Garden City Rodeo To Be Closed During Laketown Rodeo?

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  March 20, 2014. Sim Weston, Mayor of Laketown, attended a public hearing held in Garden City regarding a decision to allow Jade Willis and Mike Knapp to sponsor a weekly rodeo during this coming summer.  Because it will be a weekly activity, it will compete with the Raspberry Day’s Rodeo that has always been sponsored by Laketown.

Sim Weston was asking that the rodeo in Garden City be cancelled during Raspberry Days.  He noted that Laketown has sponsored this rodeo for the past 25 years.  It has only been the last few years that they have broken even and finally made a small profit.  He didn’t think the two communities could have two rodeos at the same time and either one be successful.

Garden City Planning Commission indicated that they don’t have the right or authority to limit a business on the days and times they can operate their business.  They suggested that Willis and Weston get together and try and work out something that would satisfy both of them.

The Planning Commission noted that the ordinances allows for a rodeo.  The only thing that the Commission can limit are issues with safety, health, noise, community well being, or if the Commission determined that the project be required to be more in line with land use issues.  It certainly is not a clear definition of limits.  The Commission needs to determine if this project is in the best interests for Garden City. 

The Commission acknowledged that they have worked with Laketown for a lot of years and certainly do not want to change that relationship.  However, the Commission is also bound to follow City ordinances.

During the discussion it was determined that Laketown can seat approximately 2,000 people at their rodeo.  Willis has bleachers that can also seat 2,000.  With the number of individuals who come into the Valley during Raspberry Days, it would appear as though there would be no problem filling both venues.  During the discussion, it was noted that no one knows what the affect will be at either activity.  It was also mentioned that one rodeo could be held in the late afternoon and allow Laketown to hold their rodeo at their usual time.

The Commission said that they can grant a conditional use, but they can’t put stipulations on the condition use that covers times when performances can be held or include other restraints.  That is not within their jurisdiction. 

The Commission cannot refuse the conditional use permit because it is allowed according to the City’s ordinances.  The Commission needs to follow the rules.  Commissioners said that they hoped the rodeos that are held will be good, uplifting, and wholesome family oriented events that are good for everyone. 

As a result of the public hearing, the Planning Commission stated that they must give the Garden City Rodeo a conditional use permit.  However, they also needed more information so that they are aware of exactly what will be taking place with this event.  They noted Sim Weston’s concern that it would adversely affect the Laketown Rodeo.

The Commission asked if all 18 acres of land will be used.  If so, there is a problem, because four acres are in the County and only 14 are within the City.  They only have jurisdiction over those acres within the City limits.    Jade Willis, the sponsor of the rodeo, noted that he will only be using that land within the City limits.  He was then requested to show on the map the location of the various buildings, seating, corrals, parking and vendors. 

According to the City’s ordinances, a site plan must be submitted prior to the granting of a conditional use permit.  The Commission requested to see a copy of his site plan.  Willis noted that he was unaware he needed a site plan.  The Commission then told him he would need to at least draw it out there are the meeting and then submit a more formal one within the next day or two.

The City ordinance dealing with this type of event indicates that the use must not be detrimental to any persons or detrimental to the environment.  Thus, the Commission wants to see where the ingresses/egresses will be located, the people impact on the roads, how animal control will be handled, if dust and smells will be taken care of, noting if the outside boundaries are within the City,  porta potties, vendor locations, security measures taken, location of electrical connections, water rights, where fences will be, how animals will be loaded and unloaded and where, insurance policies, the location of the arena, announcer, and bleachers, ambulance on site, and so forth.  They noted that anything that deals with the safety of the community needs to be known to them.  Gary Cox, the City Administrator, told Willis he would be happy to work with him in getting his formal plan ready.

The Commission also made it known that on failure to comply with conditions set forth in the site plan, the Commission can withdraw the permit.

A motion was made and passed to allow Willis to go forward with his plans for a weekly rodeo in Garden City.  March 26 is the date his official site plan will be due to the City.  He was asked to work with George Peart, the building inspector, to make sure all requirements have been met.  Jade was also specifically asked if he would work closely with Sim Weston in ironing out difficulties concerning the Raspberry Day’s Rodeo.