National Ability Center Eyes Expansion
This week the Park City Planning Commission will hear from the National Ability Center (NAC) in Quinn’s Junction. The NAC wants to add 37,500 square feet to support an additional 3 story lodge, expansion of indoor equestrian facilities, and an administrative building. In addition they are asking for 50 more parking spaces.
This would end up increasing the size of the existing building, as well as adding two more buildings to the site. The NAC also has additional plans that bring planned expansion to a total 64,000 square feet (not all may be included in this process).
The new development would be part of a Master Planned development process. This process states that the applicant (NAC) should present preliminary plans to the Park City Planning Commission and the public. The public is then afforded the opportunity to comment on the proposal. The meeting is then planned to be continued into December for Planning Commission discussion.
So, this is an opportunity for the public to better understand changes the NAC wants and comment on those, while it’s still early in the process.
All we can say is that with this expansion, the hospital expansion, the movie studio, the hotel at the movie studio, another sheet of ice, and Park City Heights, this area is going to look very different in a couple of years. We look forward to being able to ride the roller coasters at “6 Flags Over Quinn’s Junction” within the next five years.
More Info: The meeting for this will be held at 11/12/2014 5:30 PM at the Marsac Building, 445 Marsac Avenue Park City, Utah 84060. Here is the planning document related to the NAC expansion
in Skiing
PCMR Opens in 12 Days? Time to Find Your Über Rock Skis
We love the optimism. We question the reality…
Jeremy Ranch Residents Appear to Be Fighting Back Against New Dog Park
A couple of weeks ago we reported on a field in Jeremy Ranch, near Woods at Parleys, that had been turned into a dog park by Basin Rec. The change upset neighbors because they had been using it for playing with their children, among other things. Now that wasn’t an option.
We’ve heard a recent report that this fight isn’t over. Neighbors appear to be approaching Basin Rec with a petition, asking them to move the dog park somewhere else. They are using Planning Commission documents from 2005 to show that the developer had earmarked the part of the land where this field lay for picnic tables, trails, parking, etc. However, it never mentioned putting in a dog park on this land.
We’ll update you as we get more information.
in Schools
More Information on Opting Out of SAGE Testing
We received the following information from an anonymous citizen regarding the Sage tests:
Parents DO have the right to opt-out their children of SAGE.
The Utah State Office of Education issued a statement on September 23, 2014 to clarify that parents do have the right to opt-out their children of SAGE or other state-wide testing. Some key excerpts from the statement are as follows:
After consultation with Chris Lacombe, Assistant Attorney General, it has been determined that under Utah state code law sections 53A-15-1501 through 53A-15-1503 applies to state administered tests. There is no legal definition of “state administered test”, therefore, a plain meaning interpretation of this term must be used. The SAGE Summative and Interim tests are state administered tests as well as the ACT, ASAVB and NAEP tests. Thus, parents have the right to opt their children out of these tests.
When a student over 18 years old, or parent or guardian opts-out of a state administered test, no academic penalty shall result for the student.
Any student who is in school and not participating in testing should be engaged in a meaningful educational activity. Students not participating in any testing should not be singled out in any negative way nor should the student or the class be administratively punished in any way because a student opts out of testing.
As per action taken by the Utah State Board of Education on April 4, 2014, a student who opts- out of testing will not receive a proficiency score, and for State purposes will not be counted against participation rates.
As opposition to high stakes tests gains momentum, opt-out forms are easily accessible on-line. Specific SAGE test opt-out forms can be found on the website utahnsagainstcommoncore.com under the “action” tab.
Note: First, thanks to the anonymous writer who submitted this information. Now here is the legal mumbo-jumbo… the opinions expressed are that of the writer. Park Rag does not necessarily endorse or confirm the validity of any statement. You should do your research to confirm statements made.
in Trails
Run-A-Muck Trail… Never has Being Legal Felt So Good
The Basin’s newest hiking trail, the Run-A-Muck, also sports a unique feature. You can legally walk your dogs off leash on the two miles of trails over 43 acres that are enclosed by a fence.
We had a chance to try out the new trail over the weekend. We hesitate to tell you how great it was, because we’d like to keep this gem to ourselves. It’s so good, though, that we know that won’t happen. The trail averages 3-4 feet wide as it winds through the sage and trees, below the UOP ski jump. The view is out over Kimball Junction to the valley where the Swaner Preserve lies. The trail does rise and lower but was easy enough that our aging dogs and toddler had no problem with it. It should be good for most anyone who isn’t looking for an absolutely exhilarating hike.
The trail is dirt, so avoiding it during the wet periods is essential. It also looks like it will be a challenge once there is a foot of snow, as the trail isn’t marked with poles (at least yet). Those minor things aside, this is a great trail and we recommend it wholeheartedly. We hope it’s so successful that the County decides to build a series of these around the Basin.
If you are interested in try it, the easiest way is to use the parking lot at the trail head. You access it by driving up the hill toward the Utah Olympic Park. The parking lot will be on your left a little bit after the round about. Once you hike it, you may decide you want to access it from the Millennium Trail, instead of driving. That looks equally easy.
We can’t say enough good things about this trail. Good job Basin Rec!
in Park City
Idling Backhoe Endangers Children
It’s a nice, crisp fall morning in Park City. You think about your kids at daycare and how nice it is that they can still be outside in a light jacket. What you don’t expect is them breathing diesel exhaust while they enjoy the “fresh air.” That appears to be happening at City Park, where children of the Park City Cooperative Pre School are breathing noxious fumes while playing, due to a back hoe that is idling for an extended period of time.
We received a report yesterday from a concerned citizen asking why Park City’s idling Ordinance isn’t being enforced and wondering if finishing a little construction before the winter was more important to the city than the children’s welfare. According to the report, a backhoe was left running for extended periods, with the exhaust impacting the children that were only a few feet away.
Park City’s Idling Ordinance page says that “Idle Free Utah notes that health issues, ranging from asthma and bronchitis to cancer, have been found linked to vehicle emissions.” It then continues on to state that vehicles cannot idle for more than 3 minutes unless it impacts the occupants safety. There are exclusions for vehicles like police cars, busses, and ones needing auxiliary power like a refrigeration truck. While we are sure it’s more convenient to leave a backhoe running, there are reasons for this ordinance. In this case, those reasons are compounded by the fact that little kids appear to be impacted.
We have filed a complaint with the city on this matter. We’ll update you if we hear anything.
In the future, if you want to report an idling violation, you can use this form.
Here is another picture of the event, submitted by the concerned citizen:
Update: We filed a complaint using the city’s Idling Complaint web page. It couldn’t have been more than 3 minutes later that we received a reply from a member of the city’s Sustainability Team. The response, “I’m on it.” Very impressive. If we hear more, we’ll let you know.
An answer to our question about what programs Planned Parenthood does in Summit County
We received an answer to our question about what programs Planned Parenthood does in Summit County. It appears that they at least perform educational programs in our schools and a “Teen Council”.
So, it seems there is no problem with them being part of Live PC Give PC according to their rules. However, funds given likely need to be used for the programs being offered in Summit County.
The Cautionary Tale of Sun Peak and How It Should Educate Jeremy Ranch Residents
As you drive into Park City on Highway 224, you’ll pass a nursery and then a large field on the right. Today that field is grass and has large trees. Tomorrow that field will be a Hyatt Hotel. How did that happen?
A developer had the right to build a small restaurant, retail shops, and offices on the property. Yet, nothing was built on the land for years. The developer decided they would rather have a hotel on the land and approached the Summit County Council. See, there was an agreement that said only a restaurant, small retail space, and offices could be built there and that agreement needed to be modified for a hotel to be built (sound familiar Jeremy Ranch?).
Sun Peak residents were up-in-arms over this. Most didn’t want a hotel there. The county council and Summit County Planning office recommended that the developer meet with Sun Peak residents. We weren’t at the meeting, but we heard that the developer essentially said do you want us to put in a busy restaurant or would you like a nice quiet hotel. At least some of the residents decided they didn’t want a “Chili’s” there and said so. Then in further meetings with the county, the developer let it be known that residents were initially opposed to the hotel but now they are for it.
The Hotel was a slam dunk from there. Residents for it. Check. More tax revenue. Check. Less car trips. Check. Hotel approved.
The only problem? If residents didn’t get spooked during the meeting, nothing would likely be developed there. The developer couldn’t say that residents were behind it. The county council wouldn’t likely force a hotel on residents against their will. So, no hotel. As for office space, retail, and a restaurant… if it made sense to build it, they likely would have done it already.
As many of you know, a similar situation is happening in Jeremy Ranch. So, what do we expect related to Jeremy Station? Here’s our prediction:
The developer has already met with the HOA presidents. It’s likely they were told that the land is going to be developed, so they might as well participate in the process. Then meetings with home owners will likely follow. Home owners will probably be against this development. However, home owners will be told that the land is getting developed one way or another. They’ll be asked if they want a tobacco store, vietnamese grocery, or pay day loan operation there because that’s what’s coming. Residents will say that they don’t like that. The developer will say, well “how about a hotel, a few good retail shops and some homes?” Residents will reply, “well that’s better but we don’t want the hotel.” The developer will say “OK, how about a small grocery store, some good retail, and the homes?” Residents will reply, “Now that is much better than the hotel, but Fresh Market is across the highway, do we need that?” The developer will say, “OK, it’s hard for us but we’ll just do small retail and homes. We may need to do a few more condos to compensate for the loss of the hotel.” The residents, will say “Great. That is so much better than a hotel or grocery store. We’re behind this.” Then the developer goes to the county council, tells them that initially Jeremy Ranch was against the development, but we’ve compromised, and now they are for it. Checkmate.
At that point, Jeremy Ranch will have given up everything … to gain nothing. No one will remember that the developer had no rights to develop a hotel, grocery store, or homes. Residents will have compromised for no reason. Some will say, “but they are going to develop the land, they said so”. That could happen but the odds are against it. There is so much office space available and so much coming up that we don’t see anyone investing in it now. Also, remember, they’ve had 10 years to develop the land and they haven’t. Why not?
Don’t get SUN PEAK-ED. If you are genuinely for more homes, a hotel, grocery, and shops in Jeremy Ranch, then by all means express that opinion. However, don’t be scared into doing something you really don’t want. Developers are smart. They hire great consultants to push things like this through. This isn’t their first rodeo. The only way the community has a chance, is to stand by your original convictions and realize you have all the leverage. If you continue to tell the county council that you don’t want this; they’ll likely listen. If not, you’ll trade 12 acres of open space for a Hilton.
How is Planned Parenthood Still Part of Live PC Give PC?
Live PC Give PC is coming up tomorrow. With that in mind we have one lots of questions, but the first is about Planned Parenthood and why they are still part of Live PC Give PC. Don’t get us wrong, we think the world of Planned Parenthood, but since it moved to Heber, shouldn’t it be part of Live Heber Give Heber?
We looked up the Live PC Give PC rules and it appears that an organization must either be A) Based in Summit County and primarily serve Summit County or B) Fund and Manage ongoing programs in Summit County.
So, we know that it’s not based here any more. So, is it funding and managing ongoing programs in Summit County? We haven’t heard of any but we’re not really plugged into that scene. So … maybe?
Perhaps we just feel just a little like a jilted lover. They are the ones that decided to leave and said “we can provide the same services in a more cost-effective manner in Heber”. That made it harder for Park City kids to get access to needed services and in turn worse for our community. Live PC Give PC is about helping our community. There are lots of non-profits that deserve some help. We’d just prefer to support the ones that provide the most support to Park City.
in Schools
Sage Results By Grade and Race/Category of Student
During this week’s school board meeting Sage results were displayed. This chart shows the wide gap between Caucasian, Hispanic, and Limited English Proficiency Students.
Click the image below for a larger view:
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