Winter Fishing

Photo by Bear Lake Visitors and Convention Bureau

Utah State Parks in Bear Lake Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah.  February 6, 2019. Richard Droesbeke, the Parks Supervisor, gave his annual review to the County Commission on the usage of the state parks this past summer as well as items of interest and future plans.  He estimated park visitation at 500,000 (reported by SLC Office at 338,000).    That number is up showing 40,000 more individuals than visited in 2017.  The gross revenues were at $1,372,000 after taxes which is $134,000 more than was taken in during the previous year.  Camping in 2018 brought in 35% of the income while in 2017 camping brought in 37% of the overall income.  Slip rentals in 2018 accounted for 27% while in 2017 it brought in 29%.  Day use in 2018 was 26% while 2017 was 23%.  Concession royalties and special use permits in 2018 was 23% while 2017 was 10%.  In 2018 the overall profit was $812,000 which is $54,000 more than in 2017.  Droesbeke also reported that there were several days this last summer that the parks were maxed out.

The following events and activities organized and/or hosted are as follows:  The tenth annual Cisco Disco and Bear Lake Monster Plunge.  He noted that there were 170 people who plunged into the lake this year (2019). 

The seventh Swim Across Bear Lake went well.  It is held the second Saturday in July.  In the past it was held later in the day, but now starts at 8 a.m. and is generally finished by 1 to 2 p.m.  The individuals who participate start from the Marina and swim to Cisco Beach which is about seven miles.  There were 21 participants last year.  Each swimmer must have a boat that stays with them the whole distance.  One individual last year swam the length of the lake which is about 20 miles.  There has been a Raspberry Days Boat Light Parade each year.  The boats leave the Marina, go south to about Ideal Beach, then turn and go back to the Marina. 

Droesbeke noted that there were 28 Special Use Permits given for family reunions and other activities that were held in the parks.

There were a few water accidents on the lake.  One individual was cut getting to close to the engine propeller.  There were several rescues with one fatality.

The projects and ideas for the future include working at Rendezvous Beach to make more areas for camping available as well as the usual maintenance for that area. There were several days last summer that Rendezvous Beach had to turn people away.  There needs to be renovation of 21 campsites and make that area up to 37 camp sites.  There needs to be more group sites.  Power and water are available, but there is no sewer for some areas.

At the Marina there will be sidewalks built on the north dike, and there has been a wood rail fence put up on the north exit from the marina.  On the eastside of the lake there will be a better access road into North Eden.  There have been some approved motorboat access projects. 

There have also been some requested motorboat access projects at the following locations: East Side at First Point with a launch ramp, parking area enlargement, and paving.  Another project on the East Side would the power available to First Point, Cisco Beach, and Rainbow Cove ramps.  Also, at Rainbow Cove there will be access trails from the lake to Bluff campsites.  The Marina needs parking lot asphalt to be slurry sealed and paint striping done.  The Marina needs overflow parking area improvement as well. 

There are some critical issues that exist that need to be noted.  Park wide, there needs to be a full-time maintenance position.  There needs to be another full-time office manager/ accountant position.  There is a need for a USACE Beach Grooming/maintenance permit, and there should be an increase in camping and day use fees.

The Marina need greater parking capacity and increased vegetation.  The condition of the main asphalt parking lot needs better maintenance.  The marina expansion proposal is still an idea that needs to move forward.  The main problem there is funding sources.  Additional restrooms with flush toilets near the launch ramp are needed.

Currently, Tuesday and Wednesday are called local days.  A pass for RC citizens is $50 which is half price for the marina and over on the east side.  This, of course, won’t work on holidays and weekends.  This RC pass is park wide

At Rendezvous Beach there is not enough day use parking.  There also needs to be more day use restrooms with flush toilets.  The oldest restrooms need to be replaced.  There needs to be a renovation of the Cottonwood Campground.

On the eastside of the lake currently there are more night camp areas at or above capacity.  There are a 100 sites on that side of the lake, and they are full every weekend.  More camp areas or enlargement of the current camp sites are needed.  The North Eden beach access should be improved.  First Point has some real parking issues.  There needs to be water and sewer development.  There should be large scale facility development on Rainbow Cove and at First Point.   A public gun range is needed, and there is a good possibility for such an item at across the road from Rainbow Cove into Hook Canyon.

Garbage services are costing more.  During 2016 the cost was $14,700, in 2017 it fell to $8,700.  In 2018, the cost was $21,500. 

The concession contract was renewed this past summer.  It is for five years.  It was given to Brian Hirschi again.  Droesbeke said that he has been doing a good job.

Blue Shards

Photo by Carol Ann Dyer

Norman Mecham Request for a PUD

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. February 6, 2019.   Norm Mecham’s PUD Development Plan was the second agenda item.  The Planned Unit Development will be called Waterdance which is located approximately 185 S 100 West.  The area contains 15.92 acres.   Mecham asked for a zone change from C-1 and C-3 to a PUD.

The Chairman of the Planning Commission asked Mecham if he knew the height of the two buildings that have already been built on that area.  He noted that they appear to be higher than 35’ which is the City’s height limit for any buildings.  He asked if the City could measure those two buildings the next day to see if they are above the height limit.   Mecham gave the City Permission to do so.

It was noted that the pool building does not match any structures in the surrounding area.  The Chairman noted that when Mecham had developed the Cottages in Pickleville, it was a very successful subdivision.  He was hoping that perhaps this could be a Subdivision instead of a PUD and build simple but nice individual homes.

Mecham replied that he would like very much to make it a PUD.  He would like to phase this project into 15 phases.  It was noted that what the Commission had been given was a conceptual plan, not even a preliminary plat.  More information needs to be presented to the Planning Commission before any real action can be taken.    There needs to some study done to determine what will happen to the bike path that goes along the entire front of this property.  Also there needs to be some kind of a traffic study since both 100 West and 250 South are both quite narrow.  Both of these roads are only 50’—not the recommended 60’ in width.

Mecham noted that there will be gates on the entrances to block access to his PUD.  The Commission Members requested that more detail be given them.  They felt like they needed additional information in order to make any decisions on this project.  Since the project is going to be done in 15 phases, Mecham was asked how long this project would last.  Mecham replied that it would all depend on the sales of the completed structures.

The Planning Commission said they would get their questions about this project within the next week to Mecham and asked that Mecham have two weeks to write up answers to the questions.  They specifically asked that Mr. Mecham give them some measurements on building sizes, parking areas, and the number that is being determined, etc.  The pool is currently referred to as an accessory building.  According to the City’s ordinance, rock must be placed on a commercial building—at least along one side.  This is also something that will need to be considered.

The Planning Commission decided that this item should be postposed and brought up in the next Planning Commission meeting with enough information to be able to make a good decision concerning this project.

Garden City Planning and Zoning meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  February 6, 2019. Ted Holmberg, owner of Raspberry Farms, asked for approval by the Planning Commission for the subdivision of four commercial lots located at 395 Logan Canyon Road.  This proposed subdivision is just south of Bear Lake Monster Storage. 

The City Engineer, Zan Murray, noted that any easements must be put on the plat.  There are several signatures that are needed, and there are no addresses on the plat.  They will need to be placed on the final plat.  The street shown needs to be labeled as private.  A sidewalk may not be needed because there will not be much pedestrian walking along that area.  There needs to be some clarifications dealing with special services—a sanitary easement needs to be 10’ wide.  There needs to be some clarification on set-backs.  The set-backs end at the road-way easement.  There should be a 15’ easement on both sides of the private road.  There should also be a right-of-way line on the plat.  Corner lots need wider set backs that the other two lots.

The plat is not showing any area for storm water runoff.  The swells on each of the road takes care of road water, but each lot has a responsibility for their own water runoff.  A letter from the Canal Company must give permission if the lots are within 100’ from the canal.  That distance is determined from the middle of the canal out at least 33’ from that point.

A motion was made and approved the preliminary plat with the expectations of a letter from the Canal Company and taking care of the items listed by the City Engineer.

A discussion was held concerning Phase I for a Subdivision of 13 lots located west of Cherimoya.  This Subdivision is approximately located at 300-400 West and 1400 – 1500 South.  It is named Long Ridge @ Bear Lake.  Jeff Jorgensen presented the information about this subdivision.

Jorgensen described how the plat shows the location lots and streets for this Phase of the Subdivision.  It was noted that there will be no fences on these properties because they don’t want to block any views of Bear Lake.  There was one access to Lots 11 or 13.  Currently there is no access to this subdivision on Persimmon Street.  Lots 11, 12, and 13 face a different way than some of the other homes, and they will have access from a different road than the other homes.  Currently there is no access to Paradise Parkway.  It was recommended that a trail easement for water and sewer be brought in at a certain point. 

During the discussion, it was noted that there was no driveway access to lot 9.  There was an area with no trail access but is a utility access.  Starlight Drive could be widened to make a 60’ road. 

After discussing the various possibilities and ideas, it was noted that Jorgensen make the changes suggested and bring the plan back to the Planning Commission next month.

There was a discussion concerning food trucks.  The comment was made that it would really be nice to have a variety of different food trucks in one area so that people could have lots of choices of what kinds of food they would like to purchase.  Perhaps it could be called a food court where power, water, and sewer are available.  Also, if that was made available, then there would need to be restrooms in that area.  It was suggested that this item be put on next month’s agenda.  The meeting was adjourned.