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Show Depot, Norfolk Zone Changes Clear P.C. Planning Commission The proposed Park City Depot and Norfolk Avenue subdivision project took its first step forward last Wednesday, clearing the Planning Commission with a positive recommendation on necessary nec-essary zone changes. In spite of voiced opposition by Planning Commission Chairman Burnis Watts, the zone change for the 12 acre Union Depot property from Estate to Historical Commercial Comm-ercial passed by a three to one margin. Co-chairman Bob Wells joined Roy Reynolds and newly appointed appoint-ed commissioner Greg Lawson in favor of the change, while Merrill Sanchez voted against it. Commissioner Comm-issioner Kurt Nelson was not present. The depot area is the focal point of the redevelopment project, which includes plans to renovate the old Coalition building build-ing and Union Pacific Depot. Sale of the property, now owned by the railroad, reportedly hinges on the zone change. Local realtor Harry Reed, a member of the five-man development devel-opment group behind the project, told the Record he is "very happy" with the Commission's recommendation. The recommendation now passes pass-es to the City Council, which must make the final decision on the zone change. The Council is expected to consider the project Thursday and set a date for a formal public hearing. Zoning changes for two triangular trian-gular pieces of property in the Norfolk Avenue part of the project were recommended unanimously by the Commission. Although most of the proposed 48 lot subdivision falls within the proper historic residential zone, two small pieces at either end lie in an estate district. The recommendations came just two days before the Commission's Comm-ission's deadline for making a decision. If action had not been taken by Friday, within 30 days after the application was filed, the zone changes would have automatically auto-matically passed on to City Council with a positive recommendation. rec-ommendation. The Commission's decision culminated six weeks of discussion discus-sion and debate on the controversial contro-versial project, including a well attended 'fact-finding" public hearing March 28. Should the zoning changes gain approval from City Council, the Commission must still decide whether to approve the project itself-or any part of it. In making Wednesday night's recommendation, the Commission Commis-sion considered the Norfolk and Depot parts of the project separately. The two areas would be joined by a controversial proposed ski lift, which is not directly affected by the zone changes. According to Burnis Watts, the Commission will deal with the lift, Norfolk subdivision and Depot development "as separate entities." enti-ties." Watts added that the feedback he has received from residents "much opposition" to the lift, "not as much" to the Norfolk subdivision and "some" opposition opposi-tion to the Depot plans. Watts warned the developers that the Commission's recommendation rec-ommendation could still be overturned by City Council and added that he has "serious reservations" about the project. "In all fairness, I need to say that," he said. Earlier, in discussion, Watts maintained that the development "goes totally against" the town masterplan. "This would give Park City a strip of straight commercial property from one end of town to the other from the top of Main Street to the end of the city limits," he said. "I'm not sure that's what the city needs. Watts also said people have urged the Commission to "deal with the community as a whole." "We can't ignore the residents for the profit-making interests and we can't ignore the town's businesses for the residents, either," he said. Roy Reynolds agreed that the interests of the community as a whole should be considered, but said he felt the Depot project "has more benefits to the community than negative aspects." as-pects." Bob Wells said he reviewed the minutes of the March 28 public hearing and determined that there were only two "voiced oppositions" to the Depot part of the project. City Planner Van Martin later told the Record he could "see problems" with the Depot development, de-velopment, but they "can be worked out." "It could be an. asset to Park City." he said, "especially to the old part of town." Adiaconl nmnertv owner Ken Shoulders had requested a zoning change for his property, but was not included in the Commission's recommendation. New Building Inspector Robert Skanter told the Record Monday he was looking into the structure of the Depot and Coalition buildings to see if the buildings are sound enough to be renovated. renovat-ed. Skanter also said he was planning to meet with developer Wally Wright to discuss the proposed train car motel units for the depot development. Skanter, former head building inspector for Salt Lake, was involved in approving the nationally-known Trolley Square shopping area, developed by Wright. Plans for the Depot area include 35 to 50 motel unit train cars, an internal trolley line, a four story 100 room hotel and between 20,000 and 30,000 square feet of commercial space. The proposed chairlift would run from the renovated Coalition building to the top of Park City Resort's Payday ski run. Developers of the project are Wright, John Prince and Jack Sweeney of Salt Lake, and local realtors Harry Reed and ; Bill Coleman. |
