To the Editor:
I was born, and grew up in Pickleville. Over the past 60+ years, I have witnessed the many changes the Bear Lake Valley has undergone. As I return to become a full time resident again, I find myself both nostalgic and fearful.
Growing up, there were four small family resorts in the Garden City/Pickleville area. Gus’ Resort (owned by Gus Rich), Ideal Beach (owned by the Pulsiphers), Blue Water Beach (owned by Preston and Gladys Kimball), and Holiday Marina (owned by Jack and Ethel Ryan).
What was later known as the Pickleville Country Store was originally called El Centro or Hodges Lodges. Purchased by Ralph and Sally Eastman, El Centro was converted into the Pickleville store around 1972. The Utah State Package Store was added in 1973.
Hodges Canyon Road was just the Lane”, bordered by ancient cotton wood trees, a small orchard, a red barn, and horse corrals.
Garden City had one small grocery store owned by the Pulleys, who also ran the Motor Lodge Motel. I remember stopping in frequently to buy their wonderful penny candy.
Water’s Edge and Cody’s Restaurant now occupy the site of the store. The Motor Lodge is now known as the Bear Lake Motor Lodge. The Pulleys later opened a café, now Firehouse Pizza. Pulley’s had lively competition from John and Nancy Murphy’s Lakeview Café. The Murphy’s café and motel were located at what is now the Epic rental retail store.
Sterling’s was the lone gas station in Garden City. Owned by Sterling Rich, it was located on the corner of what is now Bear Lake Blvd. and Logan Canyon Road. The only fast-food place in town was the Frosty Stand, now LaBeau’s. They made the best double dip chocolate cones in the world.
After Pickleville was incorporated into Garden City, the town leaders devised a Master Plan for Garden City. They knew that the valley would be growing, and the unfortunate events that transpired when Ideal Beach was transformed into Sweetwater Resort led them to think about how the town could balance growth and community.
Their vision included specific areas for businesses, resident families, and seasonal/recreational interests. They also built in the consideration of green and open spaces for the enjoyment of all. Even through several boom and bust cycles in the valley, town officials knew that growth would continue. Their goal was not to stop development, but to manage it in order to preserve the essence of the wonderful spirit of life in the Bear Lake Valley.
More recent town administrations have held a different outlook. Rather than plan with an eye to the future and to the community, they allow developments that are in conflict with the town plan, and allow developers excessive leeway. Commercial and high density developments are allowed to misuse the Planned Unit Development zone.
Now the town appears poised to set aside the Master Plan again, to plant a 500 unit RV Resort in the middle of 110 acres of land zoned for low density single family homes, and what is now agricultural land.
After pushback from concerned community members, the town now announces that they are “updating the General Plan”. To this end, they are asking for input from the public in the form of a survey. The timing of this sudden desire to re-visit the General Plan should greatly concern all who live or recreate in the Bear Lake Valley. The form of the survey questions should also concern everyone. What are the questions actually asking? How will the input be used? Will the public have access to the data collected?
In speaking with many of the folks I grew up with, I hear my own concerns mirrored. “The town is getting more and more chaotic. I can’t wait for winter”.
“How many more short term rentals can we handle?”
“How are people building 15 bed and 12 bath hotels and getting away with calling them houses?”
“Can our water and infrastructure keep up with the pace of this development?”
“Why isn’t the town managing growth better? Who is benefitting?”
Here is my point – If you are concerned about the chaotic and apparently uncontrolled growth in our town, STOP BEING PART OF THE PROBLEM. Your silence equals consent. GET INVOLVED. Voice your concerns to your town leaders. If they continue to fail to be responsive, ELECT NEW ONES.
Don’t let your neighbors do the job alone. Don’t be afraid to let your opinion be known, and your voice heard. The future of Garden City is ours to protect. If we lose the lifestyle and the beauty we have inherited, we will all be the poorer for it. We will have “killed the goose that lays the golden egg”, and be left only with the eyesore we allowed to be created, along with the financial burden that will accompany it.
Jayne Hodges
Life Long Bear Laker
3 comments:
Very nice letter, Jayne. I agree on all your thoughts and heartaches. What a beautiful valley, Lake and area we have to enjoy. I have had the same thought as you. I cannot wait until winter. The people are not as numerous but still can cause the effect of to many people for the small area we have. My wife i built a cabin on the Sweetwater hill 8 years ago and thought that we would only use it for the summer. We have now decided that we like the winter better. Less people and very quite. We are more than happy to help out all the local business when we are in the area. we are business owners also and know that it takes a lot of work to keep things running and open. However the valley can only handle so many people. Hopefully we can hold off the changes in the master plan until we can vote new people in that will listen to the residents of the city. Growth is ineveitable whether we like it or not. But slow growth would be a lot easier to handle. I can only hope that that the outside money does not ruin our piece of heaven, and then leave us wondering what happened.
I don't know if the survey you are referring to has come out yet, but there is currently a survey that my daughter was instrumental in creating and distributing for a different entity entirely and aimed more at gathering data from tourists for part of an impact study. Perhaps some of that data will be shared, but just so you know, it was not generated by the city and I don't believe will be used regarding the "500-unit" development decisions. For my own input, and as a lifelong tourist/recent resident of the Bear Lake area, I think that development is a big mistake.
Jayne, Good development could be an asset for all stakeholders including, residents, second homeowners, and guests however right now it's really a gold rush with a "visitors first" approach. Our current political leaders are wonderful smart people, they have good intensions however many have been in office for decades and most are in real estate so it limits perspectives. What is absolutely obvious, Garden City is in the driver seat and the opportunity for improving the downtown corridors' curb and gutter, trails/trail heads, opportunities for affordable/workforce housing can all be accomplished and must be carefully considered. My wife Melissa is running for Town Council anyone who knows her can tell you she is not only a wonderful person but a great listener and problem solver.
Post a Comment