Garden City Planning Commission

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. April 5, 2017.  The Planning Commission approved the definition of “Agricultural Tourism” and added this item to the Hillside Estates zone.

Approval of the preliminary PUD Development Plan along 200 North was granted.  This PUD will include five commercial buildings and 27 vacation rental houses on 6.09 acres.  This PUD is being constructed by Mark Smoot.

There was a long discussion concerning the above development.  Lance Bourne, Chairman of the Commission, noted that the utility easement has to be ten feet wide in order for utility vehicles to be able to get into the area and put in power as well as service it after it is in place.  He also noted that the road must be a minimum of  20’ wide.  Average emergency vehicles are 9’3” wide.  He noted that pushing snow in such a small area will be a nightmare.  There are no sidewalks included in the plan.  However, there is a children’s playground.  Lance said that all of the children going to the playground will have to walk down the road which is really a rather dangerous idea.

There are a couple of places where corner lots have been created.  There is not enough open area in those spots to allow for good visibility for entering or leaving the roadway. Again, there is a big probability for accidents in these locations.

It was noted that since this is a preliminary plan, that the builder closely look into the problems of road width—at least 24’ would be best.  The visibility on the corner lots needs to be considered, and the utilities area is at least 10’ in width.  The motion was made to allow the PUD to go forward, but that special negotiations will be needed to meet the requested changes.

Parking and Architectural Standards for Blue Water Resort were presented to the Commission.  Currently there is a remodel on the condo’s being made.  There is need for additional parking and utilities at 2126 South Bear Lake Boulevard.  Ray Elliott asked that the Commission approve the plan concerning the parking and utilities.  The motion was made and approved to allow for these changes be made.

Clair Webb asked that the architectural Standard and Parking for Bridgerland Adventure Park be approved.  This park is located on the southwest side of Eagle Feather in Shundahai (west of Logan Road).  It was noted that the zip line height has been changed to 56’.  Mr. Webb noted that he will be building restrooms and will be using septic tanks because of the distance that the park is from the sewer line.  Approval was granted.

The Commission took some time to discuss road widths, street parking, and other areas where changes in the ordinances were needed.  It was noted that sidewalks in subdivisions should be required.  Also, adding conduit for fiber optics and future communications possibilities also needs to be included in the requirements for development in the area.

FOX 13 News Tells Story of Kiarra Dalley

From Fox 13 News

Fox 13 News Photo

RANDOLPH, Utah — A Utah teen has undergone surgery to reattach a large portion of her left hand, which was cut off in an accident during shop class at Rich High School.

Family members say Kiarra Dalley cut off part of her left hand during shop class and was rushed to a hospital. She was ultimately taken to a hospital in Salt Lake City, where doctors spent 15 hours in surgery to re-attach the hand.

According to an update posted Wednesday, it is unclear at this time whether or not the procedure will prove successful. Family members say doctors had to use secondary arteries because some of the main arteries were too badly damaged, and it will take hours or days before they will know if the hand will live.

Family members stated Kiarra, “is an amazing girl who dances, serves, and loves life” and they said she brings joy to everyone around her.

Dale Lamborn, superintendent of the Rich School District, said the teacher of the shop class has worked at the school for 30 years, and this is the first incident of this kind to occur in his classroom.

Family members have created a GoFundMe page to assist the family with medical costs. https://www.gofundme.com/my-sister-cut-off-half-of-her-hand

The family says in the GoFundMe plea, "Because of other circumstances including Kiarra's other health problems, her parents need financial help. They live very modestly, but are going to have huge medical bills because of this accident. I'm trying to raise money to help them out. These sorts of procedures can cost over $100,000. We're hoping that insurance will cover a lot, but there  a will be many expenses along the way. I'm starting off with trying to raise $25,000 for them to use toward medical bills, physical therapy, medications, and any expenses relating to her accident, as well as for their daily living expenses as needed."

Cisco Sonar

A Gallon of Water
By Bryce Nielson

It has always been interesting to me that few people understand how the water gets into Bear Lake.To explain this process accurately would take pages so I am going to describe it in, I hope, an understandable, simplified form.

Originally, Bear Lake was not attached to the Bear River and was never part of Lake Bonneville.  The river ran past Montpelier to Soda Springs.  Historically it ran into the Columbia River Basin along the course of the Portnef River.   Then, thousands of years ago, lava doming at Soda Springs changed its course into the Great Basin, which at the time was filled with Lake Bonneville.   Its water then contributed to raising Lake Bonneville to its highest elevation.  The lake then broke out at Red Rock Pass and started its desiccation.

In the early 1900’s a plan was devised to divert the Bear River into Mud Lake with a canal, increase its elevation and let it flow into Bear Lake. The water would then be stored for downstream irrigation, power generation and flood control.  In 1918 they built a pumping plant, Camp Lifton.  It housed five huge pumps to lift stored water out of the Lake and put it into the Bear Lake canal that intersects the natural Bear River.  The power lines that people see near Lifton are to run the pumps and no electricity is generated there.

As demands for the water in the Bear River increased an agreement was made between Wyoming, Utah and Idaho in the 1950’s called the Bear River Compact which described in “water law” how the River would be used in the future.  Over the following 70 years, upstream reservoirs were built and water rights granted so all States would get their fair share of the water.

Try to visualize a gallon of water that comes from snow melt on the North Slope of the Uinta Mountains in Utah.  It starts down one of many tributaries that combine into the upper Bear River as it flows into Wyoming past the first of countless irrigation diversions.  It then goes around Sulfur Creek Reservoir outside of Evanston and through town.  The first canal diversion that most people see on their way to Bear Lake is near Wyoming Downs.  This canal sends water to Deseret Land and Livestock and fills Neoponsant Reservoir.  The “right” to use that water which is considered “natural flow” along with many other rights was established in the 1800’s and have “seniority” over any downstream storage in Bear Lake.  The water then goes into Woodruff Narrows Reservoir on the Utah-Wyoming state line.  The River now, in Utah, passes Woodruff Creek whose flow is stored upstream to the west in Woodruff and Birch Creek reservoirs.  It then goes past Big, Little  and Otter creeks which may contribute some water.  The gallon of water then flows back into Wyoming near Cokeville.  Two tributaries, Thomas Fork and Smith’s Fork now add water to the River from the hills to the east in Wyoming and Idaho. This is only possible since they have no reservoirs on them.  Finally, back in Idaho, the water hits Stewart Dam near Dingle and is diverted into the Rainbow Canal, Mud Lake and into Bear Lake.

Once in the Lake it waits for its next journey.  It may rise into the atmosphere as evaporation, it may be trapped in the profundal (deep) zone as stay for years or leave Bear Lake via the Bear Lake canal to continue its journey to the Great Salt Lake.  An interesting trivia fact is that of all of the significant rivers in the world, the Bear River’s origin (Uintas) and end (Great Salt Lake) are the closest to one another.  As the Bear River makes a large circle it provides water that makes our environment look the way it does today.

Sunrise

Photo by Susan House, Garden City

Local Water District Requested

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  April 5, 2017.  In a pro forma matter,  a petition has been filed to request Count services for the Sweetwater Park Subdivisions, Sweetwater Trailer Park, and Fox Ridge for water delivery.  

Terry Allen, Bear Lake Water Company, informed commissioners that now the private water company owned by three different associations, provides services. This company would like to form a local improvement district, so that they can apply for grants for upgrading the system. Other rural water systems are creating districts.  By law it needs to first be presented to the county to give the county the opportunity to provide the services. If the county declines, then the company may go ahead with the process to create the local improvement district which would include the subdivisions in Sweetwater.

Commissioner Cox asked if the improvement district would provide other services.  Allen said that the district would only be for water service.  Currently there are 900 active water connections.  But that number could triple in the next few years.  There are about 13 miles of pipe in the area which are being upgraded in a systematic way.  Last year over 3000 feet of new lines were added which allows the entire Sweetwater Parkway to be plowed in winter.   Every year new 8" HTPD lines are installed conforming to Utah Code.   

The water company is also working on getting more water rights and is working on putting in more tanks.

Allen says he needs a letter from the County declining the option to control, then it  goes to the Attorney General for the development of the district.  Cox said that other subdivisions  have asked for water services and they have been told that the county is not in the water business.

HOA member Gary Voss said that he was encouraged by the direction the water company was taking but was worried about the long term viability of a private water company.

The commissioners will make the formal decision in the May commission meeting.   A letter will then be drafted to the Attorney General.

Over Flow Parking On Kimball Lane

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  April 5, 2017.  Ray Elliot requested in the public hearing that ten acres on Kimball Lane be rezoned from residential to commercial to provide overflow parking and RV storage for the Blue Water Resort.  He said that adjoining properties were in the commercial zone.  Mel Maynes objected to the proposal as it would be in the view area of the Sweetwater Hillside.

Maynes said that the road was actually built by private people and private financing.  He and Bryan Burr were the major contributors to that road.  There are established 5 acre lots for people to build horse properties and Maynes felt that this will decrease their land value.  He added that the road is not wide enough for RV traffic as it is only 35 feet wide. 

"There is not enough water pressure if the RV trailers go up in fire. We saw that with the fire that burned down Bryan Burr's building, " said Maynes.

The planning commission approved the zoning change and now it will go to the City Council for final approval.

Heritage Wagon Rides At Hansen Ranch

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, April 5, 2017.  Gwenda Hansen is proposing a pioneer farm with wagon rides and chuckwagon meals for tourists at the old Hansen Ranch in Garden City.  In order to do this Hansen needs to add ag-tourism to the hillside zone requirements.  This zone includes such agriculturally related activities as petting zoos, wagon rides and farm equipment tours.  

Planning commissioner, Joey Stocking, said this would be an ideal place for this kind of venture and as a conditional use permit.  Commissioner Jim DeGroot  said, "This is a place near 5 acre residential lots it should not be allowed in this area because we don’t enforce enough and it may be noisy and disturb neighbors. The hillside is an empty vacant piece of land for housing development not a farm or agricultural area."  

If it becomes like American West Heritage in Cache County that area would be a good place, commissioner Susan House said.  "The Hansen family has ranched for years and this provides open space and agricultural area."

George Peart said they will either have to sell the land to developers or keep it an agricultural  area, so this would be an excellent idea to preserve an open space for Garden City that represented the history of the area.  The planning commission agreed and passed the ordinance change. 

Backyard Deer Waiting For Spring

Photo by Elvira Luzack, Garden City

County Commission

Bobbie Bicknell Coray

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  April 5, 2017.  Terry Allen, Bear Lake Water Company, suggested to the county commission that they adopt Zone 2 Water Well Protection ordinances.  The BLWC consultants, Sunrise Engineering, told Allen when a well is drilled most counties have that protection.  The old wells are grandfathered, but any new wells will require this ordinance or face a complicated notification and individual contracts from surrounding property owners.

Right now when a new well is drilled, neighbors must be contacted and sign a contract to clean up any waste or oil spills or pesticides used.  With the ordinance it will protect the wells automatically.  Cache County has adopted this ordinance.   This ordinance changes requirements of notification not the laws governing drilling of a well.  The commissioners said they would have the county attorney look at it and report back to them.

Tyler Pugmire has been asked to take on the responsibility of being the volunteer County Fair Chairman.  The commissioners thanked him for being willing to take it on at a late date.  He will serve for two years.  The Commissioners suggested that he start right away to get a Fair Board and committee chairmen organized.  The Fair will be held August 14 -18 in Randolph.

Amending The Rich County Comprehensive Plan

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 

TO AMEND THE

Rich County Comprehensive Plan

The Rich County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing to receive comments:

            WHAT:          Public input on the Rich County Resource Management Plan which will be an amendment to the Rich County Comprehensive Plan.

            WHEN:          Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm

            WHERE:        Rich County Court House, 20 South Main, Randolph, Utah  

The Rich County Planning & Zoning Commission has initialized development of a resource management plan consisting of 27 natural resource issues as required by U.C. 17-27-401(3).  This resource management plan will amend the existing Rich County Comprehensive Plan.   This public hearing is to receive comments on the topics identified in the document. These amendments affect all lands within the boundaries of Rich County.

Anyone wishing to comment at this hearing must keep those comments to five (5) minutes.  Any group of people with the same opinion wishing to comment should have one speaker representing that group.

A complete copy of the very “draft” resource management plan is available for public review at the following locations:  

            Bear Lake Regional Commission Office, 69 N. Paradise Pkwy. Garden City

           

            Rich County Courthouse, 20 S. Main, Randolph, Utah. 

Public comments are welcome in any format and will be included as part of the document.

           

Public comments are requested and may be given at the hearing or in writing, or by calling:

            Rich County Planning & Zoning Commission

            PO Box 472,

            Garden City Utah. 84028.

            435-946-2198

Immediately following the hearing the Planning & Zoning Commission will hold its regular Commission meeting.

Bear River Health Department Report

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. April 5, 2017.  Bear River Health Department (BRHD) public relations director, Jill Parker, came to the county commission to give the yearly report.  Bear River Mental Health serves a the tri - county area and serves ten essential public health services. 

In 2016 BRHD began offering a program for lifestyle change that prevents type 2 diabetes and the program is being expanded.

With the help of funds from the Utah Department of Health Refugee Health Contract they have been able to provide health care related translation, transportation and education for over 300 refugees.

In Snowville, Utah there had been a wall nearly a mile long of discarded tires for nearly 25 years. This was a potential environmental hazard filled with rodents and a fire danger.  BRHD contracted with a tire recycling company to clean the area of 558 tons of tires.

They monitor the ongoing WIC (Women’s and Infant Care) program and regulate “body art” (tattoos and microblading.)

Substance abuse is a ongoing problem in the tri county area,  so BRHD has expanded mental health services for youth at the request of the First District Juvenile Court, evening intensive outpatient treatment and PTSD treatment.  BRHD conducts education campaigns against using prescription drugs.

 

EMT and law enforcement personnel have been given Meloxtone kits to counter prescription drug overdose.