Editorial on proposed RV park & letters from citizens

The Rich Civic Times investigated Sun Communities in Arizona and Colorado.  https://www.sunrvresorts.com/   and it is our conclusion that a zoning change to allow RV resort parks in the suggested Garden City area should not be allowed.

The Public Hearing at the Garden City Planning and Zoning 

is at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5 at the Lakeview Building 

next to the City offices.

They are proposing a RV park on 110 acres in Garden City on the Boulevard between Hodges Canyon and Kimball Lane with 500 + RV spots and some amenities.  The Sun Resorts seem to be nice and well run.  But the resorts also are in places, unlike the case in Garden City, where there are strains on our water and sewer system.  We are also struggling with adequate policing in high tourist times.

The question becomes too whether or not we will abide by the City's Master Plan that was developed over a period of months with significant citizen participation.  That plan suggested zoning for single family homes or agricultural use.

The area they are proposing is zoned for single family homes and would be ideal for small homes for first time home buyers and empty nesters. It is not ideal as a trailer park or a transient RV park which changes the nature of the community.

RV parks in this area have turned into permanent villages; just remember the two  Sweetwater Trailer Parks.  Can you imagine what something five times the size of Sweetwater Parks would look like and be in five or six years? 

We did look at the trailers for sale in  Arizona and Colorado Sun Communities and have added two of them here for an example. 

Several people have reached out to Rich Civic  Times with comments, we are including some here:

 

Garden City is a beautiful community to live in because of the rural residential appearance.  Especially coming down from the summit.  I am sad to say that view has been changing the last few years.  Now we see blue covered boats parked in a field west of Heritage park, storage sheds across the road from the cemetery, an RV park next to the city office complex and a Glamping park next to that.  Fourteen 4-plexes are being built across the street from the city complex, more storage sheds, a car wash, Bear Lake Propane, the gravel pit and Epic boat repair east of that. 

Then there is the new 60-unit duplex plan west of the new shopping center.   The city is becoming a rental community, not a fulltime family community without a growth plan.  The P&Z Commission has allowed developments that weren’t part of the Bear Lake Blueprint or city plan and it is fast becoming a transient community with no focus.

The proposed 500 sites will overwhelm the current services.  With an average of 4 people per site that will basically double the population of the county.  How can the sewar, water processing plant, markets, marina and beaches handle an over night explosion because the sites could fill up in a couple of weeks.  Not to mention the potential impact to the police and fire department.

You can say what you want, but RV parks over time become an eye sore to the community.  The property value of the surrounding homes will go down according to my short google research.   

We already have 7 RV parks in the area, we don’t need another one especially this size that will totally change the look and living standard of this beautiful part of the county.  The city and county don’t have the funds to prepare for the impact to the current infrastructure in a short timeframe.  The city council and county commissioners need to prevent growth this type and size from happening.

Randall Knight

I am extremely concerned about Garden City’s infrastructure! There are already so many new houses that have been built and many more being built as short term rentals. What is the long term goal for Garden City? Is there a Master Plan? 

Kathie Anderson

Our little town is so precious because it is a little town. I don’t mind sharing it in the summer with all the people who visit and love it. But adding 500 more RV spots with all the human requirements they bring, including traffic, and possible associated crime, is very worrisome. Once we allow this, there’s no going back. I hate to think GC could turn into a tourist trap like Niagara Falls or the Wisconsin Dells with motels, gift shops, hamburger joints recreational rentals and pizza places on every corner, all green spaces taken up by commerce. Please let’s consider all before a decision is made.

Shari Gonzales

OPEN LETTER TO THE GARDEN CITY PLANNING COMMISSION:

 My husband and I went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina one year.  As we drove through an adorable, quaint little town we admired the beauty.  As we continued on, we saw a small house, then next door was a trailer, then next door to that was a million dollar home and then another small house.  We looked at each other and said, “Don’t they have any Planning Commission who would make wise decisions on appropriate zoning?  The residents have to live with their mistakes for generations, maybe forever.”  

What a shame a few people can ruin it for everyone.  The fact is that the beautiful, quaint town of Garden City with its 600 residents has its future in your hands.  The Commission’s agenda for this week alone has approval requests for some 83 RV spots and 43 A-frame cabins all within the City limits.  That doesn’t include the request for the overwhelming 512 RV spots for Sun Communities.  That’s not just 512 people, it’s 512 times 2 or 3, as most campers don’t travel alone. 

 I’m not opposed to RV parks, but as responsible Planning Commissioners representing the residents of Garden City, we  ask you to keep  Garden City  just that, Garden “City”, not “Garden RV Park” and let the RV and camp enthusiasts establish their temporary communities in an appropriate mountain location that doesn’t change what the people who came before you worked so hard to accomplish nor the lives of the people who come after you.  You’ll never be able to undue this decision. 

CONCERNED CITIZENS 

Herald Journal article on proposed RV Park

 A proposed RV park that could put 500 dwelling units on 110 acres in Garden City has some residents nervous it could alter the direction of the Bear Lake town’s development.

The project, called “Bear Lake RV Resort” in its application, would be situated between Hodges Canyon Road and the Pickleville Playhouse, taking up many of the fields west of existing houses on State Route 30.

“In one spot with that type of density, it’s the largest (development) we’ve ever seen in Garden City, by far,” said John Spuhler, who served as the town’s mayor from 2010-2018.

The RV resort is being proposed by Sun Communities, Inc., a real estate trust headquartered in the Detroit area.

While planning for the resort is still in early stages and much could change as it goes before the Planning Commission and Town Council, plans for the resort include mostly RV camping with some other luxury camping options. 

A post on the Rich Civic Times newsletter states resort amenities could include a “clubhouse facility with indoor recreation and event space, resort style pool, parks and trail network and a Main Street area for additional amenity offerings.”

The company does not own the site’s land yet but is working with current owners and is asking the town to rezone the parcels, most of which are in residential zones, to a planned unit development designation that would allow an RV resort.

“The developer … who is a publicly traded company, is coming in and trying to change three separate zones that are zoned single-family that have no use, there’s no RV use in those zones,” Spuhler said. “Those are designed for single-family homes. And to move them into RV parks in areas that weren’t designed for that, it doesn’t meet our master plan in any way, shape or form. It’s in fact contrary to it. And that’s my problem with the council even considering it.”

With his wife, Melissa, and their son, Leo, Spuhler owns the Oso Blu resort consisting of five “luxury” yurts a little over a mile north of the proposed site.

Current Garden City Mayor Mike Leonhardt declined to comment on the project because it has not yet been formally presented in city meetings. Sun Communities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Garden City General Plan, completed in 2014, includes goals to “allow development to occur on parcels of land most suitable for and capable of supporting the kind of development being proposed,” and to “channel development into areas where existing infrastructure is already in place or planned in the near future.”

Spuhler said he doesn’t believe the infrastructure is adequate for the resort as proposed.

“They’re completely asking for a specific rezoning so that they can build something that I think would be really challenging for our community in terms of traffic and just general infrastructure like sewer,” Spuhler said. “There’s a lot of reasons why we have a master plan, and frankly I don’t think we’re doing a very good job as a city looking at what does our master plan say and why would we allow this group to come in and rezone over 100 acres of land?”

Brian House, a resident of the area who served on the Planning Commission for 20 years and eight years on the Town Council, wrote to the Rich Civic Times that he objects to the project along similar lines.

“Although potentially allowed as a Planned Unit Development, does Garden City have the water?” House wrote, in part. “Is our sewer system capable of handing the increase? Already our sewer system seems to be maxed out on weekends with backed up sewer and stench north of Pickleville, some sewer pumps running on a lengthy basis.”

“If this particular development had been proposed in the zones that met the requirement, because we’ve looked at that, then I’d have a different take on it,” Spuhler said. “I still think there’s a lot to discuss related to parking issues, density, related to just how are people going to get on and off the highway. Those are RV units, those are larger than normal cars, and we already have a traffic congestion issue.”

Just down the road in Garden City, Sun Communities also acquired Blue Water Beach Resort for about $9 million in February, according to its 2021 1st quarter results.

The Town Planning & Zoning Commission will take comment on the plan at a public hearing beginning at 5 p.m. May 5 at 69 N. Paradise Parkway.

Proposed Bear Lake RV Park

Why You Should Care!

By John Spuhler

The storm is coming…..

Facts that should alarm every home owner and business owner in Garden City regarding the 500 unit Bear Lake RV Resort.

Here are some facts and observations:

·       100 of the 110 total project acres are zoned single family residential where RV parks are NOT allowed.

·       The project is contrary to the General Plan completed in 2014 (see pages 21, 22, 23, 26, 38 and 39 of the General Plan found of the Garden City website)

·       Sun Communities does not currently own the land they are proposing zone changes.

·       This will drastically change the culture and livability of Garden City for all residents.  

·       The Utah League of Cities and Towns training handbook regarding land and zoning changes is clearly NOT being followed. (top of page 21 Handbook for Planning Commissioners) “In making zone changes the Commission should be influenced by the General Plan.  If the change is supported by the General Plan, then the reference of the plan should be used to give support to the decision.  If it is in opposition to the General Plan the commission should acknowledge the plan and give reasons of “findings” for the lack of concurrence. “

·       The proposed changes to the zones are in direct conflict with the acceptable uses. ( Bold highlighted by author)

Hillside Estates which represent the largest part of this project from the Garden City code: 11C – 1451 Purpose: To provide appropriate locations above the Garden City canal, where low density residential neighborhoods may be established and maintained to protect the natural beauty and wildlife. Encourage parks and playgrounds, which serve the requirements of the families. The regulations are intended to prohibit those uses that would be harmful to a single family neighborhood. 

Single Family Residential Zone. 11C-1201 Purpose. To provide appropriate locations where low density residential neighborhoods may be established, maintained and protected, the regulations also permit the establishment of, with proper controls, the public and semi-public uses such as churches, schools, libraries, parks and playgrounds, which serve the requirements of the families. The regulations are intended to prohibit those uses that would be harmful to a single-family neighborhood.

Recreational Residential Zone11C- 1401 Purpose. To provide appropriate areas for recreational residential developments and related services and activities.  

Changing three zones to accommodate a non permitted use that goes expressly against the general plan has never been allowed and sets up a dangerous precedent for Garden City’s future. 

My suggestion is for our P&Z and Town Council to slow this process down by:

1.       Following regulation and best practices for zoning changes

2.       Find out more about the desires of the community

3.       Research Sun Communities before they are willing to thrash zoning and general plans to suit an out of state publicly traded company that has no vested interest in Garden City. Please do a Google Search on Sun Communities lawsuits.

Final thought

This is a massive development which will impact all infrastructure, traffic, sewer, water and public safety within Garden City and Rich County. One final thing to note is the Cottage HOA President told me when Sun Communities purchased Blue Water Beach RV park they were notified the Cottages Blue Water amenities were now off limits, with no discussion. Keep in mind many of the homeowners purchased their home over 20 years ago because of Blue Water beach access.

Please come to the planning and zoning meeting on May 5th at the Garden City office at 5 PM for the public hearing.  

Garden Workshop

 

Little Mermaid at Rich Middle School

Art by Disneyclips.com

 Rich Middle School will be presenting “Little Mermaid” Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 in Laketown

Tickets are $ 5.00 and available at the school office

Michael Dee Orton 1972 - 2021

Michael Dee Orton,  Mike, 48, passed away at his home in Randolph, UT on April 25, 2021. He was born on October 15, 1972 in Salt Lake City, UT to Wallace (Wally) Orton, Sr and Patricia (Pat) Kohler Orton. 

Mike’s biggest love in life was music, especially playing the drums in which, he was extraordinarily talented. He taught and mentored others on the drums sharing his love for the art. He loved playing in the band with his friends and didn’t care if there was an audience or just them jamming. Mike was talented with his hands. He was a good welder, carpenter and mechanic. He enjoyed tearing cars and trucks apart and tricking them out as he put them back together. Growing up his room was often stacked to the ceiling with chrome parts as he was compiling them for his next project. Mike was a friend to everyone, and his friendly smile drew others to him. He loved his family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them. 

 Mike was married to Tashara Lynn Fischer on July 1, 1995, they were later divorced. They had a son Dalon Dee Orton whom Mike was very proud of his accomplishments. Mike married Katrina Jo Andersen on September 21, 2012, and later divorced. During their marriage he loved her girls and enjoyed being their father. 

He is survived by his father Wally Orton, Sr. of Randolph, UT, his son Dalon Orton of Woods Cross, UT, and his brother Wally Jr & Kelly Orton of Young Ward, UT. He is preceded in death by his mom Pat Orton. A viewing was held on Saturday, May 1st, from 10:00 to 11:30AM, in the Randolph, UT, L.D.S. Church followed by a funeral service at 12:00PM. Interment followed at the Randolph Cemetery. 

The Fearless Foodie

 

A reprise of an earlier column to help you get ready for summer eating.

By Scott Heiner

Crawford Trough

The other day, we happened on a great place….

We live in Garden City and unfortunately don’t have much occasion to get down to the southern part of Rich County.  Recently, we had an errand in Randolph, after which we decided to have lunch there.  I didn’t think there was any place there to eat at, but what was my happy surprise to discover Crawford Trough.

Their theme of feeding and watering troughs is a nod to the area’s ranch culture.  The sign consists of the name “Crawford Trough” above a picture of a large metal watering trough and their slogan is “The Place to Eat and Drink.”

We were delighted with the cowboy and ranch décor.  Western-oriented plaques and pictures decorated the walls as well as an old Burma Shave poem and a vintage Havoline Oil sign.  Their chairs had a rustic look with seat backs made of 1x4 boards fastened askew.  Even the restrooms were in character with the wash basins made of metal troughs and water pump style faucets.

The menu sections were creatively titled: “Off the Ranch” section is burgers and sandwiches including Crawford Angus Burger, Mushroom Burger, Beef Slider and Patty Melt. “Pasture Greens” is the salads, and “Out of the Coop” is the title of the chicken items.  They also offer wraps of ham, turkey or chicken.  The extensive milk shake and ice cream section is called “Udderly Goods.  They have interesting daily specials such as Navajo Tacos and Fish Friday as well as a great variety of soups of the day.

We ordered the soup of the day: broccoli cheese, a Pastrami Pita sandwich, with sides of pickled asparagus sticks and home-cut fries.  The soup was thick and cheesy with lots of broccoli florets.  The Pastrami Pita sandwich was moist and tasty: cheese, grilled onions, mushrooms, pickles and ranch sauce, folded in a toasted pita bread.   I was especially glad to try something entirely new: the pickled asparagus sticks were crunchy with a perfect sour pickle tang.

Crawford Trough offers plenty of entertainment options for all ages including a pool table supported by thick log legs, and a safely-isolated dart board range.  There are even sturdy metal John Deere and International tractors for the kids to play with.

I assumed the owners were named “Crawford,” but I was mistaken.  In January 2018, Bridget and Tyler Pugmire bought the old Gators restaurant, a popular local spot for about 30 years.  Previously it had been Beth’s Diner and before that, Hub Cafe.  They completely remodeled and redecorated the place; keeping some of Gators’ popular hamburgers and home-cut fries on their menu and adding several of their own creations.  The Pugmires thought it would be a good and fun place for the local teenagers to work.

The name, “Crawford” refers to the Crawford mountains rising steeply to the east above the flat farmland.  Back in the day, it was home to extensive phosphate mining, primarily from the mid-1900's to the 1970s.  Now it is a popular hang-gliding spot; when the winds are right, you can spot several paragliders weaving in the sky.

Crawford Trough also takes orders through their website www.CrawfordTrough.com or by phone 435-793-3170.

 

Peace and Solitude

 

Photo by Bobbie Coray

Five hundred sites on 110 acres proposed in Garden City

 A new development which will fundamentally change the look of Garden City is being proposed.

Sun Communities Inc. is proposing a Recreational Vehicle Resort on 110 acres at the southwestern corner of South Hodges Canyon Road and South Bear Lake Blvd. Sun Communities owns and operates over 300 manufactured home communities and RV resorts located in 29 states throughout the US and Ontario, Canada.

The project is planned to consist of approximately 500 sites,  a combination of traditional RV sites and various types of glamping.  

Included in the development will be a variety of amenities available to guests which could potentially include: Clubhouse facility with indoor recreation and event space, resort style pool, parks and trail network and a Main Street area for additional amenity offerings.

The Garden City Planning Commission will consider this application during their regular meeting which will be Wednesday, May 5, 2021 after the Public Hearing at the Garden City Lakeview Building, located at 69 N. Paradise Parkway.  

You are invited to give comment during the Public Hearing on the same date at 5:00 p.m. for any discussion you may want to present or you may make written comment to:

The Garden City Planning & Zoning Commission

PO Box 207

Garden City, Utah 84028

If you have any questions or need additional information, contact the Garden City Office on Monday through Friday, or call at 435 946-2901.

Brian House wrote in a Letter to the Editor:

"Growth is inevitable. Garden City is growing as fast as any community in Utah. What we see are large "homes" being built as short term rentals, nearly 400 in Garden City. Now we're faced with a proposed large RV complex of over 500 various camp sites, glamping and an assortment of seasonal short term and possibly long term RV use. 

Using existing UDOT and Garden City roads, water and sewer.

Although potentially allowed as a Planned Unit Development, does Garden City have the water? Is our sewer system capable of handing the increase? Already our sewer system seems to be maxed out on weekends with backed up sewer and stench north of Pickleville, some sewer pumps running on a lengthy basis. It seems our elected officials have forgotten the city master plan, including a bypass road and small "mini" parks throughout Garden City being pushed aside for growth as developers continue their ever expanding development.

Yes, growth is inevitable but at what cost to the community?"

Secrist Gardens opens soon

"Just a reminder that Secrist Gardens opens at Bear Lake on May 1. The Perennials are spectacular and have thrived through the cold winter at Bear Lake without any heat! Secrist Gardens will be open from 10:00 to 5:00 everyday but Sunday. And I must admit I'm excited to see everybody!" Nedra Secrist

If you have not visited Secrist Gardens on the east side of Bear Lake, you have missed a real treat.  From the home built with native flagstone to the many greenhouses and outdoor gardens, it will delight everyone who loves flowers!

Centre Theater Saved!

 

WHAT IS THE MONTPELIER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?

The Centre Theatre donation to the Montpelier Community Foundation was a culmination of a three month negotiation to ensure that valley residents would have continued access to movie entertainment in Montpelier.  Through a unique arrangement, the foundation received ownership of the facility through a series of donations that will take three years to complete.  

The owners of the Idanha Theatre have agreed to a lease agreement to manage the Centre Theatre where they pay all expenses of the theatre including operating, maintenance, and utilities of the theatre for the next three years.  At that time, they will have an option to purchase the facility from the foundation.

The success of the Centre Theatre will depend on the support of Montpelier and Bear Lake valley residents as well as tourists.  Since 35% to 65% of movie tickets sold are paid to movie production companies like Disney, Sony, Warner Brothers, and others, small rural theatres depend on concession sales to be profitable.  The foundation believes that having a local movie theatre is a sign of an increasingly vibrant community and is desperately desired by local residents.

Anyone wishing to donate funds, buildings or time as a volunteer, please contact any member of the board or contact Montpelier Community Foundation, 830 Washington Street, Montpelier, ID 83254.  Donations can be accepted at this address or through their Facebook page of the same name.

With the recent announcement that the Montpelier Community Foundation had received ownership of the Centre Theatre, many public inquiries were received wondering about what the foundation is and how it operates.

The Montpelier Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation registered with the State of Idaho and the Internal Revenue Service.  The board is currently comprised of seven Montpelier residents and is governed by corporate bylaws that currently allows for the Montpelier City Council to appoint all board members although all city oversight ends at that point. The board elects its own officers and chooses its own community projects to work on and fundraising goals.  Foundation officers and board members serve on a volunteer basis.

The foundation is not owned by the City of Montpelier and currently does not receive any annually appropriated city tax dollars.  The foundation operates and is managed separately from the city by the board of directors.  All funds expended by the foundation come from donations, grants and fundraisers and are used solely with the goal of enhancing the community of Montpelier.

There are times where a city project and the foundation community goals are mirrored as in the case of upgrading the city Christmas lights and the fire department’s need for a new oxygen compressor. Donations from the community and private grants were requested through the foundation with funding received and paid to the venders.  Another example of assisting local organizations with fundraising is when the Pickleball committee received funds through the foundation by virtue of donations from Broulim’s and Maverik that were used toward the new Pickleball courts in Wells C. Stock Park.

In addition, the Bear Lake Arts Council operates under the umbrella of the Montpelier Community Foundation. The arts council has their own committee for arts projects, shows and events.

Living on the Lake

Photo by Mimi Payne

 

Mike's Market Update

 A couple of pictures we thought you might like.

We will be tearing down the old Ace building on Monday so stay tuned ... we will be showing the destruction LIVE!

Mike Moldenhaur