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Show Property Owners Answer "Heated Letter"; Tell Stand on Re-Zoning o! South Main Cedar City, Utah August 10, 1950 Honorable Mayor, City Council And the People of Cedar City, Utah, Gentlemen: With reference to the resignation resigna-tion of the City Planning and Zoning Commission, as published in last week's Record, we, representing rep-resenting the owners of the property prop-erty re-zoned, feel justified in answering the heated letter of this group of "Planners" In order or-der that the people of Cedar City may better understand the other side of the question. Some time ago all of the property prop-erty owners along Highway 91 in the south part of the City petitioned pe-titioned for re-zoning of their property to permit business, in order that this city may grow normally without placing the handicap of prohibitive property values, on new and small business, busi-ness, such as now exists on Main street proper. During the past 20 years there has been only one residence built on this property facing the highway, and it is reported re-ported that this owner feels it an undesirable place to live. Therefore, the only Justification the Planners can stand on is their desire, from pressure or otherwise, to squeeze the business busi-ness district into that area which would prohibit any new or small business from ever gaining much of a foothold. The Planning Commission stated stat-ed In its letter that the City Council approved the change over its objections and the objections ob-jections of a majority of those present at the hearing. But, what they did not tell you is that some of them put on a campaign cam-paign to have opposition at the hearing. And they were there themselves, en masse, to put on the pressure, even though they had already voted their convictions convic-tions in opposition, and this was supposedly a public hearing to feel out the public sentiment and surely should have excluded this Commission, as the Mayor and the Council were well aware of their position. Much of that opposition came from the owners own-ers of business property located on Main street proper. Some of those opponents, not too long ago, petitioned the Planners for re-zoning in order that they might expand. This re-zoning was granted and they expanded, but now they feel that no one else should have the same privilege. priv-ilege. They also did not tell you that the count was taken after many of the proponents had left the hearing while they held to exert the last ounce of pressure. It would seem to us that the "selfish pressure" came from the ranks of the opponents to this change. It was represented at the hearing hear-ing that Cedar City has a district zoned for business to accommodate accommo-date 63,000 people. You were not told, however, that much of this frontage is taken up by the City Park, City Cemetery, County Shops, City Shops, State Shops, two Federal Government agencies, agen-cies, and other blocks that are absolutely unavailable. Much more of it is unsuitable for many types of business. A lot of It could not be purchased by a new or small business for any amount they may be able to dig up. Anyone Any-one who has ever driven through a city of 65.000 population can readily see how ridiculous this claim is. Imagine putting the business district of Las Vegas, Nevada; Ogden, Utah, or Provo, Utah, down in Cedar City. All of these communities are a lot less than 65.000 people. Business must be where it can survive. You can not force it away from its life line. The life line for business in a small community com-munity Is the Main through highway. The new businesses springing up in the north end of the city prove this fact. Those new enterprises will bring some of the much needed revenue to our city treasury'. It it were not for the highway they wouldn't be there. It is well known that three members of the City Council own business property in the north end of the city. If they were in clined to submit to "Selfish . pressure groups" it would seem to us that they would feel their ' own pressure and force business I to go in the direction which would be most advantageous to them. Not one of the members of the City Government owns propertly along the highway In the south part of the city, and not one of them has any other Interest except to take the stand which he feels Is right. Let us open up the south end of the city and welcome business to our community for that is the only way we can continue to grow. We are' much In favor of a Planning Commission, but let Its members be broad-minded men and women who can see the possibilities for the future of this community. Let them realize that they should act In an advisory ad-visory capacity only; that the people elect a Mayor and City Council with whom they should counsel and advise but not "pressure". "pres-sure". It is our thought that some members of the City Planning and Zoning Commission have been there too long anyway. The people of Cedar City should feel proud. In this day of dishonesty, corruption and selfish pressure in all forms and branches of government through, out the world, that here In this community we have some men on our City Council who have the "Guts" to stand on their own feet and vote their convlctloni regardless of the "Selfish Pressure". Pres-sure". Yours very respectfully, Some of that accused "selfish pressure group" who would like to see this city grow. Representing property owners of South Cedar City, W. F. Clothier. Bill Thorley. Fred H. La Frentz. |
