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
