Today we cover…
- Dakota Pacific Litigation
- 2024 Legislative Session
- 2024 Work Plan for Summit County
- Ure Open House
- Summit County Mental Health Survey
- Radon Awareness Month
DAKOTA PACIFIC
Back in December of last year, we reported that the Utah State Legislature had reached out to Summit County and Dakota Pacific separately to ask if each party was willing to pause the ongoing litigation and resume discussions. The County Council agreed to do so. The agreement effectively paused proceedings where they are and allowed for a 6-month period to continue discussions outside of the courtroom.
At this week’s County Council meeting, representatives from Dakota Pacific were back in front of the Council to discuss key objectives of their Plan C proposal and some changes to the proposal that have been made.
Some of the key objectives of Plan C include:
- Reducing full-time resident population, overall density, and traffic impact.
- Maintaining a high percentage of affordable housing;
- Increasing ratio of very low/low income units relative to higher AMI thresholds.
- Increase open space, community amenity opportunities, commercial/office uses, and housing opportunities for seniors.
Some of the changes they highlighted included:
- Pulling about a third of residential units out (34%) and increasing the ratio of affordable & workforce housing from 31% to 33%.
- Reducing overall square foot density by 430,000 square feet (-25%)
- Removing full-service hotel to maximize on affordable housing
- Reducing tallest building heights by 10 feet and revised plan to preserve view corridors
- Increase of privately owned residences from 12% to 25%
- Addition of a 2-acre “Central Park” community amenity and retail opportunity
- Incorporating some deed restricted senior housing
- Addition of 75,000 square feet of commercial space to promote economic diversity
From here, the Council will have a series of public meetings to discuss publicly the issues they see as outstanding, including traffic, HTRZ, residential densities, and more. Public meetings are beginning next week. Please visit summitcounty.org for the most up-to-date list of meeting dates, times, and locations. Please note that these are work sessions. Public comment will be taken at dedicated public hearings in the coming weeks.
LEGISLATIVE RECAP
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, January 16, the Utah State Legislature General Session began. It will run until Friday, March 1. At this week’s County Council meeting, Deputy County Manager, Janna Young, gave the Council a preview of this year’s session and what it might entail. She shared that Summit County is particularly concerned about policy issues surrounding: transportation, childcare, EMS funding, and Olympics Planning.
She also shared that there is no surplus money in the budget this year, so we are expecting a flat state budget. This means extra appropriations/funding requests from communities will be tough to get funded. We can expect the legislature to fund priority projects around education, transportation, water, energy, affordable housing, and tax cuts. Energy policy will also be a big topic this session. Legislative leadership is looking at a standard for what constitutes “green” energy so those sources can be promoted without impacting jobs. They are not interested in shutting down base power until there are substitute options. Summit County will be watching the debate around this issue closely as it could impact our 100% net renewable energy goals and work with Rocky Mountain Power to advance the Community Renewable Energy Agency (CREA). And, finally, we can expect that Affordable Housing will also continue to be a dominating topic this session as in past sessions.
Over the next 45 days, Summit County’s internal legislative working group will track activity at the State Capitol and provide weekly updates to the County Council and to the public at Council meetings. Our listeners can also expect Janna to join Summit in Six for a special recap episode after the general session concludes. Stay tuned!
WORK PLAN
Every year, the County Council adopts an official work plan as a way to focus staff hours and align their work with the budget. It basically is a blueprint for what work Summit County will accomplish in the coming year. The 2024 Work Plan was approved. to Council at this week’s meeting.
If our listeners would like to review the Work Plan and see what the County will be up to this year, please visit: summitcounty.info/workplan24.
URE OPEN HOUSE
In March 2023, Summit County entered into an option agreement with the Ure family to acquire their farm in the Kamas Valley that is approximately 834-acres. To fund the purchase, Summit County will combine 2021 GO Bond (or Open Space) funds with funds from Summit Land Conservancy, limited development opportunities, state and federal grants, and other open space partners.
A Community Open House will be held THIS COMING MONDAY, January 22nd, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Kamas Services Building located at 110 N. Main St. in Kamas, to learn about and contribute ideas and feedback on possible land use. Childcare and light dinner will be provided. All are welcome to attend.
While no decisions have been finalized for the property use yet, the County is committed to preserving the majority of the wet meadows as protected agriculture and open space.
The remainder of the property is being considered for historic preservation, education space, community gathering venues, recreation opportunities, continued agriculture/ranching production, and community housing or local family businesses.
So mark your calendars for January 22nd from 6pm to 8pm at the Kamas Services Building. We hope to see you there!
MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY
Every two years, the Summit County Health Department asks the community to complete a mental health assessment. The results of the assessment help guide efforts to improve the healthcare of our residents. Have your voice and needs heard by filling out the survey today at summitcountyhealth.org/survey.
RADON AWARENESS
In case you missed it, January is Radon Awareness Month! Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced from the breakdown of Uranium in the soil. Radon enters the air of homes through cracks, pipes or ventilation.
The Summit County Health Department is offering $10 radon test kits for you to sample the air where you live. The more people that participate, the better Summit County can track high areas of radon in our community.
Visit any Summit County Health Department location in Kamas, Coalville or Park City to pick up your test kit today! If you have questions, contact the Health Department at 435-333-1511 or visit summitcountyhealth.org.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download