We can’t stop development, but it would sure be nice if it were done considering all the short- and long-term consequences.  We can imagine the impact that the Dakota Pacific development of 800 residences will have on our traffic situation. Very concerning, especially when one realizes the C anyons is only 50% developed.   Utah Olympic Park is requesting an amendment to their development plan that will allow them to more than double the currently allowed development from 295,000 to almost 600,000 square feet. That includes a hotel with over 100 rooms, residences close to the back gate, buildings on top of the ridge by the new ski lift, and several other buildings.  The development of Utah Olympic Park is, first and foremost, governed by the property deed that lists the conditions and limitations that the donor of the property to Olympic Park wanted to have in place. The donor wanted assurances that the development was minimal and a significant portion of the open space was kept undeveloped. The newly proposed development by UOP is in conflict with several restrictions listed in the property deed. Here are a few examples: The buildings on top of the ridge by the ski lift and the majority of the homes they want to build by the back gate are in restricted areas. Actually, I understand that permanent residences are not allowed at all. Furthermore, the hotel they plan to build has over 100 rooms in a location where the property deed limits the development of a hotel to no more than 50 rooms. Deed restrictions serve an important function in land-use planning. They provide predictability to neighboring property owners and to the broader community. They protect against gradual changes that can alter an area’s character. Let’s hope Summit County properly evaluates UOP’s compliance with the property deed. If I may go back to the traffic concerns, the proposal submitted by UOP has a very inadequate traffic study. I hope the county requires UOP to do a proper traffic study before they evaluate their application. Additionally, UOP wants to reopen the back gate at the top of Bear Hollow Drive to be used not only for construction, but also for traffic coming from the new residences they plan to build. Bear Hollow Drive was not built by the county and was not built to County standards. When Olympic Parkway was built, the back gate to Olympic Park was closed only to be used in emergencies. That was over 20 years ago. Bear Hollow Drive is 1.8 miles long, has no shoulder, the top 1.1 miles have severe drop-offs and a section with an 11% gradient. The road is used by people from the neighborhood, runners, hikers, cyclists, etc. Why would we open a road that is inherently unsafe to more traffic when UOP has its own road? The county has prohibited UOP from using the road in the past. Let’s hope they keep it that way.  Jorge Velarde Snyderville The post Problems with UOP plan appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less