Scientific Treasure survey a ‘likely next step’

A City Hall official involved in the negotiations with the Sweeney family about Treasure said a scientific survey of Parkites’ opinions about a bond measure to fund the purchase of all or some of the Treasure development rights in a conservation deal could be taken in the upcoming months.

Jonathan Weidenhamer, who manages City Hall’s economic development programs, said a scientific survey is a “likely next step.” He said one could be conducted as City Hall’s negotiators and the Sweeney family side refine options for some sort of conservation agreement.

He said, though, he was unsure when a scientific survey could be taken.

“We can’t rush the negotiations and rush into options.” Weidenhamer said.

A scientific survey would be expected to include a broader sampling of respondents than an informal one taken during two July open houses focused on Treasure. A prepared statement from City Hall announcing the results of the informal survey cautioned the responses do “not represent a statistically valid sample and should be considered information only.”

The informal survey relied heavily on responses from Old Town and Park Meadows, with those two neighborhoods accounting for 63 percent of the responses.

The informal survey found that an overwhelming majority of the people who responded did not prefer the current Treasure proposal and want City Hall to purchase all the development rights at the site, which is situated on a hillside overlooking Old Town and on the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort.

The two sides are amid negotiations that could result in a conservation deal that could involve all or some of the family’s longstanding development rights at the Treasure site. If one is struck, Mayor Dana Williams and the Park City Council would be expected to ask voters to approve a ballot measure to raise the money needed to fund a conservation deal.

A representative of the Sweeney family said his side does not plan to conduct a scientific survey. Mike Sweeney, one of the family’s negotiators, said he was not sure if a survey would be worthwhile.

“The scientific study I think is going to happen is going to be at the voting poll,” Sweeney said.