Parking Layout at 350 S. Disputed by Neighbors

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. November 14, 2014.  Sandra Carlson and her daughter-in-law appeared before the Garden City Council to see if some changes could be made to the new parking lot at 350 South.  Sandra lives on the corner of 350 South and Bear Lake Boulevard.  She has two double gates and a single gate along 350 South.  When the striping was done at this new parking lot, striping was done in front of one of the double gates.  It was set up for handicapped parking.  The other double gate was left so it could be used to drive into her lot.

She informed the Council that she had not been aware that anything was being done by her home until late summer.  She felt that she should have had an opportunity to at least express her ideas and explain why she needed both of the large gates.  She felt that the striping was a real problem.

Her daughter-in-law, Stephanie Carlson, asked the Council why the parking stalls were only 9’ x 18’ instead of the required 9’ x 20 as stated in the City’s ordinances.  She also noted that the road was only 22’ wide when the ordinances required 24’ for a roadway.  She asked if a variance for these two changes had been obtained by the City.  She said these were real issues and that the City should at least follow its own ordinances.

It was noted that when they pull in a larger truck or trailer, it would almost be impossible to make a turn and drive into the lot with the parking stalls as close to the gates as they are.  In addition, they felt turning into her lot while dragging a boat or 4-wheeler behind their vehicle wouldn’t be possible.    They asked if at least one of the parking spots on the north be removed to be used for a wider turn to be able to get into her yard.  They both indicated that turning around is going to be very difficult as well.  There is not a turn around.  If all the stalls are parked full, there will be no place to turn around.  Cars on the South will have to back out onto Bear Lake Boulevard to get out of the parking lot.

Stephanie Carlson also noted that the parking lot is right on the property line, no extra space was allowed at all.  She had a concern about overnight parking, and letting the public know that this was a dead end street.  She didn’t want individuals parking there all night.  Also, because of the close quarters, she asked that a sign be put up to indicate that no trailers or trucks should be allowed to park in that area. 

Concrete barriers had been placed on the north side of the lot.  There are no homes or lots on the north whereas there are two homes on the south with no such barriers.  Zan Murray, the City Engineer, noted that a cement swale was put next to the sidewalk that alerts drivers that they are as far into the parking stall as they should go and was used in place of the cement barriers.  He also indicated that signage would be put up to let people know the rules for parking in that particular area.

Sandra Carlson and Stephanie Carlson were told that they would be informed in the future of any changes of work that may be done in that area.  The apologized for not getting more information to them sooner.