails and open space. Will this keep Summit County “rural?” No. But it will require that growth accommodate the needs of the community, rather than forcing the community to just accept a lower quality of life. It provides a structure for the county to plan facilities far in advance, so this area can retain the quality that made it so attractive in the first place. Still, like so many beautiful places in America, from the Pacific Northwest to Key West, Summit County won't be what it was, indeed, what the vast majority of people wish it would be. And I guess that once again, some of us will think: “We know that somewhere out there, beyond the next ridgeline is an uncluttered place where life is better. When we have been betrayed by our dreams, we simply cut our roots and moveon...” @ Gary Park City County. Weiss and owns lives County Cellular PEGGY SUERMANN 640-0333 Entitlement Also raised were concerns about the environment and quality of life, and the appropriate role of the county as service provider. Those questions go to the heart of this problem, because they involve a lot more than just roads and sewers. In fact, they raise the most basic issues of community; what is the role of local government? And, where is the line between the community’s ability to regulate for quality of life and individual property rights? Controversy over those questions dogs both the planning efforts of communities and the commercial efforts of developers throughout this country. Seeking to strike a balance, in 1992 Summit County adopted a complex growth management system that, while expanding the government’s role beyond anything previously seen in Utah, virtually guarantees development This system is based on the premise that as development occurs, it shouldn't lower the living standards of existing residents or substantially burden existing taxpayers. It contains four major components, each addressing a different type of problem. Although certainly rational, this complexity has fostered misunderstanding, controversy, and some resentment, on both sides. It consists of: Zoning — which specifies what types of development can occur in each specific area. Impact fees are charged against developments, reflecting the amount it will take the county to provide services to that development. Concurrency — mandates that new development can not occur if certain levels of service, like schools, roads etc., will be brought below what is determined to be acceptable standards. Concurrency allows the community to determine, in a quantifi- even save big on the phone itself Plus, we'll connect you with USWEST®Cellular service with MobiLink,™ which lets you make and receive calls in over 2,000 cities in North America. A cellular phone could really change your schedule. Especially on the line that says, “income.” soon. Please contact Summit Dreams contract required. Dolly’s in Bookstore rural by LeSWEST CELLULAR Open til 8:00 pm. Serving Caravall No topless dancers. in Summit PAGE Service provided 17 |
