August 9, 2000 Minutes
Day-Riverside Library, Salt Lake City
Approved 9/13/00
Commission Members:
Mayor Lewis Billings, Provo
City
Mr. David Allen, The
Ensign Group
Commissioner Lee Allen, Box
Elder County
Mr. Dee Allsop, Wirthlin
Worldwide
Councilmember Carlton Christensen,
Salt Lake City,
Kathleen Clarke, Dept
of Natural Resources
Commissioner Gary Herbert, Utah
County
Mr. LeLand Hogan,
Utah Farm Bureau
Councilmember Shauna Kerr,
Park City
Commissioner Carol Page,
Davis County
Commissioner Cary Peterson,
Dept of Agriculture & Food
Mr. Max D. Thompson, Mansell
& Associates
Excused:
Mr. Dan Lofgren, Prowswood
Companies
Staff:
Mark Bedel, GOPB
John Bennett, GOPB
Brody Bovero, Utah League of Cities
& Towns
Jeffery Christensen, UAC
Natalie Gochnour, GOPB
Camille Hacking, GOPB
Wilf Sommerkorn, Utah Association of
Counties
Gary Uresk, Utah League of Cities &
Towns
Kort Utley, GOPB
Visitors:
Debbie Alder AGRC
Juan Arce-Larreta, Salt Lake City Mayor=s
Office
Julie Bond, UTA
Joe Borgione, AGRC
Darrell Cook, Mountainland AOG
Joy Dantine, Resident
Art DeFault, DNR/FF&SL
Doug Hill, Murray City
LeRoy W. Hooton, Jr., Salt
Lake City Public Utilities
Buzz Hunt, SL Airport Authority
Janice Jardine, Salt Lake City
Scott Jones, ADA Member & Student
Christopher Kyler, Utah Association
of Realtors
Peter Lassig, Day Riverside Library
Cindy Lou MacDonald, GIS Carbon County
Lorraine Mill, Salt
Lake Vest Pocket Business Coalition
Ben Ocon, Day Riverside Library Manager
Matt Peters, AGRC
Lynn Pett
Ann Price, DNR/FF&SL
George Ramjoue, WFRC
Nick Sefakis
Soren Simonson, American Institute
of Architects
Roger Thompson
Kimball A. Thompson, Enterprise Newspaper
Marianne Wander, Business Advisory
Board
1. Approve 7/12/00 Minutes
Commissioner Carlton Christensen requested to delete Athat he visited@ on page 7 of the July 12, 2000 minutes.
Mr. Max Thompson made the motion to approve the July 12, 2000 minutes with changes from Commissioner Christensen. Councilmember Shauna Kerr seconded the motion. The motion carried.
2. Public Input
Cara Weir from the Department of Community and Economic Development, Office of Energy Services addressed the Commission. She requested that the following be added to the Quality Growth Principles:
AActively support and encourage strategies that address the efficient use of energy, resourceful transportation options, air and water quality, historic preservation and community planning.@
3. Principle: Feedback Received and Draft of Additional Text "Telling Our Story" and Outline of Implementation Plan
The Commission discussed the draft staff prepared to accompany the principles.
Natalie Gochnour stated that the Quality Growth Commission is familar with the work that went into the development of the principles, but the public is not. The draft document restates the need and makes a direct tie to the Quality Growth Act. It reminds people that we need to pay attention to Ahow we grow.@ The document details what the Commission is assigned to do, which are three things: 1) Critical Land Conservation, 2) Planning Grants and 3) Legislative Recommendations. The background statement describes the first two functions as operational. This gives the Commission a good track record. The Commission needs to allocate future energy in the third function of advising the Legislature on growth management issues.
Suggestions from Commission members on the draft document included:
Commission Cary Peterson made the motion for the chair to select a few members to work with him, Dave Allen and staff to complete the document for Wednesday August 16. Councilmember Carlton Christensen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with twelve present.
4. No Net Loss of Private Land - Presentation of AGRC Data
Matt Peters, Utah Automated Geographic Reference Center (AGRC) addressed the Commission.
The State Geographic Information Database (SGID) has developed data through cooperative efforts in Utah and Box Elder counties. The Utah Association of Counties has also been involved in data collection.
AGRC prepared draft maps for the Commission that demonstrate change in land ownership in 1993 and 2000. These maps were originally developed from the Bureau of Land Management ownership maps and Utah State University. In 1993, the data was "rough data." The landownership 2000 map has been significantly improved. There have been many land exchanges between 1993 and 2000, for example state lands were traded out of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Wildlife preserves have been created in Uintah County. The BLM has consolidated some land in Box Elder Counties. Many lands around the Great Salt Lake still need to be corrected in the database.
The 2000 draft map will be updated in the near future. Carbon County is currently working on parcel databases. Mr. Max Thompson indicated that it is important to have a good base map. The Commission agreed to use the 2000 map as the baseline map.
The Commission requested that less colors be used on the 2000 map so that is easier to read, all federal land ownership will be the same color. They agreed that city and county land ownership was too small to display on the baseline map. This local government ownership data is currently unavailable.
5. Preparation for No Net Loss Discussion in September
The Commission directed staff to contact the Legislature as a "friendly reminder" to submit their comments on the No Net Loss issue as soon as possible.
Commissioner Cary Peterson asked if input had been received from counties. Natalie Gochnour indicated we have received good input from the counties.
The Commission requested to have a short discussion on Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) at the September meeting (five minutes).
6. Plans to Present "Principles" to the Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
A breakfast meeting is scheduled at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16 at Little America with State Legislators and former Senator LeRay McAllister.
At 9:15 a.m. the same day another group of State Legislators will meet in the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget Conference Room for a short briefing.
The Quality Growth Commission is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. to address the Political Subdivisions Interim Committee.
7. Day Riverside Library - Ben Ocon, Library Manager
Mr. Ben Ocon gave a brief overview of the new library. The goal of the library and its grounds is to honor and respect the natural environment. Located on the banks of the Jordan River the Day-Riverside Branch of the Salt Lake City Public Library System offers the community a unique opportunity to experience natural landscaping. When the branch was constructed in 1996, the library explored different possibilities for landscaping, with the goal of finding a low maintenance/low cost option for its grounds that are part of the Jordan River Parkway restoration project.
Given three years to develop, the Nature Study Area is today a designated protected space by the City of Salt Lake and a model ecosystem with a variety of plants and native grasses that support a population of birds, bees and butterflies.
Gardener Peter Lassig, known for his exquisite gardens at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City, defined the content of the grounds by selecting a variety of flowers and grasses best adapted to the site's natural planting conditions along the banks of the river, and planning in respect to what the Jordan River was like 200 years ago. From the first planting, the Nature Study Area began to develop and evolve on its own.
As caretaker, the library's role is to encourage the natural flowers and grasses to flourish on their own, while removing the undesirable and aggressive weeds that may attempt to invade from time to time.
8. Approval of Utah League of Cities & Towns' and Utah Association of Counties' Contracts for FY 2001
The ULC&T and UAC have prepared a scope of work for Fiscal Year 2001. Contracts have been prepared for $10,000 for each entity.
Commissioner Lee Allen made the motion to accept both the Utah League of Cities & Towns' and the Utah Association of Counties' contracts. Mr. Leland Hogan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
The Utah League of Cities and Towns has retained Brody Bovero as a full time employee. Mr. Bovero will travel statewide to communities informing them of the Quality Growth Commission. He will document comments and input from elected officials and residents on growth issues. UAC has hired Jeffery Christensen as an Intern to work on Quality Growth issues.
9. Critical Land Subcommittee Report - Review and Approval of Grants
Dave Allen submitted the subcommittee's report:
Summit Park - Trust for Public Land -350 acres near Park City of old growth pine trees. This project is part of the Great Western Trail which is a popular recreation designation. They have requested $500,000. This property has not been open to public access legally, but the public has been recreating on it. The landowner would build seven homes in a clustered area of 25 acres. Current zoning would allow for 20 homes. The subcommittee believes this is a good project with good recreation access and preserves unique timber and viewshed values. The subcommittee believes that on large financial projects a match of more than 50% may be appropriate. Funding $400,00 for the project would make it a four to one match. The subcommittee also believes that the location of the project (Summit County/Park City) should have the mechanism to raise $100,000 locally.
Commissioner Carol Page made the motion to approve the Summit Park project at $400,000. Mr. Dee Allsop seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Marriott-Slaterville - Gary Hess Weber River Project - requested $38,000. The subcommittee's request for a Phase II Environmental Assessment has been completed. This project is on the Weber River Corridor and has important access to the river. Marriott-Slaterville will purchase the property. Ms. Kathleen Clarke suggested the Commission approve this project in concept, contingent on a conservation easement being drafted and approved. The subcommittee should review the conservation easement.
Mr. Max Thompson made the motion to approve $38,000 for the Marriott-Slaterville project subject to review of the conservation easement by the Department of Natural Resources and the subcommittee for final review.
Commissioner Lee Allen made an amendment to the motion to amend the conservation easement on page 8. It currently reads "may grant public access" and should be changed to "shall grant public access." Mr. Max Thompson accepted the amendment. Councilmember Shauna Kerr seconded the motion and amendment. The motion carried unanimously.
Sandy City - Dry Creek Restoration Project - This project is below Dimple Dell Park and is a restoration project. Wetlands will be restored and a trail will be added in the parkway. Part two of the project involves the Army Corp. of Engineers and Salt Lake County in the restoration of the meander of the river. Councilmember Carlton Christensen visited this site and believes it is a worthy project for the Commission to fund. Public access will be allowed. They are requesting $250,000.
The subcommittee has asked for more clarification to preserve the restoration on an ongoing basis. The Army Corp of Engineers will be regulating the water flow. The subcommittee suggested Sandy City provide a mechanism involving another entity to keep the restoration project preserved.
The subcommittee and John Kimball, Division of Wildlife Resources, previously recommended that Sandy City more clearly identify the purpose of the corridor, if it is being used for wildlife habitat then it should be part of the project definition. This will help to manage the property for long term use.
The subcommittee recommends this project be approved with the condition that prior to any funds being released a method of preservation and maintenance be defined. A third party is requested to oversee the long term preservation of the project.
Former Mayor Pett of Murray addressed the Commission. Mr. Pett has worked on this project for a year and a half.
Commissioner Cary Peterson made the motion to approve the Sandy City-Dry Creek Riparian Restoration Project for $250,000 with the condition that the Dimple Dell Advisory Board be included in the management plan and serve as an oversight agency. Councilmember Shauna Kerr seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
American West Heritage Center Farmland Preserve - Utah Open Lands - Dave Allen disclosed that he is on the Board of Trustees for Utah Open Lands. Utah Open Lands is the Grantor and will purchase the property and will donate it to Utah State University. The easement will be held by Wellsville City.
Mr. Leland Hogan made the motion to approve the American West Heritage Center Farmland Preserve in the amount of $100,000. Councilmember Shauna Kerr seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Parowan Heritage Foundation - Dr. Priddy Meek's Pioneer Farmstead Park and Urban Fishery - This is a restoration project and was previously approved. The grant is $12,500. The land is owned by Parowan City and the Commission asked for assurance of long term preservation. A conservation easement has been written for protection for 40 years and will be held by the Parowan Heritage Foundation. The subcommittee is comfortable with this arrangement. The project has local support and a ten to one match.
Commission Cary Peterson made the motion to approve the Parowan Heritage Foundation - Dr. Priddy Meek's Pioneer Farmstead Park and Urban Fishery grant for $12,500, with the 40 year conservation easement. Councilmember Carlton Christensen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
The Grafton Heritage Project is scheduled to close on September 1, 2000.
10. Next Meeting and Other Business
Commissioner Gary Herbert made the motion to hold the September 13 meeting in Ogden, Utah. Mr. Leland Hogan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
The next meeting will be in Ogden on Wednesday, September 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Max Thompson is hosting the meeting at the Weber County Courthouse, 2380
Washington Boulevard (conference room, first floor). From Salt Lake City proceed north on I-15 to the 24th Street Exit in Ogden. Proceed east and cross Washington Boulevard. The Courthouse is on the northeast corner. The parking terrace is east of the building.
Councilmember Carlton Christensen made the motion
to adjourn. Mr. Dave Allen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.