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Show Airing thoughts on Aerie There's a joke circulating around town that goes something like this: "Where is the most valuable land in Park City? Wherever you can't see Mike Troup's house." You may not know Mike Troup, but you surely know his house: It's that big one under construction on Masonic Hill, and there are few places in town where you can't see it. Next to the weather, it's the single most discussed topic in Park City. And as far as we know, not one positive comment ! is been made about it. a all fairness, part of the negative reaction to the house is rooted in the fact that it's there at all. Any building that went up in that high-visibility area would have created a sensation, especially among those who have lived here long enough to know that Masonic Hill once had nothing on it but scrub oak and sagebrush. But the furor isn't over just any house ; it's over that house. Mike Troup is not the first person to build on the ridgeline in Park City. His is the first building to so blatantly intrude on 'Vie landscape. That in itself is an irony. In December 1981, Troup signed in agreement with the city which said that restrictions on juilding below the curb line should be waived, "allowing construction to flow down the hill rather than directly impact the ridge line." There is nothing about the design or size of that house that hints at minimizing ridgeline impact. In fact, it appears as though Troup consciously and neatly sidestepped another clause in the agreement with the city so that he could build a bigger house. The agreement clearly states that homes built on 16 specific lots, including Troup's, "will be designated by protective covenants for single level (one story) construction only" above the curb line. If you ask anyone on the street what a one-story house is, they'll no doubt describe a place that has a ceiling a bit too high to touch, and an attic you can't comfortably stand in. Let's call that 15 to 18 feet from ground to rooftop. How high is Mike Troup's house? Right now it's 37.27 feet. (The city discovered a surveying error which caused the house to be built 4.27 feet over code. Troup has been notified to reduce the height.) The Uniform Building Code calls the Troup house a one-story with a mezzanine, since an entire floor does not bisect the space between the bottom floor and the roof. According to the letter of the law, the house is one story. But according to the spirit and intent of the city agreement, it certainly isn't. It's unfortunate that the city did not specify in the document just how high a single story can be. It's more unfortunate that Troup found a loophole, and then took advantage of it. If there is one element that ties all of the residents of Park , City together, it is the appreciation of the incredible land : surrounding us. While you never quite get used to the beauty of the mountains and the hillsides, it is easy to ; believe that it will always be there in its natural state. That ; house is a vivid reminder that private landowners do not always respect the landscape or the aesthetics of the : community in which they live. Mike Troup has contributed much to the city by supporting i organizations such as the Egyptian Theatre and events ; such as the Film Festival. That sense of giving and sharing : with fellow Parkites somehow got lost in the translation in i the design of his house. While it is incumbent upon city officials to carefully S analyze and regulate construction in Park City, it is also the j responsibility of developers particularly those who live ' and work in the city to regulate themselves. BBM |